Absolutely South East January 2020

SOUTH EAST

South East JANUARY 2020 / £3.95

January BLUES Embrace Pantone's colour of the year

JAN UARY 2020

TRAVEL plans 2020's best destinations

Health and Beauty S P E C I A L

Health, beauty, fitness and wellness for the new year

Jazz

AGE

WELCOME TO THE NEW DECADE

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START A HAPPY NEW YOU

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WWW. W10.FIT/ TRYUS

202-208 KENSAL ROAD LONDON, W10 5BN

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020 3489 5428 hello@W10.fit

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Home is where the heart is

Exceptional care in your own home

• Kind and friendly hospice-trained staff • Comprehensive range of services

Many of us need a little help, some a little more.

• Experts in dementia and complex care

Any profits made are returned to St Christopher’s Hospice

0208 768 4648 personalcare@stchristophers.org.uk www.stcpersonalcare.org.uk

Exceptional care in your home Many of us need a little help, some a little more.

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ABSOLUTELY

Contents JANUARY 2020

46

106 10

C U LT U R E ABSOLUTELY LOVES

H E A LT H & B E A U T Y 57 BEAUTY CONFIDENTIAL

AGENDA

58 TREATMENT REVIEWS

PAPER CUTS

68 SLEEP TALK

10 things we’re coveting this month

14

Diary dates for January

16

Picasso at the Royal Academy

FOOD & DRINK 26 KITCHEN CONFIDENTIAL

This month's best beauty buys

New hair and beauty treatments tested

All you need for a good night's kip

80 CLASS OF 2020

Fitness classes tried and tested

News from the industry

INTERIORS BLUE VELVET

32 RECIPES

91

FA S H I O N 42 MOON WALK

92 TREND TALK

Winter greens from ckbk.com

In the studio with Hannah Davis of Wolf and Moon

46 SNOW STYLE

Winter warmers from Penelope Chilvers

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

Pantone's Colour of the Year

The looks of 2020 with Rockett St George

T R AV E L 106 CLUB GREEK

ON THE COVER wolfandmoon.com

Finding the ultimate family resort in Gregolimano A B S O L U T E LY. L O N D O N

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EDITOR IN CHIEF PENDLE HARTE DIGITAL EDITOR ABBIE SCHOFIELD EDITORIAL ASSISTANT ZOE DELMER-BEST COMMERCIAL DIRECTOR CRAIG DAVIES MEDIA CONSULTANT ANABELA KOLECI EDUCATION SPECIALIST ANDY MABBITT ART DIRECTOR PAWEL KUBA SENIOR DESIGNER MIKE ROBERTS MID-WEIGHT DESIGNER REBECCA NOONAN MARKETING MANAGER LUCIE PEARCE FINANCIAL DIRECTOR JERRIE KOLECI CREDIT CONTROL MANAGER ALEXANDRA HVID DIRECTORS LEAH DAY, JAMES FUSCHILLO

TITMAN DESIGN

NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR ALEXANDRA HUNTER

Titman Studios, Architecture & Design

MANAGING DIRECTOR SHERIF SHALTOUT PA TO DIRECTORS ESRA KANBUR

With the darkness of Winter approaching you can dream of having more light in the coming summer and the future Winters, for many years ahead - with an opening up of your home to the garden. An extension is a great investment. So don’t move- improve! A welldesigned kitchen extension will add economic value to your house and social value to your home. As the heart of the home is the kitchen – here an extension can expand your quality of time spent at home with friends, pets and family. Titman Design have an almost 100% success rate with SE London planners and Mark Titman has been lecturing in architecture and design for more than 20 years. The benefit of using Titman Design, include: excellent design quality, unlimited designs and revisions of applications all at no extra cost. Call to meet one of the team to see what you can achieve- we will provide designs for the beautiful space your house can become.

For editorial enquiries please email: pendle@zest-media.com For advertising enquiries please call 020 3981 7187 or email: craig@zest-media.com

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

We reserve the right to publish and edit any letters.

All rights reserved.

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

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

mstitman@globalnet.co.uk 07771 907011 marktitman.com

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Editor’s

WOLF AND MOON

Quirky and creative jewellery by Hannah Davis page 42

LETTER ABSOLUTELY’S January issue highlights

1

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London's coolest spectacles page 78

PENDLE HARTE EDITOR

CBD – is it worth it? page 72

5

anuary is a month of new beginnings and good intentions. It's the month of new year's resolutions, whether they outlast the month or not. And this January is even more Januarylike than ever, marking as it does the start of a whole new decade.

This new beginning is definitely the time to start living as you mean to go on, claiming your best life and getting your house in order. Which is why, in this issue, we have dedicated an impressive 26 pages to health, beauty and wellness, identifying lots of ways that we can all be fitter, look better and feel healthier. We look at all the ususal beauty treatments, skin products and fitness classes but also at how to improve your sleep, how to benefit from CBD and where to get your eyesight seen to. We visit an awardwinning spa in Devon and look forward to some active family holidays for the summer, and in the spirit of fresh starts, we inspect interiors trends for 2020 and focus on starting points for anyone embarking on a new kitchen project in 2020. Because now's the time to be thinking about all of this if we want the new year to be full of the wonderful things we are all looking for. Happy new year to all our readers.

GLASS ARTS

HEMP TRUTHS

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2

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SKI IN STYLE

Heading to the slopes? Here's what you need to take page 53

3

TAKE CARE

Wellness notes for 2020 page 65

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

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Wish LIST

LOUNGE ABOUT Take it easy this January and relax in cosy loungewear from Eberjey.

With a snuggly winter weight fabric and flattering design, you’ll want to spend all season enveloped in its comfortable folds; £122 selfridges.com

COMPILED BY

Keep warm and stylish with this fringed knit from Hayley Menzies. Spun from a wool and alpaca blend, this super-soft jumper will keep you feeling snug and looking on trend during the chilly winter months. We love this look paired with a cowboy hat for vintage vibes; £220 hayleymenzies.com

E D I TO R ’S PICK

LO S E YO U R S E L F

10 things we Absolutely love

KEEP IT COSY

Be transported to a wild garden with this fragrance inspired by the beauty of the natural world from Miller Harris. Lost in the City is a sophisticated perfume with notes of bergamot zest, rose petals and crisp amber; £100 millerharris.com

I N T H E BAG Mulberry has launched its first 100% sustainable leather bag, the Portobello Tote. Made entirely at Mulberry’s carbon-neutral Somerset factories, the bag uses heavy grain leather which is a byproduct of food production; £795 mulberry.com

ZO Ë D E L M E R - B E S T

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ABSOLUTELY • LOVES FU R SU R E Embrace your wild side and wrap up warm with this fully vegan fur jacket from Stella McCartney. Featuring a dual front zip fastening and stylish contrasting collar, this coat has all the glamour of a fur coat, without the cruelty. Pair with slouchy slacks for a cool girl vibe or wear over a silky slip dress for a touch of understated chic; £1,445 stellamccartney.com

E A SY C OW B OY Pairing burgundy croc with lilac, this refreshing take on the cowboy boot by GANNI is the ultimate western style statement.

Handcrafted in Portugal, we love the chunky heel; £390 ganni.com

L O V E LY L A C E

J U ST A TO U C H

Indulge in the sensual with this beautiful set from Coco De Mere. With its simple, foolproof design and luxurious velvet detailing, the Eugenia collection will have you feeling and looking your best; £105 coco-de-mare.com

Formulated to align with your natural lip tone, this no-makeup lipstick is the perfect sheer tint to give your lips a colour pop. It has SPF15 and helps moisturise, smooth and plump your lips; £25 perriconemd.co.uk

GET LIT Add a bit of light to your winter evenings with a new lamp from Pooky. With a wide selection of design-orientated standing and table lamps, there’s a style for every interior. There’s also plenty of beautiful shades to choose from too. Chukka floor lamp; £330 pooky.com

C R OW N I N G GLORY Bedazzle this winter with a beaded headband. Boasting a wide variety of headband styles, Shrimps has all your hair accessory wants covered. We particularly love this glitzy ruby-hued number; £150 shrimps.com

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

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C U LT U R E JULIE COCKBURN, DAPPLE GREEN MAN, 2019; SCREENPRINT ON GICLEE PRINT ON HAHNEMÜHLE RAG; COURTESY OF FLOWERS GALLERY

What's on 14 • Theatre review 20 • Theatre round-up 23 A B S O L U T E LY. L O N D O N

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The Agenda

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

MU S I C

Jazz Night 26 January M A N U E L ' S R E S TA U R A N T & B A R Bask in the haunting and melodic tunes of jazz on a lazy Sunday afternoon at Manuel's Restaurant and Bar. From 6pm onwards on 26 January, Cabarazz will be playing their diverse jazz-fusion repertoire of pop, bossa, nova and soul. Manuel's Restaurant also boasts a delicious menu of fresh Mediterranean food and wine.

129 Gipsy Hill, SE19 1QS; manuelsrestaurantandbar.com

PAINTING WITH VERTICALS, BRIDGET RILEY; 2006

A RT

LO N D O N A R T FA I R 22- 26 JA NUA RY • BUS I NE S S D E SIGN CEN TRE

Bringing museum-quality modern and contemporary art to the capital, the fair connects over 100 of the best galleries from around the world with seasoned and aspiring collectors looking to acquire exceptional works, from both internationally-renowned artists and emerging talent breaking new ground.

52 Upper St, N1 0QH; londonartfair.co.uk

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ART

Lynne Cooke: On Bridget Riley 9 January SOUTHBANK CENTRE Delve back into the hypnotic Bridget Riley exhibition at the Southbank Centre with this talk from Lynne Cook. The US-based curator will discuss aspects of Riley’s painting in relation to contemporary artistic practice.

Belvedere Road, SE1; southbankcentre.co.uk

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CULTURE • TALKING TOPICS

LEARN A

EV E N T

Lightopia 22 January- 1 March CHISWICK HOUSE AND GARDENS Be transported to a whole new world through the art of light. This January, the Lightopia tour comes to London along with its 2,000 lanterns and 100,000 lightbulbs. Explore through a maze of interactive and timeless light shows and marvel at the beauty of light displays created by lanterns and 3D light projection.

Burlington Lane, W4 2RP; lightopiafestival.com

NEW SKILL MOV E

KAREN HARDY DANCE STUDIOS Ongoing Embark on your dance journey at Karen Hardy Dance Studios London’s only private members' dance studio. Established by Karen Hardy, former world Latin American champion and Strictly Come Dancing Professional Champion, it’s the perfect place to learn how to waltz your way into the new year. karenhardystudios.com

WAT C H

LONDON SHORT FILM FESTIVAL

KAREN HARDY

This Month’s Must See

10-19 January VA R I O U S V E N U E S The London Short Film Festival has entered its seventeenth year, and the premieres will showcase a wide range of short films from both emerging and well-established talent. Catch titles such as Memos for the Next Millennium, More Than Just a Pretty Face - Alt Drag Revolution and Visions of Albion at some of London's most iconic cinematic locations. shortfilms.org.uk

COOK

JAPANESE COOKING AT YUKI’S KITCHEN 18 January Let’s Roll. For all the sushi lovers out there, this class will teach you how to make delicious maki rolls in the comfort of your own home.

You’ll learn methods including how to roll sushi, make sushi vinegar, prepare sushi rice step-by-step, alongside presentation techniques. yukigomi.com

CLOSE UP

10 JA NUARY • CHURCHILL THEATRE

S

pend an evening immersed in the majestic trickery of magic this month. The Churchill Theatre will be playing host to The Close Up Company - a string of talented magicians who will entertain and mesmerise audiences in an intimate show that will help you laugh your way through the January blues.

C R E AT E

ETCHING MASTERCLASS AT DULWICH PICTURE GALLERY 18 January Discover the numerous methods of intaglio printmaking, including drypoint, hard ground, soft ground and aquatint, and gain insight into the great master Rembrandt’s use of line. There will also be a tour of Rembrandt’s Light as part of the workshop. dulwichpicturegallery.org

High Street, BR1 1HA; churchilltheatre.co.uk

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SEATED WOMAN (DORA), 1938. INK, GOUACHE AND COLOURED CHALK ON PAPER, 76.5 X 56 CM. FONDATION BEYELER, RIEHEN/ BASEL, BEYELER COLLECTION. PHOTO: PETER SCHIBLI. © SUCCESSION PICASSO/DACS 2019

PA P E R C U T S

This January, the Royal Academy of Arts will present Picasso and Paper, an exhibition devoted to Picasso’s imaginative and pioneering uses of paper Wo r d s ZO Ë D E L M E R - B E S T

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CULTURE • PICASSO

P

icasso took the art world by storm with his unique style and unfamiliar flare. Focusing on the emotion and feel of a subject, his work encapsulates some of the most tumultuous events that occurred during the 20th century. From great sadness to euphoric joy, the art shows the fragility of raw human reaction in a style that is removed from reality.

Renowned for his pioneering techniques, Picasso’s works were boundary-pushing, and yet, unlike many artists who strived to do the same, they don’t appear to be laboriously worked to cultivate uniqueness. Instead, they seem almost organic in composition. There’s a visceral, naïve element, which renders them strikingly relatable to the observer. Anyone who looks at his work can relate to it on some level, which is perhaps why Picasso was one of the most successful artists of the modern era. The Royal Academy of Arts exhibition will bring together over 300 works, encompassing Picasso’s prolific 80-year career and examining not only Picasso’s finalised masterpieces but also exploring the creative processes leading up to their conception the myriad techniques Picasso explored surrounding paper.

Picasso’s relationship with pen and paper was famously incessant. Diane Root retells a story of when she met the great artist as a 12-year-old at a lunch party. She remembers that before long Picasso had withdrawn a simple Bic pen from his pockets and was drawing on the protective paper table cloth, creating a multitude of images with staccato flair.

Every movement was lightning fast and unpredictable, yet quickly, emerging from the lines of biro was a plethora of recognisable images. She recalls it was like watching a magician at work and the once white sheet was soon covered with ingenious black scrawls.

It wasn’t just drawing where Picasso’s relationship with paper flourished. He made sculptures from pieces of torn burnt paper, produced and manipulated photographs and spent decades investigating an array of printmaking techniques on paper. Being ever-curious, Picasso and friend Georges Braque also developed a

LE DÉJEUNER SUR L’HERBE’ AFTER MANET I, MOUGINS, 26 JANUARY – 13 MARCH 1962. LINOCUT ON ARCHES WOVE PAPER, PRINTED BY ARNÉRA IN SIX PASSES, IN DARK PURPLE, THEN YELLOW, THEN RED, THEN GREEN, THEN LIGHT BLUE, THEN BLACK, FIFTH STATE, 62 X 75.2 CM. MUSÉE NATIONAL PICASSO-PARIS. PABLO PICASSO GIFT IN LIEU, 1979. MP3488. PHOTO © RMNGRAND PALAIS (MUSÉE NATIONAL PICASSO-PARIS) / MARINE BECK-COPPOLA. © SUCCESSION PICASSO/DACS 2019

whole new art movement, collage. By cutting up pieces of paper and other materials Picasso was able to add new textures and produce sharper, cleaner lines in his work.

The exhibition will feature the extraordinary Women at their Toilette, winter 1937-38, a collage measuring 4.5 meters in length and the Cubist papiers-colles, Violin, 1912 as well as many other examples of this movement.

For fans of Picasso, the exhibition gives an indepth look into the mind of the artist and explore his ever-pioneering and physical attitudes towards art and the manipulation of mediums. Organised in a broadly chronological framework, the display will follow Picasso’s career and focus on the key periods throughout his life and reference to corresponding

“There's a visceral, naïve element to Picasso's art which renders it strikingly relatable to the observer" themes associated with them. For example, Picasso’s great masterpiece of the Blue Period, La Vie, 1903, will be displayed with preparatory drawings and various other works on paper which explore the themes of poverty, despair and social alienation.

A focused section of the exhibition specifically examines the materials and objects used throughout Picasso’s career that helped inspire and create pieces.

This will include an early woodcut printed by hand using a salad bowl as a block, as well as experimental graphic works adopted later in his career. Also featured in this section will be an astonishing collection of ephemera that Picasso collected throughout his lifetime including personal letters, cards and envelopes Picasso decorated with drawings throughout his lifetime.

PICASSO AND PAPER

WOMEN AT THEIR TOILETTE, PARIS, WINTER 1937–38. COLLAGE OF CUT-OUT WALLPAPERS WITH GOUACHE ON PAPER PASTED ON CANVAS, 299 X 448 CM. MUSÉE NATIONAL PICASSOPARIS. PABLO PICASSO GIFT IN LIEU, 1979. MP176. PHOTO © RMN-GRAND PALAIS (MUSÉE NATIONAL PICASSO-PARIS) / ADRIEN DIDIERJEAN. © SUCCESSION PICASSO/DACS 2019

Takes place between January 25 - April 13 2020, Royal Academy of Arts, Piccadilly, W1; royalacademy.org.uk

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

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ORIGINAL, LIMITED-EDITION ART DECO POSTERS

Limited to editions of 280, our newly-commissioned A r t D e c o posters feature glamorous h o l i d a y destinations around the world, ski resorts in the Austrian, French and Swiss Alps, and the world’s greatest historic automobiles. Over 100 designs to choose from, all printed on 100% cotton fine art paper, measuring 97 x 65 cm.

Pullman Editions Ltd

Priced at £395 each.

Tel: +44 (0)20 7730 0547

Private commissions are also welcome.

94 Pimlico Road Chelsea

London SW1W 8PL

www.pullmaneditions.com

info@pullmaneditions.com

Our central London gallery

All images and text copyright © Pullman Editions Ltd. 2019

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CULTURE • FOCUS

IN THE KITCHEN, HELEN CHADWICK; 1977

POSTER FOR 'ACID HOUSE' MEMORIES AND MEMORABILIA; 1996

Counter

AC T S Explore a varied collection of British contemporary art at Counter Acts: Incomplete Histories

By ZOË DELMER-BE ST

T

he University of the Arts London (UAL) has curated an exhibition that celebrates its longstanding association with Turner Prize nominees and winners.

With over half of all Turner Prize candidates having studied or worked with the UAL, this exhibition is not only an ode to the success of the university but also a celebration of diversity and the use of art as an instrument of communication.

Full of rebellion and ignoring the norms,

the exhibition focuses on artworks that have helped redefine contemporary art by disrupting historical, political and cultural narratives. It’s a refreshing concept where art is pulled together to tell one collective story of unity and freedom of speech - much like the collective win of the 2019 Turner Prize winners.

The works featured in the exhibition span over a period of five decades, giving viewers an insight into what the themes and issues were at the time of the artwork's production. Helen Chadwick’s In the Kitchen (1977), explores the archaic notion that a woman’s place is in the kitchen, and while today we recognise that this opinion belongs in an outdated school of thought, at the time of conception, women’s rights and lobbying for equal pay was still at the very forefront on the conversation, with the Sex Discrimination Act having only just been passed in 1975.

The collection of works unite together to show the power that art has on the political and the way in which it is used to reflect contemporary society, stimulate new thinking and stand up for beliefs.

COUNTER ACTS

Lethaby Gallery, 1 Granary Square, N1C 4AA; arts.ac.uk

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CULTURE • THEATRE

ABSOLUTELY reviews…

ELLEN ROBERTSON PLAYS MAYA

ELLIOT LEVEY AS ANDY AND AMBER JAMES AS NATALIE

T H E AT R E

SNOWFLAKE

A strong, thought-provoking performance B y ZO Ë D E L M E R - B E S T

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nowflake by Mike Bartlett sent waves through the audience during its first run in the Old Fire Station in Oxford and after last night’s viewing, it’s clear it will do the same at The Kiln Theatre in Kilburn. It’s not an easy watch and tensions constantly bubble throughout the performance with harsh climaxes that leave the audience cringingly startled.

The title is a reference to the derogatory term 'snowflake generation'. Used to describe the generation of people who became adults in the 2010s, snowflakes are viewed as being less resilient and more prone to taking offence than previous generations. This play doesn’t prove

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or disprove the notion of snowflakes, rather it explores the social perceptions and generational divide that has been exacerbated through lack of understanding and communication between not only generational groups but the whole country.

The set is an impressive affair, albeit rather depressing. Staged in a suburban village hall somewhere on the outskirts of Oxford, there’s a nonpermanent, fleeting feeling, almost transitional. Walking into the theatre it was hard not to belive you hadn’t been teleported straight into a village hall; there was a scattering of those orange plastic chairs every village hall owns, the precarious foldable tabes and an almost damp feeling fell over the audience.

Elliot Levey started the performance off with an impressive monologue in

"Tensions constantly bubble throughout the performance" the character of Andy. We soon find out that Andy has been estranged from his daughter for three years and today, in the village hall, is where he hopes to see her again and make amends. It’s Chrismas Eve and there’s despondent loneliness in the character of Andy. He’s likeable, but he is so desperate to see his daughter that he hasn’t stopped to think about why she left in the first place. Help comes in the form of a stranger, Natalie, who encapsulates British village hall tradition by slurping on numerous cups of tea. Slowly yet surley she teases the whole story out of Andy.

VERDICT

A performance that searches for justice ★★★★★ S N OW F L A K E CONTINUES UNTIL 25 JANUARY AT KILN THEATRE

kilntheatre.com

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

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WINTER/SPRING AUCTIONS JANUARY

Traditional & Modern Home Saturday 25 January FEBRUARY

Modern & Contemporary British Art Tuesday 11 February MARCH

Design: Decorative Arts 1860 to the Present Day Tuesday 3 March Jewellery & Watches Tuesday 24 March Old Master, 18th & 19th Century Pictures Wednesday 25 March Fine & Decorative Thursday 26 March NOW WELCOMING CONSIGNMENTS FOR ALL AUCTIONS IN 2020

Visit our website to view the auction calendar and catalogues.

Contact us for a complimentary valuation. www.roseberys.co.uk Fine Art Auctioneers & Valuers

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70/76 Knights Hill, London SE27 0JD | +44 (0) 20 8761 2522

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CULTURE • THEATRE

ROUND UP

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

MUST SEE

LEXICON

From 3 January

THE ROUNDHOUSE

International circus cast NoFit State is bringing its astounding theatrical show to Camden this month. Featuring nail-biting balancing acts, the swinging trapeze, a dazzling acro duo and much more, this family-friendly show combines physical poetry and a live band with a passionate and talented ensemble.

Chalk Farm Rd, NW1 8EH; roundhouse.org.uk

By A B B I E S C H O F I E L D

THE WEDDING SINGER

THE WEDDING SINGER

From 30 January

TROUBADOUR WEMBLEY PARK THEATRE

International ballroom and Latin dancer Kevin Clifton stars in the theatre adaptation of this 1998 Hollywood blockbuster film. It tells the story of Robbie Hart, a New Jersey wedding singer whose own fiancée leaves him at the altar. Can he make a comeback from this disastrous dumping? The Wedding Singer is a feel-good musical not to be missed.

3 Fulton Rd, HA9 0SP; troubadourtheatres.com

SWIVE [ELIZABETH]

FOR THE SAKE OF ARGUMENT

Until 15 February

From 28 January

SAM WANAMAKER PLAYHOUSE

BRIDEWELL THEATRE

This new play uses the historical character of Queen Elizabeth to examine the way women in power negotiate patriarchal pressure in order to succeed.

With a script written by Ella Hickson, the famous monarch will be played by Nina Cassells with the Sam Wanamaker Playhouse providing an intimate, candle-lit setting for the production.

21 New Globe Walk, SE1 9DT; shakespearesglobe.com

Eleanor Hickock is a passionate and argumentative journalist who becomes the Iraq War’s chief evangelist in this hardhitting play about the power of language.

Emphasising the dangers of extreme views and throwaway comments, this thoughtprovoking production interrogates the modern media’s attitudes to conflict in an era on the cusp of social media mayhem.

14 Bride Ln, London EC4Y 8EQ; sbf.org.uk

GIRL FROM THE NORTH COUNTRY

GIRL FROM THE NORTH COUNTRY FOR THE SAKE OF ARGUMENT

Until 10 February

GIELGUD THEATRE

Starring the music and lyrics of Nobel Prize winner Bob Dylan, Girl From The North Country depicts a tired, family-run Minnesota guest house in the midst of The Great Depression. Written by Conor McPherson, this critically-acclaimed play is in the West End for just eight weeks.

Shaftesbury Avenue, W1D 6AR; girlfromthenorthcountry.london

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Make chums with your gums At Sparklysmile our hygienists are our secret weapons.

They help you keep your gums healthy, breath fresh and teeth firm, as well as advise on how to keep up the good work at home.

Call 020 8852 0442 for a free consultation

19 Montpelier Vale, Blackheath Village, London SE3 0TA, info@sparklysmile.co.uk, sparklysmile.co.uk

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FOOD & DRINK

SURF 'N' TURF HAWKSMOOR

Spitalfields steakhouse Hawksmoor has wowed Londoners with its meaty delights since 2006. But the renowned restaurant not only serves British, grass-fed beef, but sustainable seafood, too.

57A Commercial Street, E1 6BJ; thehawksmoor.com

Food notes 26 • Food review 29 • Recipes 32 A B S O L U T E LY. L O N D O N

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WHAT TO DRINK

GRAPE news Wine recommendations for the month

TASTING NOTES

London’s food news and most exciting openings this January

By ABBIE SCHOFIELD

By BERRY BROS. & RUDD

2018 Wisperwind Lorcher, Riesling, Eva Fricke, Rheingau (11.5%)  £25.95 A delightfully refreshing wine created from organically-grown grapes, winemaker Eva Fricke has created an adaptable white which is at home with food but also makes a thirst-quenching aperitif.

It has notes of lemon blossom, apple and peach.

2018 Craven, Clairette Blanche, Stellenbosch, South Africa (11.5%)  £18.50 This wine has almond and stone-fruit aromas, while the palate is delicately scented with salty, mineral notes. Fresh and light but complex and with impressive staying power, the wine is part skin fermented, contributing to its orangey hue.

2018 Prosecco Conegliano, Le Rive di Ogliano, Italy (11.5%)  £13.95 This is made in the best vineyard in the Valdobbiadene region of Prosecco. Here the soil is formed from remnants of an ancient glacial flow and is full of minerals. The result is a bright, fresh and elegant wine.

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

bbr.com

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Mexican eye WA H ACA

Wahaca has opened two experiential dining pods on the Southbank, allowing guests to experience Mexican street food with a view of the Thames. The feasting menu includes starters such as duck croquetas with smoky hibiscus and chipotle salsa, and mains like buttermilk chicken tacos with pink pickled onions and spiced mayo.

Southbank Centre, SE1; wahaca.co.uk/mexican-eye

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FOOD & DRINK• NOTES

VEGANUARY Our picks for meatfree meals this month

FA R M AC Y

Bunny business

Notting Hill favourite Farmacy has been the go to for healthy, plant-based food since its opening in 2016. From vegan brunch and dinner to sugar-free cocktails and CBD, all of Farmacy’s ingredients are seasonal, farm-grown or sourced from local and sustainable suppliers.

74-76 Westbourne Grove, W2; farmacylondon.com

400 RABBITS AT THE LIDO

PUB LIFE HAKATA

A new izakaya-style eatery has landed in Bermondsey, bringing the best of informal Japanese dining to southeast London. Named after a neighbourhood in the city of Fukuoka, Hakata’s basement bar serves Japanese pub-grub in delicious style.

177 Bermondsey Street, SE1; hakata.co.uk

South London’s 400 Rabbits has added to its sites in Crystal Palace, Nunhead and West Norwood with a new concept restaurant at Brockwell Lido. Situated in its Grade II listed, art-deco café, 400 Rabbits will be open for brunch from 8am-3pm serving plates such as green shakshuka and sourdough bread alongside craft beers.

Dulwich Road, London SE24; 400rabbits.co.uk CRUDO Crudo is London’s first causal cevicheria serving fresh, raw bowls full of vibrant Latin American flavours to eat-in or takeaway. Whilst ceviche is usually seafood based, Crudo’s signature vegan bowl contains chickpeas, rocoto, quinoa, sweet potato and crispy onion.

35 Riding House Street, W1W; eatcrudo.com

F O O D TA L K S HONEY & CO.

Food journey BRINDISA KITCHEN

Brindisa Kitchen has opened in the heart of Borough Market Kitchen, the market’s new communal dining space. The menu mimics the ancient Spanish pilgrimage ‘La Ruta de la Plata’, a journey that traders and travellers made from Andalucía in the south to the northern Asturian coastline, with food focusing on produce from rivers, inland and woodland.

Borough Market Kitchen, SE1; brindisakitchens.com

AVO B A R The new winter menu at Avobar is bursting with delicious vegan options that celebrate the avocado, with a mixture of small and sharing plates such as beetroot carpaccio, vegan tacos, and matcha pancakes.

Open for dining all day, Avobar is one to try this Veganuary.

23-24 Henrietta Street, WC2E; avobar.co.uk

Sarit Packer and Itamar Srulovich, founders of Honey & Co., are launching the latest podcast in their series The Food Talks.

‘Who Run the World?’ will put the spotlight on successful women in the culinary world from writer and cultural anthropologist Claudia Roden to Indian chef Romy Gill MBE. New weekly episodes from 17 January; honeyandco.co.uk A B S O L U T E LY. L O N D O N

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FOOD & DRINK • REVIEW

ABSOLUTELY eats out…

“Our eyes bigger than our stomachs, we order 3 desserts”

PIZARRO

José Pizarro’s restaurant offers elegant tapas and wine in the heart of Bermondsey

FOOD Great for sharing

By ABBIE SCHOFIELD

B

ermondsey Street has become one of London’s top foodie locations.

A wander down the southeast London road will have you passing the likes of Tom Cenci’s Loyal Tavern, new ramen bar HAKATA, Angela Harnett’s Café Murano - and not one, but two of José Pizarro’s restaurants.

The first is José Tapas Bar, a small, bustling venue specialising in Spanish small plates and sherry.

The second is Pizarro, a fullsize restaurant an olive stone’s throw away from José Tapas Bar. We visit for dinner on a Monday evening, and the restaurant soon fills with groups of friends and

colleagues creating a gentle buzz; Pizarro achieves a casual elegance which makes you feel at home.

We begin with a winter mojito, Pizarro’s festive adaptation of the cocktail classic, which contains Tanqueray Sevilla, Sailor Jerry rum, cinnamon & clementine.

The food menu offers everything from pica-pica (nibbles) to main dishes, but everything is designed to be shared. Fish features heavily - from cod cheeks poached in beef sauce and black radish to Norweigan cod with spinach and piquillo pepper as does the famous Ibérica ham.

The pork and cheese croquetas are golden and crunchy, and you can’t go wrong with salt-sprinkled, charred

DECOR Stylish and warm

PRICE Small plates from £7, mains from £14

VERDICT Fun, contemporary Spanish tapas

padron peppers. Next are the spicy prawn fritters, which aren’t spicy at all, but tasty nonetheless, with lemon allioli on the side for extra zing.

The wine list is a real treat for both white and red lovers, and we take our waiter’s passionate recommendation and try Pizarro’s own wine - the Chardonnay and Cabernet do not disappoint.

For a main, we opt for the Rubia Galega beef fillet with fried potatoes, roasted red bell peppers and carrots with requesón. The sliced steak is medium rare and melts in the mouth, yet has a beautiful, salty and crisp skin, and the roasted red bell peppers are the perfect sweet and fragrant accompaniment.

Too often, good restaurants see dessert as an afterthought, providing defrosted disappointment. Pizarro is different. The cheesecake is creamy and light, and we fight over the last morsels. Our eyes bigger than our stomachs, we also order the chocolate pot and the blood orange sorbet. All three are excellent, so be sure to leave room for something sweet.

PIZARRO 194 Bermondsey Street, SE1 3TQ;

josepizarro.com

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NOTTING HILL’S BRAND NEW WEST COAST/ CALIFORNIA INSPIRED RESTAURANT!

47 Hereford Road, London, W2 5AH Tel: 020 7229 1503

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FOOD & DRINK • COLUMN

On the

MENU

Guy Awford of The Guildford Arms turns to fresh fish and root vegetables this month Wo r d s G U Y AW F O R D

J

anuary is a great month to eat fresh fish. Not only is the quality skyhigh but the nutritional benefits are great for anyone with resolutions for a healthier diet. If the holiday season and bad weather push up wild fish prices, you can always turn to Var salmon; their pioneering approach to low volume and sustainable fish farming produces lean, fit fish of exceptional quality.

These Faroe salmon experience the same conditions as their wild cousins, producing the closest thing to wild salmon you’ll find.

There is no such supply and demand dilemma at the veg market, where root vegetables and brassicas take center stage. Look out for the much-underrated salsify; covered in dirt and awkwardly shaped, this isn’t an ingredient to catch the eye. But take a chance on it and

CHEF-PATRON GUY AWFORD

you’ll be rewarded with its delicate flavour. It's earthy and nutty, but some say it tastes of oysters.

To get a crispy skin on the fish, dry it with adsorbent paper, season and place into the hot oil skin side down. Turn to a medium heat, and then leave it to form a crust.

Complete the cooking process on the other side, then take it off the heat to finish cooking while it rests.

Look out for the much-underrated salsify, an earthy and nutty root vegetable

SEARED VAR SALMON, PUY LENTILS, GREENS & Roasted Winter Vegetables Serves 4 Cooking time 45 minutes Preparation time 30 minutes

INGREDIENTS • 4 Var salmon fillets (at least 5cm thick) – 140g skin on, scaled and pin bones removed • 1⁄2 butternut squash • 4 salsify • 2 red onions – peeled & cut into wedges • 2 parsnip • 1⁄2 celeriac • cooked greens – rainbow chard, kale or sprout tops • mustard dressing • 200g Puy lentils • Fresh marjoram/parsley/chives

METHOD 1 Wash, peel and cut the vegetables into similar sized chunks. Drizzle with olive oil, season and roast for about 40 minutes, or until tender.

2 Place the lentils into a large pot, adding enough cold water to cover by 5cm.

3 Bring to the boil and simmer for about 5 minutes or until tender.

4 Drain off the excess water.

Season the lentils, adding chopped herbs to taste. Keep warm.

5 Heat the olive oil in a non-stick pan and cook the seasoned salmon, skin side down, undisturbed for 4 minutes over a medium heat.

6 Turn the salmon over & cook for a further 2 minutes.

The salmon should still be a little pink in the middle.

7 Mix the roasted vegetables with the lentils. Dress with a mustard vinaigrette and serve with the hot greens and the salmon.

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Click to

COOK

These warming winter greens recipes come from online subscription service ckbk, known as ‘Spotify for cookbooks’

Wo r d s C K B K . C O M

D

evised with expert curation from top food writers, the ckbk resource is best understood as the Spotify of cookbooks. It’s a user-friendly, comprehensive online subscription service giving access to over 350 cookbooks and 87,000 recipes covering all tastes, occasions and cooking needs. The library includes iconic works of reference, instructional guides and definitive titles on over 80 national and regional cuisines. ckbk’s range of content is unparalleled both in diversity and quality; smart filtering allows users to find the recipe you want instantly whether by ingredient, difficulty, dish, era, or dietary requirement.

Spicy Broccoli Rabe

WITH ANCHOVY AND PRESERVED LEMON Serves 2-4 From The Side Dish Handbook

By Tori Ritchie © 2015 All rights reserved.

Published by Weldon Owen.

INGREDIENTS • Salt • 1 bunch broccoli rabe, about 1 lb (500 g), tough ends trimmed and stalks cut crosswise into thirds • 1 salt-packed anchovy, or 2 olive oil–packed anchovy fillets • 2 or 3 cloves garlic • 1⁄4 preserved lemon • 3 tbsp olive oil • 1⁄2 tsp Aleppo pepper flakes, or 1⁄4 tsp red pepper flakes

32

BROCCOLI- COPYRIGHT © WELDON OWEN, 2014

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FOOD & DRINK • RECIPES

METHOD 1 Bring a large pot of generously salted water to a boil. Drop in the broccoli rabe, and when the water returns to a boil, cook for 1 minute. Drain well and set aside. (At this point, the broccoli rabe can be left standing at room temperature for up to 1 hour or covered and refrigerated overnight.)

2 If using the salt-packed anchovy (which is preferred), rinse it under cold running water, then gently pull each fillet away from the spine and discard the spine and tail. On a cutting board, combine the anchovy fillets, garlic to taste, and preserved lemon and mince together with a chef’s knife.

3 In a large sauté pan or wok, warm the oil over medium- high heat. When hot, add the minced ingredients and the pepper flakes and sauté until sizzling and fragrant, about 1 minute. Add the blanched broccoli rabe and cook, tossing with tongs, until hot throughout and well coated with the other ingredients, about 3 minutes. Transfer to a warmed serving platter and serve right away.

Mixed Bean and Herb Noodle Soup Serves 4 From The Jewelled Kitchen

By Bethany Kehdy Published 2013 © 2013 All rights reserved. Published

by Nouish/Watkins.

T

his hearty soup is a quintessential part of the Norouz (Persian New Year). The fine noodles, or reshteh, are associated with new beginnings and good fortune. You could substitute the reshteh with thin egg noodles, linguini, or angel hair pasta broken into shorter lengths. If you use canned kidney beans, they should be added at the same time as the lentils.

Preparation Time: 30 minutes plus overnight soaking and making the stock Cooking Time: 1 hour 40 minutes, plus cooking the kidney beans (optional) and chickpeas until just tender

BEAN SOUP - COPYRIGHT (C) WATKINS PUBLISHING, 2013

INGREDIENTS

METHOD

• 4 tbsp sunflower oil • 3 large onions, thinly sliced • 1⁄2 tsp turmeric • 100 g/31⁄2 oz/1⁄2 cup dried kidney beans, soaked overnight and cooked until just tender or 200 g/7 oz/1 cup canned kidney beans, drained and rinsed • 50 g/2 oz/1⁄4 cup dried chickpeas, soaked overnight with 1 tsp bicarbonate of soda/baking soda added to the water, then cooked until tender.

• 1.5 l/52 fl oz/61⁄2 cups vegetable stock • 50 g/2 oz/1⁄4 cup brown lentils, rinsed • 55 g/2 oz reshteh • 1 small handful of finely chopped dill leaves • 1 small handful of finely chopped parsley leaves • 1 small handful of finely chopped coriander • 85 g/3 oz spinach leaves • juice of 1 lemon • sea salt and freshly ground pepper

1 Heat half the oil in a large saucepan over a low heat, add one of the onions and cook for 3–5 minutes until soft. Stir in the turmeric and fry for another minute.

2 Add the kidney beans and chickpeas and pour in the stock. Increase the heat to high and bring to the boil, then lower to medium-low and simmer for 1 hour or until the beans are tender.

3 Add the lentils and simmer for a further 30 minutes until soft and tender, adding water if the lentils are too dry.

4 Meanwhile, heat the remaining oil in a heavy-based frying pan over a medium heat and fry the remaining onions until crispy and golden..

5 Add the reshteh, herbs, spinach and lemon juice to the beans and cook for about 5 minutes until the noodles are cooked but still have a little bite to them and the spinach has wilted. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

6 Sprinkle the golden onions over the top of the soup and serve with sour cream, thin flatbread and lemon wedges.

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

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Seasonal and sustainable food with a friendly service

For more information please call Shona & Molly 0208 297 9966 or

events@handmadefood.com @handmadefoodevents www.handmadefood.com HMF.indd 1

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FOOD & DRINK • RECIPES

KashmiriStyle Turnips WITH GREENS

Serves 4 From Roots

By Diane Morgan Published 2012.

Published by Chronicle Books

T

his is an adaptation of a recipe from Raghavan lyer’s splendid 660 Curries, using baby turnips with their bushy greens instead of the kohlrabi lyer suggests. Like kohlrabi, turnips “come alive in the presence of sweet fennel, pungent ginger, hot chiles, and smoky cardamom.” I used two leafy bunches of baby turnips in this recipe, cutting the turnips into halves or quarters, depending on their size. I used more than half of the greens from the tops. Since the greens cook down so much, you could chop and add all of them if you wanted to, adding a tad more cream at the end of the cooking time to make enough sauce.

INGREDIENTS • 2 tbsp. canola or other neutral oil • 1 serrano chile, stemmed, halved lengthwise, seeded,

TURNIPS - COPYRIGHT (C) DIANE MORGAN, 2012

deribbed, and finely minced • 1 tbsp. peeled and minced fresh ginger • 2 black cardamom pods • 1 tsp. fennel seeds, ground in a mortar or spice grinder • 14 oz/400 g baby turnips, trimmed and halved or quartered, depending on their size • 2⁄3 cup/165 ml. water • 1 tsp. kosher or fine sea salt • About 4 cups/120 g lightly packed chopped turnip greens (from just over 2 bunches baby turnips) • 2 tbsp. heavy whipping cream

METHOD In a medium saucepan, heat the oil over medium heat. Add the chile and ginger and sauté until fragrant and soft but not brown, about 2 minutes. Add the cardamom pods and fennel and sauté just until aromatic, about 20 seconds. Add the turnips, water, and salt and bring to 1

a boil. Reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer, stirring occasionally, until the turnips are almost tender when pierced with a fork, about 5 minutes.

Pack the greens on top, cover, and let the greens wilt, about 3 minutes longer.

2 Give the greens and turnips a gentle stir and then add the cream. Simmer, uncovered, over low heat until slightly thickened, about 2 minutes. Taste and adjust the seasoning. Serve immediately.

All recipes reproduced courtesy of the copyright holder

READER OFFER Use code AB50 at ckbk.com for a 40% discount: £5.39 (was £8.99) a month or £29.99 (was £49.99 ) for 12 months.

Both have a 14-day free trial and can be cancelled anytime.

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

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FOOD & DRINK • REVIEW

ABSOLUTELY eats out…

“We indulged in the Old Spot belly ribs chunky and fatty, they’re the most popular starter”

HAWKSMOOR

Absolutely visits the Spitalfields steakhouse

H

FOOD Delicious cuts of beef

B y A N WA R A L G H A N I M

awksmoor is renowned for its good-quality British steak, hailed as the mothership of meat. Having never visited before, the original Spitalfields site seemed the perfect place to assess whether it’s worth the hype.

We visited on a windy and wet night, and felt instantly welcomed by the warm glow of the restaurant.

The lovely front desk staff took our coats and showed us to the table - so far, so good. Our knowledgeable waitress Amandile suggested some wine and my dining companions gladly obliged. The Pulenta Estate Malbec 2018 was perfectly balanced

with black cherry and plum aromas and a hint of cedar. After a full day of work, I opted for a fresh, cold August Town lager, Hawksmoor’s own brew in collaboration with the Harbour Brewery in Cornwall, a lovely light lager that doesn’t fill the stomach before the main event.

To start with, we indulged in the Old Spot belly ribs and they don’t scrimp on flavour – chunky and fatty, they’re one of Hawksmoor’s most popular starters for a reason. Then the roast scallops appeared, perfectly cooked with white port and garlic. Next were ash-baked beetroots with pickled fennel, horseradish and hazelnuts, an unusual combination but just the kick of freshness needed to complement the meat. Our last starter to share

DECOR Upmarket but with a relaxed buzz

PRICE Steaks from £8.50/100g

VERDICT Best steak in town

was Devon crab on toast. I was surprised by Hawksmoor’s inspired seafood offering – everything is responsibly sourced and fantastically seasoned, proving the restaurant isn’t just for carnivores like me.

For the main course we tried a variety of steaks, chateaubriand, porterhouse, bone-in prime rib and fillet, all rightfully cooked rare. All Hawksmoor beef is from British, grass-fed cows, and this comes across in the taste. To accompany our juicy steaks, we ordered sides of cream spinach, mash potato, roasted field mushrooms and triple cooked chips. Side dishes can often be seen as an afterthought, especially when the meat is so good, but not at Hawksmoor. Each plate was prepared to perfection and added just the right amount of contrast to enhance the steaks. I can see why Londoners say it’s the best steakhouse in town.

H AW K S M O O R 157A Commercial Street, EC1;

thehawksmoor.com

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AWARDED DOUBLE GOLD AT THE SAN FRANCISCO WORLD SPIRITS COMPETITION 2018 marylebonegin

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FOOD & DRINK • REVIEW

ABSOLUTELY eats out…

“The fillet is the standout steak, tender and succulent”

Zelman Meats

FOOD Quality cuts cooked to perfection

Expertly cooked, quality steaks from the man behind Lobster & Burger

T

B y LUCIE PEARCE

he brainchild of Misha Zelman, who brought us Burger & Lobster, Zelman Meats occupies a small enclave in the backstreets of Soho. At first glance Zelman looks like a standard noughties steakhouse with low lighting and dark leather seating, however the quirky art on the wall gives it more of a distinct personality.

We dig into four starters, and because this isn’t my first rodeo I particularly recommend two. The first is the American short rib from the

daily specials, which is smokey with a good crust and tender meat inside.

The second, and my favourite, is the burrata. A generous amount of cream pours out of the rich mozzarella, which is perfectly complemented with sweet and tangy heirloom tomatoes.

For the main course, we’re prompted to try the Zelman plate.

They kindly cook the steaks - a UK fillet, Canadian sirloin, Australian ribeye and American picanha - to our exact requirements. We also add the Scottish tomahawk, a cut from an Aberdeen Angus. Wet aged for 28 days, 20% of the cut is bone, adding deeper flavours to the meat - it’s

DECOR Standard steakhouse with a twist

PRICE Competitive for central London

worth ordering (if you have room).

However, the fillet is the standout steak, tender and succulent.

Having bulldozed in on starters, we try only one side. The triple cooked chips are incredibly tasty, as is the Zelman sauce. The Holy F*** mayo is also worth a try.

We share the tiramisu for dessert.

Suitable for children due to its lack of alcohol, it doesn’t lack in taste at all, and is just as good as the traditional one you’d find in nonna’s kitchen.

The staff here are another draw.

Throughout the meal, we’re well looked after by manager Ash and waiter Jan, who are both incredibly knowledgeable, warm and good company. Zelman’s food menu offers good quality steak at fair prices, especially for central London.

This makes sense considering the younger audience Zelman is looking to attract. The wine is priced less competitively, but still, unsurprisingly, goes down a treat.

VERDICT

Z E L M A N M E AT S

I’ll be back

2 St Anne’s Court, W1F 0AZ;

zelmanmeats.com

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FA S H I O N

WINTER SPORTS NET A PORTER

For the most stylish ski kit, head to Net a Porter, where brands include Cordova, Ienki Ienki, Perfect Moment and Moncler Grenoble, all dedicated to guaranteeing a good look on the slopes. net-a-porter.com

IMAGE COURTESY OF NET-A-PORTER

In the studio with Wolf and Moon 42 • The shoot: Penelope Chilvers 46 • Ski style 53 A B S O L U T E LY. L O N D O N

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Q&A

Moon

CHILD Hannah Davis of Wolf & Moon makes unusual, stylish pieces using interesting materials. Absolutely quizzes her Interview P E N D L E H A R T E

PEONY BROOCH, £48

“I love looking at shapes used in art, architecture and interior design”

42

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FASHION • PROFILE

PEAR TREE NECKLACE, £88

Q How did you start making jewellery?

A I started when I was about 16, making

bits and bobs out of found objects and any materials I could find in charity shops and car boot sales. I really liked making wearable pieces that were different and eye-catching.

Q What materials do you work with?

A Our collections currently use wood, acrylic,

mother of pearl, brass and silver, but we are always searching for new, interesting materials to work with.

Q Your pieces are bold and unusual.

How would you describe your look?

A I love vintage clothing ranging from the 40s to

70s, but mixing it up with more modern styling.

I also love a pop of colour or playful print.

Q What/who are your design inspirations?

A I love looking at shapes used in architecture,

art and interior design, particularly modern and mid-century. Ricardo Bofill and Brancusi are my current favourites.

Q The collection is huge. Do you keep adding to it?

A I am in my happy place when designing and

BRIGITTE EARRINGS, £72

I’m not very good at saying goodbye to things, so yes, the collection just keeps expanding.

Q You have high standards: everything is hand-

made and sustainable and your team is paid above the living wage. Was this something you set out to do right from the start?

A I’ve always made sure that the culture we have in the studio is what I believe it should be – I want staff to enjoy what they do, be respected and love coming to work every day. I think it is important for our staff as much as our customers to be making a product that is as sustainable as possible.

Q You also make ceramics. What inspired that?

A A friend invited me along to a short course about

four years ago and I fell in love immediately. It is very different to the way I design jewellery, so I enjoy doing something creative in a different way.

I find it very therapeutic, but I also like geeking out on the chemistry and technical side of it.

Q What's next for Wolf and Moon?

A We’ve been working on a new collection using a SELENE STUDS, £38

new material that we’re really excited about!

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

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FASHION • JEWELLERY

Work of Art Become a masterpiece

44

CAROLINE ISSA X MONICA VINADER

BALENCIAGA

BIMBA Y LOLA

Gold Vermeil Multi-Stone Earrings, £225; net-a-porter.com

Loop XS Earrings, £275 balenciaga.com

Long Face Earrings, £80; bimnaylola.com

INGY STOCKHOLM

PANCONESI

ANISSA KERMICHE

Mismatched Painted Wood Earrings, £665; matchesfashion.com

Constellation Fire Gold-Plated Crystal Ring, £350; net-a-porter.com

Tête-a-Tête Earrings, £130; net-a-porter.com

MARIE JUNE AT WOLF & BADGER

SIA SHAFER

ALIGHIERI

Melting Gold & Pearl Earrings £266; wolfandbadger.com

Villanelle Ring, £55; siashafer.com

Curator of the Moon Earrings, £395; alighieri.co.uk

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It s It’s

Sal

Time

Amélie’s Follies’ January sale will start on 4th January

LINGERIE • NIGHTWEAR • SWIMWEAR • BEACHWEAR

Lingerie and swimwear measuring and fitting service available all year round without appointment from A to J cup (size 8 to 20) GIFT VOUCHER AND GIFT WRAPPING AVAILABLE

34 Webb’s Road, London SW11 6SF Tel: 020 7924 3826 www.ameliesfollies.co.uk

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S T O M P

A R O U N D

Step into 2020 with Penelope Chilvers' winter collection P E N E L O P E C H I LV E R S . C O M

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20/12/2019 19:00

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FASHION • SKI PRODUCTS

1 1

RETRO SKI

PERFECT MOMENT

This is stylish ski wear that can be worn on and off the slopes.

Performance is at the forefront of Perfect Moment's statement designs, with technical fabrics combined with vivid and bold colour palates that blend from one season to the next. Houndstooth ski suit, £760; perfectmoment.com

S L O P E S T Y L E THIS SEASON'S SKI CHIC

2

EYE WEAR IZIPIZI

These goggles are minimalist and fashionable, but they also guarantee maximum comfort, protection and give good vision in bad weather.

Designed for everyone, they can even be worn over glasses. £80; izipizi.com

3

2

A L L Y E L LOW WHITE STONE

The Almeta is a light, sporty jacket with a detailed finish. The sides and shoulders are flanked by two black contrasting stripes with a slight curve. This functional ski jacket is filled with down, a great option for looking good and staying warm. £449; white-stone.co.uk

3

4

SHAPE UP PROTEST

5

Dutch sportswear brand Protest has a vast range of thoughtfully designed skiwear. The Natasha softshell salopette has a particularly good fit, while high spec jackets come in a good assortment of shapes and shades.

Salopette £129; protest.eu

5

WA R M H A N D S KJUS

4

Kjus' Formula Mitten offers the ultimate in warmth and comfort.

Their Fast Thermo Core adaptable fabric technology retains heat and regulates hand temperature.

The palms are covered with our premium abrasion-resistant, flexible goatskin leather, and the mittens are completely lined with special comfort lining. £129; kjus.com

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

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Beautiful skin from the inside Skincare innovation in a drink

Skinade has been a game changer for skin hydration “My hair and nails look healthier as well. Even my Dermatologist noticed the improvement in my skin”.

Joelle - March 2019

2 weeks to Wow! “The difference was clear after 2 weeks!

I am now in my 2nd month of Skinade and the suppleness in my skin is incredible. I have noticed a marked difference in the hydration and texture in my face. I am hooked!”

Andrea - March 2019

The brand trusted by professionals, and loved by you...

The inside-out approach to skincare is becoming an increasingly appealing and effective way to achieve visible results.

As we age, our collagen production slows down, affecting the appearance of our skin. Skinade’s active ingredients work together to produce a daily drink aimed at nourishing and supporting the skin from the inside for beautiful skin on the outside.

Love skinade “I just started my third month and see a great difference in the texture, elasticity and brightness of my skin highly recommend to everyone”.

Claudia - February 2019

skinade.com

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#BelieveTheHype

24/04/2019 15:40

HEALTH & BEAUTY IN ASSOCIATION WITH

WORK IT OUT

HEALTH AND BEAUTY SPECIAL 'New year, new me' may be old hat, but there's something to be said for some postChristmas self care. That's why this edition of Absolutely is a health and beauty special, packed with reviews of the best beauty treatments.

Beauty notes 57 • Treatment reviews 58 • The best CBD products 72 A B S O L U T E LY. L O N D O N

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3 Bennet Court, 1 Bellevue Road, London SW17 7EG

020 3475 6644 • anthonylabanhome.com

For latest news & offers join us @LabanHome

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06/02/2017 20/12/2019 11:56 16:41

HEALTH & BEAUTY • NOTES

BEAUTY NOTES

The latest in winter skincare and fragrance

By ABBIE SCHOFIELD

Foreo

Korean CAVIAR

Absolutely tests the cult cleansing gadget

By ABBIE SCHOFIELD

T

TO O C O O L F O R S C H O O L

Bestselling Korean skincare brand Too Cool For School’s new Caviar Lime Collection makes dull skin glow and protects its moisture barrier thanks to the nine types of vitamin C and six hyaluronic acids in the powerhouse products.

From £5.50; boots.com

EDITOR’S PICK

NO SWEAT T H E N AT U R A L D E O D O R A N T C O

Natural deodorants have a bad rep, but the award-winning Natural Deodorant Co. has set the bar high in the green beauty revolution. Combining effective antibacterial, 100% plant-based ingredients, the grapefruit and mint balm provides actual all-day freshness. Not only does the blam keep you sweat-free, it is vegan with plastic-free packaging, so it’s good for planet Earth, too. £11.00; naturaldeoco.com

AROMA THERAPY T I S S E R A N D A R O M AT H E R A PY

Tisserand Aromatherapy and National Geographic have collaborated to create a beauty range based around three blends of pure essential oils. ‘Retreat’ combines smoky, woody scents, ‘Paradise’ has a heavenly jasmine base and ‘Explore’ contains invigorating peppermint.

From £9; tisserand.com

THE REVIEW

he Luna fofo

by Foreo is the definition of smart beauty. It is a battery-powered cleansing tool with ultra-hygenic sillicone bristles that vibrate to remove makeup, clean your pores and gently exfoliate the skin. But before this, you need to download the Foreo For You app, where you register your device and fill in some personal details (does it really need to know my date of purchase, birthday and gender?).

But then it gets clever. The app instructs you to hold the Luna fofo's sensors up to your cheek whilst it measures your skin.

You then repeat on the other cheek, forehead, nose and chin.

The point of this is to give you a personalised cleansing routine based on the condition of your skin, which then syncs with your devise. My app tells me I need to cleanse my cheeks, forehead, and nose and chin for 10 seconds each - it stops vibrating when it's time to move on to the next part of your face. The Luna fofo comes with a cleanser, but I prefer to use micellar water to remove makeup, and follow up with the Luna fofo for a double cleanse using my usual CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser. Overall, the Luna fofo is a fun and effective way to ensure all makeup, oil and dirt is fully removed at the end of the day.

LUNA FOFO £79

foreo.com

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TO P T R E AT M E N T S Essential treatments for a whole new you in 2020

58

TATA HARPER

TATA HARPER BODY RITUAL

Wo r d s C A R LY G L E N D I N N I N G

ELENIQUE AESTHETICS HYDRAFACIAL

Wo r d s H E L E N B R OW N

T

he HydraFacial is a multi-step treatment designed to clean out pores, calm inflammation and replenish hydration by infusing skin with intensive serums through a patented spiral-tipped machine. After a thorough cleanse, the HydraFacial machine carries out lymphatic drainage, followed by a lactic acid serum and a glycolic and salicylic solution to loosen debris from pores and prepare them for the extraction.

The machine literally vacuums out everything gross that shouldn’t sit within the upper dermal layers. An additional hydrating mask is then applied, then a blast of LED light is used to reduce redness. On leaving the clinic, my complexion is visibly brightened and plumped as promised.

T

he Lanesborough Club & Spa is the first spa in the UK to offer a menu of signature treatments from the ‘Queen of Green Beauty’, Tata Harper. Her Awakening & Energising Body Ritual promises to rejuvenate a tired mind and body (much needed at this time of year) with a deeply luxurious full body treatment. It begins with an aromatherapy and singing bowl ritual, and then a smoothing body scrub and two body masks to buff and brighten the skin. Next, an energising massage and body balm are designed to leave the skin glowing; you can also choose to have a Glow Facial or Scalp and Foot Massage as part of the treatment. The experience is super relaxing and definitely helps to calm my stress levels. A few days after the treatment, my dry skin starts to clear up and the rest of my skin looks hydrated and refreshed.

£160, 957 Fulham Road, SW6;

£250, Lanesborough Place, SW1X 7TA;

eleniqueaethetics.co.uk

lanesboroughclubandspa.com

ELENIQUE AESTHETICS

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

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HEALTH & BEAUTY • REVIEWS

ABIGAIL JAMES

w

HARI'S SALON

HARI’S WETLIGHTS Wo r d s P E N D L E H A R T E

H

ighlights are highmaintenance. My appointments are biannual at best and that’s why my colour is so badly maintained. Hari’s new Wet-Lights is a revolutionary method, taking half as long as regular highlights and giving a softer result. So you’ll be in and out of the salon faster, and your roots won’t look as bad. What’s not to like?

Wet-lights are just that: wet. Colour is applied to washed and wet hair, which feels very strange but the idea is that less damage can occur when your hair’s cuticles are open. Application is swift and balayage-like, and it takes no more than half an hour to develop. Hari’s King’s Road salon is busy and popular, buzzing with chat and a fine place to spend time – though not too long, because my Wet-Lights are ready so quickly. An efficient blow-dry reveals my new sunkissed locks: subtle yet glossy and fully revived. No more wasted hours – Wet-Lights are the future.

From £95, King's Road, SW3 5EJ; harissalon.com

HARI'S SALON

NEVILLE

ABIGAIL JAMES HERO FACIAL

W o r d s E VA L E H O C Z K Y

A

bigail James runs her highly sought-after facial spa in the heart of Mayfair, inside the elegant and grand Beaumont Hotel. I am here for the 75 minute Hero Facial, which is tailored to those looking for a clear complexion and restored dermal health. I am greeted by Abigail herself and before the treatment we thoroughly discuss my daily cleansing routine, diet, activity level and supplements to ensure she fully understands my skin and its history. The treatment begins with a triple cleanse accompanied by a double low-level peel.

Abigail works in a cranberry enzyme mask followed by a blueberry peel with lactic acid. The result, soft skin to the touch.

She then prepares and applies a vitamin infusion tailored with specific actives to support acne and increase the production of cellular activity. I spend the last part of my treatment under the Dermalux LED light which focuses on diminishing my skins redness. Lastly, Abigail massages in a calming mask for restoration and repair.

She informs me that my skin is already looking clearer and softer – a week later my skin has notably improved.

From £170, Brown Hart Gardens, W1K 6TF; abigailjames.com

NEVILLE

LIQUID GOLD KERATIN TREATMENT Wo r d s A B B I E S C H O F I E L D

H

ailed as ‘the holy grail of hair’, the Liquid Gold treatment at Neville Hair and Beauty is an innovative keratin formula that acts like a Brazillian blow dry - without the chemicals. The liquid combines cocoa, pure keratin and 24 carat gold to revitalise hair, reduce frizz and repair damage from sun, heat and colour. As someone with unruly, not-quite-curly but not-quite-straight hair, the Liquid Gold treatment promises to be the perfect fix. The stylist begins by brushing through my tangled locks – a mission in itself – and shampooing my hair. She then applies the sparkling gold liquid to each section of my head, leaving it to work for around 25 minutes before blow drying. To seal the active ingredients in, she goes over my now soft and frizz-free hair with straighteners. The treatment is supposed to last two months, and two weeks in, I couldn’t be happier with the results. When washing my hair, I simply use a sulfatefree shampoo - no conditioner - and my hair dries naturally with a lovely, bouncy wave. It takes just minutes to straighten, and becomes silky smooth.

From £250, Pont Street, SW1X 9EJ; nevillehairandbeauty.net

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

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Learn to dance!

Our studios were established in 2008 by former Strictly Come Dancing and World Masters Champion, Karen Hardy. We offer a luxurious, welcoming environment for everyone who has a love of dance and wants to learn from the very best. Come and visit us on the Chelsea waterfront and our team of world class teachers, hand-picked

by Karen herself, will get you started on your very own personalised dance journey!

• • • • •

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...an experience

10-12 The Boulevard, Imperial Wharf, London SW6 2UB T: 0207 731 7316 E: info@karenhardystudios.com

www.karenhardystudios.com

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HEALTH & BEAUTY • REVIEWS

YOUNG LDN

w

RE:LAX FACIAL

Wo r d s A B B I E S C H O F I E L D

K

atie White, founder of re:lax, is a nutritional and holistic therapist and skin specialist providing her clientele with cosmetic acupuncture, gua sha, LED light therapy and buccal massage as well as general lifestyle advice, using high-quality, natural products. At her small and cosy skin studio in Hackney’s Gossamer Gardens (they are expanding this year), I am met by senior therapist Polly, who gives me a warming cup of chamomile and lavender tea and asks me about my skin concerns so she can offer me a fully-personalised treatment.

She begins with a cleanse, then applies a gentle scrub and a mask before placing an LED light over my face to help heal any scars and marks. The highlight, however, is the head and shoulder massage, and Polly uses a gua sha tool to clear any blocked lymph nodes around my chin and neck. My skin looks incredible afterwards, and I feel utterly relaxed.

From £80, Gossamer Gardens, E2 9FN; relax-ldn.com

RE:LAX

LPG ENDERMOLOGIE

YOUNG LDN FIRE AND ICE TREATMENT Wo r d s ZO Ë D E L M E R - B E S T

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oung LDN is playful yet stylish affair inside, with cheerful pops of colour complemented by the chic furnishings - just the right space for an escape from reality and a decent pamper session.

My skin never seems to fare well during winter. Everything that could go wrong does, from an oily t-zone to dry patches and breakouts, not to mention the fine lines that have slowly started to creep their way into the corners of my face. I opted for the Fire and Ice treatment because it promised to resurface my skin, and I was completely wooed by the promise of a fresh start for my tired face. I was introduced to Elena, who would be my aesthetician for the treatment. She was forensic in finding out everything she could about my skin and care regime, offering some helpful tips for keeping my skin in good condition. Elena applied a scrumptious cinnamon-smelling peel to my skin, warning that it may tingle and sting a tiny bit – this was the fire component. Once removed my skin was soothed with an icy cryo ball treatment and gua sha stone massage. To conclude, I spent 10 minutes under an LED lamp to boost collagen production and improve elasticity - like basking my face in a pool of tropical sunshine. I emerge from Young LDN with a fresh glow about my face and a new smooth complexion that lasted for days.

From £145, 228 Westbourne Grove, W11 2RH; youngldn.com

LPG ENDERMOLOGIE RESCULTPING TREATMENT Wo r d s A B B I E S C H O F I E L D

H

arrods' fifth floor is home to its hair and beauty salon, a one-stop-shop for all your aesthetic needs. It's also one of the eight locations where LPG Endermologie's treatments are available. My skin is tired and dull from late nights during party season and puffy from over-indulging on alcohol and chocolate, so some winter pampering comes as a welcome treat in the post-Christmas comedown. I opt for LPG Endermologie’s resculpting treatment. Lasting just 30 minutes, this non-invasive facial uses Cellu M6 Alliance technology to send pleasant micro-pulsations over the surface of the face and neck. The beauty therapist begins by using what feels like a tiny, gentle hoover on my skin, which stimulates cellular activity. She then uses a more firm massaging tool. As well as increasing blood circulation, the sculpting treatment helps with water retention, tightens the skin, drains the toxins and stimulates the production of endogenous collagen, elastin and hyaluronic acid to leave you with a natural glow. I can see the results straight away - my face feels sculpted and tight. However, the real effects kick in a couple days later, and my skin looks the best it has in weeks.

From £40, 87-135 Brompton Road, SW1X 7XL; endermologie.com

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

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LOND ON’S LE ADING BOUTIQUE BARRE CL ASSES “Most effective and enjoyable exercise I have ever done.”

— Barrecore Client

Recommit to your fitness with Barrecore’s New Year Refresh Challenge 13th January - 9th February 4 classes a week for 4 weeks See incredible results fast

Contact hello@barrecore.co.uk to redeem a complimentary intro class at any London Barrecore studio (worth £28) and quote ‘Absolutely’.* New clients can join the challenge with our £150 Intro Offer for a month of unlimited classes.

barrecore.com *New clients only. Valid until 29th Feb 2020.

C H E L S E A C H I S W I C K H A M P S T E A D I S L I N GTO N K E N S I N GTO N M AY FA I R M O O R G AT E N OT T I N G H I L L WA N D S W O R T H W I M B L E D O N V I L L A G E

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HEALTH & BEAUTY • SCENT

PERFUME

Taste test

Sometimes, gourmand fragrances can be almost good enough to eat B y M I C H A E L D O N OVA N

J

anuary can be a cold, dark month so rather than self-flagellate with a list of resolutions or the inevitable fitness regime, why not ease into the New Year with something a little more indulgent?

I have, historically, had a little bit of a problem with 'gourmand' fragrances as I always feared that they would make me hungry. However, recently I have been seduced by a new wave of sophisticated scents that are as innovative as they are delicious.

Perfumer John Pegg from the House of Kerosene resides in the oft-frozen landscape of Michigan in the US and consequently favours warmer notes.

'Follow' is a perfume that conjures the most delicious cup of coffee that you have ever imbibed. It has been floating into my office from the Perfumery and tweaking both my nostrils and my memory and conjuring the cosiest of reminiscences. This is a dark-roast, blended with amber, benzoin and vanilla.

Ruby, a mouth-watering extrait de parfum from Bruno Acampora is a new creation freely inspired to the latest revolution in the world of chocolate. Ruby Chocolate – or pink chocolate – invented

by Barry Callebaut, one of the leading experts in the cocoa world – is a chocolate that is naturally pink in colour, sweet but with a slightly sour aftertaste, the first true innovation in chocolate for about 90 years. This fragrance is a combination of praline, vanilla and chocolate with the acid bite of red-currents, rich and enveloping with a luscious edge.

Vanilla has been badly served in the perfume industry with a slew of cheap, aroma-chemicals that make the London Underground quite unbearable on a Monday morning. These are often quite sickly and remind me of Milkybars, which though I enjoyed as a child I do not wish to smell of. Great Bourbon vanilla, conversely, is a smooth, custard confection

of great elegance and the best realisation in the business is Madagascan Vanilla, or 'Vaniglia de Madagascar' from Farmacia SS Annunziata, a historic perfume house from Florence. With a blend of bright, fruity notes and wonderful aromatic florals, this scent is a bold celebration of the titular fragrant isle. Vibrant Amalfi lemon in the head notes give way to juicy strawberry in the middle supported by succulent amber, with sumptuous vanilla in the base. This is a genuine gourmand fragrance and a truly killer vanilla.

A silky hymn to honey, Hiram Green's Slowdive features a bouquet of potent white florals, hazily syrupy and mouthwateringly sweet, with a spicyfloral tobacco blossom featured at the centre. The result is a gloriously but carefully balanced overdrive of olfactive noise, a fuzz of ambered, resinous fruits, lush, narcotic florals and invigorating spice, and the newest example of Hiram Green's remarkable ability to make disarmingly complex natural fragrances..

Another fragrance for the chocolate connoisseurs is Ummagumma by Bruno Fazzolari. It's a dark, rich, mysterious, intoxicating amber with chocolate, tobacco and woody notes and loaded with real tonka bean absolute. Among other things, Ummagumma refers to the heady and weird Pink Floyd album from 1969. Chocolate and tonka bean create a euphoric gourmand opening melded with the richness of tobacco that gradually gives way to ambery labdanum, cedar and incense all warmed by soft musks.

Perfect for a night out…or a night in.

And finally, if you fancy feeling a little fruity, try Capelli d'Oro ('golden locks' in Italian), a mesmerising cocktail of fresh water-spritzed fruit in a wooden bowl.

Tangerine, raspberry and grapefruit with apple and water jasmine are beautifully balanced, the sharp citrus balanced with the sweeter berry and all lay across a cedar/sandalwood base.

So start this year as you mean to go on and indulge your inner bon-vivant, happy 2020!

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

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Handcrafted Heritage Textiles

at

AASHNI + CO

47 Ledbury Road, Notting Hill, London W112AA Ph. No: +44 7990 097028 | E-mail: sales.gaurang@gmail.com

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HEALTH & BEAUTY • NOTES

WELLNESS NOTES

How we're taking care of ourselves this month B y C A R LY G L E N D I N N I N G

Plump UP

THE REVIEW EDITOR’S PICK

S K I N G LO

If the party season has taken a toll on your skin, a collagen drink could be the answer to restoring your dermal health. Sidestepping the need for medical intervention, this groundbreaking product contains hydrolysed marine collagen aimed at targeting wrinkles and restoring your glow.

From £54.99; skinglocollagen.com

W TO D D L E K I N D

The stylish answer to a traditional foam puzzle mat, Toddlekind’s plush designs are so subtle they could pass for a stylish rug.

But put the pieces together and you have a comfortable yoga or exercise mat.

From £89.99; toddlekind.co.uk

FRENCH GIRL

French Girl has earned a place in our bathroom cabinets for the packaging alone. We're also big fans of their ethos - organic, sustainable ingredients, ethical business practices and cruelty free. Not to mention that their products really work. frenchgirlorganics.com

Botanical skincare that embraces flower power

By ABBIE SCHOFIELD

AND STRETCH

BATHROOM CHIC

FEMMUE hen Kelly S. Chung became exhausted due to overwork and stress, she took to flower arranging. It was this weekly ritual that opened her eyes to the beauty and power of the botanical world, and the impact that flowers - their smell, colour and feel could have on your wellbeing.

The nurturing act of flower arranging was so theraputic that Kelly wanted to bring what she calls 'Flower Therapy' to beauty products - and this is how FEMMUE was born. An organic, cruelty-free brand, FEMMUE uses lipids and ceramides to deliver ingredients to the skin without irritating it, making the soothing range suitable for sensitive skin types. The AntiInflammation Serum (£68) is a lifesaver for frequent travellers and those wanting to protect their skin from environmental factors. Using over 67% camelia flower extract, the serum can be used underneath moisturiser to sheild the skin from pollution, whilst calming and soothing dry, itchy and angry complexions.

After just a few days of use, sensitive skin will feel more balanced, with its natural moisture barrier replenished.

All hail flower power.

FEMMUE Anti-inflammation Serum; £68

femmue.com

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MORE TH AN JUST COCKTAILS & NAILS! POPUL AR TREATMENTS INCLUDE Deep Cleansing Galvanic Facial (60 minutes) £60 LVL Lash Lift & Tinting (60 minutes) £70 Nouveau Lash Extensions (from 90 minutes) £130

• Galvanic Facials •

• Murad Facials •

• Eyelash extensions •

•LVL lash lifts •

Book your complimentary consultation today

0207 243 1113 bookings@coconailbar.com @coconailbarlondon

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HEALTH & BEAUTY • TREND

UPCIRCLE Face Mask, £18.99; upcirclebeauty.com

HERBIVORE Amethyst Skin Roller, £38; cultbeauty.co.uk

BEA SKINCARE Brightening Serum, £54; bea-skincare.com

GOOP G.Tox Detox Salt Bath Soak, £30; cultbeauty.co.uk

GLOSSIER

HERBIVORE Emerald Deep Moisture Glow Oil, £42; spacenk.com

GET GLOWY

Berry Balm Dotcom, £10; glossier.com

EDITOR’S PICK

Our favourite products for replenishing dry winter skin

By ABBIE SCHOFIELD

FRESH Black Tea Firming Overnight Mask, £77; fresh.com

PIXI Glow Tonic, £18; pixibeauty.co.uk

FRANK BODY OMOROVICZA Queen of Hungary Mist, £55; omorovicza.com

Original Coffee Scrub, £6.95; cultbeauty.co.uk

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KEEP WARM DAGSMEJAN

Swiss/Swedish sleepwear brand Dagsmejan conducted research into sleep science before launching three ranges to cater for all sleep types.

Balance, Stay Cool and Stay Warm are all naturally temperature regulating, with merino, eucalyptus and high tech beechwood micromodal. With no labels or seams, this is the most comfortable sleepwear you'll find. dagsmejan.com

Sleep WELL All you need to guarantee your beauty sleep in 2020

By PENDLE HARTE

HIGH FIBRE URBAN COLLECTIVE

Urban Collective's cotton/ bamboo blend bedsheets transport moisture to regulate temperature. Bamboo is a naturally sustainable fibre and it is a perfect material for bed linen with its crinkly and crisp, yet light and airy feeling. urbancollective.com

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HEALTH & BEAUTY • SLEEP EDITOR’S PICK

WAKE UP LUMIE

A sleep/wake light like Bodyclock Rise 100 is not just a nicer way to start the day. It can help beat the winter blues and is a useful complement to a lightbox in treating SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder). The British Swimming team use Lumie Bodyclock to get them up bright and early for training on dark, winter mornings, and now so do we. lumie.com

BEAUTY SLEEP TOP THREE

PILLOW SPRAY AURELIA SKINCARE

Perfect Sleep Time Pillow Mist comprises six sleep-enhancing essential oils, delicate flower waters and calming rose quartz. £24 aureliaskincare.com

SOFT TOUCH

SECRET LINEN STORE

Woven from the finest French flax, linen's chunkier fibres make super absorbent and breathable bedding.

This means you'll keep cool in warm weather and stay snug during cooler months. The Secret Linen Store's new French Blue is a calming shade designed to promote deep sleep. secretlinenstore.com

OVERNIGHT REVIVAL SISLEY

This Velvet Sleeping Mask with Saffron Flowers is calming and soothing for overnight rejuvenation. £93 sisley-paris.co.uk

Dream CATCHERS YOLKE

Wearing something lovely will always make us feel better – and Yolke's beautiful print pyjamas come in cotton and silk, with matching sleep masks to keep distracting lights at bay. yolke.co.uk

WAKE UP

WAKE SKINCARE

Your skin can be damaged after late nights and inadequate sleep... wake it up with this new Wake face mask. £22.95 wakeskincare.com

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

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ABSOLUTELY • PROMOTION

“Sparklysmile are about more than a quick fix” confidence and comfort of having healthy teeth that are as well-cared for as possible.

Sparklysmile's team of dentists is about much more than a quick fix; they can repair broken teeth and even replace teeth with implants if you are missing them to make your smile as good as new.

But what can you do at home to help?

Brushing your teeth thoroughly twice a day and keeping an eye on the frequency of sugar consumed will help you maintain good teeth.

Keep

SMILING A Sparkly Smile is about more than looking good. It's about feeling confident and healthy this new year

W

hile we all want straight, white, shiny teeth, Sparklysmile Dental Practice in Blackheath are worth far more than that.

Without teeth, we wouldn’t be able to bite, chew and speak clearly. Imagine not being able to eat your favourite foods, or laugh and communicate with your friends and colleagues.

At Sparklysmile, not only do they have the latest technology for whitening and cosmetic dental bonding but they also have all the knowledge and skills to maintain and rebuild your teeth to give you that dream smile. Sparklysmile hygienists Bernadette, Esther and Tracey are able to help you look after your gums so that you can enjoy the

And what foods are good for oral health?

We are constantly bombarded with advice on what foods are bad for our health, whether they're fattening, damaging for our teeth or bones, or cause disease. But what about the foods that are good for us? And what about our oral health?

According to Sparklysmile, the following foods can contribute to a healthier mouth:

CHEESE

If you love cheese (who doesn’t?) then this is the news you’ve been waiting for… Studies have found that eating cheese helps to raise the pH level in the mouth to a more neutral level, preventing acid attacks on the teeth and reducing the risk of tooth decay.

Cheese is also high in calcium, which is great for teeth whilst they are developing.

So next time you’re deciding between the cheese board or a dessert, pick the cheese.

E AT YO U R G R E E N S

It’s the age-old mantra that every parent drills into their children. We all know that green vegetables contain a wealth of nutrients that are vital for excellent health, and there is plenty of great stuff in green foods for our oral health, too. Leafy greens are high in calcium for tooth strength, as well as folic acid and B vitamins for gum health. If you're not a fan of greens, you can add spinach to a smoothie or roast some kale to make healthy crisps.

S PA R K LY S M I L E Dental excellence since 1968 19 Montpelier Vale, Blackheath, SE3 0TA; 020 8852 0442 sparklysmile.co.uk

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Chill

OUT L CBD was the biggest beauty trend of 2019.

But what’s all the fuss about?

Wo r d s A B B I E S C H O F I E L D

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ast year, you couldn’t have a conversation about beauty and wellbeing without CBD cropping up. Standing for cannabidiol, CBD is derived from hemp, a strain of the cannabis sativa plant. Unlike THC, which is found in marijuana and causes the ‘high’ feeling, CBD is non-psychoactive. Instead, it is hailed for its anti-inflammatory properties and health benefits, with CBD fans claiming it can aid sleep, reduce anxiety, improve skin and even help period pain.

One of the reasons cannabidiol is seen to

be so effective is because the body has its own endocannabinoid system which helps internal functions in the brain, liver and reproductive organs. Effectively, humans have naturally developed to receive CBD. The ingredient was originally discovered in the 1940s but has recently gone mainstream with savvy beauty brands cashing in on CBD, from Milk Makeup’s Kush lip balm to Biotulin’s cannabis eye cream (allegedly Jennifer Lopez is a fan). The South Palace Hotel is even offering a CBD room package complete with hemp facial.

Premium CBD e-commerce site The Chillery aims to educate on CBD, as well as providing high-quality products for

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BEAUTY • CBD

THE BEST CBD PRODUCTS

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1

“We still need more clinical studies to prove the effects of CBD”

people to try. Founders Marisa Schwab and Floriane von der Forst acknowledge that CBD could be seen as a fad.

“There is no doubt that CBD is being touted as a miracle ingredient, and every week there's a new health claim for it, which can make it pretty hard to believe,” they say. “But the second you dig a little deeper into the science behind how CBD interacts with the body, and the plethora of anecdotal evidence of CBD-infused products working wonders, you can understand why. We still need more clinical studies to prove what so many are saying from trying it themselves, but they will come.”

Here are Absolutely's picks of the CBD products worth trying.

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YUYO BOTANIC S

ZOETIC

Yuyo Botanics natural sleep aid blends CBD with hops, sweet orange and roman chamomile. There is quite a strong herbal hemp flavour, however this is an extremely effective CBD oil. Half a dropper an hour before bed is yet to fail at keeping me asleep.

PM Formula, £85; thechillery.com

At first, I didn't notice a difference in my stress levels, but after taking a small amount of this a few times a week, the quality of my sleep improved whilst my energy levels stayed high throughout the day. Plus it is delicious, organic and contains just four ingredients.

Melon CBD oil, 500mg, £45; zoetic.uk.com

THE SOUTH PALACE HOTEL OFFERS CBD ROOM PACKAGES

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

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BEAUTY • CBD

3 CLOUD T WELVE

Notting Hill wellness and lifestyle club Cloud Twelve offers a CBD oil massage, promising to deeply relax muscle and mind. This calming treatment is heavenly for tired, sore muscles, or general stress and January weariness.

CBD massage, £165 for 60 minutes; cloudtwelve.co.uk

3

4 BAMFORD

Bamford’s CBD range, b SILENT, uses natural ingredients and aromatherapy to support a good night’s sleep. The nourishing body oil contains St John’s Wort, known for its anti-depressant qualities, as well as vetiver root, chamomile and lavender.

Organic Body Oil, £42; bamford.com

5 MEDA

4

5

Meda makes natural CBD drinks with premium ingredients like biotin (a vitamin found in eggs and nuts), vitamin C and, of course, cannabidiol. Cans of Meda are the new green smoothies - refreshing and tasty with a powerful wellness punch. £18 for 6 cans; medahuman.com

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BODY AND MIND BOTANICALS

I swear by a cup of steaming chamomile tea before bed, and this cannabis and peppermint tea is the next step up. It helps me sleep through the night, and has become a solid part of my bed-time routine.

Cannabis tea, £10.99; bodyandmindbotanicals.com

7 VOTARY

This skincare product is a powerhouse of active ingredients. Strawberry, camellia, flax, avocado and poppy seed oil join hemp seed oil in this nourishing blend, which I use as the final step in my night-time skincare routine.

Super Boost Night Drops, £95; votary.co.uk A B S O L U T E LY. L O N D O N

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TreasureHouse 20 AFFORDABLE LUXURY

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HEALTH & BEAUTY • HAIR

1 1

N E W WAV E

HAIRFLAIR

HairFlair's Waveformers and Curlformers are heat-free tools that deliver frizz-free curls and waves with no damage and incredible staying power. Curlformers are easy to use, affordable and fun. £30.95; hairflair.com

H O M E H E L P

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HOW TO ACHIEVE SALON STYLE HAIR AT HOME

STRAIGHT UP

T 3 S I N G L E PA S S L U X E

These rose gold and white tongs aren't just a pretty gadget; they work wonders. Frizz is quickly tamed into silky tresses, and it's super easy to add waves and volume, too. £145; t3haircare.co.uk

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LET OFF STEAM LORÉAL STEAMPODS

Steampods are clever. The tool heats up water and creates steam - a bit like an iron - styling your locks but causing 78% less damage than normal tongs. You can curl or straighten your hair, plus there's a built-in comb. £235; lorealprofessionnel.co.uk

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H OT A N D C O O L

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CLOUD NINE AIRSHOT

This sleek hairdryer grandly promises 'tourmaline and vitamininfused ceramic heating elements' – and it certainly does deliver on diminishing frizz and adding shine.

Plus it looks stylish too. £109; cloudninehair.com

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5

WRAP UP

DY S O N A I R W R A P

This innovative hair styler certainly lives up to all the hype. A little bit of magic, it comes with eight different attachments and uses air rather than heat to smooth, wave and curl your hair. And best of all? Even a novice can achieve salon-style results. £449.99; dyson.co.uk

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Vision for the

FUTURE

Never before have glasses been such a style statement.

Absolutely visits some of London’s best eyesight destinations

Wo r d s P E N D L E H A R T E & A B B I E S C H O F I E L D

F I N L AY

Finlay London’s background is in fashion.

The brand started out as designers of wooden sunglasses, but it’s come a long way since then, and now the focus is on eyecare as well as eyewear; they have an expansive own-brand collection of frames (Meghan Markle has been spotted wearing several of them) and they have just opened their second shop, in Notting Hill (the other is in Soho). “Glasses can be the first thing you notice about someone,” says co-founder Dane Butler. “And trends in eyewear tend to last between three and seven years. So it’s not unusual for people to own four or five pairs of glasses.” And probably more sunglasses.

The Finlay collection is unisex, and frames come in a wide variety of colours and shapes.

At the Notting Hill store, choosing frames to suit is aided by friendly and decisive staff who will tell you what suits you as well as what will work best for your prescription.

There’s a curated selection of frames from Finlay’s favourite brands in addition to their own brand, and downstairs is a special area for children. It’s a nice place to be, and the eye test is almost enjoyable. finlayandco.com

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BEAUTY • OPTICALS

TRANSITIONS X CUBITTS

“In 2020, specs are no longer a symbol of bookishness; they are a fashion accessory”

Wearing adaptive lenses hasn’t traditionally been a very good look. They never quite look convincing as sunglasses and they tend to darken indoors at inappropriate times.

Transitions is a lens brand on a mission to change the image of lenses that darken automatically – because the idea itself makes so much sense. Transitions lenses come in a variety of different shades and now that they have been given the seal of approval by Cubitts, one of London’s most stylish optometrists, they are officially hot.

Cubitts' diverse range of own-brand frames comes in lots of colours, like a blue acetate frame and matching blue lenses. Wearing them on a sunny day, they quickly darken and then turn clear again indoors just as promised. Ultimately, they’re a joy to wear. cubitts.com; essilor.co.uk

ALEXIS AMOR

Alexis Amor has been in the business for many years and a couple of years ago he launched his own frames, designed by him, to sell alongside the more established names he was used to stocking. He had started out selling glasses to people who would bring their own prescriptions with them, but his Richmond store now offers its own sight tests in a stylish space. Amor’s own collection of frames is large enough to cover everything people might want, yet compact enough to make choosing fairly easy, and it’s a stylish range with a high-class feel. Amor is clearly a man with a passion for vision correction, and amazingly, he can make up a pair of glasses while you wait. He’s proud of his cutting edge machines that will laser cut lenses to fit in minutes; he stocks most normal lenses but can order anything slightly unusual within 24 hours. So for him, it’s glasses while you wait, and a personal, friendly service with it.

You can see why people keep coming back. alexisamor.com

AU E R BAC H A N D STE E LE

Auerbach and Steele’s new store on the King’s Road is large and bright, with colourful frames lining the walls like little pieces of art. There is a children’s area, a private room for those who would like to try on frames discreetly and even a small garden - a far cry from the usual dingy examination rooms.

The glasses on offer are contemporary and cool, unusual colours paired with innovative shapes that make a statement. In 2020, specs are no longer a symbol of bookishness or a lack of glamour; they are a fashion accessory.

As well as being a pioneer in optical style, Auerbach and Steele prides itself on clinical excellence. The state-of-the-art machinery is exquisite and the whole atmosphere of the King’s Road store paired with the brilliant advice from the sales assistants makes for a pleasant - even fun - experience. auerbach-steele.com A B S O L U T E LY. L O N D O N

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FITNESS CLASSES Wo r d s A B B I E S C H O F I E L D

The best places to work out in 2020

PILATES CENTRAL

The transformative power of pilates has been celebrated since the early 20th century, however Islington studio Pilates Central has taken the phenomenon to a whole new level. Using beautiful, state-of-the-art facilities, Pilates Central’s teachers are experts in their field and after an initial assessment, are able to tailor classes to your personal needs. Forget impersonal, packed classes - Pilates Central prioritises safety, friendly staff, and of course results, from better posture and a stronger back to a leaner, more toned body. This dedicated studio is the place to practise Pilates in north london. £410 FOR 10 CLASSES,

pilatescentral.co.uk

SWEATER BRA, £80; AMELIESFOLLIES.CO.UK

THE FORE

The Fore is King's Cross’ new multi-functional space that offers members fitness training as well as a spa and co-working area.

The Fore’s ethos of quality not quantity can be seen in its speedy 45-minute group workouts, which use sophisticated equipment like The SkillMill, a curved running machine that works the posterior chain, as well as TRX resistance training. This is all done with the guidance of a highly qualified

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trainer, as The Fore bridges the gap between personal training and group fitness, providing expert advice as well as a community.

Alongside being an impressive boutique workout studio, The Fore offers holistic treatments such as massage and acupuncture in a bid to support all four elements of human health – physical, emotional, social and intellectual.

CLASSES FROM £13-£20;

the-fore.co.uk

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HEALTH & BEAUTY • FITNESS

IN A SPIN

BARRECORE

Barrecore is London's pioneering barre fitness workout with ten studios across the capital. Its ballet-inspired workouts use low-impact and body-weight movements to target deep into the muscle, creating the famous ‘Barrecore shake’. And boy, do you shake. By repeating tiny movements to work your muscles to exhaustion, and then stretching to release them, your body trains intensely but without risking injury. Classes are small, so the friendly instructors constantly help adjust your form and, along with the upbeat music, keep you motivated. Your entire body will burn, and your legs will feel like jelly afterwards, but it's worth it – results are quick and you'll look more sculpted after just a couple of weeks. This month, Barrecore is rolling out its January offer with one hell of a fitness challenge: four barre-based fitness classes per week for four weeks for only £150.

THE BEST SPINNING CLASSES ACROSS THE CAPITAL

S O U L C YC L E Renowned for its body pumping classes, expertly curated playlists and spiritual twists, the concept has come over to London fresh from the streets of New York where it boasts a cult-like following.

BARRECORE CLASSES USE BALLS, WEIGHTS AND STRAPS FOR ADDED INTENSITY

soul-cycle.com

JANUARY CHALLENGE, £150;

barrecore.co.uk

THE NEW THIRD SPACE ISLINGTON

CORE COLLECTIVE At Core Collective, the emphasis in their Cycle classes is focus, rhythm and power. With expert instructors encouraging you to challenge yourself, you'll leave the class with a huge endorphin rush. core-collective.co.uk

THIRD SPACE ISLINGTON

THE FORE BRIDGES THE GAP BETWEEN PERSONAL TRAINING AND GROUP CLASSES

Popular luxury health club Third Space has opened the sixth gym in its blossoming portfolio.

Located in the newly-renovated Islington Square on Upper Street, it has a 20-metre swimming pool, cycle studio and 7,000 square foot training arena, plus quiet rooms for meditation and relaxation. Third Space’s Mind & Body class programme has

been in high demand, and so the Islington venue has taken this one step further with a dedicated mind and body studio with mood lighting, hot yoga room, hydrotherapy pool and steam room. The Islington centre also has Third Space’s first kids’ gym concept, Little Space.

MEMBERSHIP FROM £175 PER MONTH;

P S YC L E Designed to push beyond the limits of the average spin class, Psycle immerses you in the energy of the room with their upbeat playlist, club-like atmosphere and motivational instructors. psyclelondon.com

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

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INTERIORS

TA K E A S E AT S O FA S A N D ST U F F

Established for over 70 years, Sofas & Stuff employs traditional craftsmanship techniques to create modern and classic designs. Each piece is handmade to order in Britain and can be fully tailored to any requirement with a choice of sizes, cushion fillings, legs and fabrics. sofasandstuff.com

Interior inspirations 84 • 2020 trend forecast 92 • Kitchen planning 95 A B S O L U T E LY. L O N D O N

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INTERIORS NOT E S Ideas, designs and styles for your home

By PENDLE HARTE

N AT U R A L RED MURALS WALLPAPER

Red Clay is a sunbaked shade for 2020 that has a deep connection with the natural earth in its intense warmth, which comes as a great comfort.

The reassuring shade of Red Clay will make a home feel more welcoming, and the Freeow mural adds to the primal theme with an expressive abstract design. muralswallpaper.co.uk

TA B LE TA LK MINIFORMS

Pink is still big in 2020 and Miniforms' stylish Barry dining table comes in a variety of finishes, including this cheery rose shade.

Barry is a distinctly graphic table sporting intriguing volumes with a mixture of solidity and lightness. From ÂŁ2,415; gomodern.co.uk

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INTERIORS • NOTES

TA K E FIVE Stylish vases COX AND COX Oversized decorative vase, £125; coxandcox.co.uk

S H E LF LI FE

W H AT ' S FO R P U D D I N G ? &K

LOAF

Loaf's Pudding sofa bed is as comfortable as it looks for lounging after dinner – and it's just as cosy when pulled out into a bed. Pictured is the Pudding in a bespoke orange cotton velvet. From £1,695; loaf.com

RIVER BESPOKE

Leopard vase, £39.95; thegiftedfew.com

Turn a featureless wall into a striking display expressing your style and personality with these bespoke shelves.

Displays from £599; riverbespoke.com

GISELA GRAHAM Embossed chevron glass vase, £17.50; hurnandhurn.com

ROSE & GREY White printed ceramic vase, £18; roseandgrey.co.uk

KAHLER Omaggio vase, large, £57.75 finnishdesignshop.com

HOT SEAT SOFAS & STUFF

Space saving, comfortable and stylish, the Snuggler range of oversized chairs at Sofas & Stuff create a cosy ambiance in living spaces. These snug designs make a great addition as an oversized armchair or to nestle up to in a reading corner. sofasandstuff.com

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

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Feature walls for stunning interiors Designed | Sourced | Handcrafted | in Norfolk River Bespoke specialise in the design and manufacture of beautiful, handcrafted and bespoke shelves appealing to individuals that appreciate sophisticated simplicity and beauty. We pride ourselves on quality and exceptional service delivering striking and unique feature walls that work with your vision, aspirations and tastes.

riverbespoke.com

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@riverbespoke

20/12/2019 17:02

INTERIORS • SPOTLIGHT

P O N D L I F E Sella Concept’s debut furniture collection is a series of stools inspired by Hampstead Ladies’ Pond W o r d s P E A R L B OY D

O

ne of London’s most treasured outdoor spots, Kenwood Ladies’ Pond is a touch of wildness in a bustling city. It’s a place where women can truly feel free – and it is this leafy idyll that has inspired Sella Concept’s debut furniture collection, Ladies Pond. Three curvaceous stools in the shade of the pond’s jade-green waters are the creations of Tatjana von Stein and Gayle Noonan, who were reminded of the pond’s vivacious women swimmers when experimenting with shapely forms for their debut collection. They have named the three variations Bather 1, 2 and 3 in tribute.

Each ‘bather’ is made completely by

hand from tulip wood, which is handturned before being individually finished with a stone composite, available in bespoke colour options. Hand-turning stools of this size is a long process, and the stone finish alone takes three days to complete. The stools, which range in height from 65cm to 75cm, are then topped with a cushion made from a textured wool and cotton bouclé cloth from South London textile studio Tibor.

“Exploring form, material and an emotive response was at the forefront of designing these sculptural stools.

We worked with fantastic craftsmen to master the challenging art of curves, resulting in a free-flowing and tactile nature,” said Tatjana von Stein, Sella Concept’s co-founder.

Sella regularly creates bespoke furniture for its projects, but Ladies Pond

The shapely forms are named Bather 1,2 and 3 is the first furniture collection the duo have produced for the commercial market.

Launched at Decorex, the collection signals a new opportunity for the duo.

Gayle Noonan, co-founder, explained: “Our motivation surfaced as a result of a gap in the market for a unique and stylish bar stool – an item that we’ve repeatedly struggled to find. We love the idea that a piece of furniture can live a lifetime in a house. Introducing a Sella piece that has longevity in a home or commercial space is a beautiful idea for us.”

Each of the stools can be ordered directly from Sella Concept for £2,000. sella-concept.com A B S O L U T E LY. L O N D O N

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Grate Expectations A Family run business established for over 30 years The UK’s leading suppliers of luxury gas fireplaces, wood burning stoves and bioethanol fires manufactured by DRU, Spartherm, Ebios, Dik Guerts, Gazco, Stovax and many more.

The Fireplace Specialists & Consultants

1-3 Station Buildings, Kingston Road, Wimbledon Chase, SW20 8JT 020 8540 8387 | sales@grateexpectations.com | grateexpectations.com

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INTERIORS • PROMOTION

Sale

SEASON Create an inspired home in the BoConcept Winter Design Sale

“Infusing your space with personality is easier than you think”

A

t BoConcept you'll find a vast range of contemporary Danish design furniture, accessories and lighting for the living room, dining room, bedroom, home office and outdoor spaces.

Their furniture stores offer everything within modern design ranging from designer sofas and armchairs to practical wall units and functional TV units.

This festive season BoConcept is hosting an unmissable Winter Design Sale with up to 50% on all their premium ex-display items and up to 20% off contemporary furniture and coordinated accessories to order.

Infusing your space with personality is quicker and easier than you may think.

A personal home will not only help you embody the feeling of inspiration and relaxation — it will also enrich your lifestyle. So, whether you want a cosy home or a social haven, nearly every

piece can be customised to suit your unique taste and needs. There are endless possibilities behind everything you see.

Bo Concept's teams of interior designers and design consultants will help you make the most out of your space with their unique designer furniture range.

Whether you’re looking for a single item or redesigning your entire house, BoConcept's free interior design service is perfect for you. Get tailored style guidance from your personal BoConcept Interior Designer in-store or at home. They can take measurements, propose layouts, create remarkable 3D visualisations, suggest fabrics and give friendly noobligation advice – guiding you to your home’s perfect look. The entire collection can be personalised exactly to your needs and taste in a spectrum of colours, sizes, materials and finishes. All that choice can be daunting, so BoConcept has created a free interior design service. You’ll receive a consultation in-store and at home, plus 3D renderings of your space.

BO CONCEPT To book your free design service or to save up to 50% off on stunning danish design furniture and accessories, visit BoConcept Battersea Reach, Harrods, Finchley Road, Notting Hill, Tottenham Court Road, Guildford, Kingston or Westfield. boconcept.com

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

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Energy Efficient, Timber Window and Door Specialists Beautiful timber windows and doors, manufactured in the UK, with the benefits of double glazing, while preserving the character of your home.

Trusted trader

• HALVES QUARTERS.indd 2

01344 868 668

www.sashwindow.com

20/12/2019 17:39

INTERIORS • TREND

H.O.C.K Bizantina cushion, £34 hock-dich-hin.de

THE FRENCH BEDROOM CO Versailles Sacré Bleu Velvet Sofa, £1,595 frenchbedroomcompany.co.uk

MELODY MAISON Round blue planter on stand, £12.95 melodymaison.co.uk

COVET HOUSE Pluto rug, £POA covethouse.eu

LEXON Radio LA69 Mini Dolmen Blue, £58 madeindesign.co.uk

EDITOR’S PICK

TANGLED UP KARLSSON Mr Blue Steel Rim Wall Clock, £134 thedesigngiftshop.com

IN BLUE

EDITOR’S PICK EMKO Macaron floor lamp in blue, £385 negdis.com

Pantone’s colour of the year for 2020 is Classic Blue

By P E N D L E H A R T E CULT FURNITURE Nashville armchair in Royal Blue velvet, £349 cultfurniture.com

BLOCK DESIGN Small pegboard in blue, £30 blockdesign.co.uk

MOUSSO Vintage indigo throw, £80 lolaandmawu.com

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

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N E W

L O O K S

NATURAL TEXTURE: WINE RED OVAL MARBLE & BRASS COFFEE TABLE

HOME COMFORTS: KING SIZE FOUR POSTER IRON CANOPY BED

N AT U R A L T E X T U R E

Rockett St George’s trend predictions for 2020 Wo r d s J A N E R O C K E T T & LUCY ST GEORGE

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Nature provides welcome respite from stress and helps us reconnect with the world around us. Brilliant for bringing the beauty of the outside in, a new approach to natural textures reveals everything from coloured marble and matte limestone to dried flowers, eco advances and classic organic textures. While rich wood and laid-back linen remain a key consideration, natural doesn’t necessarily mean minimal and we’re excited to see nature react with luxury materials for a more eclectic, indulgent interior.

When it comes to your colour palette, opt for gentle colours with calming ambiance; soft tones and earthy neutrals are great for creating a sanctuary where you can escape the world outside and relax after a long day. With muted pinks, caramel tones, mint or olive greens and clay colours all

emerging in 2020, we recommend pairing these paler colour palettes with black accessories to give your interior an edge.

GROWN U P GLAMOU R

A trend that’s never far from our minds, grown-up glamour embraces a maximalist approach to décor where pattern reigns and there’s no such thing as too many trimmings.

Inspired by the roaring 20s and Art Deco, glamour is back for 2020 and bigger than ever.

In times of political confusion, often we look to improve things with opulence, fun and glamour and Art Deco design is perfect for this. We all deserve a little luxury in our lives, and as we move towards staying in and entertaining at home, decadent décor schemes are celebrated with bold patterns, fabulous fringing, tactile velvets and a range of exciting everyday

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INTERIORS • TRENDS

luxuries. Plus, as we head into a brand-new decade, the 20s, a little nostalgia for the glamour of the Jazz Age is only natural.

FOREVER FURNITURE

We’re looking at all the ways we can make eco-conscious decisions at home and one of these is the ‘buy once, buy well’ ethos.

Appropriate across all aspects of life, from fashion to furniture, making considered purchases that will last for many years to come helps to reduce your impact on the environment. Potentially more of an anti-trend, focusing on forever furniture means choosing timeless design over more fashion-focused trends. When it comes to furniture and the larger impact accessories in your home, it’s important to invest in key pieces that you will love forever. With this in mind, you can’t go too far wrong with rich natural wood cabinets, vintage designs with an antique aesthetic and classic Danish style sofas.

ENGLISH ECCENTRIC

Just as fashion trends have shifted to celebrate individuality and personal style, so have interiors. Expect to see confident interiors that approach colour and decoration with some serious drama.

The beauty of this trend embraces that each home is different and should be celebrated for that. It says that taste is often overrated, so if you love it and it makes you smile, then it deserves to be celebrated in your home. While it’s always amazing to take inspiration from trends and the world around you, ultimately your home should be a reflection of you. So go to town with all your favourite things and curate displays around your home that express your individuality.

world. Renowned for finding beauty in simplicity and celebrating the natural world, the timeless design principles of traditional Japanese design are as relevant as ever.

Not just limited to the beauty of Japanese design, we’re predicting a rise in eastern influences across interiors for 2020. Inspired by increased global travel, trends are set to celebrate unique pieces collected or inspired by past travels that create a unique and personal interior. We’re excited to see decadent dark wood, woven cane textures, oriental prints and structured furniture embraced across interiors to celebrate the incredible cultures of the far east.

HOME COMFORTS

Staying home is the new going out and JOMO (the Joy of Missing Out) seems to be a buzzword for 2020. Celebrating all the wonderful home comforts that come from staying in, JOMO encourages us to spend quality time with our loved ones.

From throwing an informal dinner party to cooking up a feast from your favourite cookbooks, there’s something incredibly inviting about staying in. We recommend investing in your own drinks cabinet filled with booze for late night cocktails and treating yourself to a chic collection of tableware that makes entertaining extra special. With streaming sites and box sets the best they’ve ever been, the only thing you need to complete the ultimate night in is a luxe set of loungewear, cosy throw and a glass or two of wine.

ENGLISH ECCENTRIC: BLACK AND GOLD MONKEY VASE

“As we head into the 20s, a little nostalgia for the Jazz Age is only natural”

FA R E A S T E R N I N F LU E N C E From Wabi Sabi to Japandi, Japan has inspired a wealth of trends in the design

GROWN-UP GLAMOUR: GOLD VELVET ARMCHAIR

FOREVER FURNITURE: TAUPE GREY DANISH DESIGN SOFA

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Over 50 Bathroom Displays

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Tel: 0 1 7 8 4 4 26900 E-mail: sales@batheandbeyond.com Monday - Friday: 9.00am - 5.30pm Saturday: 9.00am - 5.00pm

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INTERIORS • KITCHENS

Cupboard love Ten things to consider when designing your kitchen Words

B R I T I S H S TA N DA R D C U P B OA R D S

KITCH EN COU NTDOWN Consider scale and proportion of the cupboards in relation to the room.

Too many small cupboards could look ‘leggy’ and large cupboards could look imposing.

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Look at using two different materials for worktops, eg. wood and concrete, and/or two paint colours.

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Make a statement with floor-toceiling glazed wall cupboards as a display wall or re-used vegetable trays on open slatted shelves for a laid-back look.

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Swap wall cupboards with a simple eyelevel shelf for chic, high-level storage.

Pair tall cupboards to create a standalone piece, or group multiple sets of pan drawers for an architectural style finish.

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Visually balance elevations: consider symmetry and asymmetry.

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Position your key appliances within easy reach of each other.

Don’t overlook rubbish: hide bins in cupboards or choose a stylish freestanding bin.

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Decide between integrated appliances or well-chosen freestanding items, eg. an iconic retro fridge.

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Zone your kitchen into ‘public’ and ‘no-go’ areas. Steel screens and/or a strategically placed island accentuated with a change in floor finish will encourage people away from working areas.

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“Always

consider symmetry and asymmetry”

britishstandardcupboards.co.uk

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This Chelsea mews house was transformed with a diverse colour palette, a modified floorplan and bespoke furnishings.

Absolutely takes a tour Wo r d s P E A R L B OY D P h o t o g r a p h y B I L LY B O LT O N

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INTERIORS • HOUSE TOUR

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rchitecture and interiors company TR Studio totally transformed this house off the King’s Road in Chelsea. Located on a road lined with brightly coloured houses, the pied-à-terre features a redesigned layout with bold interiors and bespoke furnishings to create the perfect environment to relax and entertain.

In a project which spanned two years, TR Studio undertook extensive architectural adjustments to the entire lower ground floor which was excavated and extended to create a harmonious living, dining and kitchen level. What was previously an under-utilised patio was extended to create a much larger kitchen and dining area, topped with a glass roof to maximise natural daylight.

Tom Rutt, Founder of TR Studio, explained: “As a full-service architecture and interiors studio, our goal is to humanise an interior so that a house really feels like home. The spaces must be practical and resilient to the changes of everyday life. The details must be simultaneously useful, uplifting and joyful to see or touch. We embraced the opportunity to mastermind the entire transformation of this beautiful property.”

The property’s interior reflects the

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CURTAIN CALL

INSPIRED INTERIORS

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

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

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Antique Fireplaces

Grate Expectations Antique Fireplaces have procured a huge collection of beautifully unique original fireplaces of many years through our sister company Grate Expectations Fireplaces. Each of our fireplaces has been restored to their full former glory in an extremely careful manor.

Antique victorian and georgian fireplaces in our new showroom and salvage yard 333 Kingston Road, Wimbledon Chase, SW19 8JX 020 8540 8387 | sales@grateantiquefireplaces.co.uk grateantiquefireplaces.co.uk

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INTERIORS • HOUSE TOUR client’s desire to be bold and embrace vibrant colour schemes, featuring a deep purple study and an inky green master bedroom. This playfulness is highlighted by a series of carefully placed rooflights which carry natural light across each floor.

Creating an escape from the country was incredibly important to the client, who primarily lives in a listed property outside London. The residence was designed in an urban yet inviting style, featuring a living area with antique brass-accented light fixtures and an ebony timber sideboard with bronze details. These aspects were softened by low-level cabinets painted in Farrow & Ball’s Green Smoke and an orange-flecked beige sofa, providing an eclectic, yet refined, atmosphere.

Indulging the client’s spirit for entertaining, TR Studio then oversaw the design of a beautiful bar unit with routed timber and curved edges. Instilling a sense of refinement, the team designed a bespoke light-stained oak dining table and routed timber linen drawer and marble sink with black accents, giving the property a warm, yet opulent, tone and ambience. In keeping with the bright and varied houses of the street, the studio coated the exterior of the property in Farrow & Ball’s Cinder Rose.

Rutt said: “Our vision was to create something which amplified and celebrated

"Our goal is to humanise an interior, so a house really feels like home" the client’s personality, which we accomplished by using colour and curves to give the space life and character. The reinstatement of the curving Victorian handrail to the staircase unifies the house aesthetically while being a pleasure to use. For the study, we added tall slot windows which specifically orientate the view to a quintessential Chelsea outlook of trees and neighbouring Arts and Crafts houses. This framing of the view provides a special moment every time one sits down at the study.”

Helen Thomas, project architect added: “The layout of the property is unusual, as an end-of-terrace mews house with a laterally positioned front door. We embraced this unconventional design by playfully combining colours to create an unexpected, yet harmonious environment. We’re delighted with the results achieved through extending the lower ground floor to create a light, bright and airy living space which lends itself ideally to relaxing and entertaining guests.” trstudio.co.uk

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YOUR TROPICAL OASIS Dedicated to the wellness of body & mind

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TRAVEL

ADRIATIC VENTURE PORTO MONTENEGRO

Absolutely discovers the striking coastline of Montenegro with its myriad of secluded bays and beautiful ports.

PORTOMONTENEGRO.COM

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"Dubbed as the kitchen of Japan, Osaka is a city bursting with avour�

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TRAVEL • TRENDS OSAKA, JAPAN

Travel Trends

2 0 2 0

From sailing around the Adriatic coast to dining your way through Osaka, here are the top five travel trends for 2020

By ZOË DELMER-BE ST

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FO O DI E TOU RS

Being a foodie tourist is a great way to travel a country. You get to see all the best bits whilst also experiencing a wide variety of cuisine. There is a myriad of places to venture from provincial France, where flavour and freshness is everything, to Jerusalem, a country full of sumptuous Middle Eastern flavour combinations and succulent lamb dishes.

Where: For the ultimate foodie tour, there is no place like Osaka. Dubbed as the kitchen of Japan, Osaka is a city busting with everything food-related from street food stalls where you can pick up delicious morsels of teriyaki salmon, to high-end restaurants which boast numerous Michelin stars, this a city that generously celebrates everything about food.

Stay: For utter luxury, stay at the Conrad. A new hotel, the Conrad occupies the uppermost floors of a skyscraper, meaning that guests get amazing panoramic views of the whole metropolis and beyond. Rooms are clean-cut and modern in design with tasteful Japanese influences.

There’s a 24 hour on hand concierge team, a fitness centre with spa and a restaurant boasting rave reviews. The Conrad Osaka has everything you need to conduct your foodie expedition.

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P I EC E O F GREEN

Eco-travelling is becoming increasingly popular.

There are many options for the eco-conscious traveller to make their holiday more sustainable, from swapping carbon guzzling plane tickets for the less polluting option of train journeys, to choosing not to travel too far from home and staying at ecofriendly locations that focus on sustainable living.

LOCH ERIBOLL, SCOTLAND

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Where: The UK is a fantastic place to explore and although many tend to overlook our lovely isle in favour of warmer climes, both Scotland and Cornwall have lots to offer for the pioneering traveller. With rugged landscapes, sandy beaches and diverse cultures, they both make great options for those who crave that away feeling whilst keeping their feet planted firmly on the ground.

Stay: The Croft 103 is devoted to eco living and all things sustainable. Located on the edge of Loch Eriboll in north-west Sunderland, it boasts stunning views of the diverse Scottish landscape. With a contemporary design, the buildings boast all of the luxuries we’ve come to expect of modern-day living but without the damaging cost to our planet.

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T H E O N LY WAY T O T R AV E L

YOUR NEXT DREAM ESCAPE BEGINS HERE theluxurytravelsociety.co.uk

13 HAWLEY CRESCENT, CAMDEN TOWN, LONDON NW1 8NP

0203 538 556 4

LUXURY HOLIDAYS | CRUISES | SKI | TOURS & SAFARI | PRIVATE VILLA S | LUXURY YACHTS | PRIVATE JETS

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TRAVEL • TRENDS

“Stunning coastlines evocative of ancient greek mythology”

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BAY OF KOTOR, MONTENEGRO

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S E T SA I L

In recent years the Adriatic coast of Croatia has been experiencing quite the moment, with an average of 18.5 million visitors per year. However, it may be time to explore the rest of the Adriatic coast to avoid the throngs of tourists and get that well-deserved peace and quiet on the beautiful calm seas.

Where: Both Montenegro and Albania boast stunning coastlines evocative of ancient greek mythology. Temperatures in the summer are often a balmy 27°C and the sea is the perfect place to cool off. The ports are generally less crowded than in Croatia and the delicious Mediterranian cuisine is some of the best you’ll have.

MUSCAT, OMAN

Stay: Porto Montenegro makes the ideal place to moor up if you are searching for glamour and luxury. Often compared to Monaco, the beautiful port is brimming full of swanky restaurants, cocktail bars, and designer brands. If you were to feel a little seasick, there is a selection of high-end luxury hotels with beautiful health spas, gyms and pampering where you can regain your sea legs.

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DE SERT OASIS

When thinking of a desert, you often imagine an otherworldly, scorching landscape of sand and rocks. Yet in reality there's a huge variation in the landscape, fantastic culture and diverse animal and plant species that exist in the arid habitat.

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Where: Oman provides the ultimate desert wonderland for all intrepid explorers. From exploring the old city of Muscat with its myriad architectural styles and delicious culinary offerings to delving deep into the plentiful oasis of natural beauty and wildlife, Oman is a country begging to be traversed.

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Stay: If opulent relaxation is on your mind, then Six Senses Zighy Bay is the place to stay. Located on the northern Musandam Peninsula, the resort is set between jagged mountains on one side and bordered by a serene sandy beach on the other.

Remote and yet easily accessible, there’s plenty of activities to do during your stay including paragliding and scuba diving.

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H EAD N ORTH

Northern Europe has plenty to offer the traveller. Boasting impressive scenery with beautiful skies and interesting geographical formations, this area not only makes the ideal escape for nature lovers, but the cities are amazing hubs of architecture, design and culture.

Where: With its rich history, famous love of culture and eco-conscious way of life, Denmark is the perfect place to escape to for a feel-good break. Both Copenhagen and the surrounding rural areas offer plenty to do for the traveller from scenic hiking to design exhibitions.

Stay: Villa Copenhagen, opening in April 2020, has transformed the city’s centuryold post office into a stylish, forwardthinking eco-hotel. Situated in the centre of the capital, the hotel hosts 390 guest rooms and has a generous selection of amenities including a heated outdoor swimming pool, sauna, 24-hour gym and a rooftop urban garden- one of the few urban green spaces in Copenhagen.

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COPENHAGEN, DENMARK

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Join the

CLUB

Club Med's Greek outpost, Gregolimano, offers a luxurious combination of fun, sport and relaxation By

PENDLE HARTE

THE POOL

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on’t expect me to join in anything,” said the 13-year old, settling herself into the speedboat. Gliding over the waves across the bay, we’re all blown away by the beauty of the scene, all blue skies and tree-lined craggy coastline.

“Just don’t think you can leave me at any babyish kids clubs.

I’m going to lie by the pool with you.”

Holidaying with teens is famously difficult, though we are new to this. My own memories of being a teenager on a family holiday include sulking in Venice, feeling bored in Crete and having no interest in

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Vienna, Budapest or Prague. Teenagers are hard to please, yet never have we as a generation of parents tried harder to please them. Today’s teenagers are specifically catered to with age-appropriate activities in resorts, and still there’s no guaranteeing anything.

Our daughters are 13 and 10, which means that they’re at fairly different stages of enthusiasm for organised activities, and we have high hopes for Club Med, which has a reputation for keeping people of all ages and inclinations happy with its all-inclusive activity programme, generous food and drink and fun vibe.

Getting to Gregolimano takes some time. It’s a 90-minute drive from Athens airport, followed by half an hour in a speedboat – but when you draw near, there are people standing on the jetty waving at you in the Club Med welcome. The spot is dreamy:

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THE TERRACE RESTAURANT

a long strip of perfect blue sea, white sand, pine trees and whitewashed, flat-roofed buildings. This is a private peninsula and there’s nothing here apart from Club Med’s spacious resort, which takes in long stretches of sandy beach and forest as well as plenty of space to roam – as well as the essential pool, restaurants, bars, tennis courts, watersports jettys and everything else we could need.

We’ve only been here for as long as it takes to serve ourselves dinner from the impressive buffet spread before the 10 year-old, who we now realise had been gone for some time, appears and announces that she’s meeting her friend tomorrow morning for waterskiing. What friend? “Oh, I don’t know her name. She’s been here before and she says waterskiing is at 9 o-clock so we’re meeting for breakfast first.” Lots of children are wandering down the beach, clearly making similar plans. Club

WATERSKIING

Happily, there's no need to make plans because our daughter has already made them Med’s many activities are legendary: they are listed in timetables on notice boards around the village and there’s an app which my heart had slightly sunk at the thought of. Happily, there's no need to make plans because our daughter has already made them.

Kids’ clubs are designed for all ages, and 10 year-olds are allowed to be what Club Med calls ‘autonomous’ – with a special coloured wristband – and this lets them move freely between activities without needing to be supervised, signed in or picked up.

But 10 year-olds are easy to please in comparison with 13 year-olds, especially ones who have already vowed that getting involved in any organised activities is beneath them. However, this kind of principle is hard to hold onto in the environment that is Club Med, because the promise of learning trapeze is too much not to inspire any curiosity – so on our first morning, one child having taken herself off to waterskiing, our eldest immediately bonds with a group of girls her age. They spend the rest of the week together, roaming from the pool to the trapeze, the beach and the waterski station, all looking identical from behind, occasionally joining us for meals. Our daughters couldn’t be happier.

So this leaves us in peace, which is after all the

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Should we go sailing or paddleboarding?

Or just lie by the pool and relax? point of a holiday. Accustomed as we are to putting children’s needs first, we’re not used to the freedom this allows: should we go sailing or paddleboarding?

Or just lie by the pool and read? We take full advantage, enjoying tennis lessons, waterskiing and archery. One day we all join a snorkelling boat trip and everyone is thrilled as a large pod of dolphins joins us in speeding across the bay.

Club Med staff are known as GOs – Gentils Organisateurs – and they’re all multi-skilled, switching seamlessly between teaching trapeze and performing in the evening shows, while always being available to chat and smile. Our group of teenagers is in safe hands with their dedicated reps, who one evening even escort them to the disco and back home after we have gone to bed. All our responsibilities have been lifted from us and we simply turn up for meals whenever suits us – which

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is often, because the food is excellent.

One night the entire restaurant – tables, chairs, chefs, buffet – decamps to the beach for a white-themed evening, where we sit at large shared tables, all wearing white, creating a dream-like spectacle.

For the most part, people here are return visitors, which is testament to Gregolimano’s charm. At the end of the week there’s an awards ceremony, which is perhaps a tiny bit primary schoolish, but by this point we are all fully engaged. My partner couldn’t have been happier with his archery medals if he’d been six years old. Our children have made lots of friends and have taken to roaming in packs, fully skilled at ordering alcohol-free pina coladas, remembering what time their sailing session starts and getting themselves to rehearsal for the famed last night show. And they come home with excellent trapeze skills too. What more could a holiday offer?

C LU B M E D G R E G O L I M A N O Seven nights in Club Med Gregolimano from £993 per adult (base on double occupancy) with return flights from London, and transfers included. Book now at clubmed.co.uk or call 020 3893 3894

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Adventure

LITE

There’s nothing better than a shared family experience, and an active holiday provides exactly that

B y A M A N DA C O N S TA N C E

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magine a beach, a great gold arc, curving around the mouth of Europe’s cleanest river at the point where it meets the pounding Atlantic. Imagine the same beach, full of local Portuguese, enjoying a summer where there is never a cloud in the sky and the temperature rarely dips below 30 degrees.

This is Vila Nova De Milfontes, 200 km south of Lisbon, a charming lo-rise resort town on the edge of a nature reserve that is a million miles away from the stack-‘em-high blocks of time-share on the Algarve. Then imagine having a holiday here, a holiday where everyone gets to do what they want, and everyone is happy, all the time. This is a Surf’s Up Family Activity Holiday on Portugal’s Alentejo Coast with Activities Abroad.

I know, it sounds too good to be true. But after a decade of working out what is the right sort of holiday for everyone – we have three children, 15, 12 and eight – we have finally struck gold.

Activities Abroad run sun and winter holidays all over the world. Summer destinations include Spain, Croatia, Austria, Gozo, Morocco even Borneo if you are feeling super adventurous. We chose the Alentejo Coast for the fantastic Atlantic surfing on offer.

The bonus of booking with Activities Abroad is that you pay a one-off fee up front – you can choose how many activities to take part in during the week – and there are no more nasty costs later down the line.

We don’t normally ‘do’ package holidays – fancying ourselves as adventurers. And I must admit, I baulked when we arrived in our family apartment and there was a long, printed itinerary for what we would be doing everyday – including morning meet times that hovering near the 9.30am mark.

But it was bliss. No decisions about what to do when, where to eat, who wants what. We simply did as we were told, and were left in the capable hands of Riccardo, a Milfontes man born and bred, who runs the activities on the

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Alentejo Coast (pronounced Alen-tay-jew).

And there were activities aplenty. We started with surfing which is just a short drive from the town on the rugged, pristine coastline. The surf school was brilliant and all the kids were soon standing. The adults, not so much. But the beach was huge, wide and empty and it was a thrill to be in the clear, cold sea in snug wetsuits. And we did paddle-boarding, kayaking, mountainbiking, abseiling, climbing, more surfing, even some archery and yes, even more surfing.

A highlight for us all was a 7km paddle up the beautiful Mira river. The water is clear and the surroundings wild and untouched. We glided past enormous jelly fish the size of vast, bulbous cauliflowers and watched herons diving for fish. At the end of a few hours of quite strenuous paddling, we pulled the kayaks on to the river bank to see a fully laden table; Riccardo and his team had lunch waiting for us in the shade of the trees. As always, the food was plentiful and delicious. And after lunch, we walked up a farm track where jeeps were waiting with mountain bikes in a trailer, ready for an afternoon of biking along the coastline.

It’s this all-inclusive nature of the holiday that is

THE ALENTEJO COAST

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TRAVEL • PORTUGAL

"The kids were soon standing on their surfboards.

The adults, not so much” A B S O L U T E LY. L O N D O N

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An education that is about more than just her grades: it’s about the person she becomes.

Find out more by visiting our website or attending our Open Day on Saturday 7th March 2020. www.cheltladiescollege.org CLC.indd 1

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TRAVEL • PORTUGAL

so priceless. You get to enjoy multiple shared experiences without the hassle factor. No thinking about what is needed, when and where. Mountain bikes, all carefully selected for the right size, all well-maintained, just turn up when you want them. This is what you pay for. that and the fact that Riccardo is a brilliant guide – he knows everyone in the area. So abseiling down a waterfall happens on a friend’s farm, the zip wire on another friend’s property. Bumping around these farms in jeeps in deep sand felt like being on safari in Africa. And the holiday, at times, had the same, wild, off-the-beaten track feel.

Riccardo’s local know-how extends to downtime, too. Some of the meals are eaten as a group, which meant eating in fantastic local restaurants we would never have known about without Riccardo’s insider knowledge. It’s a cliché, but he really did go the extra mile. When our eight-year-old got frightened at the top of the abseil down the waterfall, he spent ages trying to coax him to feel the fear but do it anyway.

And yes, this is adventure lite – you don’t need to be Bear Grylls but it’s testing enough and great if you are a middle-aged desk-bound potato. It’s life affirming to be active, and active together. To share those experiences with your children is truly priceless. I will always treasure my time kayaking with my eldest, the moment we finally found a good rhythm and shot through the water with ease.

The other unexpected bonus of the holiday is being thrown together with other families.

To be honest, the fact that we were going to do everything en masse had entirely escaped me at the outset. And I would definitely have baulked at the idea of holidaying with other people’s children as well as my own, but it was fantastic. Two other families were with us all week, both with two teenagers apiece, including a 12-year-old girl for our 12-yearold girl and the whole group absorbed our hyperactive eight year old. Everyone got

RICCARDO IS A BRILLIANT GUIDE

TUCHLAUBEN

on so well that we all ate together even when we didn’t have group meals planned - often in the beach café in Vila Milfontes where the maitre d’ soon knew all our names.

Yes, it’s a busy week but in the best possible way. And there was still plenty of time to read books and snooze on the beach – possibly even more time because the kids all entertained each other. And I don’t remember a cross word or whinging, once.

It was a proper holiday. There is nothing better than shared experience as a family.

We are all hooked on Activities Abroad.

Surf’s Up on the Alentejo Coast in summer 2020 with Activities Abroad, from £920 to £1,485 per person depending on the activities.

“It's life-affirming to be active together”

Visit activitiesabroad.com or call 01670 789 991 for more information In association with Activities Abroad (activitiesabroad.com) and Visit Portugal (visitportugal.com).

MOUNTAIN BIKING

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VIEW FROM THE VITALITY POOL

SEA &

S PA North Devon’s Saunton Sands Hotel is situated on one of the area’s best beaches – and it has an impressive new spa

SAUNTON SANDS HOTEL

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B y P E N D L E H A R T E

aunton Sands is one of the UK’s most spectacular beaches in terms of its sheer size, soft sand and reliable surf. North Devon’s coastline has several impressive stretches, but Saunton Sands is one of the finest – and the best view comes from the windows of the landmark Saunton Sands Hotel. Overlooking the vast sandy bay, this huge white Art Deco building is famed for its prime position, its outdoor pool and its excellent cream teas. And now the hotel’s

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TRAVEL • SPA

THE BEACH AT SAUNTON

“It's all about the panoramic views – even the sauna has a small window” spa has had an extensive refurbishment, making it one of the region’s best spas too.

Inside, the four star hotel offers professional service and an excellent 2AA rosette kitchen, plus 74 bedrooms, kids club and even a helipad. Our rooms might be unremarkable decor-wise, yet the expansive sea views make up for it and beds are comfortable and luxurious. But if the hotel’s interiors feel a touch dated, the same can’t be said for the spa. With the building designed to maximise the beach views on every level, there’s a small infinity jacuzzi pool – dubbed a marine vitality pool – that invites you to linger over the view, and even the sauna has a small window to the beach. From the mineralrich Dead Sea salt water we move to the ice fountain, then experience the salt inhalation steam room and Finnish aroma sauna as a truly therapeutic thermal journey.

Lots of natural light floods the space and among the six treatment rooms is a double room (with the panoramic views over the coast, naturally) while on the top floor, a post-treatment relaxation space has a rooftop terrace and sun room to luxuriate in.

THE SPA'S DOUBLE TREATMENT ROOM

I am here for two treatments: firstly a gold, caviar and champagne facial – named Gold Rush – which is as decadent as it sounds, and leaves my skin fresh and velvety, and then a hot stone massage which sends me into a blissful sleep pretty fast. Also in the spa is a lovely indoor pool surrounded by loungers, making the spa a lovely place to spend the whole day.

The outdoor pool is heated and open from May until September, while the hotel will arrange surfing lessons for all abilities pretty much year round. Our group lesson lasts two hours, during which we go to battle with the waves and, on the whole,

AFTERNOON TEA

lose. Inevitably the children are better at it than we are. Our instructors are vigilant and instill us with lots of enthusiasm and a good sense of what we are trying to do – and the addictive pull lies in the constant sense that the next wave will be the one. Saunton Sands is considered a good beginners beach for its manageable waves – and for postsurf hunger there’s the Beachside Grill, also belonging to the hotel but located on the beach, with an appealing array of burgers and brasserie classics.

Nearby Braunton is worth a visit for its surf shops and excellent coffee stop, fish and chips and the lovely lifestyle and jewellery shop Wanderlust Life, while the area is worth exploring for its sweeping beaches and pretty towns too. We just wish North Devon were slightly closer to London. sauntonsands.co.uk A B S O L U T E LY. L O N D O N

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TEL. 01798 344481 07831 886402 A L A N _ C O R D E RY @ YA H O O . C O . U K

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C L IE N T BRAND DAT E DO C U M E N T P R IN T P RO C E SS

S I LEN T PO O L D I S T I LLERY S I LEN T PO O L LO G O 04. 11. 2016 S PG _ LO G O _ W H I T E. a i x

CYAN

MAGENTA

Y ELLOW

BLACK

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A

trio of Grade I listed Georgian townhouses set on one of the most beautiful streets in Bath, No. 15 Great Pulteney is home to 40 bedrooms and public spaces, including a bar, restaurant, private dining rooms and spa.

The welcome at No. 15 was warm and the decor is an elegant blend of traditional and individuality, with stripped back walls, soft colours and bespoke furniture. We loved the hotel’s larder room for guests, which had a fridge full of help-yourself ice cream tubs and an enviable array of snacks and sweet treats.

THE FOOD

D

ownstairs, The Dispensary offers a range of delicious dishes to suit all palettes and welcomed babies at early sittings. The restaurant specialises in seasonal dishes with a twist, and each plate is designed to let the quality of the ingredients shine under the guidance of the Head Chef. Guests also have the opportunity to enjoy the quintessential tradition of afternoon tea or indulge in a relaxing Sunday brunch.

THE ROOM

W

e stayed in the Henrietta Junior Suite, a spacious room with a super king bed and a beautiful view through traditional shutters of the Bath skyline. A travel cot, blanket and baby towel were provided upon arrival. Our luxurious bathroom had a huge tub, which was perfect for bath time and was well stocked with fluffy towels heavenly scented Bamford products.

THE SPA

T

he hotel’s discreet Spa 15 adds a decadent touch.

Taking the waters and relaxation has long been an integral part of life in Bath and this spa focuses on indulging the senses. With four individually designed treatment rooms, a cedar wood hot tub, sauna and steam area, holistic and resultsdriven treatments from ila and Natura Bissé are delivered by highly-skilled therapists.

THINGS TO DO

T

here is no shortage of things to do in Bath. We enjoyed pottering around the pretty streets, shopping in local independents including Spotty Herbert’s, a tiny emporium stocked full of treats for children, as well as lifestyle store, FOUND. A must-visit for while in the city is the recently opened Landrace Bakery for delicious sticky buns and coffee in a cool, relaxed setting.

weekend

THE HOTEL

D ESTINATI O N S

TRAVEL • UK GETAWAY

NO. 15 GREAT PULTENEY B AT H , S O M E R S E T

By J OA N N A M AC K I E

A Georgian townhouse in the World Heritage city BEDROOM RATES AT NO.15 GREAT PULTENEY START AT £149 ON A B&B BASIS PER NIGHT Use of Spa 15’s hot tub area is complimentary for hotel residents when booking a treatment or £20 per person if not, based on 60-minute use. no15greatpulteney.co.uk / 01225 807526

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

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DISCOVERMORE

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

Open Open Events Days

January 22nd (9:45am) November 1st/7th (9.30am/ 9.30am) February 12th (9:45am) th November /21st (7.00pm/ 9.30am) February 25th15 (9:45am) March 4th (9:45am)th

November 29 (9.30am)

Book your place online:

www.kewhouseschool.com/openevents

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

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@kewhouseschool

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KIDS &EDUCATION

SCHOOL'S BACK The Study Preparatory School, Wimbledon, is a leading prep for girls aged 4-11. Its highly creative and nurturing ethos instills a love of learning and leads to excellent academic results at 11+.

The annual Open Morning takes place on Saturday 14 March. thestudyprep.co.uk

The Study Preparatory School, Wimbledon

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‘High expectations of the pupils enable them to attain excellent standards.’

‘Pupils show excellent self-confidence and resilience.’

ISI Educational Quality Inspection Report, 2019

The Study is a leading prep school situated in the heart of Wimbledon Village. We identify and nurture each girl’s unique academic, creative and sporting skills in a caring and supportive community.

For further details and to book a school visit, contact Jane Davis on 020 8947 6969 www.thestudyprep.co.uk Registered Charity No. 271012

We welcome enquires about our scheme of assistance with fees for girls aged 7+ Additional bursary available for entry into Year 1 or Year 2 from September 2020 Preparatory School for girls aged four to eleven STUDY.indd 1 RB6367 Absolutely full page advert art.indd 1

13/12/2019 12/12/2019 18:04 14:19

KIDS & EDUCATION • NOTES THE REVIEW

KEEP WARM M I N I AT U R E

Considering they have colder climes than us to contend with, Danish brand Mini A Ture take their outerwear pretty seriously. Little ones won’t get chilly or wet with their heat quilted collection. miniature.com

S K AT E S ON

SMALL TALK Singing, skating and keeping warm

SING IT BACK L U C K Y VO I C E

It's easy to banish the January blues with a bit of karaoke – and Lucky Voice's home kit enables you to sing along to all kids' favourites, from Abba to Disney classics to Taylor Swift. And once they've gone to bed, we can have a go too. £54.99; luckyvoice.com

A

nyone organising a kids' birthday party this month will know the problems of winter birthdays.

It's usually too wet to let them run wild outdoors at this time of year, so arrangements need to be made. Because there's nothing worse than not planning things properly and ending up with 18 feral and frustrated sevenyear-olds rampaging through your house, treading mud and cake into the carpet and weeping. Far better to sit back and let the good people at Queens take care of it all with their kids' party package.

We entertained 14 10 year-olds without breaking a sweat: first they hit the ice rink, speed-skating in circles and giggling endlessly, before collapsing, exhausted, at their table to eat burgers, hot dogs and cake in a state of what seemed to be extreme joy. Everyone went home happy, at no stress cost to the grown-ups. Result. queens.london

EDITOR’S PICK

VEG OUT

HUNG UP

N U M E R O 74

L I E WO O D

This cotton poster comes complete with a stylish hanger and features some mighty fine vegetable embroidery.

What a shame these delicious specimens don’t count as one of your five-a-day. £106;

Ideal for the tiniest of tinies, this plush playmat is crafted from softest cotton and features a herd of colourful, textured dinosaurs to grab at and explore. £89.95;

 smallable.com

 scandiborn.co.uk

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

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An ‘Excellent’ rated, vibrant and supportive school community, set in 220 acres of

beautiful North Yorkshire Countryside.

We welcome day

students from 3 months

to 19 years and boarders

from 6 years to 19 years.

The No.1 independent

secondary school in the North of England (QE College).

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Academic, sport, music and drama scholarships available for students in Years 7 to 13.

Visit us at the Independent Schools Show in London

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EDUCATION • NEWS

School

NEWS Success stories from the world of education Wo r d s ZO Ë D E L M E R - B E S T

E XC E L L E N T AC H I E V E M E N T Lyndhurst House Preparatory School received considerable praise from the Independent Schools Inspectorate with the board commenting: “The quality of the pupils’ academic and other achievements is excellent…….

Pupils are extremely considerate, caring and courteous and respectful of each other” (ISI Inspection report, October 2019).

Creative Talent It was nearly a clean sweep for Banstead Prep School in the Banstead Young Artist of the Year competition. Prizes in the Age 8-11 category were all awarded to the school’s talented young artists; with Plant by Olivia receiving the first prize ribbon, Sunset bay

by Shreya awarded second prize and Kingfisher by Georgie taking third place and winning the public vote.

In the Under 7 category, Year 1 pupil Beau’s Self Portrait was presented with the top prize.

BRIGHT S PA R K S

A NEW ERA

Cheltenham Ladies’ College has been named the Top Boarding School in the World for the International Baccalaureate by the Global Top 50 IB Schools Table 2019, with an average point score of 40.4 points. Staff and students at CLC were delighted to take the opportunity to celebrate their recent excellent exam results, which make up an important element of their many achievements and personal developments.

Charterhouse will enter a new era of co-education under the expert guidance of new Headmaster Dr Alex Peterken.

Building on the success of its mixed Sixth Form, The Charterhouse School in Godalming is moving to full co-education from the age of 13 and will welcome the first girls into Year 9 in September 2021.

Eco Celebrations Saint Christina’s School have recently unveiled a new ‘green wall’ in their playground, which marks the schools 70th Anniversary this year. The green wall will improve the quality of air the children breathe, as well as educating them about air pollution and climate change with an eco initiative. The St John’s Wood school also marked its 70th birthday with plenty of exciting celebrations.

“Education is the passport to the future, for tomorrow belongs to those who prepare for it today” M A LCO L M X

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

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Mayfield AN I NDEP EN DENT BOARD IN G A ND DAY SCHOOL FO R GIRLS AGE D 1 1 TO 1 8

OUTSTANDING ACADEMIC RESULTS • SCHOLARSHIPS AVAILABLE EXTENSIVE CO-CURRICULAR PROGRAMME EXEMPLARY PASTORAL CARE & NURTURING ENVIRONMENT STATE OF THE ART EQUESTRIAN CENTRE • SET IN THE BEAUTIFUL SUSSEX COUNTRYSIDE FLEXI, WEEKLY AND FULL BOARDING OPTIONS EASY ACCESS TO HEATHROW & GATWICK AIRPORTS 50 MINUTES FROM CENTRAL LONDON BY TRAIN WEEKEND RETURN BUS TO LONDON • MINIBUS SERVICE ACROSS SUSSEX AND KENT

Open Mornings FRIDAY 20 TH MARCH 2020 TUESDAY 21 ST APRIL 2020 WWW.MAYFIELDGIRLS.ORG

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TO ARRANGE A VISIT PLEASE CONTACT OUR REGISTRAR, MRS SHIRLEY COPPARD, REGISTRAR@MAYFIELDGIRLS.ORG

13/12/2019 12:30 18:03 09/12/2019

EDUCATION & KIDS • OPINION

SIXTH FORM STUDENTS

WHAT ON

E A RTH It’s time education addresses environmental challenges

K

By LUCY GOAMAN

ingsley School Bideford is breaking new ground by creating an Earth Centre in the school grounds. It’s the beginning of a journey where, for the first time in the UK, environmental sustainability and the challenge of climate change are at the heart of mainstream school education.

The Earth Centre will house a modern laboratory and workshop, dedicated teaching areas, facilities for the growing of vegetable seedlings, and equipment for the harvesting and packing of produce.

Not only will the school be supplied

with its own vegetables, but students will hone their business skills in providing the local community with fresh food. Studying at the centre focuses on practical work, experience in the field, investigative science and 'learning by doing' across all subjects.

The unique approach adopted by the Earth Centre provides a myriad of educational opportunities – both vocational and academic – for students of all abilities. Students can choose to focus on any aspect of environmental studies and sustainable agriculture from ecology and biology to politics and economics, and from practical horticulture to marketing, sales and business skills.

“The Earth Centre recognises and speaks to our role in the community”

BUILDING HEDGEHOG HOMES IN THE SCHOOL WOODS

Headmaster, Mr Last, had the honour of introducing the new Earth Centre and discussed how Kingsley wishes to equip all pupils with the tools to better understand the environment and how best to respond to the challenges of climate change: "Bideford is within the UNESCO North Devon Biosphere, and many of our students have a strong rural and agricultural connection. The Earth Centre recognises and speaks to our role in the community and the environmental values that we have chosen to foster. The Earth Centre is simply the right thing to do.”

To celebrate Earth Day, all normal timetables were suspended and pupils spent the day being curious about the world around them, their part in it and how they can all be more observant and deliberate in their actions to take much better care of our wonderful planet. The pupils were busy with beach cleans, building hedgehog habitats, bird boxes and owl boxes for the new woodland to be planted in the Kenwith Valley, making bird feeders, planting oak trees on the school grounds, creating beautiful artworks from microplastics and natural pigments to communicate environmental concerns, and brainstorming ideas and pitching, Dragon’s Den style, for action at home and at school based on the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals.

KINGSLEY SCHOOL BIDEFORD kingsleyschoolbideford.co.uk

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ng di 7 ar age Bo m fro

Geographer Actor Sailor GRACE, AGE 12

Millfield and Millfield Prep’s next Open Days are Saturday 29 February and Saturday 2 May

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18/12/2019 20/12/2019 09:46 15:03

EDUCATION & KIDS • OPINION

HEATHFIELD SCHOOL PUPILS

GIR LS

The Headmistress of Heathfield School explains its ethos

H

By MARINA GARDINER LEGGE

appy, confident girls succeed – that’s the simple but powerful philosophy at Heathfield School.

Founded in 1899, Heathfield was in the vanguard of educational establishments advocating the theory that happiness equated with academic success and has always placed high importance on pastoral care accordingly.

In the Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI) Inspection last year, the school achieved ‘Excellent in all categories’. The inspectors found that: ‘the overall achievement of the pupils is excellent and represents the successful fulfilment of the School’s ambitious aims’.

They also stated that ‘pupils are

happy, articulate and confident’ and that ‘pupils grow into young people who make a difference to the world and live their lives boldly’.

At A-level this year, students achieved well in both academic and vocational subjects, going on to study a diverse range of subjects from Biochemistry, Mathematics, Computer Science, Nursing and International Business to Fine Art, Photography and Film Television and Radio.

Students gained places at top Russell Group Universities including Bristol, Edinburgh, Exeter, Kings College London, Queen Mary University London and Warwick.

Other prestigious destinations have included RADA, Central St Martins, London College of Fashion, École hôtelière de Lausanne, Le Cordon Bleu Paris and Parsons in New York.

“Heathfield girls enjoy a holistic and inspiring education”

HAPPY

In the past three years, over 94% of Heathfield old girls who graduated, attained either a First Class or 2:1 degree.

“Heathfield celebrates talent and spirit so that everyone learns to be the best possible version of themselves - self-confident, resilient, articulate young women with ambition”, says Headmistress Marina Gardiner Legge. “Our founder, Eleanor Wyatt, wanted Heathfield girls to ‘see the sky’.

I take that to mean allowing the girls to reach their greatest potential wherever their strengths lie – whether academic, artistic, sporting, musical or dramatic.”

A fulfilling and enriching programme of co-curricular activities and sport, music, drama and the arts ensure Heathfield girls enjoy a holistic and inspiring education.

Also strong in the arts, Heathfield students are fortunate to benefit from their relationship with the worldfamous London College of Fashion.

The school has a wide curriculum for a small school but is about far more than this. Its strength lies in its size - meaning every girl receives dedicated individual attention and is imbued with persistence, grit, confidence and the desire to achieve.

The school stands in beautiful surroundings just outside Ascot, in a classic Italianate country house set in 36 acres. Entry is at 11, 13 or 16. Scholarships are awarded for Academic, Art, Drama, Music and Sport at all three entry points. The School holds termly open mornings and private tours are also available.

HEATHFIELD SCHOOL heathfieldschool.net

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KIDS & EDUCATION • FOCUS

LIFE

L ESSONS The Founder of nimbl, the digital money app for kids, on why we should teach children about finance

T

By CLINT WILSON

axation, bills and budgeting are often perceived as boring, mandatory chores that only grown-ups should have to deal with, but why should our children be shielded from the financial transactions that will become an integral part of their adult lives? If young people are to grow into financially competent

and confident adults, they must learn about money early on.

September marks five years since schools began teaching young people financial literacy, however research has found that lessons are rarely taking place.

The thought of sending children out into a world of consumer credit and contactless payments without any financial education should be a real cause for concern.

When the lessons do take place,

“Prepare children for the cashless society beyond the school gates”

TEACHING CHILDREN ABOUT SAVINGS AND INVESTMENTS IS CRUCIAL, SAYS CLINT WILSON

they often focus on coins and cash, neglecting the fact that money has gone digital. If financial literacy classes like these take place so infrequently, and continue to focus on physical transactions alone, they risk their pupils being drastically ill-prepared for the cashless society that exists beyond the school gates.

Children must be introduced to seemingly unexciting financial topics like income and expenditure, credit and debit and money management as both academic subjects and real-world skills if they are to see the benefits later in life. This is where we, as parents, come in.

P O C K E T M O N E Y M AT T E R S Children learn best through handson experiences, which is why there are visible benefits to teaching children financial skills at home.

Parents are given the opportunity to take an active role in their child’s financial education, whilst young people are encouraged to view money management as more than a purely academic subject.

Allowing children to experience budgeting, saving and spending in a controlled, safe environment fosters the development of positive financial habits and behaviours.

Whether they’re given £1 or £10 a week, children need to A B S O L U T E LY. L O N D O N

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KIDS & EDUCATION • FOCUS

CHILDREN LEARN MORE WHEN FAMILIES BUDGET TOGETHER

understand the value of the money they receive and learn how to spend and save it responsibly.

It can also help to adjust the words we use when giving our children money. The phrase ‘allowance’ implies that the money is to be saved, budgeted or spent responsibly, allocated for a specific purpose, whereas ‘pocket money’ implies a treat or a small amount of money intended to be spent. Of course, this alone won’t change behaviour, but it will help reinforce wider lessons.

THE REALITIES OF SPENDING

Does your child know the average cost of the weekly family shop, the price of their clothes, or the true cost of that trip into town, including the bus and that bag of sweets on the way home? Exposing children to daily, practical uses of money encourages them to get

130

involved with the family’s money management and develop the essential financial literacy skills.

Collecting your old receipts and monthly bank statements, and getting your children to work out how and what money was spent, encourages them to realise the value of the cash they have. This develops their financial awareness by breaking down the realities of their spending, helping cultivate the financial awareness they will need later in life and enabling them to independently assess whether a certain purchase is breaking the bank.

R E A P I N G T H E R E WA R D S Whether it is a new video game, the latest toy or the hottest fashion item, a child’s dream purchase will be appreciated more if they have independently saved for it. If young people do not get to spend the money

“Does your child know the cost of the weekly shop?”

THE NIMBL APP

they have successfully managed, they will be unable to realise the benefits that come with careful saving and financial planning.

Help your child reach their goal by allowing them to choose the item they really want and, perhaps with a larger item, offering to pay half. Assist them in establishing a spending and saving plan, setting a target and discussing with them the ways in which they can track their progress. Working together to reach a financial goal can help demonstrate the benefits of saving.

Similar strategies can be used to chart your child’s other spending habits. Sitting down to discuss the constructive ways they can spend their money, such as dayto-day spending, saving for the future and donating to charity simulates the effects of taxation, encouraging your child to plan around their regular outgoings.

Helping to develop money management skills at home in these ways can supplement the steps that have been taken by the education system to improve youth financial literacy, encouraging your child to see the value of being financially savvy from a young age.

CLINT WILSON Founder of nimbl To find out more about nimbl, the mobile app and prepaid debit card for 8-18 year olds, visit nimbl.com

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

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20/12/2019 22:30

Overlooking Blackheath and set in five acres of beautiful grounds, this leading prep school offers an outstanding education.

Regular open mornings are held throughout the term when you can come and join us on a normal working day.

4 St. Germans Place, Blackheath, London. SE3 0NJ Tel: 020 8858 0692 Email: info@blackheathprepschool.com www.blackheathprepschool.com

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19/12/2019 12:00

19/12/2019 20:31

Registered charity 1101358

The IB school that maintains balance and opens doors.

Tat-Seng Chiam joined Sevenoaks in the Sixth Form to rise to the IB challenge by exploring English, French, Geography, Economics, Physics, Mathematics and Theory of Knowledge. “A balanced IB curriculum and intrinsic service ethic allowed me to combine my studies with eye-opening service activity. So I soon learnt the value of operating across boundaries and taking an interdisciplinary approach to problem-solving.�

Which may explain why for Tat-Seng, doors kept opening; to the University of Oxford ( PPE ), Wharton Business School at the University of Pennsylvania ( MBA ), Harvard ( MPA ), and to an international service career restoring fiscal and social balance.

www.sevenoaksschool.org

Tat-Seng scored an unbeatable 45 in the International Baccalaureate (IB) before attending Oxford, UPenn and Harvard.

Our commitment to the IB is unwavering after 40 years, thanks to world-class results like this.

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23/10/2019 14:01

KIDS & EDUCATION • BOOKS

WE LOVE

This month’s best releases for little readers Wo r d s Z O Ë D E L M E R - B E S T

OTHER SIDE T H E WA L L I N T H E M I D D L E OF THE BOOK

By Jon Agee

Space Adventure

This book takes the reader on an adventure into a imaginary world where it is revealed that everything is not always what it seems. Help comes from unxepected places and preconceived notions aren’t always right. £12.99  bookdepository.com

LIFE ON MARS

By Jon Agee

Join a young astronaut in his quest to fi nd life on Mars. Armed with a gift of chocolate cupcakes, our hero is left disappointed when all he fi nds is a single flower. But as he begins his journey back home, he notices his cupcakes have all been eaten by someone or something. £9.95  hive.co.uk

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KIDS & EDUCATION • BOOKS

MUST READ

SOUL SOOTHING T H E B OY, T H E M O L E , T H E FOX AN D TH E H O R S E

By Charlie Mackery

The striking illustrations and calligraphic text is a celebration of kindness and understanding. Full of deep soul searching, this is a tale for all ages that explores empathy, wisdom, tenderness, and true love between real friends. £14.99  waterstones.com

DREAMING BIG

Talk it

OUT

WHY DO I FEEL LIKE THIS

By Shinsuke Yoshitake

Full of strops and bad moods, this hilarious book follows a child as she walks home in a dreadful grump.

She begins to think about where her bad mood has come from and starts to question her emotions.

What’s the best way to make it disappear? And is there any way to stop them coming back?

This story will help young readers fi nd creative ways to deal with bad days. £8.95  foyles.co.uk

DAV I D B OW I E

By Maria Isabel Sanchez Vegara

Explore the life of David Bowie, a star man who dazzled audiences and wowed with his music, yet started life as just a child with a big dream.

Little People, Big Dreams is a bestselling collection of books that explore the lives of outstanding people. £9.99  bookdepository.com

STAR

STRUCK L O O K U P T O T H E S TA R S

By Katie Cotton

This mesmerising picture book celebrates imagination and adventure as it takes the reader on a journey of discovery and exploration. As a parent and child go on a quest to fi nd the stars, the reader starts to realise that sometimes what you’re searching for is right under your nose. £8.52  wordery.com

KIND TH I N K I N G ANIMALKIND

By Pablo Salvaje

Showing how animals form bonds, engage in rivalries and adapt their behaviour to cope with challenges, this book is a beautiful lesson in compassion and carries a universal message that readers young and old will appreciate. £14.99  amazon.co.uk A B S O L U T E LY. L O N D O N

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Girl on

THE TRAIN Rodean School features as a major inspiration for new book Anna at War Word s H E LE N P E T E R S

M

y new novel, Anna at War, came into being in a different way from my previous books. Following the publication of Evie’s Ghost, my editor asked me if I would like to write another historical novel. So I found myself in the interesting and slightly daunting position of choosing any period of history, anywhere in the world, in which to set my next story.

The autumn term at Roedean was about to start and I was preparing to teach autobiographical writing to my Year 7 English class. As part of my preparation, I re-read Anne Frank’s diary, which I had last read as a teenager. Anne’s fierce and questioning

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KIDS & EDUCATION • BOOKS

ANNA AT WAR BY HELEN PETERS, NOSY CROW, £6.99 NOSYCROW.COM

“Rodean had taken her in as a Jewish refugee from Nazi-occupied Europe on the eve of World War Two” intelligence, and her courageous, optimistic spirit struck me forcibly, and I began to wonder whether I could create a heroine with that kind of character.

A couple of weeks later, a woman in her 90s introduced herself to my husband after the school’s Founders’ Day service. She had travelled from her home in America to express her gratitude to the school that had taken her in as a Jewish refugee from Nazi-occupied Europe on the eve of World War Two. She described how her father, just before he put her on the train, had cut off her long plaits, hoping that if she could pass as a boy she might be safer on the journey.

“I travelled all the way to England,” she said, “with my pigtails in my pockets.”

This story, and the poignancy of that image, really struck me. I started to think about creating a character who travels to England as a refugee from Nazi Germany.

I began to research the Kindertransport, the coordinated rescue effort that brought ten thousand children, mainly Jewish, from Nazi-occupied Europe to safety in England.

HELEN PETERS

A few months later, while I was immersed in the memoirs of Kindertransportees, my husband received a wonderful letter from another woman in her 90s, now living in New York, who wanted to express her gratitude to the school for taking her in as a Jewish refugee from Germany in 1939.

She had just seen the film Dunkirk, and wrote that the film ‘had allowed me the opportunity once again to think back on the brave individuals I saw on the sea from my dorm room during my treasured time as a Roedean girl.’ Her daughter had persuaded her that, at the age of 95, she should set down in writing ‘the incredible impact Roedean had on my life’.

Lotte (not her real name) was born in Frankfurt in 1922. Her terrible experience of growing up as a Jewish child in Hitler’s Germany culminated in the horror of Kristallnacht, when her father was arrested and taken to Buchenwald. When he was released a few weeks later, her parents ‘finally had to come to the realisation that we had to leave Germany’. With the assistance of a British Quaker minister, William Bellows, who had travelled to Germany to try to save some young people, Lotte was awarded a full scholarship to Roedean and her travel to Brighton was arranged.

Lotte wrote of how the ‘remarkable’ Headmistress, Emmeline Tanner, ‘showed such concern for the terrorized young innocent girl who arrived in Brighton…

The opportunity offered to me by Roedean not only saved my life, but afforded me the ability to make the transition to a new culture and environment. Through the

generosity of the Roedean family, I was treated as every other young lady being given every comfort and resource of the paying students.’ Lotte ended her letter by saying that she was able ‘to imbue in my daughter and granddaughter the quest for continued reflection and learning that was inspired in me during my days at Roedean.’

Sadly, Lotte died recently, just before her 97th birthday. My letter telling her how her letter had helped to inspire Anna at War arrived too late for her to read it, but I was moved to receive a reply from her daughter, saying: ‘Mom’s earliest memories outside her family were filled with the most negative of human interactions.

The caring and compassion extended to her by the Roedean community was truly a new experience and allowed her to witness the good of humanity. The school acted so nobly during a difficult period in history.’

At least eight Jewish refugees were given scholarships to Roedean in the late 1930s, and I know many other boarding schools also took in Jewish refugees at this time. As Lotte’s story shows, the decision to award a full scholarship to a child in need can be truly transformative.

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Q What made you decide to set up a kids clothing label?

A I decided to create my own clothing label because I was dissatisfied with what was available on the market at the time. I wanted to find elegant, well-finished clothes at an affordable price and the options were limited, not particularly creative nor practical. I used to dress my children when they were babies in Spanish clothes and people were very admiring of it, I guess I developed some great insight.

Q Did your own motherhood journey play a part in the decision to launch the business?

A It did! I felt there were great synergies between the way my children dressed and understanding what mothers like me were looking for when it came to dressing their little ones. I was lucky because people trusted me in what we were offering and that’s how the business grew, it’s been a slow process of word of mouth, which is paying off. I connected with other mothers through our experiences and in a way, the way our children dressed, I found this particularly motivating when it came to launch La Coqueta.

Q&A

Spani sh

CRAFT

Q Where do you get the inspiration for each collection?

A I feel I have several sources which are very complementary. Firstly my main source is our faithful customer base, we keep a very open dialogue with them to understand what they need and how this evolves as their children grow up. My own children have been and still are a great source of inspiration.

I guess the beauty of having two girls and three boys of all sizes and ages has allowed me to understand the shapes that suit them best. My last source of inspiration is my

Absolutely meets Celia Munoz, mum-of-five and founder of childrenswear brand La Coqueta Wo r d s C A R LY G L E N D I N N I N G

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KIDS & EDUCATION • PROFILE

Q What’s the most important thing for you when you’re designing a La Coqueta piece?

A It needs to be recognisable, mothers need to relate to it (I like to think they can see themselves when they were little), elegant with a luxurious feel but yet affordable and makes a very good hand-me-down so that several siblings or generations can wear it.

“My own children have been and still are a great source of inspiration” own taste and upbringing, what I would like my children to wear based on what I like, what I grew up with and the current trends in adult fashion, which I follow of course.

Q Your pieces are ‘proudly made in Spain’ and designed in London. What makes Spanish craftsmanship special?

A They are indeed made in Spain. Spanish craftsmanship is very special and has been in ‘hiding’ until a few years ago. When La Coqueta started, very few people were selling Spanish clothes in the Anglo-Saxon markets and I feel we helped with the popularisation of Spanish clothes for children.

The attention to detail (a handmade touch), the finishing of the clothes with beautiful trims, colourful palettes on prints, the classic shapes reminiscent of old times and the fit (generally well-made Spanish dresses fit like a glove on children’s bodies) make Spanish clothes very popular and special.

Q What have you learned since setting up the brand? And is there anything you would do differently?

A That you are no one without a really good team and letting people do what they are best at. I always try to surround myself with people who are smarter, more innovative and experienced than me, I think this is key.

There are so many things I would do differently, I wouldn’t know where to start! I would have hired better people earlier on for sure although it’s hard to see this when you are starting a business.

Q What do your kids think of La Coqueta? And are your family involved in the business?

A Some of my children cannot wait to grow out of La Coqueta so that they can wear other brands that look in a way more grown up! I guess I have been a bit of a dictator from that perspective, particularly for my daughter Flavia who has been wanting to dress like her classmates for quite a few years now, that means extremely casually. She’s 11 now and funnily enough she now advises me on what I should design for the next season.

Remarkably quite a few things have been very successful, it’s good to get a child’s perspective on things as ultimately we do design for children to wear our clothes. My daughter Siena absolutely loves La Coqueta because she is very much into dresses… she asked me if I could do dresses for older girls when she grows out of them. My boys are not too fussed! Their only request is to wear Adidas Gazelles or Stan Smiths with the clothes and they look really cool.

I think there has been enough variety in the range to please all of my children (poloshirts for Lucas, smart cardigans for Bosco, Maoneck single-coloured shirts and braces for Hugo, pretty dresses for Siena and delicate looking shirts for Flavia to match with jeans!).

My children are involved in the business in the way that they have always been my inspiration and they used to be my models in our shoots a few times a year. Mothers related for years via our Instagram feed to the way I dressed my children and often sought advice based on pictures they saw.

My husband has very little to do with fashion and travels quite a lot for his own work so we never talk about La Coqueta… we reserve two hours a month to discuss his work or mine otherwise it would be quite absorbing and monothematic. I am lucky to work with a fabulous team with who I can talk about the business and bounce ideas with endlessly.

Q And finally, the best thing about having a London-centric brand?

A That you are a little part of what is one of the capitals of fashion. The reach is huge and we are able to get to a very global customer by just being in London. lacoquetakids.com A B S O L U T E LY. L O N D O N

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PROPERTY

DENMARK ROAD SE5

£900,000

t’s rare to find such exceptional design.

Spread over five ingeniously presented half-floors, this cedar cladded, contemporary masterpiece enjoys a unique flow.

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I

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Let’s find your

perfect home in London this year. jll.co.uk/residential

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Sales | Lettings | Property management

Dundee Wharf, Limehouse E14 Guide price £580,000 • • • • •

Leasehold

1 bedroom 1 bathroom Ground floor apartment River facing terrace 24-hour concierge

• • • •

Residents’ gym Westferry DLR station – 0.2 miles Approx. 775 sq ft (72 sq m) EPC: C

• • • •

Beautifully presented Close to mainline and DLR stations Approx. 877.1 sq ft (81.5 sq m) EPC: B

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Seager Place, Deptford SE8 Guide price £600,000 • • • •

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3 bedrooms 2 bathrooms 5th floor apartment Large balcony with panoramic views

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OIEO

ELM GROVE, SE15

£1,200,000

Located on arguably the prettiest street in the Holly Grove Conservation Area, Priory Villa was built circa 1830-42 and sits proudly alongside other handsome homes on Elm Grove. The house is double fronted and includes four double bedrooms, two double depth reception rooms, off street parking and a large loft.

CAMBERWELL GROVE, SE5

£800,000

Take a peep behind a gentile Victorian facade to find a real treat - a stylish, modern three double bedroom flat, completely redesigned from within by RIBA award winners Munkenbeck & Marshall. This first floor apartment contains a huge light-loving reception room, cutting-edge kitchen, three bedrooms (master en suite), bathroom and a fabulous inner glass atrium flooding light throughout the living space.

GUIDE PRICE

EAST DULWICH ROAD, SE22

£575,000

With leafy views to front and rear including a lofty aspect over gorgeous Goose Green, this splendid split level two bedder will win you at hello. Spanning the second and third floors of an elegant period building within moments of Lordship Lane, the property comprises a lovely open plan kitchen living area, two nicely proportioned double bedrooms, bathroom and oodles of fitted storage. Private garden too.

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LINDEN GROVE, SE15 £650,000-£675,000 This marvellous two bedroom period conversion comprises a huge living space with fantastic contemporary kitchen, two double bedrooms (master en suite) and bathroom. There’s a plenty of storage, entry phone, hands free audio with built in WIFI and top notch security system. The huge private rear garden boasts a pergola and BBQ area. Further benefits include allocated parking with electric charging point and bike storage.

17 NUNHEAD GREEN

LONDON SE15 3QQ

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GUIDE PRICE

GOODRICH ROAD, SE22

£290,000

PECKHAM ROAD, SE5 £500,000-£525,000

This one bedder boasts a fresh finish including brand spanking new kitchen and bathroom. It sits on the top floor of a handsome and well placed period building within easy reach of the much loved Lordship Lane. From here you can stroll to all of East Dulwich’s countless amenities - that’s bars, cafes, restaurants and boutiques!

Find this fantastic one bedroom pad with additional study/ bedroom in one of Camberwell’s best spots! The flat is one of four newly converted apartments within a beautifully refurbished period property and includes a ten year ‘build zone’ warranty. Wonderful high ceilings afford the flat a lovely sense of space and there’s a fab private garden for those summer BBQ’s.

CAMBERWELL GROVE, SE5

PECKHAM ROAD, SE5

£1,675,000

This spectacular one bedroom period conversion effortlessly delivers a boldly bright, supremely spacious and elegantly presented living environment. That’s all before mentioning the overtly generous communal garden and off-street parking. Grove Park is well stocked with similarly handsome period homes. It’s leafy and mature yet within an easy stroll of Bellenden Village, the Camberwell conservation area, Peckham and Camberwell.

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£700,000

In all our years we’ve never seen such a handsomely proportioned flat! It’s positively gargantuan. Boasting notably high ceilings, original features and a location to write home about, this splendid period home will take some filling! It’s spread over the top two and a half floors of an elegant and substantial Victorian building opposite the Camberwell College of Arts.

020 7952 0595

13/12/2019 18:23

Valuation (va·lyoo·ei·shn) noun

A type of matchmaking where owner sizes up agent, and agent sizes up property.

If all goes well, they’ll make it official.

A great fit is important. We’ll take the time to understand what you want, support you throughout the process and stop at nothing until we achieve the right result for you.

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London. Property. We get it.

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Mount Close, Bromley BR1 £1,850,000 Stunning five bedroom detached house extended and completely renovated by the current owner. Contemporary in style and offering high specification interior with a master bedroom boasting a walk in wardrobe and en suite bathroom and two further bedroom suites.

This beautiful family home benefits from three receptions rooms, utility room, indoor pool with retractable sauna and glorious 169 ft rear garden.

– – – – – – – – –

Detached/gated Five bedrooms Five bathrooms Three receptions Cinema room Kitchen/breakfast room Garden room Garage EPC rating C

KFH Chislehurst 020 8285 9900 chislehurst.sales@kfh.co.uk

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country house town house period house modern house dream house moving house?

Estate agency has moved on. house. is different We know people are starting to consider online only estate agents, but still want the reassurance of face-to-face help from local experts.

You get both with us, because we provide that personal service without expensive high street locations that customers have to pay for.

We also go further to ensure your property and the lifestyle it enables is shown in the best possible light.

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The premium online estate agency.

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How do you double your chances of selling * your home?

By working with a Property Guru.

We’ll guide you from start to sale, using exclusive market data, our local knowledge and our dedication to open communication to position your home for the best buyers at the best price. www.youhome.co.uk

*These findings are based on in-house analysis of high street agent sales results and of YOUhome sales from January 2017 to July 2019 and indicate that compared to the market average, you are twice as likely to sell your home if you engage a Property Guru and reference YOUhome’s online tool PlatformYOU throughout the sales process.

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Now in Dulwich

“I have worked as an agent for nearly 30 years and have helped thousands of people buy and sell their homes in London. Dulwich is certainly the most vibrant market in London. More and more people are realising what a great place it is to live in, with a great property stock, good schools and great high streets with lots of independent shops, cafes and restaurants. I’ve also been through the school entry process with my daughters so really understand how important this aspect is to many buyers considering the area.

There is so much more to buying and selling a property today than there ever was in the past.

It is no longer enough to simply show a house and wait for the prospective buyer to make their mind up. Properties need selling by an agent that really knows their stuff, and continually communicate with vendors throughout the whole process.

Mark O’Neill, Property Guru 020 7908 9254 mark.oneill@youhome.co.uk

There is not much I have not experienced in the London market and I am really excited to be introducing YOUhome’s totally different approach to Dulwich. I passionately believe in the area, so if you are thinking of selling or have been on the market without success, simply get in touch.”

Have your finger on the pulse of the property market Have a look here: www.platformyou.com

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One Property Guru and one point of contact through the whole process, but with the backing of a team with over 130 years’ combined experience.

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PROPERTY • FEATURE

STEPHEN SMITH AND NEIL LOUTH

EXPANSION CONTINUES The Acorn Group acquire renowned Dulwich estate agent ‘Property In’

A

s part of its ongoing expansion programme, Acorn has announced the acquisition of ‘Property In’, a renowned residential sales, lettings and property management business in Dulwich.

Founded at the turn of the millennium by industry veterans - husband and wife duo Stephen and Helen Smith - ‘Property In’ has been one of the most successful independent agents in Dulwich for almost two decades, and revered for its dedicated personal service. Stephen Smith said of the sale, “For me and my wife, it feels the right time to change our focus, and having known Acorn and their CEO Robert Sargent for almost as long as we have been in business, his company seemed a natural choice and one that would build on our excellent reputation and provide an exciting home for our team.”

The Acorn Group are the UK’s largest multi-brand boutique estate agency group and ‘Property In’ is a perfect fit for its existing stable which includes: Acorn, John Payne, Langford Russell, Start Financial Services & MAP Surveyors.

Acorn Group CEO, Robert Sargent commented “The most important part of an acquisition like this is the experienced team who join our existing personnel as a result. The Acorn Group is a privatelyowned company and remain 100% committed to a full-service estate agency model with prime high street offices, offering the very best online and offline marketing. Our offices are all genuinely networked with a shared database and an unrestricted marketing budget. We employ the best people in the industry, in the most high profile office locations, allowing us to guide our clients through the entire moving process. We strive to deliver a service that is unparalleled, ensuring we can swiftly complete transactions at the very best prices for our clients.”

acorngroup.co.uk

LAST CHANCE Selling fast in Peckham – last opportunity to buy at Ninety Five Peckham Road

N

inety Five Peckham Road is a vibrant new residential building made up of one, two and three bedroom apartments located in a prominent Peckham location.

70% of its apartments have now been sold.

The building has been carefully designed by award-winning architects, providing modern apartments of a high quality specification within a beautiful facade.

Positoned at the rear of the development

is a delightful and secluded tree-lined communal courtyard garden for all residents to enjoy. It’s a generous, peaceful space to relax and unwind in – a spectacular hub surrounded by greenery and seating, perfect for the summer months.

As well as the stunning courtyard, each apartment has its own outside space by way of a terrace or balcony.

Selected apartments also benefit from their own private entrance, whilst some upper floor apartments offer panoramic views from The City to Canary Wharf.

All apartments boast underfloor heating, video entry system and a 10 year warranty. Internal secure cycle and refuse storage is provided to the ground floor.

Peckham Rye Station is a short walk away, providing direct links to Central London in under 10 minutes. A simultaneously bustling and quaint location that is renowned for its fashionable mix of food and drink choices, Peckham offers a wide array of local shops, cafés and restaurants right on your doorstep.

Prices start from £415,000 and Help to Buy is available. Acorn New Homes: 020 7089 6566 acorngroup.co.uk/newhomes A B S O L U T E LY. L O N D O N

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70

%

no

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so

ld

Brand new

1, 2 & 3 bed

apartments

PeCkHaM Outside spaces

Help to buy

Prices from ÂŁ415,000

Designed by award-winning Peter Barber Architects, Ninety Five Peckham Road is a vibrant new mix of 1, 2 & 3 bedroom apartments for sale.

To view, call 020 7089 6566 or visit acorngroup.co.uk/newhomes

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New year, new home.

Find your perfect new home now at acorngroup.co.uk/newhomes

Pictured: The Qube, SE12. One & two bedroom apartments close to Grove Park station, prices from £299,995.

Lewisham, SE13

Peckham, SE15

Crystal Palace, SE19

One, two and three bedroom apartments located close to Lewisham train station.

One, two and three bedroom apartments designed by award-winning architects.

Two and three bedroom apartments all with private outside spaces.

Prices from £374,995

Prices from £415,000

Prices from £449,995

All of these homes are available with just a 5% deposit on Help to Buy.* Above is just a small selection of brand new homes we have for sale right now. Visit our website to view all of our available developments. For more information on the Help to Buy scheme, or any other enquiry, get in touch with the new homes property experts now and see how we can assist you.

Contact Acorn New Homes: 020 8315 6996 | acorngroup.co.uk/newhomes

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*T’s & C’s apply.

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