The Chartwell Journal - Thirteenth Edition

BEST OF BRITISH Edition

BoB Road Trip

Chartwell Design

British Brands

Portfolio

We transport you to the rolling hills of the Cotswolds, sandy shores of Studland and hidden vineyards of Berkshire.

Indulge you in the finest of British craftsmanship, lamps, chairs, bathrooms and special edition pieces.

This bumper edition welcomes: Bremont, Rebus, McLaren, Beyond Bespoke, Barnard & Westwood and many more.

Chartwell Estates takes you to the Home Counties for heritage rich properties and showcases some unique real estate from around the world alongside the Estates quarterly report.

Chartwell Journal 13.

ANY r E SEM B l AN cE To T h E dA Sh BoAr d o F ThE E-T YpE JAguAr IS purElY INTENTIoNAl.

MKI

Enzo Ferrari called it the most beautiful car in the world. Now two new watches pay homage to Malcolm Sayer’s ground-breaking design. The Bremont MKI and MKII have been developed in partnership with Jaguar.

The dials are inspired by the E-Type’s tachometer and the winding weight is based on the car’s iconic steering wheel. You may never own the car, but the MKI and the MKII might just be the next best thing.

Chartwell Journal

Thirteenth Edition

Contents 10

Chartwell London

92

Queen Elizabeth Street

12

Best of British Road Trip

94

Deers Hill

22

The Moment MLM Bespoke

96

Graffham Court

24

Chartwell Procurement

98

Brook Bran Windlesbrook, Surrey

26

Chartwell Bespoke Update

100

Follies Farm

28

Rasha & Toucan

102

Barnfield

30

The Dorchester & The Grill

104

The English Country House

34

Jewellery

106

April Meadow

37

Gleneagles

107

Marcus Barnett wins Gold Again

40

The British Sense of Humour

110

The Great British Property Bake Off

42

The Royal Warrant

114

Education Consultant

44

Still Talking About the Revolution

117

How to Transform your Garden

46

Liberty

120

Article 25

48

Ruby Hammer’s Guide to Party Beauty

123

Buy to Let Still Buoyant

50

How To Create the Perfect Bar for Your Home

124

The Master of the Maze

52

A Conversation with Sean Blowers

126

To Everything There is The Season

54

Tales of No.50 Berkeley Square

128

West One Bathrooms

56

Rebus Signet

132

Our Past is Given a Future

62

Global Commodities

134

Chartwell Estates: Quarterly Review

64

Exosphere

146

Frond C, Palm Jumeirah

66

Dream Factory

148

Cogress: An Investment Community

70

For Your Eyes Only

150

National Heritage

72

Dressed to Kill

152

Singhing the African Song

74

Linley Celebrates Thirty Years

154

Palzatte, Barbados

78

London’s Sky Garden

158

Why Britain?

88

Okewood Hill Estate

160

Pride of Britain

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164

Living in the Golden Quarter

232

Making Waves on New Shores

167

The Art of Investment

234

Tudor International

174

Robert Angell - Chelsea Suite

236

Our Man in Africa

177

Four Seasons Dubai

240

The Queen of Fireworks

178

Inspiration

242

Limewood Cooking School

181

The Interiors Luxe List

244

Wimbledon Facts

182

Luxury in Details - Bespoke Bar

246

Interview with Claire Finlay

186

Chartwell Group Design Lifestyle

248

English and Welsh Wine

188

Behind Closed Doors

250

Emily Watkins

192

James Price

254

Life Ball

196

James Bond

256

Shoes

198

Feng Shui in the UK

259

Chartwell Journal’s ‘In The Know’

200

Lighting up England

260

Remember, Remember the Fifth of November...

202

Minna George

262

Elizabeth Marsh Floral Design

204

Music to Our Ears

263

Day In the Life of Jo Macina

209

John Makepeace

264

Throw & Phetch

211

A Flair for Floors

266

Lady Chartwell

214

Chartwell Design

268

Mr. Chartwell

216

The colourful world of Neisha Crosland

269

Urbanologie

219

10 of the Best of Luxury Chairs

270

Grace the Fashion Bunny

223

Billy Lloyd

271

Mayfair Office Girl

224

Laura Carlin

272

Club Class

225

Geoffrey Fisher Design

274

Gift Guide

226

Ask the Designer: Cutler and Gross

276

Chartwell Event

228

Permission Impossible

278

Working Spaces: David Linley

230

Barnard & Westwood

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The Home of British Luxury bringing together the most exclusive British products and ser vices, from bespoke furniture makers and interior designers to specialist ar t dealers and jewellers.

www.beyond-bespoke.com

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13th Edition

Welcome

If you would like to advertise in the Chartwell Journal, have any editorial content that you feel would benefit our audience or require further information, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Welcome to the Thirteenth Edition of the Chartwell Journal - Best of British.

www.chartwell-media.com Grace Sheppard Head of Chartwell Media / Editor in Chief grace.s@chartwell-london.com Victoria Sheppard Editor - Design Journal & Editorial victoria.s@chartwell-london.com Francis Holmes Editorial francis.h@chartwell-london.com Harrison Rose Journal Designer harrison.r@chartwell-london.com

As you can see we are a little fuller than normal - extra padding for the winter months.

When we thought about the Best of British edition late last year I thought this would be our easiest edition to create, how wrong was I. I really had forgotten what great gems we have here in the UK. From large established brands like McLaren, Linley, The Dorchester Collection & Liberty’s to the smaller unique brands like Rebus,The New Craftsmen, Elizabeth Marsh, Beyond Bespoke and Rasha & Toucan.

Winter of 2015 sees in the fifth year anniversary of the Chartwell Magazine. Five years ago we were only 38 pages strong, now we are just shy of 300 pages! I couldn’t feel prouder of what has been achieved by a small and unique team; I would like to take this moment to thank everyone that has supported us along the way.

The Chartwell Group are currently holding onto some exciting news, keep a lookout at the end of November for the next big move for the Chartwell Group - exciting times for 2016!

We at Chartwell would like to take this opportunity to thank all our loyal readers, advertisers, friends and supporters, we look forward to working with you all next year.

We wish you a wonderful festive season and in true Chartwell spirit... a rich New Year!

Enjoy, Grace

Designed and Published by Chartwell Media www.chartwell-media.com

Every attempt has been made to ensure the accuracy of published content. Chartwell Media does not endorse any advertisements or opinions expressed. Chartwell Journal is a registered trademark of Chartwell Media. All rights reserved. No part of Chartwell Journal can be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without written permission of Chartwell Media.

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October 2015 @chartwellmag, @ladychartwell or Please do not hesitate to get in touch with us via twitter email pressoffice@chartwell-london.com with any comments, feedback or suggestions.

Edition 13 is the last publication for 2015, we are currently working on themes and ideas for the 2016. If either you, your company or any brands that you represent have any news, events, updates or information which you feel may be relevant to our printed journal, newsletters or online blogs please contact Grace to discuss further.

Front Cover Art The 50th Anniversary of the Death of Sir Winston Churchill - 2015 by Danny Ivan info@dannyivan.com | www.dannyivan.com

Chartwell Media

Chartwell Bespoke

Chartwell Estates

Chartwell SARL

Chartwell Africa

17 Queen Street Mayfair, London W1J 5PH

78-79 New Bond Street Mayfair, London W1S 1RZ

17 Queen Street Mayfair, London W1J 5PH

78-79 New Bond Street Mayfair, London W1S 1RZ

FF Towers, 13/14 Ligali Ayorinde Avenue, Victoria Island Lagos, PMB 8012

+44 (0)207 409 0545 office@chartwell-london.com www.chartwell-media.com

+44 (0)207 952 6366 office@chartwell-london.com www.chartwell-bespoke.com

+44 (0)207 409 0533 office@chartwell-london.com www.chartwell-estates.com

+44 (0)207 629 4582 office@chartwell-london.com www.chartwell-london.com

+44 (0)207 409 0549 office@chartwell-africa.com www.chartwell-africa.com

EXQUISITE

ME D I A

AN D

E VE N T S

Chartwell Media is dedicated to showcasing some of the worlds most premium brands through online & print media alongside exclusive events. Chartwell Media specialise in working with companies, whose luxury products and services appeal to the companies UHNW clientele. Chartwell Journal is a quarterly luxury-lifestyle and property publication. The Journal features the very best in aspirational living, investment news and the world’s most spectacular properties. The Journal is distributed in some of the finest international locations from 5 Star hotels to private members clubs worldwide.

London: +44 (0)207 409 0545

pressoffice@chartwell-london.com

www.chartwell-media.com

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The Team

Contributors

GRACE SHEPPARD Editor in Chief

VICTORIA SHEPPARD Editorial

FRANCIS HOLMES Editorial

race loves the world of PR and marketing and when she is not overseeing the Chartwell Media Empire she is building a budding wedding planning and events company.

Grace has a love for fine dining and is always on the lookout for the world’s finest vegetarian dishes, especially when there is cheese involved. A lover of Gin & Tonic and a great red wine she can usually be found with pen and notebook in one of London’s leading hotels hand sourcing the latest content for her popular Journal. She is also the proud owner of Stanley.

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ictoria was fundamental in the founding and development of Chartwell Magazine (now Journal) nearly 5 years ago. This issue she has enjoyed putting together a teaser for you of Chartwell’s upcoming new supplement Chartwell Design - with a focus on interior design and architecture around the world.

Victoria enjoys travel writing as well as sourcing the latest in openings and offerings at restaurants, hotels and members clubs around the Mayfair area.

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rancis has a background in art history specialising in colour theory and perception.

He has written on a variety of subjects including the arts, design and alcohol - subjects in which he is very au fait.

Despite plying his trade in property on a day to day basis, Francis continues to keep a keen eye on the art world, when not enjoying his two guilty pleasures - Cardiff City FC and the Welsh Rugby Team. Francis can often be found in Balthazar, Covent Gardens with a copy of George Bernard Shaw.

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BEN FOWLER Editorial

HARRISON ROSE Journal Designer

STANLEY Office Dog

enjamin Fowler has an educational background in sociology and psychology, which focused on neuroscience and perception. Since college, he has written online reviews for movies, music and literature, with a particular interest in alternative cinema, the books of Tom Swift and humorists like Terry Pratchett.

Years spent in Portugal have led to his interest in old world viticulture and various aspects of winemaking.

arrison has always aimed to bring a creative approach to any situation, whether that was in his early years as a project manager on luxury property renovations or in the boxing ring as an amateur boxer. Currently residing in Monte-Carlo, Monaco, where Harrison’s interests lie between classic cars investments and attending major sports events including world championship boxing and formula 1. He is also proud designer of the Chartwell Journal.

aws to meet you; this chocolate cockapoo cutie is Chartwell’s Queen Street office dog. When this pooch isn’t bounding around Berkeley Square or squirrelled away in a snug spot of one of the Shepherd Market’s pubs…. or working hard in the office he can be seen in the cosmopolitan Clapham Old Town, doing his very best to meet and greet anyone and everyone. If you see Sir Stanley around please feel free to say hello #SirStanleyOfMayfair @SirStanley14

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H

P

NOREEN COLTMAN oreen is an awardwinning journalist with extensive experience in newspapers, working as a reporter, chief sub-editor and senior production editor.

She recently set up her own business as a writer, PR consultant and blogger and is loving every minute of her varied workload. Being her own boss allows her to fit work around her life - not the other way round. And with three children to look after, Noreen is constantly busy.

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TANIA CHESLAW ania Cheslaw is a muchrequested Ghostwriter and Author. With a background in clinical therapy, Tania likes to add a psychotherapeutic twist to all that she writes.

Her children’s & YA books, in particular, - which are intricately word-woven with myth and wonder - have brought her widespread acclaim. Tania is also a renowned copywriter and social media specialist (In-Scribe), bringing a mix of panache and élan to this ultra-digital world.

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Chartwell London

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hartwell is pleased to announce the successful launch of the latest company to join the Chartwell family - Chartwell London.

Chartwell London is headed by Toby Hollowell who joined Chartwell last year from the worldrenowned Candy and Candy, Toby has been involved in the property industry for 20 years.

Toby’s mixture of experience and passion is now a major asset within the Chartwell family. The shared values, ambitions and commitment were a key driver for Toby’s appointment at Chartwell last year and the formation of Chartwell London has enabled Toby to capitalise on client relationship driven work focused on providing the highest levels of quality, service and value to its clients.

Since its inception the new company has hit the ground running by securing a number of prestigious projects across the capital.

Currently working a number of high value commissions both commercial and residential Toby has been quick to secure a reputation for producing work of the highest quality.

Although in its infancy still Chartwell London is continuing to endeavour to uphold the highest quality of work that is synonymous and expected with the Chartwell name. Moving forward Chartwell London is looking forward to further establishing itself as a leader in the luxury property industry.

Chartwell London For more information please contact: toby.h@chartwell-london.com 0207 409 0533

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Chartwell Journal

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Best of Britis Setting off from London Words by GRACE SHEPPARD

When I say road trip you might think of America and open highways, but for my partner and I packing our bags into the car on a crisp spring Sunday morning ready to leave London, this was the furthest thing from our minds. There is so much to see on your own doorstep and we were excited that having never explored the Cotswolds - we were setting out to discover what was hiding among the rolling hills, reminiscing and sharing the love of my seaside home town and diving in to an abundance of wine hidden in Royal Berkshire . We were anxious to discover the best of British for ourselves, and what puts the great in Great Britain.

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sh Road Trip

Capturing the Perfect Village Feel The Wild Rabbit - Kingham Village, The Cotswolds Our first stretch of driving found us along the winding roads of Kingham Village - a quite beautiful part of Britain - a perfect glimpse of the quintessential village-life and the rural idyllic. We were welcomed by clusters of quaint cottages built in the gorgeous yellow Cotswold stone that gave a golden glow to every little nook we’d driven through, so by the time we arrived at this charming and tranquil gem, we were already feeling relaxed and off to a great start!

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e arrived to find our hotel wonderfully adorned in wandering wisteria and calling our name for a glass or two… the perfect setting whilst waiting for our room.

Peering through the vine-covered windows we could feel the energy of the bustling dining room of The Wild Rabbit as it filled up with locals and visitors arriving for Sunday lunch – a splendid people-watching spot.

It wasn’t long before we were shown to our room, The Fox – a large double bedroom. The crisp white walls were set against exposed Cotswold stone and natural wood which was easy on the eye. The quality of craftsmanship and lux design

certainly settled my heart; it felt homely and warm, with a clean Scandinavian twist in the design - I was in love!

Leaving the room to wandering down the corridor, glancing out the windows taking in the stunning vistas, the resident peacock and the hubbub of locals coming and going. Dating back to 1750, the rustic and cosy lounge features stripped back walls, open fires and simple, handcrafted furniture with charming mixand-match tables and chairs. After the busy Sunday lunch the dining room was closed for the evening, so we perched ourselves in The Wild Rabbit Pub for the evening at a perfectly wonky table in front of the fire.

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We dived into our homely starters of creamy celeriac soup with pickled apple and celery leaves with gusto. For mains, I chose the beetroot and goat’s curd crispbread with pickled walnut and beetroot ketchup, while my partner opted for the breaded cod goujons with aioli and caper berries and a side order of chips and vegetables.

It was refreshing to see a menu that truly reflects the changing seasons and supports the fantastic local British produce, farmers and heritage breeds. The wine list followed suit, showcasing small wineries that produce wines crafted with a respect for the environment; the bar also offers a large range of artisan beers alongside the more familiar brands. We both agreed some of the best ‘pub’ food we had the privilege of eating.

We spent our evening drinking wine and playing board games; how very British!

Following a peaceful night’s sleep we returned to the dining room reinvigorated – and inspired to continue our trip. The dining room had lost the warm, cosy feel of Sunday night and was welcoming in a bright morning with a grand fresh floral display and more local treats, bread, cheese and fruit. Now fresh and airy, it opened onto the courtyard where our friend the peacock was already up, strutting with his feathers aloft and making the morning coffee all the better.

Our stay at The Wild Rabbit has ignited an instant love for the Cotswolds, and I’m already clamoring to revisit, come to think of it, I can only imagine how picture perfect it is at Christmas…

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Food & Wine perfection The Vineyard - Newbury, West Berkshire Our next stop has an odd twist as The Vineyard at Newbury actually takes inspiration from an historic event in France known as The Judgement of Paris. The Vineyard pays homage to a 1970s blind tasting attended by some of the leading French wine aficionados of the day, where new Californian wines were chosen over France’s very best. It’s a reminder that, with dedication and a never-give-up spirit, you can achieve great things – and it was this very British spirit that attracted us to this next venue.

This is a hotel for both foodies and wine connoisseurs to indulge.

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Welcomed in by huge oak barrels, the hotel doors opened into the charming lobby of the Vineyard. Before too long we noticed that corks and bottles inhabited every possible corner, this was clearly a hotel overflowing with wine – over 30,000 bottles to be exact! As you can imagine, it took even less time to start our taste buds tingling…

We navigated along an ever-changing corridor, our eyes drawn to endless curiosities; painting after painting, sketch after sketch, bottle after bottle. Excited to sample the wine on offer, we spent a little time admiring our large garden room before rushing out of the doors into the spacious hotel gardens. At center stage was a fire lit water feature - a great view whilst enjoying a glass or two.

The cast iron railings, strikingly set against natural daylight and white walls, led us down into a grand circular dining room. With our seven course meal was about to commence an atmosphere devoted to gastronomy, our very own Judgement of Paris provided wines expertly paired to each of the seven delicious courses prepared by French chef Daniel Galmiche. It was what dreams are made of - and we didn’t have to travel to Paris or America for the experience, it was right on our doorstep.

Here inspiration from abroad had been lovingly bought home to Britain.

As each course and every glass arrived it was clear to see that the heart and soul of the Vineyard was their fantastic approach to food and wine. I can honestly say we could not find fault in any of the courses provided – all seasonal dishes and locally sourced. Some notable battles included a rich wild garlic velouté with savoury parmesan cream that was contested by the Taittinger Les Folies de la Marquetterie ( France, NV) and the Schramsberg Blanc de Blancs (CA, 2010); and the stunning dessert of thyme-poached rhubarb savarin served with hazelnut cream that pitted the Charles Hours Uroulat (France, 2008) against a Joseph Phelps Eisrebe (CA, 2010).

With our coffee & petit fours back at the room and Classic FM playing softly in the background, all that remained to do was name the winner... although I’ll leave it to you to make your own Judgement in Paris! Full of fabulous food, it wasn’t long before the lure of soft sheets and a good night’s sleep became too much...

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foreground…Nostalgia struck as we waited in the queue to board the ferry, I suddenly felt like a child again – it was a trip I must have made hundreds of times throughout my early-life… this was the Britain of my youth.

Five minutes after departing the ferry we found ‘The Pig - on the Beach’ hotel nestled between the coastline and wooded headland. My heart fluttered at the dreamy location and at a hotel sprinkled with charming eccentricity and beauty, the former home of the aristocratic Bankes family came joyfully wrapped in Disney-like charm – little wonder this tuckedaway hamlet was the inspiration for Enid Blyton’s Toyland.

Pulling up to the gravel drive, we were greeted with this week’s dinner - a pig. After we had said our hellos to the swine of pigs, we strolled over the rolling lawn and admired the turret topped hotel, glorious greenhouse dining room and what could only be described as pixie huts – uniquely-crafted, beautiful garden cottages.

Behind us, over the cliff tops, was the familiar sight of Old Harry Rocks.

A now familiar ‘The Pig’ hotel signature is a greenhouse or conservatory restaurant, offering a menu that changes with daily delight. Food is sourced locally, which for this hotel meant Dorset-landed fish, house-smoked meats and a selection of home grown vegetables. Here the Victorian greenhouse featured homely, scrubbed wooden tables and vintage cutlery – with handlabelled condiments and perfectly potted herbs.

Whilst we waited for our room, we took a seat on the lawn and enjoyed a bite or two from the summer snacking menu (how could one resist the delicious aromas from the outdoor pizza oven) washed down with a cold, refreshing glass of bubbles.

An all-rounder for an out-of-towner The Pig - On the Beach - Studland, Dorset Leaving Berkshire, we set off merrily for the next - and final - leg of our journey, chasing the sun that seemed to be pointing the way… a splendid setting for our next adventure.

I was very excited about the next stop – I grew up in Poole, Dorset and was schooled in the New Forest, so I already felt acquainted with one of the family’s favourite hotels…The Pig.

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hankfully, the weather was keen to illuminate the wonders of the South Coast – it’s always a surprise when the British weather decides to behave itself!

After a quick stop-off and cup of tea at Mother’s (we Brits always have time for a cuppa…) we were back on our way - and only a 5 minute car ride from the chain ferry that crosses the entrance of Poole Harbour. Our route ran from Sandbanks to Studland Bay – a glorious slice of the picturesque coastline; with the gently shelving bathing waters and the breathtakingly romantic chalk stacks of Old Harry Rocks in the

We were completely taken aback by our room - a Comfy Luxe - with its sea view, private outside seating, large monsoon shower and freestanding four-poster bed. It truly felt like a home away from home – further fueling my nostalgia.

All 23 rooms are romantically eclectic with original features and vintage fabrics, featuring Nespresso machines and retro Roberts radios – another of ‘The Pig’s’ signature touches. Two of the rooms are thatched follies, and there’s also a Shepherd’s Hut.The detailing of the Pig’s interior design is the perfect combination of luxury miss match. Pulling ourselves away from the room, we walked to the end of the drive and only 3 minutes down the road we were warmly greeted by the shoreline of the beach.

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The kitchen garden, returned to its former glory of yesteryear, grows most of the fruit and vegetables for the greenhouse restaurant.

Before dinner, we enjoyed a tour by Head Gardener, Jo, and Hotel Director, Lora, who have redeveloped most of the planting and were able to show us the many varieties of fruits, vegetables and herbs that thrive there.

Alongside the gardens, and part of the hotel’s self-sufficiency, roam free-range chickens busily laying eggs, wandering pigs (there had to be some!), and newborn lambs - some just hours old.

Dinner welcomed a fabulous selection of fresh wonders, it started with local fish, ripe vine tomatoes and a summer salad full of hidden treats. This eased our way onto a simple but stunning steak served with hand cut chips and gnocchi - all enticingly decorated with magnificent micro herbs and oozing quail eggs.

We finished off by sharing (or trying to anyway!) a chocolate parfait with honeycomb doused in local honey.

To round off a wonderful day we took our night cap into one of the sitting rooms; decorated in deep burgundy - and the occasional taxidermy it was the perfect place to switch off.

The morning sunshine welcomed all sorts of homemade breakfast treats which we took outside, grateful for the sun’s appearance on

our last day at the pig. Feeling sad to leave, we decided to treat ourselves to a late morning massage - with wonderful organic Bamford products - down in the ‘Sheep Huts’. These two rustic huts, set in a wild meadow overlooking Harry Rocks, have been transformed into a place of tranquillity and calm – with the doors open and the curtains tickled gently by the breeze, it was pure indulgence. This unexpectedly blissful spa experience was luxury with a twist.

On our journey back home to London we reminisced on the wonders of our trip. The Pig on the Beach being the highlight, we plan on making many return trips! The Vineyard stole the heart with its love of food and wine, while The Wild Rabbit was the perfect mixture of country charm and high-class standards.

Charged with searching out the Best of British, what we found on our road trip has both refined and rejuvenated my love for what Britain has to offer. Redefined with new experiences and rejuvenated by cherished memories from my childhood. Foreign travel certainly expands our horizons; but remember, lest we miss the pearls on our own doorstep, there’s no place like home...

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www.thewildrabbit.co.uk Church St, Chipping Norton, Oxfordshire OX7 6YA www.the-vineyard.co.uk Stockcross, Newbury, West Berkshire RG20 8JU www.thepighotel.com Manor House, Manor Rd, Studland, Dorset BH19 3AU

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The Moment MLM Bespoke MLM have maintained a close workingrelationship with Chartwell Bespoke Limited for many years, consulting with them as Approved Inspectors and advising them on the potential pitfalls of Building Regulation approval. We have worked with Chartwell on many high-end residential projects in the Kensington and Chelsea areas, particularly on Victorian and Georgian buildings. As can be expected with the nature and architectural merit of these buildings, this can bring up a number of specialist issues that need expert advice to resolve.

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any of these buildings are listed or in a conservation area, and sometimes even if they aren’t, they can still provide challenges in order to meet Building Regulations. MLM’s ethos is to always work towards achieving compliant solutions; sympathetic to both the building’s design, as well as the client’s requirements.

As a multi-disciplinary engineering, environment and approved inspector consultancy, MLM have the added benefit of utilising and understanding the skills and experience of professionals within the industry. For instance, if working on a sensitive area or project, we can easily call upon our sustainability or engineering teams. This level of service has never been more important; with the Government’s Housing Standard’s Review coming into force on 1st October 2015 MLM will be offering CPD on the changes. What these changes will mean is that consideration will now need to be given to the potential impact any planned development might have on a number of different elements such as security standards, water and energy efficiency and internal environmental quality - as well as for any new materials that are used.

Established in 1966 the MLM Group operates across the UK and overseas, engaging in a

wide range of building and infrastructure projects in both the public and private sectors.

This includes work in residential, commercial, education and healthcare, data centres, hotels, highways, rail and waste management.

This July we will be opening a new ‘London West’ office in The London Borough of Richmond upon Thames. From here we will base a team of Approved Inspectors, who will maintain our flexibility by working alongside an experienced structural and building services engineering team. This new location will enable us to be closer to, and thus allowing more interaction with, many of our existing clients based in West London.

As a national company we already operate business units from 13 UK offices, from which we deliver structural, civil and building services, engineering consultancy, Building Control, environmental, acoustics and health and safety services. The various business units also encompass a wealth of specialist consultancy experience in geotechnical and environmental sciences, ecology, sustainability and fire engineering. Earlier this year, our business was accredited with a ‘100 Best Companies’ starstatus and is currently working on over 9,000 live projects - with an overall value in excess of £1.5 billion in the UK and overseas.

At a time when our line of work is becoming increasingly important, we invite anyone who would like to know more about MLM and our services to meet with us and visit our new West London office. For details please contact Lorraine Kawka, our Technical Director, via Lorraine.kawka@mlm.uk.com

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Chartwell Procurement Around The Globe Words by LEE SHERMAN

Lee Sherman & Toby Hollowell both from Chartwell Procurement Department, talk about the benefits and potential risks when trading globally.

TOP FIVE BENEFITS: 1 Growing your business The obvious plusses when trading globally include an ever widening base of clients and suppliers, these numbers will increase significantly, which we have witnessed here at Chartwell. Expanding into a new country can sometimes be easier than expanding within your own country, depending on what you can offer as your USP (Unique Selling Point). Procurement departments have the ability to not just make new connections but open up doors to exciting new opportunities through networking shrewdly with suppliers, something Chartwell are benefiting from.

2 Diversify Risk Global Procurement offers enormous diversity and opportunity in terms of availability of a much larger array of goods, it also means that one’s eggs are not all in one basket - quite often a much safer proposition than having everything reliant on just the home market.

The idea that a business relies solely on one market and directs all its resources into a single currency may prove to be more risky than it may first seem. Many unprecedented global “disasters” (financial meltdown, earthquakes and unrest in the Middle East) over the last few years have had devastating effects on world markets. Your home market could contract or even disappear, but your business may be saved by the revenue it generates overseas.

3 Preferred Margins The ability to negotiate at different levels within various countries allows for shrewd buying opportunities, you may well enjoy better margins with both base costs, shipping, logistics etc.

Seasonal market fluctuations may also help depending on where one is conducting business.

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4 Trouble Free Payment Process When working with companies overseas, both the supplier and the customer will look to transact business in a safe and efficient manner. Extra safeguards need to be put into place but with common sense and a transparent approach will often bring trouble free business. The hard work needs to be done at the beginning, a clear concise path of procuring procedures regarding supply, payment, delivery and communication is essential and a must for success.

5 Less Competition Getting ahead of your competitors is key to staying at the forefront of your market and a crucial factor in business. When there are fewer competitors, this task is made easier. Standing out from the crowd is essential in an overseas market, the competition is often less if what you are offering is not available or generic to that particular region - if this is the case you will stand out. This naturally will boost business, procurement can be trickier in these regions and it is essential that full due diligence is carried out at all levels, companies with a pedigree and history of working with visiting companies is a must when stepping within new regions.

POTENTIAL RISKS 1 Defining the risks of international trade Trading overseas can be tricky as mentioned, being aware of the risks is a must. Having a clear and concise understanding of what international trade involves is key to a smooth and successful project.

Logistics, banking, clearing agents, transportation, customs issues, taxes, duties - the list is never ending and must not be underestimated.

2 Misunderstanding the local legal framework Understanding local laws in other countries is paramount to not falling foul of both the legal and business sectors.

Never assume they are similar to that of the UK. Understanding legal frameworks in each country you intend to work within is a must for clarity and avoiding major stumbles. Identifying a local lawyer is a good idea so that you can get a full picture of the laws that will apply and which ones will affect your business. Handling this legal aspect should be priority.

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3 Not communicating effectively with your business partners The key to a successful relationship is communication. People buy into people, be honest, open and transparent and expect the same from your working partners overseas - if this is not the case - look elsewhere!

Relationships have to be nurtured, communication is key - language, emails, written text can all be misleading - take time to get this right. Time spent on the telephone and visiting business partners is essential; developing a rapport to gain a firmer understanding of how your partner works and thinks - invaluable.

4 Unstable Exchange Rates PLAN AHEAD - Simple advice, but do not leave currency evaluation at international levels to the last minute, by doing this, there is a risk of not getting the best exchange rates which may result in a negative aspect on the business. Market volatility can play a role too, so be aware of changing market conditions as well as currency fluctuations. In essence a clear approach with thoughtful planning will make the difference between success or possible failure.

Successfully carrying on a business in a foreign country is not a given, Lee Sherman who heads up Chartwell Procurement Department explains that it takes planning, application, patience and a strong will to avoid dangers in any arena, however, handled correctly and professionally by adopting the right approach and utilising the right professionals can be extremely rewarding both personally and ultimately for the business.

Lee Sherman Chartwell Procurement Department

Chartwell Journal

Thirteenth Edition

Chartwell Bespoke Update The first half of 2015 was a challenging period, with four projects handed over to our Clients – and multiple new projects coming on-line in Kensington, Belgravia and Mayfair.

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uring the second quarter of the year, Chartwell Bespoke were commissioned on a luxury £1.5m new build house in Hertfordshire and an iconic extension project in Cambridgeshire.

Whilst the initial stages of the Belgravia renovation project brought about many challenges; the Planning, Listed Buildings Consents, Grosvenor Approvals and Party Wall matters were all concluded.

The various new apartment projects on site also seemed to have their own complexities, mainly relating to Landlords Consents, however, Chartwell have mobilised on site and the planning and demolition notice has been obtained to demolish an existing dwelling in Hertfordshire.

As always, Chartwell Bespoke’s focus is to deliver projects to an exceptionally high standard of quality for our Clients, however, a point to note is that our recent experiences have proved that the legalities and bureaucracy involved in obtaining necessary Landlords approvals does unfortunately hamper most intentions to start site works early.

The outlook for the remaining quarter of this year and early 2016 is set to be extremely positive, with various long term projects set to run into mid next year.

The current projects range from the development of high-end new build houses to the renovation of a multi-million pound 10,000 square foot property in the heart of Belgravia.

In most cases, Chartwell are appointed to assemble the professional team, part or fully manage the design process, obtain all necessary approvals and consents and facilitate the timely completion of fit out works – all agreed by Chartwell on a fixed price lump sum basis.

The three most recent projects which Chartwell have been awarded, includes; a 2,000 square foot 3 bedroom apartment in Knightsbridge with stunning views across Hyde Park; the renovation of a grade 2 listed 5,000 square foot property located in Belgravia and a 6,000 square foot luxury house in Hertfordshire.

Chartwell Bespoke +44 (0)207 952 6366 www.chartwell-bespoke.com

EX CELLENC E

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AN D

B E S P O KE

CO N S T RU CT ION

R E N OVAT I O N

Chartwell Bespoke provides design and build in both residential and commercial sectors within London and the surrounding areas.

Chartwell Bespoke have an experienced team based in our New Bond Street office who specialise in, Conceptual Design, Structural Engineering, Project Development, Renovation, Refurbishment, Interior Design, and Property Maintenance.

London: +44 (0)207 952 6366

office@chartwell-london.com

www.chartwell-bespoke.com

Chartwell Journal

Rasha & Toucan Words by TANIA CHESLAW

Rasha Khawaja is the CEO and Founder of Toucan, the digital platform that connects entrepreneurs and start-ups with influential mentors. Rasha was brought up with intrinsic values that have steered her well throughout her life and she brings these attributes to Toucan. Her creative, entrepreneurial spirit was ignited in her youth and after university, her career path took her to CondĂŠ Nast Publications and then to Christies. During her career she has been passionately driven by helping others to thrive and Toucan was born out of this intention. Rasha spreads vitality and an indomitable spirit throughout Toucan as she paves the way for future entrepreneurs to find their wings.

Here, Rasha kindly lets Chartwell Media into her world, sharing her recipe for success and her plans for The Toucan Foundation; a way for Toucan to facilitate social change and philanthropy.

Rasha, you studied Psychiatry and Cognitive Science at Brown University, how are these disciplines applicable to business?

During my studies, I learned about the mind, brain, behaviour and language. Each of these elements feeds into every aspect of our daily lives, and all of them are applicable to business too. Most of us are very capable of picking up on body language and making assumptions on character based on behaviour when meeting someone face to face, but it can get a lot more complicated when communication occurs via digital means. I’ve found that my education has made me a far more compassionate and understanding individual, which- believe it or not- does come in very handy in the business world!

In what ways does Toucan help entrepreneurs?

Toucan helps entrepreneurs in numerous ways.

The first thing we do is to educate the entrepreneur in whichever areas they need help with through The Toucan Academy: this can be anything from

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how to write a business plan to how to cope with stress. The second thing we offer an entrepreneur is the opportunity to share their idea with our online community and pitch it to the Toucan team.

Once the idea has gone through our in-house due diligence successfully, we then go one step further and introduce the entrepreneur to relevant mentors, partners or investors that we believe would be best suited to assist them on their journey to success.

How does the digitally driven world enhance the business landscape for entrepreneurs?

As an online platform, Toucan itself depends on the digitally driven world. It is because of the digital age we live in that we have been able to democratise the start-up scene by opening up business education to anyone with access to a computer. The digitisation of the business landscape has now also made it far easier to globalise your start-up, which is of course great for the economy.

Through Toucan, entrepreneurs, business start-ups and creatives have a unique way of reaching experienced mentors such as Josh Berger (President and MD of Warner Bros, UK), Richard Reed (Co-Founder of Innocent Drinks) and leading business minds from Amazon, Sky and Oxford University. How can mentors play a part with start-ups?

When it comes to start-ups, a mentor’s role is invaluable. They can guide an entrepreneur through the complicated start-up world in a way that helps them bypass common errors whilst learning from mistakes they’ll never have to make. I have a number of key mentors myself, and I honestly do not know where I would be without them. I think the wonderful thing about the mentor/ mentee relationship is that both parties get an incredible amount out of it. The mentee is privy to the mentor’s wealth of experience (even though they are just starting out themselves), whilst the mentor themselves gets the chance to rediscover what it’s like to start a business from scratch in today’s ever-changing landscape.

You have stated that one day you’d like to conquer Everest, how important is it to set goals in business too?

Extremely important. You can come across an awful lot of Everests to climb in the business world! I personally find that without having goals, I can end up wasting a lot of time, which, as an entrepreneur, you simply cannot afford to do. Goals give you clear direction and purpose and even if you have to change your course, hopefully you will have learned something along the way.

When growing up, was there any doubt that you would go on to be a businesswoman?

I am fortunate enough to have an extremely supportive family who would have allowed me to follow any path. That said, they are the keystones

to my character. The professional world they have immersed themselves in has always inspired me. I did not know it at the time but being an entrepreneur is in my blood. I’ve always known that I wanted to get into the “business world”, but what is wonderful about my profession is that I get to meet entrepreneurs from a huge variety of different industries, which means I can step outside of the business sphere relatively frequently and learn something new every day.

Rasha, which person or people have inspired you the most in your life and in your career?

My family has always inspired me to push myself further, test myself more and evolve mentally. I like to think that they have each in their own way allowed me to examine my character from different aspects whether scholastically, emotionally or in having good, grounded common sense. My family has always given me honest feedback and I know that I can always count on them. They also have taught me the value of community and in putting the family first. Nothing in the world is more important than investing in family.

You are heavily involved with charity, are you looking to build a Charitable Foundation around Toucan?

One of the first things I did when I set up Toucan as a company was to set up The Toucan Foundation.

I believe that it is very important to allocate a percentage of your earnings to give back to the community. I want to establish a strong internal culture based around social change and philanthropy at Toucan. We only launched last year and our foundation launch will follow but there is already a strong social enterprise element to Toucan in that all the resource material within The Toucan Academy is completely free of charge. We do hope to integrate The Toucan Foundation further down the line.

Toucan is establishing itself as the go-to place for new businesses; do you have further plans for other types of business yourself?

Right now, I’m focussing all of my attention on Toucan. I am determined to see it grow, develop and succeed in a way that it can ultimately help others to do the same. I must say though, that once you are in an entrepreneurial mind-set, a lot of ideas for new businesses start popping into your head at random moments. I like to keep a notebook to jot them down to reflect on them in a philosophical way.

One of the first batches of people helped by Toucan was Mark Gill, a filmmaker from Manchester.

He has since been nominated for an Oscar and a BAFTA and wanted to then become a Toucan mentor himself. Did you anticipate such great reciprocation when you had the idea for Toucan?

Honestly, I had no idea that one of our students

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would have the desire to return as a mentor and it was incredibly humbling. It just goes to show how willing people are to give back. There’s a palpable sense of “paying it forward” at Toucan, which I simply love.

What is your advice to entrepreneurs who really want to make their mark in the world, just as you have done?

Don’t give up. That is the simplest and most useful advice I could possibly give: if you don’t believe in your idea, no one else will.

Quick-fire questions: What are your handbag must haves?

I do not go anywhere without my Blackberry, loyal Smythson’s diary, Toucan Moleskin notebook for everyday notes, a good pen, Burts Bees Refreshing lip balm, some Benefit Mascara and a little bag of Haribo for a quick sugar fix during the day.

What or who inspires you?

I am lucky to be surrounded by my family who inspire me on a daily basis. I also admire James Dyson and Bill Gates who both possess exceptional innovative abilities, have incredible staying power and have also been able to hold on to their humanity. Longevity and humility are greatly underrated assets in business.

What is your favourite motivational saying?

Knowledge is power.

Please tell our readers the names of some of your favourite books.

One of the first books I loved reading was ‘Rebecca’

by Daphne du Maurier: I was totally transfixed by the way she wrote. I offer all new colleagues ‘The Alliance’

by Reid Hoffman as a gift when they join Toucan because I found it a very inspirational read. At the moment I am reading ‘Leaving Microsoft to Change the World’ by John Wood: he is someone I admire and I am learning a lot from the book.

How do you unwind at the end of a long day?

I find cooking very cathartic at the end of the day, especially with some music playing in the background. I enjoy the process of creating something to share with those I love.

Toucan will be hosting their inaugural two-day conference, ‘The Nest’, from 14th-15th January 2016, at the Rosewood Hotel. The event will include keynote speakers from the best mentors in the business, panel discussions and networking opportunities. Tickets are available online: www. toucan.co/thenest ww.toucan.co

Chartwell Journal

Thirteenth Edition

The Dorchester & The Grill The Dorchester is a name, which precedes itself from a rich history and a star-scattered timeline filled jot full of historical nuances from the rich, the famous and the royal. A bastion of the British imagination with all of its connotations of splendour, deliciousness & luxurious opulence, all topped with flourishes of theatrical flair. Its story is told in every detail, from the dĂŠcor, the food, the guests to the super attentive staff. It was truly a wonderful treat to stay there for one night with my wife and our 16-month-old son.

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Dorchester experience – complete with a baby bath in the main tub and a cot to boot. A deep soak and a rumbling stomach later, we excitedly got dressed for dinner at The Grill, including the bear cub.

We headed downstairs and stood at the maître d’s desk & nervously pointed at our son and explained that we would be happy to eat in our suite rather than disturb the other diners, but the staff would not hear of it. The Grill has been newly revamped in line with the constantly evolving design ethos of The Dorchester. First opened with the hotel in 1931, it has recently been revamped by designer Bruno Moinard and placed in the capable hands of Alain Ducasse’s protégé Christophe Marleix. Walking into the restaurant is like stepping into another world, from its Murano glass chandelier, pivoting panels for day to night ambience, to its warm copper and butterscotch tones affording us the atmosphere of total indulgence.

We were spoilt for choice with the menu from incredibly tasty seafood starters to delicious grill dishes, accompanied by seasonal selections of vegetables. The star of the show was their sweet soufflé’s - Sicilian pistachio with salted caramel was a taste of heaven! The service and attention to detail was a real treat and it felt great for all of our needs to be totally taken care of for the night. Special mention must go to Sara our wonderful waitress and Reuben our Sommelier – their attention to detail and to all three of us was impeccable (the 2013 Gruner Veltliner he recommended for my starter is now a firm favourite in my own wine rack). A stay at The Dorchester – quintessentially British and the kind of experience you don’t forget that comes highly recommended.

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et on the prestigious Park Lane in Mayfair with expansive views of Hyde Park, the world-renowned high-class residence impresses from the get-go.

It was first opened in 1931, by Sir Ron McAlpine with the desire to create a luxury hotel that would “rank as the finest in Europe”. It wasn’t long before it gained remarkable attention from the great personalities of the era due its excellent construction practices and modern facilities, it was the go-to building for the likes of General Eisenhower and, our favourite, Sir Winston Churchill as it was noted as one of the safest buildings in London. The Royal family has been a long time friend of the establishment, with Prince Philip even holding his stag party in one of the private rooms. Since that time it seems a flurry of celebrities, artists, writers & political figures have graced its rooms and 3 Michelin star restaurants. Elizabeth Taylor is

said to have etched her and Richard Burton’s initials into the bathtub in her personal suite, whilst in the 50s you could hear the echoes of Louis Armstrong playing sax in his room.

When we entered the suite we were truly impressed – at the suite and at the seemingly endless tree vista of Hyde Park. The light and spacious rooms housed an eclectic array of lavish furnishings echoing the British fondness for travel and adventure, with exquisite artwork adorning the walls and indulgent features throughout. Needless to say (being parents of a 16-month-old), our personal highlights included the hand sprung mattress topped with 100% Irish linen, giving us the best nights sleep we’ve had in a long time! Their baths certainly did not disappoint either, dubbed the fastest filling and the deepest in all of London; it wasn’t long ‘til we were getting into the swing of The

Tiered according to their suite category, guests can enjoy the best of British with an array of benefits such as return transfers from any London transport terminals, lemon drizzle cake accompanied by a pot of tea or the stiffer alternative - that much loved English tipple, Gin & Tonic, served as you like it. The Suite Proposition is designed to welcome guests to their London home. Deanery Suites start from £520 (inclusive of VAT and excluding breakfast).

For further information visit www.dorchestercollection.com

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‘I Don’t Think Jewellery Should Be Treated Like a Trend’ Words by BEYOND BESPOKE

Tessa Packard London has given British luxury jewellery the contemporary shakeup it needed. We talk to Tessa Packard, the founder and creative director, about not following the crowd and finding inspiration in the strangest of places

Where did your career start?

I spent the summers during school and university interning at Dickinson, an art dealership on Jermyn Street, and ended up working in their Impressionist and Modern department, as well as setting up their Latin American desk. It was certainly one of those jobs that was as exciting or challenging as you were willing to make it, and having always been ambitious and hungry to succeed, I really enjoyed the challenge of growing my own client base. In many ways art and jewellery operate with the same luxury sphere – fine art collectors tend to be collectors or buyers of fine jewellery – so I would say that my time at Dickinson was undoubtedly an invaluable learning experience. But, if you love drawing and designing, and want to be at the helm of your own business, you can’t stay working there forever.

Did you find it hard to channel your creativity into a business?

I think a lot of designers and creatives are not naturally very good at business. I would certainly never say that I am the most experienced businesswoman in the world, but I would argue that I have a relatively good grasp on both, mostly because I enjoy the operations aspect of my business as much as the creative aspect. I think that my previous experience of working in a business that deals with luxury commodities gave me, to some extent, an understanding of the various elements that make up a successful business, most importantly the importance of cost and saving. I think perhaps the most essential thing for any creative entrepreneur to identify is their weaknesses and strengths. If your strength is creativity and your weakness is business, then you need a very good Operations Manager to sit in your place.

Who do you go to for advice?

It varies. I don’t have any official mentors but I do have a very good group of industry

experts, inspirational entrepreneurs and savvy businessmen who I turn to for advice from time to time. I think the important thing to remember when asking for advice (generally speaking) is to compartmentalise it – pick your audience and get to the point – as most mentors are knowledgerich but time-poor. I’m lucky that I do have a few very good friends who work in the luxury market who I can turn to for more in-depth advice, as well as many great friends who are also young entrepreneurs and running fashion or luxury brands. They’re good at keeping me sane and reminding me that Rome can’t be built in a day.

Art plays a big role in your jewellery design with your sketchbooks. Is this something you want to continue?

I cannot imagine creating a jewellery collection without producing a working sketchbook of ideas, mood boards and preliminary designs. Without this preparatory work I would just be a girl who sits down with some gemstones and a bit of metal and arranges them together to create something pretty.

Without my sketchbooks I have no way of proving to my clients or myself that I have half a creative brain in my head. Narrative integrity, in my book, is everything if you want to call yourself a designer.

Do you think that is something your clients particularly like?

Yes, I think it is something my clients like and appreciate. Clients tend to gravitate towards my jewellery because they value the importance of story and context – there is always an interesting and perhaps unusual narrative stream of thematic emphasis running through each of my collections.

My clients tend to be people who like to buy things with a playful side to them – jewellery that tells a story if you will – and they in turn enjoy passing on the story about the piece in question to any third party admirers.

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When a client visits you, do you already have an idea of what you want to design?

When designing a bespoke piece of jewellery, a one-to-one consultation with the client in question is essential. I might have a small idea of what the client is looking for from an earlier telephone conversation, but ultimately a final design is hard to ascertain until you hear their brief in person.

The design of any bespoke piece must be driven in equal parts by budget, client brief and designer input. I would be a terrible designer if I ignored the client brief or demised the client’s budget. Of course, there are situations where a client has a dream which isn’t achievable within budget, or they have a dream and you can actually go a bit beyond budget because there is a little more wiggle room than anticipated. I guess the skill of the bespoke designer is to achieve a design for the client where they feel that they are getting exactly what they want without unnecessary overspend. Designing bespoke jewellery is certainly more challenging than designing my bi-annual collections; with my own collections I design exactly what I want and what I feel is missing from my own jewellery box, but when it comes to bespoke client, that’s when you really have to prove yourself to make it work.

I have a secret obsession with Instagram that my husband would say is unhealthy because it’s the last thing I check at night and the first thing I check in the morning. As a social media tool Instagram really appeals to me because it is visual – it works like a virtual gallery where images can be compiled and curated next to one another to create a visual overview of a brand.

How do you find that client interaction when someone is choosing a design?

Style and aesthetic preference are incredibly personal things. What I might pair with a workwear uniform might not be what others like to wear with a suit in a corporate environment. As the designer I think you have a responsibility to suggest new looks but not insist upon them. It’s very easy to take the role of the frustrated stylist – constantly pushing clients to experiment and go bigger, bolder and more statement. In reality, you need to strike a balance between encouragement and empathy, risk and realism.

With each collection do you focus on Spring/ Summer and Autumn/Winter?

Yes, although I refrain from giving my collections seasonal names such as Spring/Summer15 or Autumn/Winter15 as I don’t think jewellery should be treated like a trend or seen as relevant for only a short season. I believe that the pieces from my first collection are just as interesting and unique today as the pieces from my most recent collection.

Instead, my collections are given thematic names relating to the inspiration behind them. However, much consideration is given as to when each collection is released in order to maximise press exposure and seasonal buying. A more pastel toned jewellery collection will naturally launch in spring, whereas a collection rich in rubies, amethysts and black diamonds is more akin to a winter launch when magazine editorials and buying habits favour darker palettes.

How do you meet your clients?

Word of mouth is a great source of new business, as is social media to some extent, although I would say that tools such as Instagram are more powerful in terms of brand recognition and reputation rather than direct sales. We do also do bi-monthly mail outs and collaborations with other luxury brands which again helps disseminate information and brand awareness. We also try and do as many relevant events as possible, whether they be private jewellery presentations, press lunches, client dinners or showcases. For me, intimate and exclusive showcases for private clients tend to work best in terms of sales.

As a new business how have you found social media?

Twitter I am getting better at. I don’t naturally find an affinity with tweeting but I am trying to improve!

How much do you think you being a British brand helps you?

Britishness is completely ingrained in our identity as a luxury brand – placing ‘London’ in our company name was a very intentional contextual decision.

For that reason I couldn’t imagine making my jewellery anywhere else, and I don’t think our clients would expect anything less either! In terms of British design, I think we are having somewhat of a resurgence at the moment, so naturally the impact of that for all British brands, big or small, is beneficial from both a press and sales perspective. I think there is also a lot more room in the British market for new, luxury brands, as well as an increased demand for luxury British goods by the international consumer, which again is advantageous.

What’s the next project you’re working on?

We are working on a collection at the moment that is very British. It’s inspired by the British obsession with the weather and is due to launch next spring – the time of year when everyone starts thinking non-stop about the weather as the cold winter turns into sunnier spring, and people begin hypothesising about record-breaking summers and rained-off sporting meetings. It’s going to be called Every Cloud Has A Silver Lining – a rather apt name I think! For September next year we have a totally different theme, a collection inspired by the idea of exploration and conquest, looking back at the

adventures and bounty of Galileo, Columbus and other such explorers. It will look at what inspired and drove their extraordinary feats of exploration, as well as the goods they brought back from their journeys, such as pearls and gemstones.

Where do your ideas come from?

A myriad of different places. I might be having a conversation where someone mentions silver clouds and I start thinking about diamond linings. It might be that I’m standing outside in the rain, trying to barbecue, and I’m thinking obsessively about the British weather. I’ve always been very interested in culture and geography so the Explorer collection was perhaps somewhat inevitable considering my love for landscapes and the economics of trade and the patterns of human behaviour.

I recently read Freakonomics, which made me think a bit more laterally about human development and human nature. There was also a big resurgence about Scott of the Antarctic a few years ago and I remember thinking how icebergs looked like cut quartz. It all just links up somewhere in my brain and before I realise it I have another collection in the making. Sometimes, however, the idea behind a collection is so clear cut from the start that I don’t need to log it and file it away. I just simply start designing.

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Gleneagles Words by NOREEN COLTMAN

Palace of the Glens, Riviera of the Highlands and Playground of the Gods - whichever way it’s heralded, there’s simply no denying that Gleneagles Hotel is a place of pure luxury.

Attracting the creme de la creme of the world’s high-flying socialites since 1924, the venue is still THE place to be seen - its name synonymous with quality, finery and everything at its best.

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including 26 suites – four restaurants, and an award-winning Spa by ESPA. The hotel was built by the former Caledonian Railway Company (CRC), with its own railway station just minutes away, and is now owned by Diageo plc, custodians of iconic brands such as Johnnie Walker, Guinness and Tanqueray gin.

The vision for such a majestic development was that of Donald Matheson, who in 1910, as general manager of the CRC was on holiday nearby. His railway line ran through the valley and, as it was the era of grand hotels, he was so impressed by the surrounding countryside that he conjured up the vision of a large country hotel, built in the style of a palace which would provide leisure in the form of golf to the travelling public.

By 1913 Gleneagles Ltd was formed to construct and operate the proposed hotel and golf courses - with, of course, its own railway station. With

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ver the decades the hotel and its outstanding facilities have hosted royalty and world leaders.

A-list celebrities of sporting and showbusiness circles have all wined and dined there, yet it is as sumptuous and luxurious as ever - the destination of choice for today’s refined visitor to Scotland.

When the Gleneagles Hotel opened its doors 91 years ago it was acclaimed as “the eighth wonder of the world”. Its intention then, as it is today, to “create happiness”.

Designed in the style of a French Chateau, the hotel is home to 232 luxury bedrooms –

the interruption of World War I, work on the hotel was halted and did not restart until 1922, although two of its golf courses The Kings and The Queens were opened in 1919 (The Queens being extended from nine holes to 18 in 1925).

Gleneagles now boasts three championship courses, including The PGA Centenary Course, Host Venue for the 2014 Ryder Cup. In fact Gleneagles’ link with the Ryder Cup stretches further than many of today’s golfers realise.

Before the birth of the challenge in 1927, there had been two unofficial matches between professional golfers from Great Britain and the United States - both won by the British.

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The first was played at Gleneagles in 1921 (the Glasgow Herald 1000 Guinea Tournament - prior to the British Open at St Andrews two weeks later), and due to the success of it, a second match took place at Wentworth in 1926. Among those in the gallery at Wentworth was a man named Samuel Ryder, an English entrepreneur from St Albans in Hertfordshire who had taken up golf late in life to improve his health and employed Abe MItchell, one of the golfing greats of his era, as his personal tutor. Ryder was so enthralled by the match at Wentworth that he said in the bar afterwards “We must do this again” - and the Ryder Cup was born. Ryder donated a small but striking gold cup that today epitomises all that is good in sporting competition.

But it’s not just golf on offer these days.

Throughout the 850 acre estate, a huge variety of outdoor activities are available including offroad driving, shooting, archery, horse-riding, gun dog training and tennis.

In May this year Gleneagles Hotel officially launched its new 2,500 square metre indoor tennis and event space, The Gleneagles Arena.

The £750,000 development is home to four indoor tennis courts, open to both hotel residents and members of the public, and offering a variety of lessons and coaching programmes. The Arena will also be a versatile events space, suitable for

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conferences, product launches and teambuilding activities.

Bernard Murphy, Gleneagles’ Managing Director, commented: “With its long and illustrious golfing heritage, Gleneagles already has a reputation as a world-class sporting venue. Our guests can choose from around 20 different outdoor activities, from falconry, to off-road driving, to archery. Now we hope to add another string to our bow and establish Gleneagles as one of Scotland’s premier event and tennis destinations.

“We hope this new development will help us build on the success of last year’s Ryder Cup to bring even more diverse and exciting events to Gleneagles.”

Away from the superb sporting facilities, the hotel is still the place for glitz and glamour.

It recently launched “Sparkling Sundays” for guests looking for a spectacular venue for a wedding, birthday or anniversary – a special package for luxury private celebrations. Book a private dinner at the hotel for 20 people or more, and enjoy complimentary room hire, a sparkling cocktail per person, and complimentary flowers, menus and linen, as well as a reduced bed and breakfast rate from £235 per room. Each party will also receive one upgrade to a luxurious suite – the perfect treat for a bride and groom, or for a milestone birthday.

Watson Bell, Head of Events at The Gleneagles Hotel, commented: “Gleneagles is a breathtaking backdrop for a special occasion, whether it’s for an intimate family wedding, or a showstopping 40th bash. Our experienced team of Event Managers will be delighted to work with you to make sure that every little detail is taken care of, and you can relax and enjoy your big day in the finest luxury.”

The venue has even launched its own luxury leather brand of luggage and accessories. Key items include The Traveller Holdall and shoe bag in rich brown Italian leather; the 1924 wallet, embossed with the distinctive Gleneagles crest; and the Riviera Handbag, which comes in cream, brown or black Italian leather.

Alyson Lilley, Gleneagles head of retail, said: “We are thrilled to be able to unveil The Gleneagles Collection. The accessories we’ve created are timeless, inspired by the many guests who, going back over 90 years, have made Gleneagles their home from home - now they are able to take a little piece of Gleneagles with them, wherever they go.”

And with its very own train station, getting to Gleneagles couldn’t be easier. It takes just five and a half hours to travel by train directly from Central London to Gleneagles - the hotel three minutes from the station by complimentary shuttle. It is within one hour’s drive of Edinburgh and Glasgow airports, and two hours from Aberdeen. The hotel has its own helicopter landing pad and there is availability for private jet landing at Edinburgh and Dundee airports.

Finally, if you really want to arrive in style, the hotel has a fleet of 11 private chauffeur-driven vehicles ready to whisk you away for a leisurely break in the Perthshire paradise. www.gleneagles.com

Chartwell Journal

Thirteenth Edition

The British Sense of Humour (…I think you’ll find it’s spelt with two u’s...)

Words by BEN FOWLER

Humour is a funny thing, pun intended. A phenomenon shaped and cultivated by its surrounding culture. Influenced by a country’s history, geography, level of education and a myriad of social factors, it can often be a little difficult to define the characteristics of a national sense of humour. And it would seem obvious that certain aspects of comedy and wit are more strongly associated with different nationalities. Being hugely subjective in nature, whether or not someone gets the joke is determined by their interpretation, filtered by the cultural context. Some laughs, it would seem, are non-transferrable. Can everyone “get it?”

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he British sense of humour is often described as “unique” - such a wonderfully diplomatic word!

It is sometimes described as sophisticated and linguistic in nature – although it should be considered that Shakespeare’s comedies featured more codpiece jokes than the worst of American gross-out comedies.

Remaining true to the British reputation for self-depreciation, let’s consider that the rest of the world views the British to have a taste for the negative, one of biting satire and withering one-liners. As Sir Winston Churchill succinctly pointed out that “the British nation is unique in this respect, they are the only people who like to be told how bad things are, who like to be told the worst.”

to trip it up around the next corner. Otherwise we wouldn’t have Frank Spencer or Mr. Bean.

Americans are brought up to believe that anyone can be the next president of the United States.

Brits are told, “Well that’s possible…It just won’t happen for you.”

Q. How many Englishmen does it take to screw in a lightbulb?

A. None. They’d rather curse the darkness.

It is an old adage that Americans don’t get irony like the Brits. This is not strictly true, the Americans get it they just don’t use it so liberally in everyday speech like the British. British sarcasm is both a prepositional shield and weapon, used mercilessly to “take the piss” (now there’s a British expression for the ages) out of people they like or dislike in equal measure.

And, crucially, out of themselves. This is a very important point. Self-deprecation is the license to hand it out. A sign of affection to those they like and ego deflating to those they don’t. The challenge for the recipient is to work out which one they are. Irony to the American sensibility is more like a pretty piece of chinaware, bought out for a special occasion. To elaborate here is a conversation between subject A and B- handily representing an American and a Brit. Feel free to imagine B as Hugh Grant, I’m sure B won’t mind.

B: “I had to go to my grandad’s funeral last week.”

Comparing the British and American sense of humour provides some interesting contrasts by removing the language barrier. While they may share a mother tongue there seems to be a marked difference in British and American humour – and it’s not just the extra letter u.

A survey of more than 4,000 twins in 2008 suggested that positive humour – saying funny things, telling jokes, a humorous outlook on life – was gene-linked and was shared by twins in both the UK and US. However, negative humour – sarcasm, self-disparaging humour – appeared to be genetically linked only in Britain. Whether nature or nurture, the implications are that the British have a greater tolerance for a wide range of comedic expression, including those that many Americans might consider aggressively sarcastic or denigrating: like Fawlty Towers and Blackadder. Franchised shows like The Office are interpreted very differently on either side of the Atlantic; the North American version of The Office has a much less insensitive and intolerant lead character than in the original UK version.

It’s dangerous to generalize, but a large influence on this are the differences in their respective shared cultural hopes and dreams.

Americans don’t hide away their hopes and fears. They applaud ambition and openly reward success. Brits often seem more at home with life’s losers, embracing the underdog - until it’s no longer the underdog and needs to be taken down a peg or two. No-one in Britain approves of a cocky underdog. It is just not British to say, “Have a nice day!” not just for fear of sounding disingenuous, but also for fear of speaking too soon. The British sense of humour exists in a culture always wary of something waiting

A case in point and unlikely as it may seem, John Cleese once scripted a run of Superman comics.

The ultimate personification of the American dream, the alien who arrived on US soil to lead them against evil wrapped in the red, white and blue, was reimagined in Cleese’s version as Colin Clark, raised in Weston-Super-Mare and working for the tabloid press. He tries not to use his powers due to his belief in his parents’ mantra “Son, what would the neighbours think?”

A: “Sorry to hear that.”

B: “Don’t be. It was the first time he ever paid for the drinks.”

A: “I see.”

The reaction of A here is not due to stupidity, rather a failure to register the ever present irony of British humour, as quick to be used to hide emotion as it is to express it. Displayed without the need for a disclaimer of “only kidding!” to spare any confusion. The interplay between this love of the ironic and stiffupper lipped repression can be seen in an oft underappreciated aspect of British comedy, it’s romantic humanism. Rather like loud-quiet dynamics within music, the darker tones of British comedy allow the sentimental and emotional sections to shine all the brighter.

Who could deny Del Boy a tearful pat of Grandad’s chair, after his Keaton-worthy

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tumble through the wine bar? Or scoff at the field of poppies that fills the screen at the close of Blackadder Goes Forth? Or rejoice as David Brent finally stands up to Finchy at the Office Christmas party?

The tremendous market for British comedy in the US, from Monty Python to The Office to Shaun of the Dead proves that Britain’s love of the art of sarcasm does not make it incompatible with less caustic sensibilities, rather that it demonstrates the unique social and cultural mindset that engendered it. It is a facet of British identity that stands out among the voices of nations, a quirky prototype noticed all over the world – adding to the great diversity of culture that makes the world such a fascinating place. And while it may take a little longer for others to “get it”, the subtleties of British humour might be more of a superficial aesthetic. In fact, the difference between humour and humor can provide some reassurance. In a world all too full of division and prejudice, we can all get the same joke. Now that’s an irony we can all enjoy.

Chartwell Journal

Thirteenth Edition

The Royal Warrant: Providing Her Majesty’s Service Words by BEN FOWLER

This is a year of new beginnings for a Royal family whose popularity, as well as number, continues to blossom. Increasingly becoming associated with youthful vigor and a fresh openness, the monarchy has steered through the anni horribiles of the 1990s, regenerating despite the new challenges faced as privacy and mystique fell to disclosure and reality. Whilst the face of our monarchy might be changing, it still represents hundreds of years of heritage and tradition, a shared history that carries weight the world over. Interestingly when one contrasts the fairy-tale of royalty and the role the common man plays in its telling, 2015 marks the beginning not only of a new chapter in its history with the birth of a princess, but also a milestone in one of its oldest maintained traditions, it marks the 175th anniversary of the Royal Warrant Association.

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he Royal warrant is a document that grants suppliers of goods and services to the Royal family the permission to display the Royal Arms on their merchandise and advertising.

However what is more important is what this permission represents; the Royal warrant is membership to an extraordinary club. A club that infers quality and excellence from exclusivity – at present the holders amount to just over 800, from individual craftspeople to multinationals, and weaves that quality and excellence into a rich heritage of craft and skill dating back to medieval times.

Back as far as the 14th and 15th century, tradespeople like the Drapers Company, under the famous Dick Whittington, and William Caxton, Britain’s first printer, were awarded the warrant.

Indeed, our national history is decorated by warranted artisans in all manner of endeavors.

The luxury and flamboyance in silk and cloth and glass of the famous “Field of the Cloth of Gold” was created by such artisans for Henry the VIIIth to host his historic meeting with François the Ist. When the plaudits were handed round however, no-one seemed keen to take credit for the gold-flecked Royal monkeys. Decades later, the Royal warrant association built the Kings House in 1935 to celebrate the ascension of George Vth, and as a demonstration of the fineries of the trades of his kingdom. The coronation of Elizabeth the IInd was another demonstration of the national crafts - a notable example, Sir Norman Hartnell, warrant holder, creating the dress and an indelible image of Royal refinement.

The warrant remains an extremely important and recognized symbol in the marketplace today, highly sought after despite its difficulty to attain. Achievement, and later maintenance, of a warrant requires a considerable reputation to be developed - but the benefits attract many applicants. The advantages of any endorsement to a business are fairly basic principles in advertising, with two key factors standing out. Firstly, the influence from the patron to the consumer with an increase in credibility aptly summed up by the mantra “If it’s good enough for them…”, and secondly, a potential repositioning of a brand, in short, putting the best possible light on a product in the eyes of the potential consumer.

a warrant holder stands not only with heritage and history behind them, but also alongside the top-flight of the current day. There are hundreds of thousands of companies in the UK, but due to highly selective requirements, presently only around 800 warrant holders. The warrant places you as part of the elite.

However, the Royal warrant is not merely a celebrity endorsement and its advantages belie any such comparison. The warrant offers a sense of prestige, having been in place since the middle ages, and any awarded company becomes a part of a long distinguished tradition. A part of the universal appeal of the Royal family is our attraction to a shared history - to being a part of a larger history and integrating it into our own.

As such the Royal family is effectively a symbol of refinement and class recognized the world over. Regarding branding, the display of the coat afforded by the warrant allows connection to this archetype to be made proudly visible on advertising and packaging. Credibility too is immediately enhanced by a demonstration of integrity and an internationally recognized heraldry, their standing with clients enriched by association with Royalty. Finally, as mentioned,

A fine example of the heritage of the Royal warrant is that of Abimelech Hainsworth, affectionately known as Old Bim, who in 1783 invested a half crown (now roughly just over twelve pence) and started his own fabric business in Leeds. An example of entrepreneurial spirit dating back over two hundred years, he passed away after forty years in business as the richest man in the county. Hainsworth Fabric still holds a Royal warrant, having, quite literally, woven their place in history supplying uniforms worn by Duke Wellington’s army when they marched on Napoleon at Waterloo. Fast forward to the modern day, and a doe –skin cloth called Hainsworth Guard is still worn by the Queens Guard in front of Buckingham Palace.

The Hainsworths place in our Royal and cultural history was ensured when princes both young and old, in Charles and William, wore Hainsworth

There are many psychological attractions to the Royal family from King/Queen archetypes to wish-fulfillment fantasies to our mirror-view of their family life, to put it simply, we are always fascinated and hungry to know more about the life-styles of such wealthy and influential people.

The connections between warrant holders and their patrons afford us a sample of this world.

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The sweet smell of success was distilled by perfumer Juan Famenias Floris when he began creating scents for the Royal family in 1730.

Again the romantic mystery that surrounds the monarchy decorates the reputation of the Floris brand, with rumors of secret tunnels from their shop in Jermyn Street directly to the Royal palaces. The lineage and their association continues, and whilst still popular with her Majesty The Queen, recent photos of the Duchess of Cambridge and her mother obtaining Floris products will ensure their popularity with younger generations. Such is the fascination with Royalty that their preference is followed through paparazzi rather than needing to be pushed to the public with advertising. These perfumes have a distinguished and varied list of historic past clients from author Mary Shelley to Florence Nightingale and, although perhaps not renowned for his connections to fine perfumes, Sir Winston Churchill.

Now that we are clothed, washed and fed to Royal standards, let us enjoy what is welldocumented to be the Queen Mother’s favorite tipple, a Gordon’s gin and tonic. In contrast to its place in society today, gin first arrived in Britain in 1698 from Holland as a cure for gallstones, later ascending to become the Queens rumored drink of choice ahead of lunch (mixed with Dubonnet as goes the story). In 1769 Alexander

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uniforms at their weddings. Indeed, Prince William’s connection runs still deeper as the Middleton family was once in the textile business itself trading as William Lupton, a company bought by Hainsworth from the Duchess of Cambridge’s great grandfather. The storied relationships between the monarchy and these craftsmen through the centuries help form the gravity and importance of the warrant itself.

Gordon, a Londoner of Scottish descent, opened his distillery in Southwark. The recipe including juniper, coriander and angelica root, is reputed to be known to only 12 people - whom never travel together. I like to think it’s kept secret purely to avoid imitation rather than any lawsuits of course...Maybe next time you enjoy a Gordon’s consider the hundreds of years of secrecy and Royal fellow admirers of your simple G and T.

Moving from military uniforms that fought against Napoleon to the indulgence offered by one of his countrymen, Prestat chocolates, founded by Frenchman Antoine Dufour, have supplied to the Royal family and film stars alike for over 100 years. One of the more compelling aspects of Royal endorsement is the tantalizing peek into the day to day lives of a fairy-tale backdrop. In this case, rumor has it that the Queen Mother would keep a box of Prestat chocolates by her armchair, asking that other brands be left on a nearby table as decoys for the riff-raff. The image of Her Highness acting like a caricature from an advertising campaign has to be the greatest promotion of exclusivity that I can think of. These chocolates have such a reputation that they have also been immortalized in our cultural heritage by the great Roald Dahl in his novel My Uncle Oswald.

The Royal Warrant has shown us a glimpse into a world away from our own; a world that even the pervasive force of the internet and media power of the modern age fails to unveil. It is a reminder that even as times and attitudes change toward our Monarchy, they are still symbolic of our heritage, our history. The warrant is a badge of honour worn by the craftsman and businesses that have helped forge that history, a badge that represents the highest level of skill within an enterprise, enduring over the ages by meticulously maintaining standards through the shifting cultural geography– not unlike the Royal family itself. Now surely that’s a badge that any company would be proud to wear... www.royalwarrant.org

Chartwell Journal

Thirteenth Edition

Still Talking About the Revolution Words by BEN FOWLER

The Beatles, The Stones, The Who, Led Zeppelin‌Britain is oddly enough the home of the iconic rock band. A country fixated with class and manners somehow gave birth to the pioneers of the most revolutionary rock music scene in history, the sixties. And while over fifty years have passed since the release of Revolver, over forty years since the release of Physical Graffiti, they are still the idols of a new generation of musicians and aspiring guitar heroes. Stairway to Heaven is still mastered by today’s teenagers, who practice fifty-year-old guitar riffs, wearing tour t-shirts advertising a Rolling Stones concert that took place thirty years before they were born. All of this makes you wonder where are the modern rock icons? Who are the Beatles or Led Zeppelin of the internet age? The answer appears to be that Led Zeppelin are this generations Led Zeppelin.

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hese bands are household names, people young and old know the members, their history and their notoriety – they know these bands as if they had grown up with them. But many of them didn’t. A large part of modern rock bands inability to make such connections lies in the enormous shift in the way music is sold and consumed by the listener. And consumed is the word, for the modern listener doesn’t merely listen to music - they consume it. The internet is here, the future is here, and the future is not a fan of longevity.

Hearing new music today is as simple as turning on a mobile phone or tablet, instead of a collection of LPs, the internet will instantly provide you with playlists of thousands of tracks, across all genres imaginable. The breadth of material is bewildering; you can spend as much time deciding what to listen to as you do actually listening to it. In the times of the great rock Gods, an emissary was required.

The DJ and the radio was the only way to hear new music; it was a major part of young people’s lives. Memories were made to the sound-track of the Beatles and the Stones - the voices of their youth. Today music is merely a part of the multimedia experience online, its significance marginalized to simply another app, just a part of your daily entertainment and not the whole.

With so much choice it is hard to focus on a single genre, let alone a band. There are playlists suited to your mood, to a single theme, even to a single word. It is on demand, instant gratification. It is fast-food music for the fast-food society. There is no need to linger on a single act anymore, no need to buy an album, why bother when you can

just buy the singles? The album was an investment; you put in the time to listen to it, to understand the music and the artist behind it. The public has become somewhat detached, more attached to the music than the artist. A band is not sold as part of the package anymore; there is not the need for the mystique of trashing hotel rooms and destroying tour buses. The creator of the music is no longer the object of devotion and worship; rather it is the technology that provides the music.

It is easy to understand why, with so many genres and artists just a click away why would there be a need to follow a favorite band?

Unfortunately, it is only through the worship of their fans that rock gods and icons are born. Put simply, the icons don’t exist because we are not creating them anymore. Superstar personalities live in other fields now, they live in pop music; they live on reality TV shows. The next Mick Jagger or Robert Plant doesn’t command the front cover of every magazine because the front cover is already seeking the next fad. Music is a lot more disposable than it used to be and the kind of luminescence these stars achieved just isn’t possible. The industry as it functions simply doesn’t allow for it.

Today’s aspiring act has a direct interface with their fans, access to an individual, almost one-on-one connection. The mystique not only isn’t there, but trying to recreate it goes against every proven method of “making it” today. Using the internet, a modern band tries to forge a demystifying relationship with its fan-base, coming across as “real” is a part of that. Artists need to convey that they make music for no other reason than the love of making it. The

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problem with this is that people don’t want to pay for music anymore, which leads to a vicious circle. Put in business terms : less money for artists leads to an inferior product - which people are less keen to pay for.

The promise of the internet to the music industry is that of providing choice. We choose. We listen to what we want. We want new music; we go out and find it. This broadening of our horizons and dilution of genre has, unfortunately, watered down the spirit that created the Beatles or the Stones.

Greater exposure for bands has led to greater disposability and, perhaps worse, a homogeny created by streamlining the product. In trying to recreate their heroes work, young bands fail to capture the rawness that made the originals so appealing. Today’s bands produce obsessively sleek, tightly-packaged material – often devoid of the personality and excess that rock music is loved for.

The last time a scene emerged that looked like touching the ongoing relevance of the British rock Gods was in Seattle during the 1990s, led by Nirvana and Pearl Jam. Even with the explosion they provided, the kids still choose to wear their Led Zeppelin IV shirts, they still learn The Seeker and they still want the moves like Jagger. But music moves in double helixes, as one trend descends another ascends, and we are now equidistant from the 90s back to the 60s. Maybe the next British icon is waiting just around the corner, waiting to usher in a new era of British style and cool. And while London may not be swinging anymore, it’s certainly still swaying. And just maybe, in the year 2045, our undiscovered icon will be the one everyone is still listening to.

Chartwell Journal

Thirteenth Edition

Liberty: An Iconic London Store Since 1875 Words by SUSAN RINGSELL

Though luxury stores can be found throughout the world, the combination of the Liberty brick-and-mortar location and it’s iconic association with design is an exclusive one.

I have known about Liberty since I was a young boy. My mother used to order Tana Lawn fabric and make us outfits.

The store is so beautiful and its history is so rich.

Manolo Blahnik

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he magnificent mock-Tudor building, home to today’s Liberty store, on Great Marlborough Street was built in 1924 so trading could continue while renovations were being completed at the original premises. Designed

by Edwin T. Hall and his son Edwin S. Hall, the building was constructed from the timbers of two ships: HMS Impregnable and HMS Hindustan. The frontage at Great Marlborough Street is the same length as the Hindustan.

Designed at the height of the 1920s fashion for Tudor revival, the shop was engineered around three light wells. Each of these wells was surrounded by smaller rooms to create a homely feel, and many of the rooms had fireplaces - some of which still exist today - in order to create the feeling of being in your own home.

In 1875, the founder of Liberty - Arthur Liberty, was devoted to his vision of an Eastern Bazaar and determined to change the look of homeware and fashion forever. His collection of ornaments,

Liberty is unique in London, there’s something about its British quirkiness.

Roland Mouret

fabric and objets d’art proved irresistible to a society intoxicated by Japan and the East. Within eighteen months of opening, the second half of 218a Regent Street was bought and neighbouring properties were added to house the ever-increasing demand for carpets and furniture.

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Liberty is one of those lovely places that has hardly changed in generations and that’s what I love about it – the carved staircase, the beams and the maze of rooms, it’s all unmistakably Liberty.

Jamie Oliver

By 1884, Arthur Liberty was working with Costume Society founder Edward William Godwin creating in-house apparel to challenge the fashions of Paris. As a Royal Warrant holder dedicated to quality, Liberty also forged strong relationships with many British designers, most famously the protagonists of the Art Nouveau movement. These are traditions that continue today in the store’s commitment to inspirational, impeccably made goods and services. Celebrate Arthur Liberty’s legacy with distinct in-house collections of scarves, accessories and fabrics, and the finest designer fashion and home-ware from all over the world.

Today, whilst Liberty’s dedication to its founder’s vision remains strong, and not content with merely following trends, Liberty regularly showcases and sponsors new designers from luxurious cosmetics and jewellery through to home and fashion. The shopping experience is a fabulous one, but if you have time to take a breather there are also plenty of options.

Relax in the stylish surroundings of ‘Cafe Liberty’ for afternoon tea or dinner in the airy, vibrant restaurant on the 2nd Floor. Find treatments at ‘Murdock’, where a barber will select and recommend products that best suit a man’s grooming regime. Indulge yourself in a pamper treatment in one of the rotating spa treatment

Liberty is the chosen resort of the artistic shopper.

Oscar Wilde

rooms. Even making purchases is a heavenly experience with a Liberty private shopper to inspire you with the latest trends from across the store.

Refreshed, looking your best and the shopping all done - the exclusive Liberty experience.

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Chartwell Journal

Thirteenth Edition

Ruby Hammer’s Guide to Party Beauty Words by EMMA BANNISTER for BEYOND BESPOKE

International make-up artist Ruby Hammer shares her tips for upping your make-up to party perfect.

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uby Hammer’s kit is a Pandora’s box of tricks and treats, with which she artfully makes up some of the most beautiful girls in the world, but her beauty philosophy starts from within.

“Feeding your skin essential fatty acids is the best thing you can do to take it through wintry months and hardworking days followed by sociable nights,” says Ruby. “I was invited to become the ambassador for Udo’s Oil (sold in Liberty). Taken by the spoonful, it is a supplement of Omega 3, 6 and 9, and something I believe in wholeheartedly. If you want to maintain a glowing skin, start here.

“Dimmer evening lights require a little highlighter to pick up and accent your face. “ Avoid overly pearlised versions and opt for something super pulverized. The sheer particles of Hourglass Ambient Lighting Palette (£56 Space NK) make overdoing it almost impossible.

Dust it on the top of your cheeks, your brow bones and your décolleté. It adds absolute luxury and a lit-from-within quality.

“Apply the same luxury boosting ethos to lips, by layering a top coat of fine golden shimmer over your naked lips or on top of your favourite lip colour. Guerlain limited-edition D’Enfer Maxi Shine No 901 is a gold shimmering gloss (£22.50 from Selfridges), which gives that finishing gleam without dumping big glitter particles onto your lips.

“Ramp up your daywear look by choosing a palette that works wet or dry. The wetted version will always go on more intensely, adding drama to your eyeshadow or when used as a liner.

Try Dual Intensity from Nars, £21 from Space NK.”

www.rubyhammer.com

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Ruby’s Quick Lift Party Tips 1.

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Elizabeth Hoff @ A&R photographic for MINMAX Beauty

If you’re heading from office to party don’t remove your day make-up, just redo with a slightly heavier hand so it has more presence.

Draw any top liner as close to the eyelash roots as you can – you don’t want a gap. By the same token, press your mascara wand as close to your lash roots as possible. It will look sireny and brighter.

If you have slightly down-turned or droopy lids, tilt your eye liner in an upward flick before you reach the end of your lid, about two or three lashes in. This lifts the shape of your eyes.

I have a real peeve with the Eighties lipliner look and people who wield it too hard, but a little contour definition can be useful at night. Use a nearly nude lip liner after you have applied your lipstick so you can really blend it seamlessly.

Invest in good lubricating eye drops and use quality, unheated eyelash curlers like Charlotte Tilbury’s, £18 from NET-APORTER. Both help waken and refresh the eye prior to make-up.

Seal all that hard work with a fine mist of Urban Decay’s All Nighter Make-Up Setting Spray £20.

Ruby Hammer

Chartwell Journal

Thirteenth Edition

How To Create the Perfect Bar for Your Home Once associated with the 70s, home bars are now making a big comeback.

Halstock –the leading English cabinet makers, have recently been commissioned to create bars in some of London’s most exclusive homes and have come up with some key tips on how to create the perfect bar – whether you want something grand, fun, discreet or flamboyant.

Planning and space The size of a bar should be determined by the number of guests you regularly entertain, not the available space. For everyday entertaining a large cupboard or cocktail cabinet can be converted into a practical bar but if you regularly throw parties for 20 people or more and need room for two people to be making drinks, you will need a bar which is around 2m in length. Think about wiring, lighting, ventilation and plumbing early on.

Wet or dry?

You can incorporate a ‘dry’ bar (without a sink) just about anywhere, but having a ‘wet’ bar, with a built-in sink (and preferably an ice maker), makes life much easier. It helps to keep a bar clean and a dishwasher means that no one has to ferry glasses backwards and forwards to the kitchen. – both of which can be kept largely out of sight.

Design A bar is a great way to express yourself. It can be designed to fit almost invisibly into a room or it can make a real statement. Halstock can create a bar using wood which will discreetly match existing panelling, or they can create a bar which reflects a particular hobby. Its craftsmen can create anything from a design with tailor-made space for dozens of sporting trophies or a bar featuring an enormous TV or built-in aquarium.

Practicalities While you may want a bar made from wood, to avoid long-term damage it makes sense to have any surfaces which are likely to get wet repeatedly made from some other material. Halstock can create bars with stainless steel, glass, aluminium or mirrored tops set into wood, so it is possible to have the best of both worlds.

Tools You only need six basic tools; a good cocktail shaker, a mixing glass or smallish jug, a long-handled stirring spoon with a bit of weight to it, a strainer to get rid of seeds and pulp, a ‘jigger’ with a one-ounce measure on one side and a two-ounce measure the other and, finally, a paring knife for cutting strips of peel, for example. A good corkscrew and bottle opener and cloths to clean up any spills are also essential.

Glasses Unless you always serve particular drinks, it makes sense to collect a whole array of glasses from short glasses to coupes and a variety of tumblers. Don’t worry if they don’t match, it will draw attention to the fact that every drink is unique, but do make sure you have enough of each type.

Drinks A couple of vodkas, gins, whiskies, a bourbon and some vermouth as well as a light and a dark rum, should be more than enough for most bars, but you may want to add a bottle of Cointreau or Grand Marnier and some Triple Sec. Guests may ask for cocktails, have a few ready prepared fruit purees (and some fresh lemons, limes and oranges as well as some strawberries, raspberries and fresh mint) in the fridge, along with a good range of mixers. Unless regularly serving beer to more than 40 or 50 people at a time, when it makes sense to have it on tap, individual bottles are easiest. Halstock can easily install and conceal built-in fridges for white wine, Champagne and a good range of mixers.

Cocktails The world’s favourite cocktails include a Cosmopolitan, a Margarita, a Mojito, a Caipirinha, a Mai Tai, a Negroni, a Martini and a Mint Julep. Harry Craddock – the legendary bartender claimed that his Leap Year Martini led to more proposals than any other cocktail. Here is the recipe: 2 shots of London dry gin, ½ shot each of Grand Marnier, Martini Rosso and ¼ shot of freshly squeezed lemon juice – shaken with ice, finely strained into a chilled Martini glass and served with a twist of lemon zest.

Enjoy.

Halstock’s passion for craftsmanship is matched by its skill at project management and communication. Every stage of a project is meticulously planned and costed with total transparency – helping to ensure that projects are delivered on time and on budget.

Halstock works with leading architects, interior designers and project managers. To offer the greatest possible expertise on everything from wine cellars to gun rooms, it has developed alliances with a range of companies, including Berry Bros. & Rudd and Holland & Holland.

www.halstock.com

BERKELEY SQUARE GIN: THE ART OF THE MARTINI of gins’, handcrafted at the A T L A P A D A A single R Tmalt F AIR 2015 oldest distillery in England. Made in the

Berkeley Square Gin takes its name from London’s world-famous Berkeley Square, in the heart of Mayfair. The square has a rich history and was originally designed by architect William Kent in the mid 1700s. It was around this time that gin was first crafted by Thomas Dakin, the owner of the Berkeley Square Gin distillery in Cheshire, and he is thought to have frequented several meetings, as part of his ‘amicable society’, in clubs on Berkeley Square.

The buildings on the Square epitomise luxury living and are known for their distinctive front doors with heavy door knockers, which were the inspiration for the design of the ultra premium bottle.

Berkeley Square Gin is known as ‘the

same way, and with the same tradition of care, as a single malt Scotch whisky, Berkeley Square is created by the Master Distiller in small batches in Still No. 8, a traditional copper pot still.

Eight carefully selected botanicals, including basil, lavender, kaffir lime leaf and hand-rubbed sage are wrapped in muslin and this ‘bouquet garni’ is left undisturbed in the triple distilled spirit for 48 hours to infuse its essential oils.

The resulting ultra premium gin is an exquisitely smooth-tasting, sipping gin which can be enjoyed straight or on the rocks, just like the finest whiskies and Cognacs.

AWA R D S Berkeley Square London Dry Gin has won numerous awards, most recently the highly acclaimed Masters Medal Super Premium from the Gin Masters.

TESTIMONIALS “Raise a glass to Berkeley Square London Dry Gin - authentically superior London Dry Gin.�

Selma Day, Editor, The Mayfair Times

THE ART OF THE MARTINI INGREDIENTS 50ML BERKELEY SQUARE GIN 15ML DRY VERMOUTH KAFFIR LIME LEAVES STIR THE INGREDIENTS WITH ICE AND STRAIN INTO A CHILLED MARTINI GLASS GARNISH WITH A RUBBED KAFFIR LIME LEAF

0 3 @ 9 3 : 3 G A ? C / @ 3 5 7 < 1 = ; Â&#x2019; AVA I L A B L E AT WA I T R O S E

Chartwell Journal

Thirteenth Edition

A Conversation with Sean Blowers Interview by BEN FOWLER

Sean Blowers came to fame through his role in the long-running British television show Londonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Burning, and has worked on numerous other British shows and major big-budget films. Sean has recently returned from a hiatus and will soon feature in the major ITV series Jericho; a huge-scale period drama that centres around the eponymous shantytown home to the workers of a 19th century rail viaduct. Jericho tells the story of the lives that shaped Britainâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s industrial revolution and who left behind some of our most historic architecture. Chartwell met with him to discuss this new project, his experiences in the British film industry, and to find out where his own journey to Jericho began.

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Can you describe how you got started in the industry?

I wish I could say that I’d always wanted to do it or had an influence in my life - I didn’t know what I wanted to do. The only experience I had was when I was doing my o levels, I had to read Romeo and Juliet – I had the part of Juliet because I went to an all-boys school! I paid the price for that! On the back of that, I saw a production of the play, it was beautiful and fantastic and had a massive impact on me. I got quite lucky, I had a couple of regular acting jobs straight out of drama school - I got the role in London’s Burning, which was originally a one off, and it grew from there.

It grew into the acting equivalent of the 9-5 job?

Well, you’re part of an incredible cast and crew; it was an unbelievable first time role. And after 10 years at London’s Burning, I was able to use this to have my own go at the production side. I was grounded in the stage management side of it…learning the technical aspects of it. I’ve always had a good understanding of the behind the scenes side – that’s helped me a lot.

The business can be quite a cruel mistress, it requires a lot of commitment, but what you do is what you do.

Did you enjoy working on the production side of the fence?

I loved more control, more creativity and working with the actors, helping with aspects like marketing and advertising. Acting is all about engaging people, selling products is about engaging people, there’s no difference.

You’d taken time out of the industry to help care for your wife after she lost her vision four years ago…

Lhon disease is a hereditary rare disease that attacks the optic nerve, so she’s lost her central vision. The past four years we’ve gotten used to it, it’s a day to day thing.

Now I’m able to do more work, but it’s been life changing.

It normally affects young men and is super-rare, we see an expert in America he’s the number one guy in the world - you can’t fix it but they are working to better understand it. They have identified the gene responsible, so in the future they may be able to extract to and eradicate it.

On returning to the industry, how is British film and television faring today?

It’s buoyant, there is a lot of people putting money into the industry - and there is so much more content needed than before.

Has that demand led to a watering-down effect?

Well there’s an element of that; the risk of the commercialism of the BBC for example. But there is huge pressure to find content – and to find it cheaply.

Everything now is massively accessible and massively pirate-able and any revenue stream you have can be pirated so easily.

On the positive side of massive content demand and accessibility, nothing is niche anymore – there is a market for everything.

Exactly, take the British “football factory-style” crime genre, (Sean recently worked on crime movie We Still Kill the Old Way) it has a fan-base, you can make them all day long and they will still make money

Strong DVD sales etc…

Every now and then one will break out - but you may as well make five a year, than one larger budget one that won’t return.

British actors seem to be in high demand at the moment…Jerome Flynn (who also appeared on London’s Burning) has found a second career on Game of Thrones for example…

Again with so much content, there is a market there, more than there ever was. We tended to always play the bad guy, with the accent; but now there are so many Brit actors that you wouldn’t know were British. Even American audiences would be surprised that they aren’t American! The reason is the standard of drama tuition here is very strong – and that the current generation was raised on big American shows.

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couple they work great together. It’s such a massive production and it will sell all over the world.

It comes with a great pedigree - created and written by Steve Thompson (Sherlock, Doctor Who) – It looks like following the recent success of British TV abroad.

It has a western-feel to it, set in this shanty town in a Yorkshire valley where this massive viaduct is being built around revolution time.

A lot of the architecture will be added with CGI, but the landscapes of Yorkshire are stunning locations.

Britain has so many natural resources to film – the history, the locations…

It makes sense to film here; and it’s a really strong story. Poor widows trying to raise kids, rich households, multiple stories overlapping, rich and poor, power struggles.

It’s almost a globalization of the TV industry.

Your biggest project to date was the British-shot big budget movie First Knight, starring Sean Connery, what memories do you have of such a large-scale project?

The production seemed to take over most of Wales! I remember we were in charge of our own horses; each knight had their own horse. One day I was riding into a glacial valley in the middle of Wales in full armour and I thought “this is just amazing; this is what you sign up for”. It was weird though, because we filmed next to an RAF base - we’d stop filming dressed in full battle armour as jets shot right over our helmets!

And you had the chance to work with iconic British actor Sean Connery?

He was just this amazingly charismatic, attractive man, whether in full King Arthur get-up or in his dressing gown and slippers!

Quite a contrast to the iconic tuxedo!

It was strange standing next to James Bond having a conversation about tax allowance! We had some great conversations - but the hardest thing was not impersonating his voice!

You know, I don’t think I could resist it!

We all did it, all doing Sean Connery impressions, occasionally you’d get caught when he was in earshot!

I’d say he gets it all the time! If he ever compliments your impression, it must be good -because he’s heard them all!

I think so!

Sean has most recently worked on the forthcoming ITV production Jericho, set in Yorkshire Dales during the 1870’s and already being billed as ‘the new Downton Abbey’. The 8 part series will focus upon the shantytown of Jericho, home to a community of settlers, pioneers and outcasts that will live, thrive and die in the shadow of the colossal viaduct they’ve been brought together to build. A fascinating look at how the architecture of Britain came about hundreds of years before Chartwell’s own works in the field.

Can you tell us a little about Jericho?

Jessica Rayne (Call the Midwife) is very hot at the moment and Hans Matheson (The Tudors) too, as a

Downton Abbey has shown how successful these themes are…

We are fascinated by them – especially in the US market…Although I think some Americans think we still live like that!

How was working with the next generation of young British stars?

It was brilliant working with them; Jessica Rayne, Hans Matheson…and Clarke Peters too.

Did you have any advice for them?

I try to complete the telegraph crossword everyday – to help with learning pages of lines!

How did you enjoy filming Jericho in Yorkshire?

Oh yes, I feel at home there, any time I’ve worked there I’ve had a great time.

Everything has moved on technologically; the visual effects are a major part now, much faster and quicker leaving more time for rehearsal - which has always been my favourite part of the process. In Jericho, where the viaduct should stand you just have a couple of pillars – for the rest the actors use their imagination.

With big budgets, stars and effects is TV the new Hollywood?

Well, a lot of big name stars are doing these types of show now…

Yes, it’s not a step down for an A-lister anymore – in many cases it’s a step up.

Exactly.

Jericho is set to screen on ITV in early 2016.

For more information and charity details on Lhon disease: www.lhonsociety.org

Chartwell Journal

Thirteenth Edition

Tales of No.50 Berkeley Square Words by BEN FOWLER

W

elcome, dear reader, to a doorway in West London. You might well have passed it by, oblivious to its repute – but there was a time when passers-by would cross the street rather than risk straying too close to its steps. Perhaps you were wise not to give it a second glance - lest you find something looking back, for this particular doorway is home to hundreds of years’ worth of dread tales and dark mystery; of ghostly maids, crazed owners and brave souls who dared to enter. Halloween lies just around the corner, and just around Chartwell’s corner of Mayfair is the doorway of 50 Berkeley Square, the most haunted house in Britain.

The cobwebs in the windows lie, and dirt and dust are there; What is the unknown history of 50, Berkeley Square?

Frederick Doveton Chartwell can boast some distinguished historic neighbours from Berkeley Square and some happier claims to fame. Winston Churchill lived at no.48 as a child, Charles Rolls of Rolls-Royce was born and raised there and No.50 was once the residence of Prime Minister George Canning. Of particular interest was that Mr Canning became the first to report strange paranormal phenomena whilst living there. This highprofile eye-witness disturbingly holds the record for the shortest period in office of any UK Prime Minister to this day, lasting merely four months before he died aged 57.

During Canning’s residency, servants whispered in the shadows of candle-lit corridors about the hauntings of the top floor. The attic was supposedly the home of the vengeful spirit of an abused young maid who had thrown herself from the attic window. She appears as a brown or white mist and was said to be able to frighten unwary visitors to death.Other tales told of the ghosts of a little girl killed by a sadistic servant, and of a young man locked in the same attic, fed through a hole in the door until madness, and eventually death, consumed him.

What is well documented, however, is that several deaths occurred at the house after its ownership passed from Canning to a Mr. Myers. Not Michael Myers, horror fans, but a rather unfortunate gentleman jilted at the altar by his beloved fiancée. Heartbroken, he fell slowly into reclusive madness, wandering the house at night and spending more and more time locked in the attic. While the house, a visualisation of his mental state, fell into gross disrepair - its notoriety began to build. If Myers story sounds eerily familiar, it’s because it matches Charles Dickens’s immortal character Miss Havisham from Great Expectations. Dickens began writing the novel in September of 1860 - at around the time Myers became unhinged.

Although Dickens - well-known for drawing on real-life inspirations - never gave away the inspiration for the character, James Payn revealed in his 1884 memoir that Havisham was modeled after “someone” he’d told the novelist about. The tale of Mr. Myers had become a popular yarn at the time - one that Payn had heard about due to his own social connections to Berkeley Square. Payn discreetly neither named nor revealed the gender of the person but vowed the Dickens version was “not one exaggerated.” For decades academics have been unable to find an entirely satisfactory basis for Miss Havisham - they may well have been because they were looking for brides rather than grooms. It seems that the original Miss Havisham may well have been a “mister” and that her eerily preserved home was based on the decaying walls of 50 Berkeley Square.

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One of the better documented tales of no.50 is that of the foolhardy Sir Robert Warboys. Coming across the strange rumors while imbibing at a tavern in Holborn and dismissing them as “unadulterated poppycock.”, Warboys dared to spend a night in the haunted attic.The derelict houses’ caretaker had no choice but to accede to the demands of the arrogant noble - but demanded he take a pistol with him. Only forty-five minutes into his stay, however, and the night’s silence would be broken by a gunshot echoing around Berkeley Square. When the caretaker rushed in to help, he found a sight he would not soon forget. Poor, foolhardy Sir Robert was wedged into a corner of the room - his still smoking pistol caught in the white-knuckled grip of his fear-contorted corpse. Warboys’ face was a grimace of horror, eyes bulging from his skull. The caretaker followed Sir Robert’s gaze to the lone bullet hole in the empty wall opposite…

Nearly one hundred years later, two sailors from Portsmouth, Robert Martin and Edward Blunden embarked on an evening of drunken revelry and, having squandered their funds on a number of dubious distractions, decided that the derelict no.50 was the perfect place to stay the night. Sometime after midnight, they awoke to a sliver of light under the door and the strange, moist, scraping sound of something dragging itself across the floor toward them. Leaping to their feet, they came face to face with what Martin would describe as a “hideous monstrosity”.

The creature suddenly lunged forward and wrapped itself around Blunden’s throat.

Martin escaped in terror and returned with a skeptical police officer. Searching the house they found Blunden’s dismembered corpse at the foot of the attic stairs, his eyes (much like those of Sir Robert Warboys) wide with unimaginable horror.

In the 1920s investigator Harry Price analysed the various encounters at the house and described an amorphous being, formless and slimy. At least one eyewitness mentioned tentacles - likening the fiend to a small, viciously deformed octopus. He noted that “ the attic is kept locked, the only key being in the hands of a mysterious, nameless person who comes to the house once every six months, unlocks the attic and occupies it for hours.” Price also found, however, that in 1790, no.50 was home to a crew of counterfeiters and conmen, who may have concocted the various spooky tales to scare away curiosity and provide a “spectral” cover for their illegal, nocturnal activities. If this plot seems eerily familiar, it is not another Dickens classic, rather the plot to every Scooby Doo episode. And they would have gotten away with it too if it wasn’t for those pesky kids.

These days the infamy has faded, leaving behind just another doorway on Berkeley Square. It has been decades since the last reported incident at no.50. Since 1937, the ground floor has been home to Maggs Brothers antique bookshop. And what could be more innocent than a bookshop? But, dear reader, rumour has it that their employees are not allowed to go up to the top floor, and that hanging on the attic door is a police notice from the 1950s prohibiting its use - even for storage… And no-one is sure why. Whether these tales of the supernatural are true or not, one thing that is quite real is the first edition of Great Expectations available at no. 50 Berkeley Square from the Maggs Brothers - it’ll set you back £60,000. Now that’s enough to scare the Dickens out of you…

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Chartwell Journal

Thirteenth Edition

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Rebus Signet Words by TANIA CHESLAW

Rebus Signet Rings have won the ‘Goldsmiths and Craftsmanship Award’ for many consecutive years. Here, Emmet Smith - Rebus’ Managing Director - tells us what makes a bespoke, handcrafted signet ring so very special – and how he found his way into this heritage art form.

Emmet, you studied jewellery design and making, stone setting, silversmithing and hand engraving at the Sir John Cass School of Art in Whitechapel – what was it about the hand engraving part of your studies that made it stand out for you?

I immediately knew that hand engraving was what I wanted to do. I loved the precision of it and how the tools felt in my hand, the cutting and layering of lines to create all sorts of tones and texture and the quiet pleasure it brought working with something so intensely. I found that I could lose hours bringing a blank surface to life.

After your studies ended, you went on to do a 5-year apprenticeship in Hatton Garden with R.H. Wilkins – which you went on to buy, 15 years later. When you started back in 1986, did you think that your career path would stay within the engraving field… or did you have any other ideas about your future career?

I just followed my heart and did what I enjoyed at the time, there wasn’t any great plan. I had found the work so very rewarding and just wanted to carry on with it.

In 2005, you began Rebus as a department within R. H. Wilkins, but Rebus just took off spectacularly. Do you think the time was right for signet rings, or did they never stop being in fashion?

I guess the time was right – they have never gone out of popularity, really. Signets are one of the oldest forms of jewellery. The simple oval design dates back to ancient Greek times; it’s a classic and something that most people feel at ease with. They are immensely comfortable to wear, and are a perfect canvas for personalisation.

Chartwell Journal

Thirteenth Edition

It’s not just royalty and dignitaries who want a very special signet ring… are you finding that people are wanting to have a handmade ring as it asserts their personality in a highly original way?

The Rebus customer wants Jewellery that carries a sentiment; an emotion. The mass produced items that are available on most high streets is not what our customer desires. They always do their research before purchasing – after all, a signet ring is an item designed to be worn every day. Our rebus clients know that we are first and foremost craftsmen and having that direct connection to the people making their jewellery is very important for them. We seal engrave our customer’s designs - as well as engraving any secret messages inside the shank of the ring. It is this unique level

of personalisation and sales experience that creates a very special piece of jewellery.

Rebus is made up of craftsmen and women who are renowned for their intricate work – without naming the person the ring was made for, what is the most intricate or elaborate ring that Rebus has ever been asked to design?

We had to make a stone set signet ring for a gentleman who had a really arthritic knuckle. In order to get the ring to go over the swollen knuckle, and then tighten down around the finger, we had to build a concealed steel sliding mechanism into the shank, that when closed remained closed and looked seamless. It’s the simple looking things that can be the most challenging.

The 1950’s suave, sophisticated look is coming back into fashion for men, as well as women – what percentage of your clientele are women, as we tend to think of signet rings as being jewellery for the male domain only.

Around 40% of our sales are to women, we have also noticed couples coming in to buy them as well - sometimes as wedding rings, and sometimes just to have symbolic matching pieces of jewellery that they are both comfortable wearing.

What style of signet ring is most requested?

The elegant and timeless Oxford Oval. It has a modern look with echoes of heritage and tradition - and suits both ladies and gentleman.

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It’s not just a traditional coat of arms or initials that Rebus gets requests for, but also skulls and the like – would you say this marks a move away from the traditional and into a modern form of self-expression?

Once people understand the skills involved and that everything is made by hand, then they realise that it is possible to engrave any design they like into a signet ring. Our customers know that signet rings do not need to be synonymous with heraldry and the landed gentry.

Your social media pages highlight the beauty of the Rebus signet rings, how important has the digital age been to your business in terms of attracting new clients?

Our website has allowed us to showcase and explain our skills as hand engravers, as well as

display our products to the public - so it is hugely important to us. The Internet has changed the way people shop - our customers are far better informed than ever before.

Why the name Rebus?

A ‘Rebus’ is a device (in our case, the wax impression taken from the engraved symbol on the signet ring) that uses pictures and symbols to represent a word or phrase. A good example of this are the Egyptian hieroglyphs. Rebus imagery also serves as a sort of code, it is used a lot in heraldry too – but, it doesn’t hurt that it sounds cool as well.

Rebus has the country’s largest in-house team of hand engravers – how does a hand-engraved ring differ from one that is not?

Having anything hand engraved gives a previously

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lifeless object symbolism and meaning. It is a one-off and so inspiring.

The intimacy of making a signet ring is added to by the realisation that it might be with your clients for the rest of their lives. Do you get orders from your clients descendants/family wanting similar rings - so they can keep the tradition going strong?

Yes, that is very common, even if the rings are dissimilar, the engraving subject will be the same.

Also… traditions evolve. One customer who had three teenage kids bought the same engraved signet ring but in three different colour gold’s: yellow, white and rose – so in another couple of generations there may be lots of cousins from the rose line or white line, etc.

Chartwell Journal

Thirteenth Edition

You are of Irish heritage and favour the Claddagh symbol for your signet ring… would you say that this symbol is growing in popularity for an engagement/wedding gift?

No, not in this country, anyway. I think the Claddagh ring is viewed as quite old-fashioned, as they have been around for hundreds of years. Personally, I love them, they are full of symbolism: the heart for love, the hands for friendship and the crown - meaning loyalty. They were traditionally used to show the romantic availability of the wearer - all the wearer had to do was change the direction or the hand it was worn on.

connected to that trophy?

Definitely, yes. I look back over all the previous years dating back to 1877 and then at the former engraver’s work and wonder what his world was like back then. Then, I look at all the winners names that have come since. They will all still be there in another 138 years, and being a part of that is very special.

How long does it take to create a Rebus signet ring, from idea to completion?

Once the artwork is signed off, we have a waiting list of approximately 3-4 weeks.

Emmet, you are the official engraver of the Wimbledon trophy – do you ever feel, when engraving it, the huge amount of history that is

What is your advice for someone wishing to learn the dedicated art of hand engraving?

If you feel you are suited to it, you can try a short course - or find more information from the Hand Engravers Association or The Goldsmiths Centre.

If you do decide this is an art form you want to pursue, be prepared for a long period of training and practise, the skills do not come quickly.

Do you take on Apprentices at Rebus?

Yes, I currently have two and one has just completed his 5-year apprenticeship. Each apprentice I take on is indentured through the Goldsmiths Company and will become a Freeman

of the City of London at the end of their training.

You use heritage carving tools for your work, would you say these make a great difference to the signet rings?

The engravers tools are very precious to them.

Each one is handmade and sharpened to do a particular job. I still have tools that I inherited 25 years ago from a retiring engraver; some are at least 70 years old. Each one is special and becomes an extension of your own hand.

Signet rings are regarded as ‘very English’, but I have no doubt that the love of signet rings knows no bounds. Which country would you say is showing the biggest interest for having beautiful, handmade signet rings, outside of the UK? North America is our second biggest market, our American customer base is usually tracing back their ancestry to the UK. Rebus’ Initials Collection launched in spring 2015.

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It was your second ready-to-wear collection and consists of 26 pieces from A-Z. How did you come up with this idea?

I liked the idea of initial rings, but with a seal engraved twist. So, I designed each initial and then deep seal engraved each one in reverse into the ring. The initials are all unusual designs and look quite abstract, the depth of them also gives the rings an additional look of quality. They make great gifts - they come packaged like our other signets with the wax impression and a stick of wax.

Please highlight some of the symbols used in your current Talisman Collection and the reasons for including them.

My personal favorite is the Whippet, I am a dog lover and had to include a dog! We had a whippet when I was a kid, it always seemed to be a nervous wreck but I loved it’s shaky little soul. Another popular one is the Bee, but rather than have a bee displayed like it was pinned to a board, we engraved ours in flight; full of life. They

are much loved insects and have always been a popular source of inspiration in jewellery and mythology.

You have beautiful, old reference books that enable your clients to choose particular designs – please explain that unique process to our readers.

We have a number of Victorian reference books that have thousands of family names listed in them, each name has a number and description of a family crest; the crests are compiled in another book full of the illustrations. They are really beautifully engraved and are a fascinating resource. Most of the crests - as well as the monograms – we have compiled in a database and that’s available as an app which is free to download - either for Android or IOS. Just, go to either store and search ‘Rebus Crestfinder’.

Quick Fire Questions: What is the first thing you do when you arrive at work every day?

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Drink a cup of tea.

What is your favourite motivational motto?

“A drop of lunch anyone?”

Which person gave you the best advice when you started Rebus and what was that advice?

I was probably foolish in that I didn’t seek advice, I just jumped in.

Are you a coffee or tea drinker?

Both… I can get over excited about a hot beverage.

Do you listen to music as you work? If so, what kind of music?

The last CD I bought was by The Limiñanas.

If you could be in any other trade or line of work, what would you pick?

I’d be a cultural attaché, there is something vague-sounding and a bit exotic about it. www.rebussignetrings.co.uk

Chartwell Journal

Thirteenth Edition

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How Diamonds, Pearls and Coloured Gems Became Global Commodities Words by JOHN C. BENJAMIN for BEYOND BESPOKE

From 100-carat diamonds to multimillion-pound rubies, the competition for the most desirable jewellery has become a global phenomenon, says jewellery expert John Benjamin.

“I

wish I still owned that” or “I sold that 20 years ago” are well-known (and well-worn) phrases often heard in the wonderful world of jewellery dealing. Any well-established Bond Street jeweller will wax lyrical about a Cartier diamond clip or plump pearl necklace they sold decades ago at a fraction of their current retail value. It’s all about availability, of course, and these days the greatest difficulty challenging dealers and shops is finding the “right” merchandise in the first place. The growing problem they all face is that there are, quite simply, too many dealers and private buyers competing for too few goods.

the prices paid for the best natural pearls has become positively explosive.

Auction houses represent the traditional source for fresh goods coming to market; where international jewellery sales are concerned they squeeze every last drop out of the potential value of their consignments by showing their best lots to a range of buyers in several diverse locations.

Once upon a time, a diamond ring would be consigned, exhibited and sold in London, Paris or New York. Now it is sent on a world tour where it may be inspected by affluent and well-informed buyers in all the established locations as well as Geneva, Zurich, Beijing, Hong Kong, Dubai, Doha and Mumbai. The very best lots are even hand carried directly to important buyers in their homes and offices for private inspection – the ultimate in personal shopping.

Sotheby’s April auction in New York boasted the ultimate “must-have” diamond – a 100.20 carat D colour internally flawless type IIa emerald-cut stone. An anonymous buyer paid $22,090,000 or $220,459 per carat for what turned out to be the first 100 carat plus diamond ever sold at a Sotheby’s auction in New York as well as the highest “per carat” price of any colourless diamond sold at a New York auction.

As a result of all this sophisticated marketing, the price of “commercial” (i.e, desirable) jewellery has shot up and the competition for the best goods has become a truly global phenomenon. For example, the dynamic appeal of coloured gems – Burmese rubies, Kashmir and Burmese sapphires and Colombian emeralds – has surprised even the most seasoned and experienced of dealers while

In April, Bonhams in London held an auction of fine diamonds, gems and antique jewellery where a 4.54 Burmese ruby ring estimated at £25,000-35,000 sold for £134,500. Another ruby ring modestly guided at £8,000-12,000 fetched seven times its estimate with a final hammer price of £76,900. A 21-carat sugarloaf (cabochon) cut Kashmir sapphire fetched £290,500 against an estimate of £50,000-80,000 and a fancy light pinkish-brown pear-shape diamond ring weighing 7.10 carats made £117,700 against an estimate of £15,000-20,000.

Together with a hammer price of over $1 million per carat for an intense purplish-pink diamond ring at Christie’s everything was set up nicely for the next round of spectacular stones held in Geneva in May. As if the pink in New York wasn’t enough, Christie’s sold a wonderful 5.18 carat vivid pink diamond ring for $10,709,442 or a staggering $2,067,459 per carat, while a 35 carat Kashmir sapphire achieved $209,689 per carat – a world record for this rare and beautiful gem.

At Sotheby’s in Geneva what was arguably the finest ruby ever to appear at auction was offered for sale. Known as the “Sunrise Ruby” this magnificent 25.59 carat cushion-shape gem mounted in platinum by Cartier had

achieved the rare accolade of “pigeon’s blood” reserved for only the finest of gems exhibiting a richly saturated colour from the Mogok mine in Burma. Estimated at $12 million to $18 million it simply soared away to achieve a world record price of $30.3 million.

Needless to say, these top lots grab all the media attention and justifiably so. Nevertheless, I am always intrigued to see how some of the smaller, provincial UK auction rooms perform simply because they tend to offer the sort of jewellery which is still owned, and indeed worn, by the private clients who I visit on a near daily basis.

Woolley & Wallis, an excellent auction house located in Salisbury, also held their own jewellery sale on April 30. The last lot in the sale, a pair of natural saltwater pearl and diamond earrings guided at £80,000-120,000, sold for exactly three times their estimate at a whopping £240,000.

A splendid result for the vendor and evidence, if it were needed, that sophisticated and proper exposure mean that the “right” goods fetch the “right” prices no matter where they are offered.

Top jewels, pearls and coloured gems have truly become global commodities.

Chartwell Journal

Thirteenth Edition

Exosphere Interviewed by TANIA CHESLAW

John Saunders is the Founder and MD of Exosphere, a unique travel and events company that creates bespoke experiences for individuals and businesses, globally.

With twenty-three years of experience in high–level event management, travel, creative communications and marketing, John has a fluent understanding of the needs of UHNWIs and luxury brands. Here he discusses how Exosphere was born and his own personal choice for a relaxing getaway.

Exosphere is an interesting company – you’re an events agency but also arrange bespoke private travel, and on top of that you have a property marketing division. How did all those elements come together?

I set up my first company in 2000 – First Corporate Events – after I’d spent time working for David Ross and Sir Charles Dunstone as Customer Service and Marketing Manager for Tristar (the leading chauffeur-drive company).

I then joined a big marketing agency – IMP – and found that I had a real aptitude for event organisation (for clients such as United Distillers and Alfa Romeo). With that first firm, I learned a lot and we had some great clients, including Deutsche Bank and 3 Mobile. But I decided to sell it, so that I could take all I’d learned and apply that experience in my next business. While I was on gardening leave, I met Mark Kendall, COO of Charles Kendall – the respected freight and procurement group that has served clients such as the Sultanate of Oman since the 1940s.

Together, we came up with the idea of an agency offering businesses – and individuals – truly bespoke global experiences.

There are many travel companies offering tailor-made holidays. How is Exosphere different?

Exosphere Travel is like a travel PA. We are fully accredited, but, instead of contracts, we have contacts; our advice is utterly independent. We don’t favour any particular hotel group, yacht chartering company or whatever – so we won’t steer a customer in a certain direction to suit our commission. We offer the world on your terms.

What is your approach to organising a corporate event?

Anyone can put on an event – but we have marketing experience that we can bring to bear. The first thing I always think about when organising events is to ask, “What is the client’s

objective… ? What is the strategy behind the event….?” My job is to find the solution that works for that strategy.

What’s the key to an event’s success?

Attention to the smallest details. We organised a big event in Florence where we took over the Four Seasons and arranged lots of activities, including a private visit to the Vasari Corridor (usually closed to visitors) that runs from the Uffizi gallery over the Ponte Vecchio. We had 70 vintage cars that the guests could drive through the Tuscan countryside to a vineyard – but we also arranged transporters for the cars and a coach to take the guests back, so they could enjoy the wine tasting properly.

You didn’t train in marketing originally, did you?

My degree from the University of Brighton was in International Business and Hospitality Management. From the age of 16, I worked every holiday for caterers in Switzerland, where I grew up, and later either at events such as Henley and Wimbledon - as well as at Conran Restaurants, such as Pont de la Tour. I did my year’s placement at the Radisson in Miami as night manager. As part of my degree, I had to qualify as a sous-chef, and, at the Radisson, I’d sometimes need to run around changing beds.

I find that experience very useful now – I can see the watch face, but I also understand all the cogs behind it.

You provide private as well as corporate events – is the approach similar?

We certainly have to understand the client’s objectives in the same way: we get into the detail of what you like and the make-up of your family or circle of friends. For example, finding the right location for a birthday weekend ski trip for 50 people – a mixture of skiers and non-skiers, HNWIs and others who couldn’t afford a Swiss five-star hotel. We organised a

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lovely, family-run, three-star in Courmayeur.

And details are key again: on the last night they took skidoos up to a fantastic restaurant on the mountain and had an unforgettable party.

There’s often an assumption that HNWIs only want the trappings of wealth, but actually people want something memorable and hassle-free. We recently put together a surprise Valentine’s Day trip to Dubai for a third of the allotted budget, because we didn’t have to spend it all to make a great experience.

through and experience this beautiful 19thcentury Belle Époque building, using technology such as 3D printing and augmented reality.

It was a big success and I worked very well with the client contact, Toni Fyvie. When she mentioned that she wanted to stop commuting between London and Geneva, I realised we had an opportunity to set up a division of Exosphere - combining our event management, travel and strategic marketing skills with Toni’s 15 years of experience in property sales and marketing.

Has the mood of parties changed over the years?

They tend to be more exclusive and less lavish.

Even now, as the recession is fading, brands are conscious about avoiding excess; especially on the corporate side. Choosing an appropriate venue that reflects the brand and serving a wellchosen prosecco, instead of automatically going for champagne, sends a certain message, which can be helpful. I call it the Daily Mail factor – if they reported it, would it make you look bad?

Talking of London, your office looks out at the Royal Albert Hall, but do you feel like a British company?

Exosphere operates worldwide, but we’re very proudly a British brand. I think we’re very lucky in London. It’s a diverse and culturally rich hub.

We are politically sound; a financial centre and retail streets are thriving. It’s a great place to visit, to educate your children, to invest in and do business in, as well.

How did the move into property marketing come about?

We were asked to help market a property in Switzerland that was proving difficult to move.

It’s a tough market, because there are barriers to foreign ownership. They wanted a roadshow where they sat people in front of a screen and talked to them, but we knew that isn’t how you target HNWIs – you need to invite them into an environment they’re comfortable in. So, we created an art gallery that people could walk

Does Britain offer as much to your clients as other destinations?

Increasingly, we are putting together experiences in the UK. We have some great country hotels now: Chewton Glen and Cliveden, Robin Hutson’s Limewood Hotel, Dormy House in Broadway, Hotel Tresanton in Cornwall. And, for the gastro enthusiast, there is so much to experience: artisan industries you can visit fishing ports, cider farms and cheesemakers, to mention just a few.

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QUICK-FIRE QUESTIONS Favourite worldwide location?

Mustique is one – our honeymoon was at the Cotton House; the Var, in the South of France, is where we spend summer holidays; but, most nostalgically, I’d say my childhood home, Les Diablerets in the Swiss Alps.

Paperbacks or Kindle?

Paperbacks – I love to feel how many pages I’ve read.

Motivational quote?

“One cannot discover new lands unless you are prepared to lose sight of the shore.” This is often attributed to Christopher Columbus, but it was actually written by André Gide.

Favourite things about Britain?

My family and friends, rolling hills of Oxfordshire and the great British sense of humour. www.exosphere.com - 0207 591 4972

Chartwell Journal

Thirteenth Edition

Dream Factory Inside McLaren Special Operations Words by BEN FOWLER

The select few that can afford a supercar enjoy the privilege of owning a design dreamt up by the finest automotive engineers in the world. True elite exclusivity, however, offers the ability to work alongside them – and to build the car of your own dreams. By making dreams a reality, McLaren Special Operations has evolved into one of the most famous customising divisions in the industry, removing the roadblocks of compromise from the top-flight’s fantasies. Bringing the truest British traditions of bespoke craft and tailoring to their vehicles is born out of devotion to their philosophy of always starting with the driver. The result is that a client is granted an extra freedom along with the keys to their car – the key to the factory as well.

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be produced in almost any shade or material imaginable. Components can be redesigned and new functionality added. The colour lab can create unique formulas for a bespoke project; a recent 570S Coupe, for example, was produced in what MSO dubbed Mauveine Blue, an amazing chameleonic hue that can change color depending on lighting conditions.

lthough McLaren Special Operations was not officially unveiled until 2011 at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, the division has actually existed in some form since the 1990’s, growing out of the Customer Care and Service program for the McLaren F1. Every car was effectively a personal commission for the customer and MSO evolved from of this high-end service and personalisation; taking it to new levels by uniting an attention to detail akin to grand coach building of times gone by with state of the art technology, igniting the passion and excitement of the client. Thanks to this branch, a modern McLaren is now as fully customisable as a Ferrari and enjoying an unprecedented period of growth; the number of MSO-modified examples suggesting that McLaren has a lot more customers that commission one-off supercars than the Italian brand.

Since the brand already offers a level of exclusivity in its range and associated MSO limited editions, McLaren MSO Bespoke must provide a vast scope of customised specificity.

Options include colouring, interior stitching details, custom leatherwork or even 24-caratgold heatshields around the engine bay. All a client is restricted by are the boundaries of their imagination. The aim is to create a car completely attuned to one’s taste. Trim and upholstery can

This really is just scratching the surface of what is possible – although, thankfully, if you scratch the surface of your Mauveine Blue, MSO’s Heritage department is there to repair the damage. “If you come to us with an idea,” says MSO director Paul Mackenzie, “we really do have the expertise to deliver whatever you require.

MSO essentially spans the entire core business; so if we modify something significant, we’ll complete CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamics) runs, have the Chief Test Driver check out the new settings, involve McLaren’s design director in the sketches - the whole lot.” To put it simply, as long as it’s road legal, MSO can do anything that one might desire, working with the client to help them create their perfect car, putting them at the very centre of the creative process. The client can even act as a development driver during testing.

What all this offers is the creation of a one-ofa-kind bespoke McLaren, starting from a simple paper sketch and culminating with the finished

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project on the road. The carbon fibre MonoCell that lies at the heart of every McLaren allows unprecedented freedom to make changes. It is possible to combine totally original bodywork with their core mechanical componentry and trademark engineering purity. For example, the famous white and red pair ‘Bespoke Project 8’ (the owner took a shine to the internal label and decided to keep it) started off as a refresh of an F1 in a white-and-red theme, and resulted in a completely re-trimmed F1 with an extensively customised matching MP4-12C. The changes are comprehensive: even the flocking inside the boot-liner is colour-matched and the keys redesigned to compliment. MSO even went so far as to develop a new method of lacquering carbon fibre to match the colour scheme.

Theming is one thing but the scale of MSO’s expertise and access means that if a client desires the truly incredible - an entire bespoke car based around the MP4-12C’s carbon cell and drivetrain, for instance, it can be done. Each part will be designed and hand-built to McLaren’s exacting standards in a truly collaborative process. As MSO designer Esteban Palazzo

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describes: “The exercise starts with the customer describing what they want. I’ll draw it and they might say, “I never thought of it that way.” We have got to help them in the right direction – it has to be a McLaren, it has to look right. Customers are more open to new ideas and advice than you would imagine. After that comes drawing, 3D design, clay feasibility studies, building the part and fine-tuning it. For a different part I do around 20 sketches, then select, model, verify and refine it - like a sculpture.”

The synergy of a driver’s inspiration with the pinnacle of engineering skill creates a world of near boundless possibilities; dreams given life through cutting edge innovation, uncompromising design and groundbreaking technology. The ability to personalise a topend car far beyond standard specifications is highly important in today’s market where unique defines exclusive, and the formation of MSO has raised the industry bar – through a willingness to help their elite clientele realise their vision.

This British brand can now deliver - and beyond what once only companies such as Porsche and Ferrari could hope to.

It is tempting to think that for a company as technologically focused and detail specific as McLaren, off-plan modification would be a sin.

This has certainly not proven to be the case, and such has been the embracing of this service that following the launch of the 650S 20 per cent of vehicles built at the McLaren Production Centre have featured bespoke details – with approximately 95 per cent of all McLaren P1 hypercars personalised through MSO Bespoke.

While every McLaren is created special, MSO aims to ensure that every McLaren is as unique as its owner.

Strange things often happen in the evolutionary process - in trying to develop a level of customer service appropriate for the most desired, exclusive cars in the world McLaren created something else. The one-off McLaren supercar.

The ultimate in bespoke automotive. And when questioned about the lengths they will go to in order to satisfy a client’s plans for customisation, McLaren Special Operations don’t respond in terms of yes or no, rather they simply ask: ‘How much?’

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For Your Eyes Only – First Edition James Bond Books from Peter Harrington Words by BEN FOWLER

That’s the beauty of rare books. If you mail a rare stamp it becomes worthless. If you drink a rare bottle of wine, you’re left with some recycling, but if you read a rare book it’s still there, it’s still valuable, and it’s achieved the full measure of its being. - Charles Lovett

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ith a digital world expressing literature and music in perceptibly less tangible ways, the tactility of an antique book or LP is becoming increasingly attractive – and not just to collectors.

In the case of rare books, for instance, there are motivations that do not apply to, say, stamp collectors. After all, there’s little point in having these things if we don’t ever have the pleasure of looking at them; and an antique book grants something greater still – an open door to revisit the world within. What doors we choose to step through make a collection as individual as the collector; like ourselves, of infinite variability.

With their own extraordinary collection, Peter Harrington, the UK’s largest rare book seller and one of the leading rare book sellers in the world, invites us to take a take a timely trip into the world of Britain’s most enduring of literary icons – Ian Fleming’s James Bond.

Ian Fleming’s own distinguished book collection now resides in Indiana University for the enjoyment of future generations of authors, leaving the rest of us with the fourteen James Bond stories to enjoy. With the autumn release of Spectre, the 24th Bond film, there has been a massive upsurge of interest in rare editions of these beautifully designed books; their distinctive artwork making them exceptional gifts. In the case of rare books, value is not exponentially charted; to use an analogy that Bond would approve of, it is a little like fine Champagne. For relatively small improvements in quality, the price of his beloved Dom Perignon may jump from £100 to £10,000, and to the layperson it may not seem 100 times better. There are specific qualities that make the £10,000 bottle of wine the type that James Bond orders. This type of variance means that there are still affordable, well-conditioned first edition Bond books which, combined with his cultural ubiquity, make them an accessible starting point for those interested in collecting rare modern literature. The Peter Harrington collection currently comprises 29 rare individual copies of James Bond books for sale, ranging in price from £65 to £45,000, with the following examples among them.

The first edition and impression copy of On Her Majesty’s Secret Service, 1963, was the first Bond book to be published after the release of his first cinematic outing and is priced at £400.

Of interest to the Bond canon are several nods made to the movie franchise; describing the first Bond girl, Ursula Andress as a beautiful woman, and referencing Sean Connery by explaining that Bond’s father was Scottish. Bond’s final words to his murdered wife “we have all the time in the world,” would inspire the Louis Armstrong movie theme six years later. During the novel, 007 made fine use of all this time by setting his personal record and consuming a total of 46 alcoholic drinks. The cover, illustrated by Richard Chopping, features the Bond family crest and motto `The World Is Not Enough´, which would go on to provide the title for the final Bond movie of the 20th century.

The Man with the Golden Gun, first edition, state and issue is an excellent demonstration of the fineries of rare book collection. This example, priced at £8,000 has a gilt gun design on the front board which was abandoned very quickly due to economic reasons. Out of 82, 000 copies perhaps only 150 were made with this detailing.

Controversy surrounds the last full James Bond adventure – the short stories Octopussy and The Living Daylights were released a year later as a collection of shorts. Golden Gun was released posthumously and its departure from Fleming’s detail-heavy, journalistic-style prompted many to accuse publishers of “finishing off” an incomplete work, a lost manuscript. Critic and novelist Kingsley Amis went so far as to say that it was a “sad, empty tale, empty of the interests and effects that, for better or worse, Fleming made his own.” It remains an enigma in the Bond canon.

The fantastic flame artwork of Moonraker was conceived by Fleming himself and illustrated by Kenneth Lewis, the design used is very difficult to find without “sunning” - fading or darkening of its vivid colours. One of the more interesting stories behind this novel is that Fleming tortured over its title – thankfully rejecting the alternatives of

The Infernal Machine and Mondays are Hell. The film would feature more space travel than the original story due to its release two years after Star Wars exploded interest in science fiction – the somewhat ill-fitting title providing the perfect excuse. The first edition, first impression is available in all its incandescent glory for €12,500.

Casino Royale was the first published Bond book, which meant that, as with many new authors, many of the first editions were sent to libraries.

First published in 1953, the initial run was a mere 4500 copies. All of this means that the rarity of good condition copies is extreme, with Peter Harrington in possession of a superb example priced at £42,500. The striking dust-cover art was again provided by Fleming’s friend - then fledgling artist - Kenneth Lewis, who also produced the hot pink Harlem-inspired cover for Live and Let Die. The red hearts and yellow tiles design was the inspiration for the dazzling opening credit sequence for the 2006 version of Casino Royale.

Over fifty years after being published, the same imagery that graced his first cover would be used to herald Daniel Craig, his new-look Bond reigniting interest in the original books. Pom Harrington of Peter Harrington provides an amazing example of current interest “We sold one particularly fine copy of Casino Royale four times in the past few years: for £22,000 in 2002; £26,000 in 2006; £30,000 in 2008; and lastly, in 2013, for £50,000. This gives a good indication of the price trend of James Bond first editions in that period.”

With Spectre promising a reimagining of the classic Blofeld storyline and with rumors abound of Craig’s possible replacement; perhaps instead of betting on whether Tom Hardy or Idris Elba will be the next star, it would be more financially beneficial to predict which first edition will provide the film’s inspiration instead… www.peterharrington.co.uk

Chartwell Journal

Thirteenth Edition

Dressed to Kill Words by BEN FOWLER

The term bespoke comes from bespoken, and was popularized in relation to tailoring, literally meaning “to speak about your clothes.” And nowhere will you find bespoke better applied than to the gentleman’s tailors of London’s Savile Row - and thanks to their role dressing the archetypal English gentleman, nowhere will you find clothes spoken of more highly. This year is of importance to one of Savile Row’s most famous customers, seeing the release of the 24th James Bond movie - Spectre. Bond has long been associated with the master tailors of London, and although the saying goes “the clothes make the man”, let us consider in turn the men who make the clothes.

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Felix Leiter: Interesting … where were you measured for this, bud?

James Bond: My tailor. Savile Row. Leiter: That’s so? Mine’s a guy in Washington.

(Cue trademark Connery look of disdain) From its announcement, Spectre has positioned itself as a “classic” take on James Bond lore, resurrecting the evil organization first name-checked in From Russia with Love. Daniel Craig’s first take on the character - as a younger man in Casino Royale - was tutored on the importance of the tailored suit by love interest Eva Green, who told him… “There are dinner jackets and dinner jackets; this is the latter. And I need you looking like a man who belongs at that table”. Bond would learn his lesson well, with Craig silencing critics of his look and reminding the audience of the saying that a well-tailored suit is to women what lingerie is to men.

James Bond: That’s fine. You can fit the rest this afternoon.

Tailor: Right, sir.

Bond: Don’t forget the double vents.

(Looking at ties) Bond: (Picking out the brown tie he dons) This will do nicely. This (another tie) is a little frantic; I’ll keep the other three.

To the present day, the Bond-Savile style incorporates many features of the classic English suit; double vents, reverse pleats and darts are used to work in harmony with the physique of their wearer.

The differences in the build of Daniel Craig and other Bonds are fairly obvious, the tailoring working to avoid an overly-muscular, inelegant look. More subtle differences in frame such as those between Sean Connery and Roger Moore also lead to major structural differences between their suits. The tailor’s art is to maximize form, to take into account your ‘figuration’, which is as specific as the way you lean or stand.

Dr. Holly Goodhead: Have you broken something?

James Bond: Only my tailor’s heart.

Roger Moore’s Bond is somewhat infamous for his flared trousers, but this hints at something of a misunderstood legacy. Through his tailor, Cyril Castle of Savile Row, and his own fashion-awareness, Moore’s was the most fashionable Bond so far. Fashion, unfortunately, has a tendency to create anachronism. Cyril Castle’s trousers have subtly flared legs, which would now be called “boot-cut.”

They tapered gently to the knee and gently flare out below the knee. If there could be an elegant example of flared mens trousers, this would be it. Castle took the fashion trend and used the skill of his trade to bring out all of its best qualities. A skilled tailor gives a client an experienced eye and, by proxy, generations of expertise to cast upon the fads of the day.

James Bond on Benz’s suit: Not mad about his tailor - are you?

From pin to chalk-stripe, Savile Row has always prepared Bond for the city, being best known for his blue and grey suits. Although occasionally wearing brown, Bond prescribes to the tailoring adage that country colours are for the country, and city colours for the city. But the English suit is not about fitting in, nor is it about standing out – it is a question of accentuation. There is a clear difference between the flashy and the simple - but both make an uncomplicated statement, the tailors of Savile Row, however, aim to create a fit for both you and your personality. And you don’t need to be James Bond to see the benefit of such an approach.

Largo: Do you lose as gracefully as you win?

James Bond: I don’t know, I’ve never lost.

James Bond is, no matter how iconic, merely a character, and while the tailors of Savile Row are famously secretive about their clients, the few stories that are known show that the Row has had a hand in the larger affairs of the world. If clothes make the man, then these artisans have lent their skill to make the men who have helped make the world. Just how synonymic is Savile Row with English style? Today the Japanese call a suit a ‘sebiro’ - which is their pronunciation of ‘Savile Row’.

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Linley Celebrates Thirty Years November marks the 30th anniversary of LINLEY, the design company known for creating beautiful furniture and interiors. The company has a rich British heritage imbued by its Chairman and founder David Linley who, as son of the imminent photographer and renowned architect Lord Snowdon and the late Princess Margaret, grew up with an appreciation for beautiful things and a fascination for the way they are made. LINLEY has grown out of Davidâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s passion for wood, something that is evident as soon as you enter one of their London shops; sleek furniture and accessories featuring vibrantly dyed veneers and inventive uses of marquetry are everywhere you look.

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Followers of the company will remember the breathtaking Skyline Panel, a carefully composited view of London as if seen from the city’s rooftops at dusk, which turns the traditional notion of marquetry on its head. It is an almost photo-realistic portrayal of the British capital with awe-inspiring detail and accuracy that took over 750 hours to design and a further 800 hours for one craftsman to put the 20,000 individual pieces of veneer together. At almost two and a half metres tall and three and a half wide, the panel is atmospheric, enthralling and cements LINLEY as the leader of modern marquetry.

hen David started the company in 1985 it was to create exquisite furniture of the highest quality but, over the years and in response to its clients, LINLEY has expanded to offer beautiful upholstery, accessories, fitted furniture and kitchens, as well as a full interior design service – the awardwinning team are currently working on designs for the main lobby, residents’ lounges and penthouses for the first phase of development at Battersea Power Station. In short, LINLEY creates everything beautiful for the home and with a team of world-class designers and craftsmen, is famed for turning its clients’ dreams into reality.

Everything LINLEY creates starts its journey in the design studio above the flagship shop on London’s Pimlico Road and the city has often been a source of inspiration for its designers.

LINLEY’s celebration of London and its architecture lives on and this year’s pieces of ‘Extraordinary Furniture’, the term coined

by LINLEY to describe the star pieces they create to demonstrate their latest design and craftsmanship techniques, have taken

inspiration from modern architecture and the way it shifts and transforms in the changing light of day. The façades of the pieces are unsurprisingly created in intricate marquetry (using shimmering mother of pearl alongside traditional wooden veneers), but unlike the Skyline Panel the three pieces of cabinetry are both functional pieces of furniture and objects of art. The use of the pieces is a reflection of the time of day each one represents, so Dawn is a Gentleman’s Vanity Cabinet, designed to prepare the discerning gentleman for the day ahead, Noon is a City Bureau and Dusk is a Cocktail Console, fully stocked with LINLEY sparkling crystal and complete with a levitating drinks tray that appears to float in mid-air.

The floating tray is just one example of how LINLEY’s designs stand out from the rest.

Going beyond simple functionality, each piece must possess character and soul,

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achieved through imaginative design and superlative craftsmanship. There are often unexpected openings, hidden compartments and secret drawers designed make people smile and bring excitement into their lives and everyday functions. These features are feats of engineering and concealing one in a piece of furniture tests even the most experienced craftsman, not to mention the owner of a bespoke desk who cannot remember the location of their secret drawer!

It is extraordinary to look back on thirty years of design and see the breadth of creations that have come out of the LINLEY workshops, from resplendent architectural pieces to modern masterpieces. To celebrate its anniversary this year, the company is launching a collection of accessories inspired by past designs cherry picked from the archives. The collection includes both little and large, from the charming Aston

Chair Paperweight, a miniature bronze version of LINLEYâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s iconic Aston Chair, to the impressive Studio #20 Mirror, which explores perspective through a camera lens, there is something for everyone. Unsurprisingly for LINLEY there is another story linking the collection; starting with 1985 and the first accessory designed by David Linley, each piece references a year in the companyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s history, together taking you on a journey through its creative history. www.davidlinley.com

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Thirteenth Edition

Londonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Sky Garden: A Gourmet Garden Oasis Words by GRACE SHEPPARD

The long awaited, and highly anticipated, Sky Garden - a gourmet, garden oasis - opened earlier this year, and has spread its wings to soar from the top of 20 Fenchurch Street. Radiating out from 35th to 37th floors, the garden illuminates the skyline with the Sky Pod, Darwin Brasserie and Fenchurch Seafood Bar & Grill. Within the Sky Garden the freedom of the outdoors is beckoned into a luxurious indoors by the highest roof-top garden in London, allowing diners to feast on sweeping panoramas of the city. A simply stunning garnish to any meal.

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nitially caught slightly off-guard by airport-style security on arrival, many Londoners know 20 Fenchurch Street as the Walkie-Talkie - due to its’ striking architecture. Unlike an airport, however, this welcome is extremely efficient and fast forgotten as you’re whisked up to the 37th floor.

From the moment the lift doors open, the view captivates - almost captures - your eyes, as you are walked through the warehouse-style ambience of clean lines and open steel. These surroundings perched safely on high, form the perfect nest for one of my favourite past-times people-watching.

The timing of our visit couldn’t have been better either, the first clear sky of the year rewarding us with the impression of a glass box hanging in some exotic, tropical paradise. Resplendent with richly-planted terraces, delivering wonderful fragrance and colour, the garden was truly enchanting. As we walked up the stairs, our attentions were spoilt with this vibrant garden to our left and the breath-taking view to our right. It was at this point Sky Gardens reassured my love for London. We couldn’t believe it was London below; it felt more like New York City set in a tropic oasis. The Big Apple in the Garden of Eden. Only here the apple was no forbidden fruit.

Invigorated and inspired by the view, we headed for the secrets to be found at what seems like the very top of the world. Fenchurch Seafood Bar & Grill was calling our names, and promised the perfectly-chilled follow-up to the views that we had already enjoyed drinking in. The décor of reassuring cream leather banquettes, hard slate finishes and dazzling west-facing views has proven an instant hit with City workers looking for that perfect blend of elegance and sophistication. Our table tipped over the edge of the dining area, with an incredible view of the contrasting natural, vibrant greens of the gardens below - created by renowned landscape architect Gillespies - and the buzzing, multi-colour kaleidoscope of London laid out in front of us. It is not hyperbole to claim that, with this view, we were sat at possibly the best table in London.

On the menu were noteworthy items such as salmon gravlax and salt-baked celeriac. This was perfectly followed by mains of sirloin steak and gnocchi with apple and pomegranate.

Desserts stole the show with a delicate lemon meringue tart contrasting beautifully with basil ice cream, while a classic warm chocolate fondant served with honeycomb and caramelised banana hit the spot.

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Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s safe to say Sky Gardens has become a favorite venue for me. I love the whole package: the design, the views and the idea of spending a Saturday afternoon safe among the heavens -watching the world in motion as itsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; tiny inhabitants pass by far below. I hope that as the Sky Garden settles into its home in Fenchurch, perched high above the London streets, it grows to further embody warmth and passion; the warmth and beauty of the gardens it houses with the passion and electricity of the city that surrounds it. www. skygarden.london

PORTFOLIO Chartwell Estates

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Wentworth

Henley Ascot West Sussex

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n keeping with the theme of the latest Chartwell Journal and Portfolio, I’d like to wish you the Best of British luck in taking in nearly 100 pages of world-class property and property-related articles from the Chartwell Estates office and of our friends and associates.

From getting “young Evgeny” into the finest schools in the land (Richard Northey, our education consultant on page 112) to planning your property and investment structures in the light of new legislation impacts on the non-dom sector (Cornerstone page 110 & London & Capital’s Mark Estcourt page 156) we’ve tried to address the key issues impacting our core clientele in this bumper edition. Of particular interest to real estate investors will be the unique private equity platform established by Cogress (page 146).

London Surrey Sussex

As always we’ve included some of the world’s finest properties – from the golden beaches of Barbados and the Palazzate, a unique beachfront home for the most discerning (page 152), by way of South Africa and the quite stunning Leeu Collection a functional winery, a luxury spa and a boutique hotel in Franschhoek owned by Delhi-based industrialist Analjit Singh (page 150) to a quite stunning and unique villa on the Palm Jumeirah in Dubai (page 144).

We could not of course have a Best of British edition without featuring some of the finest country homes and properties available in simply sublime settings – all close to at least one of the locations for the traditional “Season” – the social calendar’s list of sporting and cultural events over the British Summer; hats-off and a very British “Hurrah” to our good friends

Switzerland

Vienna

Dubai Barbados

South Africa

at Hamptons International for allowing us to showcase these gems. To set the tone, our writer in residence, Ben Fowler gives a brief history of the Country House (page 102) and we interview Marcus Barnett, winner of a Gold Medal at the Chelsea Flower Show (page 105) As always, there are appearances from the many friends and associates that Chartwell Estates have, from Bremont Watches (mine’s a ALT1-B if you’re stuck for a Christmas present) to West One, the family-run but international purveyor of the finest bathrooms.

Last but not least wonderful contributions from our Italian property partner, Allegra Baistrocchi on a wonderful marketing event on the shores of Lake Como in a quite frankly stunning property (page 148).

Contributions too on that very British institution the

“Buy to Let” market from our legal advisors, Rosenblatt LawLLP (page 121) and finally from Brett Gregory-Peake, Director of Marketing at Adoreum, his personal take on “Britishness” (accents and all) as well as a glimpse of the British talent and young entrepreneurs his company have had the good fortune to work with in recent months.

“Chin up and stiff upper lip” Michael J Christian

CONTRIBUTORS Richard Northey The Education Consultancy

Michael Christian Head of Chartwell Estates

What is the “Best of British” for you?

Whether it is products or services, “Best of British” represents the highest quality. Britain has a worldwide reputation for brands and services which are the leaders in their field and to which others brands aspire, as well as individuals and companies seek to own and benefit from their services.

What is the “Best of British” for you?

A blend of humour, politeness (to a fault) a sense of fair play. Add to that hundreds of years of tradition and world-changing history - the globe may no longer be three-quarters red but there’s a legacy, on the whole good, that has reached to four corners of the world.

Where is your favourite place in Britain and why?

Bristol is my favourite location in the UK. It is my university city which offers fantastic sights, restaurants, a great atmosphere and for myself great memories, although it is prone to raining rather a lot!

If you could recommend one thing that someone visiting Britain do during their stay then what would it be?

The Houses of Parliament is a must see location. This includes visiting inside the building as it is historic, iconic, but also living and relevant. From amazing architecture and design to walking in the footsteps of political giants, such as Churchill, it is a building which never fails to inspire both old and young alike.

Benjamin Austin Art Consultant

What is the greatest thing that Britain has given to the world?

Britain is birthplace of modern parliamentary democracy. This has embodied individual rights, privileges and a sense of fair play which not only defines Britain, but also are values to which many countries aspire and continue to do so today. The world is a richer and more enlightened place through this development and it is why the British Parliament is known as the “Mother of all Parliaments”.

Where is your favourite place in Britain and why?

I could tell you but if then have to kill you. It’s my favourite and I don’t like sharing. What I will say is that the beauty of the spot never fails to take me, sun or rain and whatever season. For a relatively small island Britain has undoubtedly some of the most varied & beautiful countryside in the world.

If you could recommend one thing that someone visiting Britain do during their stay then what would it be?

In London it would be to walk around looking up - second floor and above. There is some of the most wonderful architecture from pretty much every period from Roman ruins to iconic Norman Foster creations.

Outside of the Capital it would be to sit on a beach or harbour side in North Devon or Cornwall, with a pint of something local and watch the sun set over the Atlantic and marvel at the people who have lived, worked and fought on the oceans. Britain’s maritime history and prowess never fails to send a shiver down my spine.

What is the greatest thing that Britain has given to the world?

The best sports in the world - rugby, cricket & football. It’s just a pity the rest of the world are a lot better at them now! Also an unwavering sense of gentlemanly conduct; from an honourable handshake to seal a deal to holding doors open (thanked or not).

What is the “Best of British” for you?

The best of British for me is reflected in our bands, artists, actors, writers/poets, filmmakers and fashion designers all of whom have changed the way we live and think.

So in no particular order the Best of British for me is summed up by – Battered fish n chips, Sunday Roast with all the trimmings and the Sunday Times. Gin and tonic, served with ice and a slice. Real ale pulled from a pump in a traditional oak beamed pub (yes it is meant to be room temperature). High tea at four o’ cock with scones, strawberry jam and clotted cream. Cucumber sandwiches with the crusts cut off. The infamous British summer, cricket on the village green, pitchers of Pimms, strawberry and cream at Wimbledon. The Royal Academy Summer show. Not forgetting Croquet and Punting.

Mince pies and Christmas puddings with brandy butter. Tweed cloth and Saville Row tailors. The BBC. Where is your favourite place in Britain and why?

My favourite place in Britain must be Bailiffscourt Hotel in Climping, West Sussex located close to Arundel Castle. It is where we used to spend our family summer holidays. The place holds very special memories for me, with its’ narrow passageways and Gothic windows, courtyard and gardens. The hotel now boasts a Spa and is a short distance to unspoilt Climping Beach. The hotel is luxurious and historic; it embodies a certain refinement, tradition and elegance that can only be found in Britain.

If you could recommend one thing that someone visiting Britain do during their stay then what would it be?

The one thing that I would I encourage a visitor to Britain to do during their stay would be an afternoon spent walking around Hampstead and taking in the Heath. Hampstead has a village feel with back alleys and a handful of traditional pubs, including the famous The Spaniards Inn, which is mentioned in Dicken’s Pickwick Papers and Bram Stoker’s Dracula, it is also known to have been frequented by the highwayman, Dick Turpin. Visitors to Hampstead can also take in Keats’ House, Burgh House and the glorious Kenwood House (which is home to a marvellous Rembrandt and a stunning Vermeer).

What is the greatest thing that Britain has given to the world?

Britain has given the world so much, so it must be a toss up between John Logie Baird’s invention of the television in 1925 and Tim Berners-Lee’s invention of the World Web Wide in 1989. Both have changed the lives of millions, giving us a new world of information and entertainment. My money is on the Web as the greatest gift to the world.

Ben Fowler Chartwell Editorial Team

What is the “Best of British” for you?

Britain is a place that simultaneously manages to be obsessively reserved and outlandishly odd – and I think our best reflects this duality: class and character perfectly blended.

Where is your favourite place in Britain and why?

The West Country. It’s where I grew up and is a lovely place that, despite what you’ve been told, welcomes outsiders just please stop laughing at our accents.

If you could recommend one thing that someone visiting Britain do during their stay then what would it be?

Explore. Britain has far more of the weird and wonderful than you might think – tourist spots are one thing, but take a road trip and go and discover some if it’s eccentricities!

What is the greatest thing that Britain has given to the world?

You could name any number of things from masterworks of literature to world-changing breakthroughs in science; but maybe it should be weather that makes everyone else in the world feel a little better about themselves.

Marcus Barnett Chelsea Flower Show Gold Medal Winner:

What is the “Best of British” for you?

British countryside and cow parsley laden banks.

Where is your favourite place in Britain and why?

Burgh Island - because it conjure up idyllic childhood memories of rock pools, ice creams and mackerel fishing.

If you could recommend one thing that someone visiting Britain do during their stay then what would it be?

Walk the through the New Forest and end up at the Limewood Hotel for tea and cocktails What is the greatest thing that Britain has given to the world?

Pubs, tankards and warm beer.

MKI

ANY R E SEM B L AN CE TO T H E DA SH BOAR D O F THE E-T YPE JAGUAR IS PURELY INTENTIONAL .

Enzo Ferrari called it the most beautiful car in the world. Now two new watches pay homage to Malcolm Sayer’s ground-breaking design. The Bremont MKI and MKII have been developed in partnership with Jaguar. The dials are inspired by the E-Type’s tachometer and the winding weight is based on the car’s iconic steering wheel. You may never own the car, but the MKI and the MKII might just be the next best thing.

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Okewood Hill Estate Words by FRANCIS HOLMES

The Okewood Hill Estate on the edge of The Surrey Hills is believed to date from the 16th Century and was probably built on the site of a Roman station. Artefacts have been found in the grounds dating back to the Roman period. Grade ll Listed, the house has stunning brick elevations with exposed timbers, part tiled elevations, under a tile roof. Extensively renovated and updated this six-bedroomed house has still kept the original Tudor designs, with magnificent oak timberwork and flagstone flooring.

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ithin the beautifully landscaped gardens and grounds (some 21 acres in all) there are additional properties including garaging with au pair flat above, a detached cottage, stabling with loose boxes, stores, tackroom, paddocks and ménage. The grounds include an exquisite pond, heated Koi Carp Lake as well as a stocked fishing lake.

Not only is the property ideally placed between both London Heathrow and Gatwick airports, it also has a permanent professional helipad to ensure you can avoid London’s busy roads – transporting you in minutes to your beautifully landscaped gardens and grounds.

The main house itself lives up to the stage upon which it’s set, including a magnificent drawing room, music gallery and a spectacular indoor swimming pool.

You’ll not be surprised either that it includes a wellappointed gymnasium, home cinema and superb 35ft Clive Christian kitchen/breakfast room.

£6,000,000 For more information contact estates@chartwell-london.com 0207 409 0533 chartwell-estates.com

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EXC EPT IONAL

P R O P E RT Y

WO R L DW IDE

Chartwell Estates is a Private Brokerage and Advisory Service for UHNW individuals and families. The company operates as a bespoke office for the discreet acquisition or disposal of property-based assets, both privately and off-market. We only deal through established contacts, networking globally with private individuals, families and professional advisors. Through our trusted network we also provide a broad range of specialist advisory and management services that are complimentary to our clientelesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; requirements.

London: +44 (0)207 409 0533

privateoffice@chartwell-london.com

www.chartwell-estates.com

Queen Elizabeth Street Words by FRANICS HOLMES

Two decades ago, this Queen Elizabeth Street apartment was down and out, a warehouse that had all all but withered. But its current owners had other ideas. From the dizzying brick walls to every nut-brown timber beam, this marvellous apartment is not as good as new, but better. Paired sofas and a professional pool table impress beneath the sitting room’s pitched ceiling, while a steel-clad kitchen and a coolly upcycled coffee table are honed and hewed. Whether you skip to the mezzanine master bedroom, or scan the skies from the loungey balcony, here you can be sure yours is a story that ends happily.

The current owners are no strangers to restoring old buildings – they do it for a living. For all Queen Elizabeth Street’s dereliction, they fell in love with its structure, and the rest is history.

What initially drew you to purchase the property?

Chance - we were just passing by - saw a billboard - broke into the property through a little gap in the gate - and signed the cheque for the deposit - all within an hour!

Have you always lived in the area/London, why should people visit London?

Mostly in the SE London apart from 7 years living in France when we rented the flat on a long term basis.

London is buzzing with life - amazing food, fun bars and clubs - that’s jazz clubs for us, great theatre, street

markets, arts, shopping, and it’s truly international basically London has everything - what’s not to love.

What is your favourite thing about the area, what would you recommend to people staying in the area?

Just a few of the things we love are: • Bermondsey Street a 5 min walk - loads of fun restaurants there - Jose Tapas bar, Casse-Croute, Pizarro; cafes; galleries - White Cube; great local cinema - Shortwave.

• Borough market - go early as it gets really crowded.

• Maltby street weekend market - artisanal food stalls all set up in and around the railway arches belonging to • Story - Tom Sellers Michelin starred restaurant - built in the old loo in Tooley Street - amazing experience.

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Is there anything that you would change about your home?

No - nothing - except perhaps I would buy the flat downstairs and join them both up - we have a large family and could do with another 3 bedrooms.

If you did not live in London then where would you live?

We lived in New York for a while and in France - in the middle of no-where - but neither came close to living here in the heart of London.

What makes a house a home?

Well for our house its the warmth of the wood and brick, the light (again).

When someone says to you “Best of British” what does that conjure up in your mind?

For me it is the flexibility, diversity and multicultural acceptance of the British that I find unbeatable. And the sense of humour - they have one!

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South bank - clink, globe theatre, Tate modern, bars restaurants - no cars - so nice to walk all along the river - but it does get really busy.

What is your favourite thing about your property?

The space, the light - ever changing light floods through the vast windows on three sides of the flat - its incredible. The quietness - we are in a courtyard so cushioned from the crazy noise of the city - actually I miss that noise sometimes. And the rain on the roof.

What makes your property unique?

As above really - its huge open space and 15m ceilings - a very cool steel kitchen and a roof terrace looking at the Shard.

Could you tell me why you decided to sign up with onefinestay? What do you love about being a host with us? And how has your experience with us been so far?

I can’t remember exactly how we found onefinestaybut we picked it because of the way it is set up - the concierge service, the fact that our personal things are secured away for us etc. They take away the hassle as we wouldn’t be able to deal with key hand overs and showing people around if we were on a trip, onefinestay is the perfect solution for us. Also we love the assurance of the guests’ identities being confirmed and verified by the onefinestay team.

I guess we got used to renting the apartment out whilst we were living abroad - so it isn’t a huge deal for us to have other people here when we are not. There certainly is an element of ‘sharing’ - or perhaps it’s ‘showing off’ we are proud of what we have done here - so yes - sharing our beautiful, amazingly located home with other people from around the world. But also funding our travels is part of it too. It’s a win win situation for us, really. www.onefinestay.com

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Deers Hill Commanding the Hilltop with style and prestige in Abinger Common, Surrey sits the fabulous Deers Hill property. Splendid in itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Lutyens style with unique interior focal points and boasting superb spatial planning across the 5.5 acres, this property is sure to impress.

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sweeping driveway invites its inhabitants with a colourful array of flowers and well-kept grounds, giving a nod to the arts and crafts style set to welcome upon entrance to the country house. The setting, an area of Outstanding Natural Beauty offers a distinct peacefulness and sense of privacy due to its hilltop position nestled amongst the Surrey Hills with views of the surrounding woodland and open countryside beyond.There are ample patios, opening up the indoor living spaces to its tranquil open-air grounds including a largelevel lawn, with various paths leading to the woodland on lower ground. The wider gardens contain mature specimen trees and a more formal rose and box hedge garden.

The main property showcases a galleried reception hall, 3 principal reception rooms, boot room, pantry and kitchen/breakfast room. On the lower ground floor there is a games room, studio/ hobbies room, home cinema/playroom with cloakroom and kitchen area, additional study, utility room, large storeroom. Upstairs is a Master bedroom with walk-in wardrobe/dressing room, ensuite bath and shower room and a further 4 bedroom suites. Amongst

the outbuildings you will find a beautiful lodge cottage with a bed sitting room, kitchen area and bathroom. Garaging is included for extra security.

Architecturally splendid in its Lutyens Arts & Crafts style, there are many impressive features to be discovered within the property.

Contemporary light-filled living with a strong focus on creative design shines through. A magnificent two storey stone bay is particularly notable, with brick mullions and oak framed windows.

Furthermore the property benefits from the distinctive covered loggia, ideal for summer dining and entertaining.

Deers Hill is uniquely positioned - only 1 mile away from the delightful village of Abinger Hammer with regular, fast services to Waterloo. ÂŁ3,850,000 For more information contact estates@chartwell-london.com 0207 409 0533 chartwell-estates.com

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Graffham Court Graffham Court, situated in Petworth, West Sussex is a truly attractive, privately situated country estate nestled in the heart of the South Downs.

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ith splendor and hearty country living at its core, Graffham Court proudly sits upon a magnificent 4-story position, occupying just over 41 acres of land complete with paddocks, a stick and ball polo ground and an all weather manege and exercise track. Wider leisure facilities and amenities include an open 4 bay lean-to on the modern barn, pool house with kitchenette and shower and workshop. It even has a well â&#x20AC;&#x201C; a magical touch for any wishes you may like to make!

Graffham Court is an attractive, stone built property

understood to date back to the late 19th century. The property displays many notable features including Ashlar Quoins and stone mullion windows beneath a tiled roof. Exuding an abundance of charm and distinguished taste throughout its interior, the house is sure to appeal with its decorative cornicing, attractive oak joinery and open fireplaces- a positively fine property sure to entertain throughout the seasons.

Internally, Graffham court is arranged over four floors and dressed in a style which offers a delightful blend of both comfort and high-end luxury.The layout is well-proportioned and generously

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sized; with structural highlights including its very own lightenhancing orangery complete with pleasing views across the estate & direct access to the gardens. Furthermore you will find four reception rooms, a fully fitted kitchen and breakfast room with its own Aga cooker and a games room & wine cellar can be found on the lower floor.

In addition, the property hosts a generous amount of bedrooms including two bedroom suites and a further five/six bedrooms all decorated to the highest specification.

Graffham Court is simply perfect for those who like to enjoy the country air- once you have fully explored its 41 acres of land you will be able to find direct access to Ambersham Common for extensive riding and walking. In addition, there is also the potential to undertake within the grounds, additional country sports, including shooting, if desired.

The property benefits from a well-connected location, allowing the home owner to truly enjoy their countryside living whilst still being able to access key locations within easy driving distance London (68 miles), Gatwick Airport (42 miles) & Heathrow Airport (49 miles) whilst a train ride to London Waterloo takes approximately 55 minutes. ÂŁ6,950,000

For more information contact estates@chartwell-london.com 0207 409 0533 chartwell-estates.com

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Brook Bran Windlesbrook, Surrey A rare opportunity to enjoy a countryside setting with open views across the Surrey greenbelt whilst just a short 23 minutes journey to London Waterloo

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ach barn has been creatively designed to offer open plan living, styled with a chic â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;retro-industrialâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; look exquisitely crafted to the highest specification and with an unparalleled attention to detail. These 5 bedroom, 4 bathroom homes benefit from triple height volumes with generous room sizes and have been specified and detailed to appeal to those who enjoy a stylish and luxurious living environment.

Each home benefits from 2.7m ground floor ceiling heights, contemporary and magnificently equipped kitchens and bathrooms, cinema/entertainment rooms and stunning full height windows and balconies.

Integrated wired networks for data and home entertainment systems, bring these homes alive with the latest technology.

ÂŁ2,125,000 For more information contact estates@chartwell-london.com 0207 409 0533 chartwell-estates.com

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Office UK 23 Hanover Square , Mayfair London W1S 1JB T

Factory Italy Via Milani 1 Ripoli 64023 Mosciano Santâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Angelo ( TE )

+44 203 7058465 | info@segmento.co.uk | www.segmento.co.uk

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Follies Farm Follies farm is a country estate like no other, offering the perfect setting for a unique stay just 1 mile away from the attractive village of Chiddingfold. The farm provides an utterly idyllic setting for long days and nights epitomising the perfect blend of luxury, relaxation and recreation to suit all desires and tastes throughout the seasons.

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he picturesque and secluded grounds are sure to charm upon arrival as the long, sweeping driveway invites you to explore its 114 acres of expansive open pastures and parklands, scattered with mature trees and simply bristling with the flurry of birds, wildlife and peaceful tranquillity.

The farm has many features and outbuildings including the main house, barn cottage, swimming pool complex, cottage, outbuildings with multiple garage and storage spaces, cricket grounds and pavilion.

Once inside, the interior exudes warmth, character and good taste, relaxed informality at its best. Structurally, it is truly splendid in character, with the most pleasing array of traditional cottage-style features including long stretches of sweeping oak beams, wooden floors, characterful archways, exposed open brick chimneys and hearty open fires.

Attention to detail is expressed in every aspect from its oak doorways & impressive joinery right through to its tasteful choice of furnishings with complementary lighting to give an added glow throughout the year- here, you are sure to find your perfect nesting spot.

Complete with its very own leisure complex, diverse enough to suit a variety of interests including its own private swimming pool, sauna, gym, pilates studio, cricket grounds with pavilion, boules pitches & more.

Take a stroll amongst the wider grounds and you will happen upon gardens flourishing with flora and fauna allowing its guests to delight in the senses, free to enjoy the fresh produce from its walled organic vegetable garden.

This beautiful and expansive estate boasts a convenient location, with the nearest village of Chiddingfold, Surrey just 1 mile away where you will find a picturesque village green, public houses and shops. Accessible by train, car or plane it takes just 37 minutes on the train from London Waterloo whilst the nearest airports are Gatwick (32 miles) & Heathrow (37 miles). ÂŁP.O.A. For more information contact estates@chartwell-london.com 0207 409 0533 chartwell-estates.com

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Barnfield Chartwell Estates proudly present Barnfield; a delightful country estate bountiful in charismatic charm & luxury facilities, just 1 mile from the centre of Dunsfold, near Guildford in Surrey.

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arnfield is one of Surrey’s most attractive country estates; featuring a beautifully appointed country house with two secondary cottages, extensive outbuildings and stabling. The estate benefits from a magnificent 50 acres of private grounds including rolling pastures to the East, complete with woodland areas hosting a delightful array of native flowers, trees and wildlife.

A long and sweeping gravelled driveway welcomes you into the estate inducing a sense of tranquillity and spaciousnesswhilst the electric double-gated entrance provides the desired security and privacy. There is ample space for vehicles as the estate features a spacious parking area with turning circle.

The grounds benefit from immaculate design and maintenance complete with boxed hedges, attractive gardens, well kept lawns & a spectacular circular pond set amidst a walkway of trees, framing the estate beautifully.

The origins of Barnfield are believed to date back to the 16th Century, with refurbishment work having been completed in the 19th century. It epitomises the traditional Surrey/Sussex style, characterised by its heavy oak timber with brick infils, parthanging tile elevations, all under a clay tiled roof. The estate looks exceptionally stunning in the summer months, as the violet hues of wisteria dressing the main house blossoms in the sunshine.

As you enter the house you will find a welcoming interior with unusually high ceilings, insightfully appointed in a way that enhances the sense of light and space within.The interior décor is light and fresh whilst lending a nod to its Tudor heritage complete with inglenooks and polished beams. For contemporary comfort, the house has been well appointed with all of the desired modern features, fusing together seamlessly with the house’s heritage and inviting in the sense of serenity upon which the estate is set.

Within its extensive grounds you will find an excellent array of leisure facilities, from the delightful Dutch Barn outdoor swimming pool with pool house, gym and games room, to the extensive American style stabling- whatever your taste and preferences this estate is sure to impress.

Furthermore the estate benefits from an excellent location connected conveniently to local schools, towns and transport systems. This estate is a truly fine rural retreat with excellent attention to detail and bountiful in light and spaciousness within. £6,750,000 For more information contact estates@chartwell-london.com 0207 409 0533 chartwell-estates.com

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The English Country House Words by BEN FOWLER

The English country house has fascinated both writer and reader for over four hundred years, the perfect backdrop for gathering a group of diverse characters – servants as well as masters – under one roof, watching tensions develop, love affairs begin and catastrophes unfold. The fascination has created a tradition that runs from Pope, Fielding and Austen to Forster, Wodehouse and Waugh. Britain offers something of a contradiction, for a nation that might often profess resentment for the one percent, why can’t they stop reading novels about their stately homes? The reason behind what Waugh called ‘the cult of the English country house’ may well be that the real stories their walls can tell are as fascinating as any told by their fictitious counterparts of Pemberley or Thornfield. Magical places of myth and eccentricity, testaments to their microsmic worlds of yesteryear; worlds of spinning cogs and hierarchies - a gentle swan of sophistication upstairs, while the staff downstairs paddle frantically under the waterline to keep it moving.

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t is difficult in today’s democratic days to fully to grasp the sheer size of the aristocratic fiefdoms that dotted the landscape, in 1911, a national census counted 1.3 million domestic servants, against 1.2 million workers in agriculture. Occupations within the field now seem bizarre, The Marquis of Bath refused to install electricity on grounds of taste at Longleat, instead employing the hapless “lamp boy,” whose endless task, a bit like painting the Golden Gate Bridge, was to clean, trim and refill Longleat’s 400 oil lamps (plus the 140 candles in the private chapel). And then repeat. Another poor lad’s sole occupation in life was to shine the 60 pairs of shoes laid out for him to polish each morning. In Wentworth Woodhouse, staff had to trudge no fewer than five miles of corridors - and since the intrusion of cooking smells to the upstairs was a cardinal offence, a tunnel was built to covertly deliver from kitchen to dining room, complete with train-tracks for the trolleys.

Much to the chagrin and surprise of the gentry, the stripping of manpower caused by World War I and subsequent depression would bring about the end of this way of life. When it was suggested to one duke that, in these hard times, with a French chef and an English roasting cook, he might dispense with the confectioner he also employed in his kitchens, the old boy pleaded: ‘Good God — mayn’t a man have a biscuit with his glass of sherry anymore?’

Extraordinary buildings required extraordinary people, and over the centuries our historic houses have produced more than their fair share of the extraordinary. Kentchurch Court, in the Welsh Marches, for example, was home to many colourful figures, including the family’s magician tutor, Jack of Kent, who legend has it, lived there in the 1400s until he died aged 120 and Lieutenant-Commander Jack Lucas-Scudamore - the first student at Oxford University to own a motor car, who when banned from driving, dressed up as his mother, took her passport and driving licence, and drove to France for the season. We’ll presume he removed the disguise before the debutante balls began.

Insulated from the outside world by vast wealth, and protected by rolling vistas and the social status that a title implies, aristocrats have always been able to amuse themselves by pursuing idiosyncratic interests and manias beyond the point of mere eccentricity. The 12th Duke of Bedford, for example, preferring his parrots to people - forcing his children to steal his birds’ food to make up their meagre rations – while the 5th Duke of Portland paid his staff a bonus on the understanding that they would never try to speak to him. In more recent times the 2nd Lord Rothschild spent weeks attempting to train a team of zebras to pull his carriage up the Mall and into Buckingham Palace; whilst another Duke grew so

dissatisfied that his home’s colourful parrots had died out - being unable to feed them fruit following food rationing - that he had one of his boys dye pigeons in the bright reds and yellows that he had grown accustomed to. Sometimes Burke’s peerage seems such an apt title…

As the way of life that had supported them died out the grandest country houses became white elephants, leading many of them to be demolished. Those that remain, however, stand as museums to British history, full of heritage and lore – some of it more unusual than others. Goodwood House, West Sussex is not only the first estate on which cricket was regularly played, but also home to, among other bizarre items, “The Protestant Cheese”. This vacuumsealed piece of cheese was cut from a large block made by the burgesses of Chester to celebrate the quashing of the 1825 Catholic Rights Emancipation Bill in the House of Lords, and then presented to the Duchess of Richmond by the Duchess of Rutland. It remains in all its glory at Goodwood today.

The real lives of the families of country houses have provided much inspiration to our literary tapestry. Madresfield, Worcestershire, one of the more romantic English country houses has a history peppered with adventure, scandal and tragedy. When William Jennens,the richest commoner in England and a first cousin of Susannah Lygon, died intestate in 1798, Susannah’s illegitimate son was one of his would-be beneficiaries: the estate was then the subject of a court case that lasted 117 years, a case said to be the inspiration for Jarndyce vs Jarndyce in Dickens’ Bleak House. The real life disgrace and legal battle leading Dickens to write: “For if there were no bad people, there would be no good lawyers” From Dickens to Brideshead,Austen to Downton.Why are we still so fascinated by the English country house? Because there remains a romantic melancholy about them: each one a cultural relic of a little universe, never to be revived; an elegant, historic depository of a world that cannot possibly exist in the present day. Perhaps our fascination stems from the belief that however quixotic, something of value from the past - the manners, the eccentricity, the character, perhaps the nice bathrooms - might possibly survive the calamity of the future. Henry James once said that the country house was the greatest of all English inventions - and the only one they got completely right.

For more information contact estates@chartwell-london.com 0207 409 0533 chartwell-estates.com

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April Meadow The British social season is a fusion of two distinct worlds; of tradition, heritage and class, with the vibrant enterprise and accelerating pace of the modern world. Every summer, as the famed social circuit gathers its own momentum, it winds from the Royal Windsor Horse Show to the famous race meeting of Royal Ascot – waving a regal hand at the nearby village of Windlesham as it passes. Here nestled among the romance of woodlands and forests, secure in its own private grounds, sits April Meadow - another perfect blend of opposites. For this one location combines rural tranquility with both a short commute from the heart of the capital and direct international access from Heathrow and the private airfield of Fairoaks.

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n artistry of duality continues as we enter an immaculately presented, architecturally designed house that stands stately in one-and-a-half acres of garden. The modern interior, including the contemporary works of ‘Pininfarina’, has been constructed with classical finesse, utilising traditional materials and skills. The stonework and natural slate of the exterior opens up into a grand, glorious vestibule, a modernistic chandelier cascading light onto a stunning central staircase of mirrored stainless steel with marbled walling. The sentiment that best fits such an entrance is that first impressions last.

The spectacular vaulted entrance hall - perfect for a Champagne toast to the passing seasons’ crowd - extends into an impressive living space in excess of 8,200 square feet spread over 4 floors, with 6 ensuite bedrooms. April Meadow has been finished with acute attention to fine detailing, with exclusive luxuries sourced internationally: from American oak doors to Italian marble fireplaces. Georgian-style sash windows illuminate the lush,

sumptuous carpeting of the bedrooms and triple-aspect lounge underneath the grandeur of 9 foot high ceilings. Moving outside, the grounds boast separate garaging for 4 full-size cars and accommodation for staff detached from the main house.

Neither Old nor New Britain are ever too far away from April Meadow; the Royal residence of Windsor Castle is situated close by, as are prestigious schools - including the renowned Eton College.

The area is also home to both the world-famous Sunningdale Golf Club and the exclusive Wentworth Club course and health resort - which every year holds the much coveted PGA golf tournament.

Alternatively, the latest in stylish relaxation may be found at Coworth Park, Ascot’s luxurious country house hotel and eco-spa.

By providing an unspoiled, idyllic rural essence in a prime commutable location, at April Meadow - from location to design one can truly enjoy the best of both worlds. £5,500,000 For more information contact estates@chartwell-london.com 0207 409 0533 chartwell-estates.com

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Telegraph Garden Designed by Marcus Barnett (Photography by Millie Pilkington)

Marcus Barnett wins Gold Again Interview with MARCUS BARNETT

Leading landscape and garden designer, Marcus Barnett, won Gold at the Chelsea Flower show once again this year for his design for The Telegraph Garden. This was Marcusâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s fifth show garden inspired by the De Stijl Movement. Chartwell sat down with Marcus to talk through the show, his inspiration and what he has coming up for the rest of the year.

A very warm welcome to you Marcus and might we wish you our congratulations for achieving the Gold medal for your design for The Telegraph Garden. How important an event is the RHS Chelsea Flower show to you as an opportunity to exhibit your work?

Immensely important. Although exhibiting brings a lot of work and pressure, the infectious energy that goes into creating a garden at Chelsea is extraordinary. It provides one with the

opportunity to lay bare oneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s creativity and allow it to be judged, by the media, the RHS and the public.

How long in the process are the preparations for the Chelsea Flower show?

The preparations take over a year to complete. There is a great deal of meticulous planning which needs to take place in order to deliver a gold medal winning garden.

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Could you talk us through the concept of your design? Were you given a brief beforehand?

The garden took the abstract expression of natural forms and portrayed a distillation of the natural landscape.

The planting was laid out in vertical, horizontal and simple rectangular forms in similarity to the canvasses of De Stijlâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s artists. The colour scheme also took its influence from the movement, using blocks of bold colour and also whites in accordance with the work of the De Stijl artists. I was not given a brief beforehand. I developed the concept and was lucky enough to be chosen by The Daily Telegraph.

Your garden was very well received, what did the Queen have to say when you showed her around?

She was very interested in the concept and the background which lead to the development of the theme of the garden.

How easy is it to work within the space provided for the show and do you prepare to work in a limited space or a greater expanse?

It is very difficult to work within the space provided and the showground in general. The space is very constrained and again requires meticulous planning to ensure that delivery is accurate and no detail is missed in the logistics and the execution.

Have you got any ideas on how you might better your garden for next years show?

One constantly aims to improve and this can only be done by identifying previous errors and aiming not to repeat those errors.

However, it is important to allow for creative flair and so at the outset you have to be bold and brave in the initial concept. I have ideas for a future show garden but it is too early to say what those ideas are!

Where do you draw inspiration for your gardens?

The British countryside, architecture and design in all fields beyond landscape design.

Is there any one landscape designer/mentor that has had the greatest impact on your career to date?

Many, but if I had to name one it would be Fernando Caruncho.

His work is extraordinary and incredibly well detailed.

What have you got to look forward to for the rest of the year?

We have some amazing projects including several international ones, as far afield as Tokyo and Riyadh. These range from private gardens, to public realm spaces and high end international hotels.

Many Thanks Marcus www.marcusbarnett.com

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Telegraph Garden designed by Marcus Barnett (Photography by Matthew Evans)

Telegraph Garden designed by Marcus Barnett (Photography by Matthew Evans)

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The Great British Property Bake Off Words by FRANCIS HOLMES

There is no denying Britain has a love for baking, one that has been rejuvenated and repackaged for younger generation’s through popular TV shows like the Great British Bake Off. But Britain made its mark on the baking world long before Mary Berry took to our screens. Leading online estate agent has taken a look at some of the nation’s favourites, the property market where they originated and the change in house prices since the last series of the Great British Bake Off aired.

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he Chelsea Bun runs away with the crown with an average house price of £2m+, substantially more than its closest rival the Eton Mess (£647,229). They’re closely followed by the Bakewell Tart (£365,000), the Bramley Apple Pie (£333.600), the Welsh Cake (£167,795) and propping up the table is the Eccles Cake, with an average house price in Manchester of just £147,736.

But if you’re looking for a sweet treat to stand you in good stead for the future, an investment in the Bramley Apple Pie is far sounder than that of the Chelsea Bun. Southwell home to the Bramley Apple has enjoyed the biggest increase in house prices since the last British Bake Off, with prices increasing by +7% in the last year closely followed by the Eton Mess (+6%). In contrast prices in Chelsea have dropped by -3% over the last year, the only sweet treat to have seen a decline.

The battle of the breads has long raged between Hovis and Warburtons. Property prices in both bread makers markets have seen an increase of 1% in the last year, however it is Hovis that comes out on top. With an

average house price in Macclesfield, birthplace of Hovis, of £261,000, the loaf out performs Warburtons home town of Bolton by £115,000 on the average house price.

When it comes to Britain’s favourite pastries the South / Midlands divide over the Cornish pasty and the pork pie is a large one. Although Cornwall has a higher average house price (£246,581) than Melton Mowbray (£230,282), the Leicestershire town has enjoyed a bigger increase in value. Over the last year house prices in Melton Mowbray have increased by a healthy 6%, although prices in Cornwall have also risen, they have only done so by 2%.

“It’s funny how well these British favourites reflect the property markets in their home towns. Although the Chelsea Bun is delicious, it’ more prestigious image and newfound popularity has pushed up the price.

The humble Bramley Apple Pie on the other hand is simple but appealing. Although the appetite for property in Macclesfield may be slightly less, the high increase in house prices highlights the growing demand in the area.”

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Warburtons Origin: Bolton Avg. House Price: £146,000 Change Over a Year: 1%

Eccles Cake Origin: Eccles Avg. House Price: £147,736 Change Over a Year: 2%

Hovis Origin: Macclesfield Avg. House Price: £261,260 Change Over a Year: 1%

Eton Mess Origin: Eton Avg. House Price: £647,229 Change Over a Year: 6%

Cornish Pasty Origin: Cornwall Avg. House Price: £246,581 Change Over a Year: 2%

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Bakewell Tart Origin: Bakewell Avg. House Price: £365,012 Change Over a Year: 1%

Bramley Apple Pie Origin: Southwell Avg. House Price: £333,642 Change Over a Year: 7%

Melton Mowbray Pork Pie Origin: Melton Mowbray Avg. House Price: £230,282 Change Over a Year: 6% Welsh Cakes Origin: Wales Avg. House Price: £167,795 Change Over a Year: 0%

Chelsea Bun Origin: Chelsea Avg. House Price: £2,056,540 Change Over a Year: -3%

London remains the best place to invest in property A RENOWNED STABLE REGULATORY ENVIRONMENT ALONG WITH A THRIVING ECONOMIC AND CULTURAL REPUTATION SETS THE CITY APART FROM ITS GLOBAL COUNTERPARTS. LONDON NOT ONLY WELCOMES INVESTMENT – IT ALLOWS ITS INVESTORS TO SHAPE IT. Yet as with all cities, there are pitfalls that need to be navigated and that’s where seeking professional advice from a UK tax adviser is essential. Appointing a personal tax adviser, with full knowledge of the domestic system, ensures you get the most out of your investment in the most tax efficient way. Recent changes announced in the Chancellor’s Budget in July to abolish Non Domicile Status from April 2017 should certainly not detract away from the unique offering that is London. The right advice and

guidance from a knowledgeable UK adviser is all that is required to ensure real estate is a safe and profitable investment.

WORLD CLASS Latest research by Savills International shows London remains top of the leaderboard for indicators of strong World City performance. Global connectedness, performance and potential, power and global competitiveness are all areas the city

scores highly on and is predicted to continue far into the future. All of these factors point towards a strong real estate market that is only predicted to grow from strength-to-strength.

PRIME INVESTMENT With constant opportunities to expand in the city a number of new â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;trendsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; and â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;investment pocketsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; are appearing all over the city. Many secondary prime areas, known as â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;outer primeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; are offering fresh, lucrative investor opportunities, complementing the already thriving â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;prime centralâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; markets such as the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea. Furthermore, with the UK Governmentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s drive to unlock unused land, referred to as â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;brownfieldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; and â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;regeneration projectsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;, more areas of prime central London are being made available for real estate and residential development.

WITH THE RECENT SUMMER BUDGET PROPOSING FURTHER CHANGES TO THE UK TAX REGIME, HOW BEST SHOULD YOU INVEST IN THE UK? The changes to Capital Gains Tax for Non-Residents and the Inheritance Tax thresholds for UK based clients has lead to uncertainty across the globe over liabilities to tax on UK Property.

The Government also proposed to â&#x20AC;&#x153;look throughâ&#x20AC;? Trust structures like never before and impose the 40% IHT liability on their beneficiaies.

Offshore Companies owing UK Property will now be liable to 40% tax upon death of the owner/s in the same way.

In addition to these changes, the ATED is now in its 3rd year, with the â&#x20AC;&#x153;annual chargeâ&#x20AC;? rates set to rise 50% above RPI year on year.

OVERSEAS CLIENTS FACE THE GREATEST CHANGES TO UK TAX For â&#x20AC;&#x153;non-domsâ&#x20AC;?, alterations to their inheritance tax liability present the greatest shift in the system for individuals residing abroad. From April 2017, once an individual has been a UK resident for more than 15 out of the past 20 tax years, they will be deemed to be UK domiciled for all tax purposes.

With effect from the sixteenth, out of the last twenty, tax years of UK residence, they will be liable to UK inheritance tax and other taxes, on their worldwide assets and income, not only those situated in the UK. It is intended that the new 15 year rule will apply from 6 April 2017 and this does provide sufficient scope for nondoms to undertake suitable planning before the rules are implemented, or before they become deemed domiciled under the 15 year rule.

ABOUT CORNERSTONE Cornerstone Tax Advisors are in their tenth year of tax excellence, providing advice, planning and restructuring of UK Property.

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REVIEW OF OWNERSHIP STRUCTURE NEEDED To every problem there is a solution and by reviewing existing ownership structures of UK properties, considering moving them to new ownership structures and planning ahead by acting now, tax advisors, such as Cornerstone, can reassure that London remains a smart investment both now and in the future.

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TA X

W E A LT H

BESPOKE

The advantage of an Education Consultant Many families are drawn to the UK due the high quality of education offered by world-renowned schools and nurseries. These are schools which have operated in some cases for centuries during which time they have perfected their traditions, reputations, created new sports and moulded world leaders from Churchill to Nehru.

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emand for a British education remains strong, with preparation and early independent advice being the key components to ensure good options are available to bright students. The Education Consultancy’s Managing Director, Richard Northey, says: “Parents need to ensure that they are aware of their school and nursery options and planning for those schools from an early stage, ideally during pregnancy, so that a future strategy can be set out according to aspirations. For those students who are a little older they need to prepare with good grades and, importantly, ensure that their level of English is as strong as possible, as fluency will enable them to impress prospective schools in entry exams.”

Navigating the British system through pre-prep, prep and senior schools and differentiating between single sex or co-educational schools, boarding or day can be a challenge for any family, but once the system is professionally explained, then a bespoke path can become clearer. Many have heard of schools such as Eton College or Harrow School, but due to the academic strength of them and international reputation it has driven demand up, therefore they are able to select the most able. Few may be aware of the fact that both of these schools are boys’ only schools and full boarding schools. Eton College, along with an increasing number of British senior schools, require boys to be registered with them by the age of 10.5 years old and to take a pre-test at the age of 11 to

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narrow the candidates down for entry at the age of 13.

There are many excellent alternative schools and Richard Northey at The Education Consultancy assists families in securing places in those as well, even at the last minute, but considering options as early as possible would ensure more options are available.

Attending a prep school, which prepares and guides pupils towards their senior schools is always recommended, so as to maximise potential entry and to ensure that the right fit is found for the student. British schools do consider that fit very strongly and whilst there is a clear academic requirement, they do consider other attributes which candidates can bring with them. Music, art, sports and drama are all important traits which are encouraged to forge the products of their schools which can lead to teamwork, leadership and other life skills. Of course each school will have strengths in their impressive facilities and will offer different feels and it would be the responsibility of Richard Northey at The Education Consultancy to ensure the right school is found for each student.

Talented international students are positively encouraged to apply to British schools, but the schools are always keen to ensure they maintain their historic identity and are conscious of their nationality intake.

Experience has shown that demand is strong from countries such as Russia and China, with increasing numbers coming from South America, but while families from those countries are keen to see an international population, they are applying to a British school for a British education and experience, rather than say a Russian school in the UK. As well as international families, increasing numbers of British families are seeking professional advice to ensure they have the most up to date information in a constantly changing environment and a strategy which suits their familyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s aspirations. Most families have friends with strong views on schools and nurseries, which can offer a useful insight, but each family will have personal preferences for their own child which need to be taken into account in creating a bespoke path forward incorporating professional, impartial advice.

Today pastoral care is an important focus for British schools, with many considering that they need to look after the wellbeing of their pupils to ensure that they are happy and settled, thus permitting each student to fulfil their potential in all fields to create a rounded individual, whom the school and their families can be proud.

An Interview with Richard Northey: The Education Consultancy What is the role of an Education Consultant?

An education consultant performs multiple roles; essentially they are someone who offers clear guidance of the different education systems so as to create an understanding and from that provide a future strategy for a family who are seeking to maximise their chances of places. An education consultant can offer solutions and source places for families in a hand-holding service, offering advice and clarity when the options can be bewildering.

When/how early should parents consider approaching a consultant?

I always recommend seeking advice as early as possible.

I meet some families during pregnancy as this means that all options should be available. As London is so competitive as soon as a child is born options can start to narrow, as many schools do require early registration.

International families should also speak with an education consultant as early as possible, even whilst considering moving to the UK or contemplating whether they might seek places in UK boarding schools in the future, so that as many options are still open for them.

Why do you believe that the UK schooling system is held in such high esteem for international parents?

It is worth pointing out that very few British families seek

school places abroad, but many international families are keen to apply for schools in the UK due to the quality of education offered, but also the history, reputation, safety, security, the ability to learn English and the esteem which a British education carries worldwide. These schools have honed the talents of pupils for centuries in created rounded individuals who fulfil their potential.

How important is English fluency for international students looking to gain admittance to the institution of their choosing? Do you recommend tutors to help get foreign students up to speed?

An international applicant is competing against fluent English speakers; therefore it is essential to ensure your childâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s English is as strong as possible, both verbally and in written form. For older children the requirement to pass written exams becomes more essential, thus preparation for these exams, along with practice in taking the exams, is essential for any student to demonstrate their academic ability.

How can a parent best prepare their child for gaining admission into the school of their choice?

The importance of having strong school reports cannot be underestimated. As well as good academic grades, positive comments regarding effort, handing in of homework, behaviour, participation in sports and extra-

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curricular activities will all help to make an attractive candidate for a prospective school.

Do you often recommend schools after meeting with the parents and the child or do parents tend to know where they would like their child to attend before you meet?

Many parents do have ideas as to which schools they aspire to, but it is the role of an education consultant to advise them as to which would be most appropriate and these schools can change following discussions.

How important is it to get the child into a school suited to their ability?

Getting the right fit for any student is essential to ensure they are happy, thriving in that environment and fulfilling their potential. Each school has an individual culture or identity and particularly many international pupils can benefit from the curriculum adjustment and cultural â&#x20AC;&#x153;polishâ&#x20AC;? of attending a British prep school prior to moving on to a senior school.

Have you had any unusual requests in your work?

I have had multiple unusual requests, ranging from a European family wishing to send their daughter to Eton, which is an all boysâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; school, to a Middle Eastern family wishing for their son to attend a top British school to learn English, but did not understand that he needed to pass exams in English to be considered for a place.

One family made contact at 11:30am wishing to see schools that day, having seen four already which they were not happy with, but they were flying home that

night. Thankfully I was able to source places for both children in the best possible school, I was able to call in a favour for the school to see them that day and the family made their flight that night and secured places within a week. Another family were not prepared to sign a lease on a property until they had secured school places; in this case I was introduced to the family on the Tuesday, was able to quickly identify an appropriate school with places, the family visited the school on the Friday and their children went in for assessments on the next Monday, pleasingly resulting in offers and the lease could be signed.

What are the benefits with sending your child to school in the UK? A British school offers an internationally recognised high standard of education, with, as well as academic strength, a focus upon music, sports, drama and art.

British schools expose pupils to new extra-curricular activities which help to create confident well-rounded pupils who are set up for future careers and life.

What sets you apart from other education consultants?

I offer independent tailored advice and I do not accept commission from schools following placement, as many other companies seek; this way families can feel assured that I shall look after their interests alone.

For more information please contact: info@theeducationconsultancy.com

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How to Transform your Garden Maximise your garden (and we’re not talking decking and water features) Words by BEYOND BESPOKE

Hide away An extra guest-room, artist’s studio, writer’s retreat, fishing hut or even a sauna – a Plankbridge shepherd’s hut, made in Dorset, is the ultimate garden hideaway. Based on the proportions and structure of a Victorian original, it comes with insulation and fine detail. Thomas Hardy would approve.

Think tall Treehouses aren’t just for children. From fantasy play areas to magical and romantic treehouse hideaways, specialist luxury treehouse company Blue Forest is in the business of making dreams come true, with clients who include royalty, Chewton Glen and the Eden Project.

Get lost Always fancied the idea of losing yourself in a maze of your own making? The world’s leading maze designer Adrian Fisher has created more than 600 mazes in more than 30 countries – whether made from hedges, marble, stone, tiles or brickwork – and is critically acclaimed for his awardwinning garden design. His work can be seen at the world’s finest historic buildings and private gardens, from Alnwick Castle to Blenheim Palace.

History lesson Be the king of your own castle when you commission one of Somerset-based Redwood Stone’s incredible designs.

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From individually designed mock Gothic follies built with weathered Cotswold stone to 300-year-old hand-made bricks and myriad quirky buildings, Redwood has revived the tradition of 18th-century landscape architecture for the 21st century. A guaranteed talking point.

Outdoor art Take your garden transformation to a whole new level with a sculpture by one of Britainâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s leading contemporary artists, Simon Gudgeon. Working primarily in bronze and with materials such as glass and stainless steel, his smooth, minimalist, semi-abstract forms depict movement and the emotion of a moment

Designs on your garden If you are looking to overhaul your garden, award-winning landscape designer Patricia Fox and her talented Aralia design team are the people to talk to. Silver Medallists at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2009 and 2012 and multiple winner of the BALI Landscape Design Excellence Award, Aralia create and install breath-taking outdoor spaces for private, commercial and international clients. www.beyondbespoke.co

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Article 25 Words by FRANCIS HOLMES

Article 25 is the UK’s leading architectural aid charity, which has human rights at the centre of its work and aims to help us achieve one of the UN 8 million-development goals. They are doing this by designing, managing and delivering sustainable building solutions in areas affected by disaster, poverty and need.

These phenomenal projects are funded through donations and events they launch throughout the year.

These events help to encourage enthusiasm and involvement with people such as artists, sponsors, guests and journalists who are more fortunate and are then able to spread awareness.

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rticle 25’s annual flagship fundraising event is ‘10x10 Drawing the City’, which was last held at the Shard in London in November 2014.10×10 London divides an area of the city into a 10×10 grid. The 100 resulting squares are allocated to prominent architects, designers and artists, who create 100 unique perspectives of London. 10x10 2014 featured original works from Norman Ackroyd, Norman Foster and Zandra Rhodes. The masterpieces ranged from acrylic paintings and prints to a chessboard of London’s famous landmarks. This event was Article 25’s most successful so far and raised more than £119,500. It was an inspiring collaboration, which not only celebrated London and its architecture, but also helped to benefit people in developing countries.

The money raised at 10x10 enabled Article 25 continue ‘building solutions to global problems’ by launching large projects, which not only provide buildings but also essential knowledge and skills to local communities. They aim to break the cycle of poverty with their Gourcy School Project in Burkina Faso.

Burkina Faso is a landlocked country in West Africa, which has faced numerous challenges. The poor quality of education is a big problem which Article 25 have begun to solve by designing and developing a school that considers what is needed by pupils so they can be educated and protected from the very hot climate.

Another fantastic project they are running is the Earthquake Resistant School Reconstruction in Haiti. Haiti’s capital Port au Prince suffered dramatically in the 2010 earthquake with a

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large scale of destruction. Over 3,978 Haitian schools were damaged or destroyed. This worsened the already low quality of education in Haiti as pupils were left attending lessons in hot and crowded emergency relief tents. Article 25 are keen to change this and have a team of skilled architects and designers working on earthquake and hurricane resistant design. They also aim to provide a better environment for learning by improving natural lighting and ventilation. Using this project they show how they provide not only a building but also much more. They pass on knowledge by including and training local construction workers to ensure Haiti doesn’t face disaster in the future due to poor construction.

Article 25 is not only concerned with improving education but also with healthcare and this is where another of their projects comes in. In Morocco they are working on a Centre for Cleft Lip and Cleft Plate Surgery. This project will help to improve access to healthcare for people who need treatment in the extensive regions of Eastern Morocco. Article 25 is now looking forward to the 2015 edition of 10x10, which will be hosted at the Royal

Institute of British Architecture’s prestigious Portland Place headquarters on Tuesday, 1st December. The theme for this year’s event is the Thames, with artists exploring the vital role the river plays in shaping our city. The 10×10 grid will follow the curvature of the river and take in the incredible variety of architectural landmarks built along its banks. From the London Wetlands to Limehouse basin, centuries of London’s history can be traced along the river. The event will once again play a pivotal role in allowing Article 25 to continue with its mission of improving built environments for vulnerable communities across the world.

For more information please visit: www.article-25.org

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Buy to Let Still Buoyant Words by PHILIP ALFANDARY

Residential Landlords are now amongst the most demonised of investors, and none more so than buy-to-let (BTL) landlords. In this article we recap on the proposed tax changes contained in the budget, and how BTL landlords have reacted and might seek to protect themselves.

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arious sanctions have been mooted by politicians against BTL landlords. Diane Abbott, prospective London mayoral candidate, has endorsed a 50% additional tax on rents which exceed certain (very low) thresholds. Jeremy Corbyn has gone further, and suggested expropriating BTL landlords, by giving existing tenants a right to buy them out. The latest budget – currently in committee stage- has resulted in much reported changes that will adversely affect the mortgaged BTL landlord.

What are the tax changes?

Up to now, Landlords have been able to offset their mortgage interest and other finance costs against their property income, reducing their tax liability. While this relief is not available for ordinary homebuyers who occupy their properties (although it was until the nineties), it is worth pointing out that other types of business are able to deduct such financing costs in computing their tax liabilities.

The changes will mean that tax will be applied to the actual rent received – without deducting the mortgage interest that has been paid. There will still be a tax credit of 20% of the mortgage interest available to offset against the tax payable on the rent, but the changes will mean that the most highly geared BTL landlords could see their tax bill increase by almost 100% or more on each property they own.

The implementation of these changes will be deferred till 2017, and then will be staggered over 3 years, to become fully effective by the tax year 2020-21.

What effect will the changes have?

With interest rates expected to rise sometime in the next year, buy-to-let landlords with significant debt will see a reduction in tax relief, which will naturally result in higher costs and lower net profits.

Many BTL landlords are upset about the changes, and a parliamentary petition has been started to ask the government to reconsider the changes, which will be discussed in committee stage in the coming weeks. It is unlikely though that the measures will be substantially reversed.

Initially, there were fears that they may potentially affect the housing market, as some landlords seek to deleverage by offloading their property portfolios. However, given that the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors’ is now revising its predictions of house price increases upwards to 6% ( and that ignores London), these fears appear overblown.

Pensioners, who since April’s earlier budget this year have been

able to cash in their pension pots by taking a lump sum at 55 were expected to swell the ranks of Buy To Let Investors. It is unlikely they will be put off by the proposed changes. Such investors would probably be more interested in immediate income returns generated by rents, and in such cases having a mortgage in the first place defeats that object.

What are the options?

For a few, deleveraging all or part of their property portfolios by way of a sale may be a sensible choice. Increasing rents to compensate for the increased tax take may be another, although this could risk the creation of expensive void periods if tenants leave.

In terms of using alternative tax structures, mortgage interest will still be deductible for tax where the property portfolio is held through a company instead of by an individual. Many landlords are considering incorporating their property portfolios. Buy to Let Landlords who hold their portfolios in a corporate structure also benefit from lower tax rates. Corporation tax, already at only 20%, will be cut to 18% by 2020. At present, it is understood that around 120 of the buy to let mortgage products in the market are available to limited companies from 11 lenders. Some even price the same as if lending to individuals, although most look for an additional margin.

However, getting the structure in place could incur capital gains tax, not to mention legal costs. Stamp Duty Land Tax costs will arise when moving a property portfolio into a company. Additionally, the extraction of profits from a company by way of dividend will result in income tax for the UK resident BTL investor. Finally, when the investor decides to exit, gains arising from the disposal of the property will be subject to corporation tax.

Some have suggested adopting short term letting, which would potentially enable the more favourable ‘holiday home’ tax regime to apply – although this is not a straightforward solution. The debates on this issue when the Finance Bill committee reconvenes will make interest reading ( to tax advisers, at least).

Philip Alfandary Partner, Tax 020 7955 0880 philipa@rosenblatt-law.co.uk

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The Master of the Maze Words by BEYOND BESPOKE

Adrian Fisher is the Master of the Maze, the man who can put a lasting mark on your landscape for centuries to come. What’s more, he has just the thing to help you see it from on high once it’s finished

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f one was ever in doubt about the desirability of commissioning a maze that will give pleasure long after you’ve gone, Adrian Fisher has a simple answer that might just make up your mind. “Just ask the Queen!” he says, with a wry smile. “What could be lovelier than creating a bit of heritage that could last hundreds of years like her maze at Hampton Court? It is probably the most creative thing you will ever do. Your land is your canvas.”

As the undisputed master of mazes, Dorsetbased Adrian Fisher has designed more than 600 mazes in more than 30 countries, setting six world records and winning two gold medals for garden design in the process. He has designed everything from hedge mazes with follies for private individuals (he has just finished one for a client who wanted a maze for his family to enjoy at his French chateau), to light mazes in the Czech Republic and mirror mazes in theme parks from Mexico and Spain to the Netherlands, with plans afoot to bring more labyrinthine joy to the world in South Korea, Germany, Tokyo and Mumbai in India and an outdoor

Christmas maze in Hong Kong. Visitors to Dubai can even see an Adrian Fisher maze snaking its way up the side of an apartment block close to the Stock Exchange.

“There are no limits when it comes to modern mazes,” says Adrian, speaking animatedly about his designs, including a maze based on an alien invasion, as well as a Egyptian-themed water maze involving all manner of Indiana Jones-style adventure and derringdo, from a sacred lake of crocodiles to marauding banshees. “New mazes are coming up in America that are going to blow people away,” he adds.

To say that Adrian lives and breathes mazes is an understatement. In fact, since 1991 he has built half of all the mirror mazes in the world, and as you would expect is evangelical about their uplifting powers. “Mazes create happiness, and today they are more wonderful and joyful than ever before.” The ‘Maze Maker’, as he is known, recently flew out to New Jersey to give a talk on this very topic as part of a TedX Talk on The Pursuit of Happiness. “Mazes rely on three simple happiness principles: making choices; doing things together; and

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exploring the unknown. That’s the universal rule.”

As a way of putting your mark on the landscape and creating a living structure that will go on giving pleasure for generations to come – and, for added wow factor, can also be viewed on Google Earth – nothing comes close to an Adrian Fisher maze. “People love mazes because they tell a story,” says Adrian, who built his first maze in his father’s garden as a boy and got his first commission at Greys Court in Oxfordshire, in his twenties, courtesy of Lady Brunner.

“Mazes are the quintessentially English thing – you’ve only got to look at the National Trust with its four million members to know that as a nation we are bonkers about gardening and outdoor landscapes. Our climate lends itself to it and as a pastime it is so rewarding.”

People might be concerned about the upkeep of a maze but Adrian Fisher designs use slow-growing material such as hornbeam, yew, beech and holly, and the maze in Adrian’s own garden only needs cutting once a year.

To get a unique perspective on said maze, Adrian recently invested in a Phantom drone, a voice-controlled device that takes stills and videos from a great height, which can then, rather niftily, be downloaded via an iPhone. The Phantom has simply and effectively revolutionised the way Adrian and his team see his creations, and means clients can get a bird’s-eye view without having to send up a plane.

Adrian can’t help drawing parallels with Daedalus, who according to Greek myth, designed the labyrinth for King Minos of Crete, and sent up his son, Icarus, on feathered wings, with disastrous consequences. “The great Maze Maker doesn’t rely on wax and feathers,” he says, with a chuckle. “He has a Phantom with 25 minutes’ flying time.” Who could possibly argue with that? www.beyondbespoke.co

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To Everything There is The Season Words by BEN FOWLER

From its first blush, and as fleeting as it is, summer is the annual permission slip to be lazy. To do nothing and have it count for something. To lie in the grass and count the stars. To sit on a branch and study the clouds. And surely no other nation is as seasonally affected as Britain - home of the phrase “it’s like four seasons in one day?” The seasonal awakening of spring-madness is out of the nation’s system – hares like to use the expression as mad as a March-Brit; with the Morris having been danced, the maypole circled and cheese chased down the Cotswolds hills, one might expect a summer of quiet contemplation and reflection. To the rest of the world the summer is where idleness finds respectability. But that would not be the British way at all; Britain is preparing itself, you see…for while seasons may come and go, The Season is here to stay.

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h the summertime! And a nation yawns, stretches and prepares itself for The Season – the British social season that is. And so begins a swirl of events enjoyed by the elite and those who enjoy watching the elite; the start of the very English quest to attend spectacles while becoming a spectacle in one’s own right, proudly displaying “the hat”. And maybe a fascinator or two. For a nation known for its reserve, the summer allows a holiday from its

own sense of solemnity, flaunting its tail feathers like a peacock. Hats are donned and the liberal use of all-pink outfitting is employed – and that’s just the gentleman.

As horses thunder past at historic courses, one is forced to decide which display of finery one wants to witness: the magnificent horses or the magnificent chorus of hats that turn to follow them like flowers to the summer sun.

The Grand National, Cheltenham Gold Cup, the

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Chelsea Flower Show and Royal Ascot are all part of a circuit that has its roots with the original party king, Charles II. Returning from exile abroad he bought with him fashion, fun and the requirement that his entire court travel with him to Newmarket immediately for his beloved racing. And so a rhythm began, connected by country sports and royalty: when the roads dried out in the spring, landowners would arrive back in London from their country estates to attend parliament. They and their families needed entertaining: and so The Season began to take form, its features never existing in isolation; rather they were a calendar of activities for the returning elite. A round of activity from London to Scotland providing the gentry with amusement that still operates today. The circuit had another purpose, for it was also a handy way to meet and marry – I’m not sure how effective it is now, the larger hats of the modern era probably get in the way. Back in the day though, the debutante season operated concurrently like a feeder school: you couldn’t go to the adult events until your hair was up, your skirts were down and you were officially “out”. It seems archaic until you consider the modern equivalent is probably a night-club.

Most of the classic summer social occasions are characteristically English in nature, rather than British, simply because The Season revolved around London.

The most popular events, therefore, took place within easy reach of Parliament. And so it remains to this day, the pomp and the pageantry are all part of the unique appeal of the British summer. Window dressing for a country in bloom. The morning coats and the evening gowns. The picnickers huddling under umbrellas at garden parties, hiding from summer showers and sipping Pimm’s on the lawn. The regattas, the races and The Royalty. Never more so than in the summer do the British try so hard to act so gloriously British-ly. ‘Tis the season to be jolly, jolly well British that is…

Part of the appeal is how much of the authenticity has been preserved – and don’t kid yourself, these events are survivors, three-hundred year veterans, fully aware of the market that they are in. The events, despite attracting a much wider social spectrum than before, still feel old-worldly, from a different era – and still with a gloriously British eccentric amateurism to them. Nothing is sleek and modernized, at least not at the front of house. The real genius of the season today is that despite being sold as a tour of class and sophistication, the reality is far more of a melting pot of status. Dress codes have been relaxed and fees reduced, the appeal however remains in the spectacle, and the spectacle can continue because, ironically, the less-well off will pay to observe the well-off.

One wonders how etiquette has altered in over three hundred years of The Season’s history. There are probably less cases of stately homes being gambled away, and perhaps, hopefully, less duels fought over the swiping of maids or horses. This has, perhaps, been offset by an increase in stewards glaring angrily as a mobile phone goes off at Henley, and a massive increase in the amount of “Season Selfies.” And all Charles II had to deal with was the Great Plague and the Great Fire.

The continued involvement of The Royal Family, however, helps maintain the decorum of The Season despite its changing nature, The Queen is a regular visitor at both the Chelsea Flower Show and Ascot, preserving heritage and grandeur with Her presence. A reminder of how much of Britain is invested in these occasions.

Summer seems to offer Britain a newly-reinforced sense of self, typified by The Season, as it tries to squeeze as much life from the improving weather as possible. As The Season runs its course the country feels more vibrant and colourful, Wimbledon arrives, the strawberries and cream acting as a perfect image for summer; the bright red and white – like an edible St. George’s cross. Cricketers follow the palette, resplendent in white, thrilling spectators with the whack of willow on red leather. At polo matches, champagne tents heave with models, thespians, art collectors and captains of industry. All the while, Britain charmingly spends its summer trying to stubbornly prevent its ruin; ball-boys race to save center-court, while elsewhere festival-goers at Glastonbury sing-along defiantly as the heavens open up again. One thing you can always say about Britain is that it has learnt to carry on smiling when the rain comes down.

Like all things The Season soon draws to close, the morning suits and dresses are packed away, the flowers fade and the trees adopt their autumnal brown livery.

But maybe it is worth preserving a little of the spirit of The Season past the summer. The passing of the yearly seasons serves as an eternal reminder that all things shall pass, and as the summer peaks and begins to decline, the summer’s solstice falls over Stonehenge, traditionally marked by ancient events of its own. Adhoc celebrations that bring together neo-druids, neopagans and Wiccans - along with ordinary families and travelers curious to witness the famously strong bonds between Britain and some of her more “attuned” sons and daughters. Perhaps tellingly, they will find that neodruids share the same, curious obsession with large, fancy hats as the elite at Ascot.

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West One Bathrooms Words by VICTORIA SHEPPARD

West One Bathrooms Ltd is Europe’s most diverse and innovative supplier of bespoke luxury bathrooms, offering tailored sales and design services. Established in 1978, West One Bathrooms’ experience in the industry allows for outstanding guidance and sourcing of the very best products worldwide.

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ith the ability to monitor the latest trends from leading international manufacturers, it ensures a constant supply of new and exciting ranges are introduced into the nine showrooms across London and the South East of England. West One Bathrooms’ portfolio extends through countless global projects, in residential, commercial, hotel, aircraft and luxury yachts, priding themselves on a highly professional and discreet service. The vast product selection also ensures that all requirements can be catered for and shipped worldwide.

The company remains a family-run business which lends itself to long-lasting client relationships and recommendations over the years. Originating from a seasoned trader’s vision, West One Bathrooms was established by Anthony Waters, who opened premises in the sought after locations of Mayfair, Central London and Battersea. The future of the company now resides in the hands of his capable sons, Managing Directors Duncan and Kevin Waters. Both, having worked their way through the company’s departments, were appointed as joint directors in 1993. Whilst sharing sales, marketing and expansion responsibilities they have also attained their own areas of expertise.

West One Bathrooms has recently introduced a dedicated Contracts team to Architects, Interior Designers and Building Contractors. The team is able to offer the Trade an exclusive bespoke service and unrivalled access to the world’s very best bathroom brands for specification and supply needs.

Each luxury bathroom showroom is located in a prominent area offering a range of products best suited to the local customer base. The largest showrooms are

located in West London, Battersea and Wandsworth. The four solus showrooms include Clerkenwell, in partnership with Kohler, Chelsea in co-ordinance with Bathroom Brands, Knightsbridge with Oasis, and Notting Hill alongside Agape. They are dedicated to displaying the finest products each brand has to offer. With a wealth of design experience, West One Bathrooms are pleased to offer a professional design service in each showroom to help clients create their ideal bathroom. Their designers have experience in designing any type of bathroom and are able to provide expert advice to make the process as smooth as possible.

The Mayfair showroom is one of the most notable venues, situated in South Audley Street. This particular showroom is a dedicated accessories boutique, alongside being one of the most luxurious bathroom showrooms, including ranges by THG, Lalique, Cristal et Bronze and Kallista.

2015 saw the launch of West One Bathrooms ninth showroom on Chelsea’s Kings Road with four floors of retail space. A one-of-a-kind Chelsea townhouse, the showroom has been designed not only to showcase the brands signature luxury bathroom displays and ranges, but also to provide a unique retail experience within the thriving Chelsea Design Quarter.’ www.westonebathrooms.com

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‘We Work to Ensure that Our Past is Given a Future’ Words by BEYOND BESPOKE

From St Paul’s Cathedral to Strawberry Hill, World Monuments Fund Britain (WMFB) works tirelessly to help restore and conserve Britain’s most vulnerable historic buildings for future generations to come.

What is the role of the WMFB? WMF Britain was founded in 1995 and is the leading heritage conservation charity in the UK. We partner with sites around the country and internationally to ensure that our built heritage survives and is given a new lease of life. Through fundraising, conservation management, education, advocacy and partnership building we continue to make a vital difference.

What kind of buildings do you work with?

We have worked with a diverse array of buildings including cathedrals, mansions and industrial buildings. Our projects have included St Paul’s Cathedral, Hampton Court Palace, Strawberry Hill and St George’s Hall, Liverpool. The one uniform characteristic of all of our projects is the transformative benefit we provide to the communities who own and use these high-profile buildings.

What are the major considerations when selecting a building?

A building might be chosen for its iconic design, or it might be historically significant, or perhaps unusually rare or fragile. Where one needs publicity or advocacy, another demands complete restoration. Each project is unique.

Can you tell us about any of your current projects you are working on?

One of our major focuses currently is the conservation of Christ Church Cathedral in Stone Town, Zanzibar – an iconic historical marker built on the site of the last open slave market in East Africa.

By the time WMFB became involved in the project, the Cathedral was in danger of collapse. In 2013, WMFB successfully received a grant from the European Union to carry out conservation at the Cathedral and create a Heritage and Education Centre telling the

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story of slavery and its abolition. We are also preparing to partner with a major new project in the UK and look forward to announcing this shortly.

What has been the project you have been most proud of?

The conservation of Stowe House in Buckinghamshire is one of the largest projects WMF Britain has undertaken. We are a central partner in a grand ÂŁ20 million project, with a ÂŁ10 million challenge launched by a major donor in 2008. Our involvement has included the return of the Cheere lead lions to the South Portico, the conservation of the State Library and the Music Room, and the creation and installation of bespoke chandeliers.

What has been the biggest challenge to date?

Our biggest challenge remains sourcing funding for these major projects and the work that we do. We receive no government funding and rely on the generosity of trusts, foundations, corporate support and individuals.

How do you raise support for conserving these wonderful monuments and buildings?

Our members play an integral role in supporting the work that we do and enjoy a privileged relationship with the organisation.

Corporate sponsors are able to align themselves with our brand and reach our network of high-end supporters. Trusts and foundations generously contribute to projects that promote forward vision and ensure sustainability and impact.

Why it this support so essential and what impact does it have on your work?

We quite simply wouldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t exist without the generous support of our donors and members. They allow us to make a difference and ensure that our past is given a future.

Tell us more about the study days and the events that you run and how members can learn more about architecture.

WMF Britain runs an annual programme of events allowing our supporters and members of the public to engage more closely with the conservation and heritage world. Lectures are given by leading field experts and major public speakers and authors; recent examples include Jung Chang, Mary Beard and John Julius Norwich. Our study days enable the public to gain a greater insight into our projects and the work that we do, with bespoke access and expert guides. www.beyondbespoke.co

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Chartwell Estates: Quarterly Review Words by MICHAEL J CHRISTIAN

Chartwell Estates looks back at a year of change for the Prime Central London market and looks forward to an increasingly international flavour for its business going forward.

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ondonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s super prime market continues to draw more international interest than any other city, as wealthy investors from all corners of the world are turning to the UK to invest in excess of $10,000 per sq ft. The prime market in London has boomed recently, as property prices have increased 12.6 per cent so far this year alone and higher quality housing is available in a greater number of boroughs. As the wealthiest investors narrow their search, there is greater pressure for super prime properties to include panoramic views of park, river or cityscape, making only a finite number of areas capable of achieving super prime values.

The market in Prime Central London is still sensitive to the Stamp Duty changes introduced at the end of last year meaning that price and amenities matter.

People buying the most expensive properties in the London area are increasingly seeking the highest quality and amenities such as concierge services, secure parking and leisure facilities and price still matters. Also, after exceptionally strong price growth in the so-called golden postcodes such as Kensington and Chelsea, buyers are

looking further afield for value in the super prime London real estate market. Further changes in Julyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Budget ended the permanent status for non-dom residents and widened the inheritance tax net to property held offshore.

It comes on top of a succession of tax changes in recent years that make it increasingly difficult to argue that high value residential property is under taxed.

Through a mixture of organic growth and trophy deals Chartwell Estates are going from strength to strength, enhancing our international footprint and client base. Key global cities and value for money are increasingly being sought by our clientele and in addition, occupier markets are now much more dynamic with far greater depth and breadth than we have seen for several years. We are excited to expand our business interests through key partners in South America, the USA and now the Caribbean as well as the UAE and Europe. Chartwell Estates have a handful of exceptional international properties which we have been entrusted to sell for our international client base and we look forward to bringing these unique opportunities to market.

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The Top 9 Richest Cities in the World 1. Tokyo, Japan GDP: $1,520 billion, area: 2,187.6 square kilometers, population: 13,185,502 Tokyo has come far from its humble origin as the fishing village of Edo. In 1590 it became the capital. It later grew in area and population to become the identified capital of Japan. After the war it was steadily rebuilt, finally taking center stage in 1964 when it hosted the Summer Olympics. Its attractions include Tokyo Disneyland, Tokyo Tower, the Tokyo Imperial Palace and the Museum of Contemporary Art. Its biggest industries are in electronics, telecommunications and publishing. Tokyo is due to hold 2020 Olympics and will make this even more desirable.

2. New York, USA GDP: $1,210 billion, area: 1,213square kilometers, population: 8,244,910 Originally founded as the Province of New York by the English. From the 19th to the 20th century the city would become the main entry port of immigrants from all over the world and many of them eventually decided to settle there instead of moving on, giving the city a wide racial and cultural diversity. It has five boroughs or state counties, the Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens and Staten Island. Its attractions include Times Square, the Statue of Liberty, the Brooklyn Bridge and the Empire State Building. Its biggest industries include publishing, finance and real estate.

3. Los Angeles, USA GDP: $789.7 billion, area: 1,302 square kilometers, population: 3,792,621 The glitzy, glamorous home of everything Hollywood. In the 18th century the small village was called El Pueblo de Nuestra SeĂąora la Reina de los Angeles, shortened to Los Angeles eventually. The city is well known for its attractions like Universal Studios, the Hollywood sign, the Hollywood Walk of Fame and Santa Monica Pier. Like London, its main industries are banking and finance.

4. Seoul, South Korea GDP: $779.3 billion, area: 605.21 square kilometers, population: estimated 10 million Located in northwestern South Korea, Seoul was believed to have been settled in as early as 17 BC. The city rose to become the capital of the Joseon Dyan 1394 and has stayed capital of the country since. It was credited as the first city in East Asia to have power, water and a phone system at the same time.. Its current boundaries were established only in 1995 and it has grown economically since. Its main attractions are the Korean War Memorial, Namsan Park, Changdeokgung Palace and the N Seoul Tower. Seoulâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s main industries include electronic, textile and iron and steel production.

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5. London, England GDP: $731.2 billion, area: 1,570 square kilometers, population: 8,173,194 London has been settled as early as the Roman era when it was referred to as Londinium. It slowly grew to the city it now is. Modern London became the world’s largest city from 1831 to 1925 with people of different cultures from all over the world settling there. London is still known to be a cultural melting pot and accepting of many youth cultures from all over the globe. London’s attractions include Buckingham Palace, the Tower Bridge, the London Eye and the world-famous Big Ben clock tower. Its biggest industries are finance and banking.

6. Paris, France GDP: $669.2 billion, area: 105.4 square kilometers, population: 10,413,386 Around 250 BC a Celtic sub-tribe known as the Parisii established a settlement near the Seine River in France.

Their settlement will later be named after them –Paris.

Also called the City of Lights, it is now one of the mostvisited places in Europe. The attractions of Paris include the world-famous Eiffel Tower, the Champs Elysees, the Louvre Museum and the Arc de Triomphe. Its biggest industries are tourism and the clothing business as many designer clothes brands have their main office in Paris.

7. Osaka, Japan GDP: $654.8 billion, area: 552.26 square kilometers, population: 1,545,410 The site where Osaka, in southern Japan, is now located was believed to have been settled in by humans as early as 6BC. But it was not until the Edo period from 1603 to 1867 that it grew into one of the country’s major cities and not until 1889 that the modern municipality was established and expanded. Of its total area, only 223 square kilometers is actually designated as a city. Osaka’s attractions include Osaka Castle, Universal Studios Japan and the Kiyomizu Temple. Its biggest industries are metal, textile and plastic production.

8. Chicago, USA GDP: $524.6 billion, area: 606.1 square kilometers, population: 2,707,120 Also known as the Windy City, Chicago, in the US state of Illinois, first started out as an area occupied by Native Americans. Rapid population growth necessitated its naming to a city in 1837, but still it continued to develop to become one of the fastest-growing cities in the country for several more decades. Its attractions include the Chicago Theatre, the Field Museum of Natural History and Wrigley Field. Its biggest industries are manufacturing, printing and publishing.

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9. Moscow, Russia GDP: $520.1 billion, area: 2,510 square kilometers, population: 11,503,501 Records referring to Moscow go as far as 1147, although the earliest known construction of a wall around the city was only recorded in 1156. The city was stripped of its title as Russian capital after the founding of St. Petersburg before being reinstated as capital after the revolution of 1917. The city is known for several attractions like the Kremlin, Red Square, the Bolshoi Theater and the mausoleum housing Vladimir Lenin’s preserved corpse. Its biggest industries include chemicals, metallurgy and food production.

The World’s 10 Most Expensive Shopping Streets New York’s Fifth Avenue has been named the world’s most expensive shopping street with rents reaching a record of $3,500 a square foot a year. Here is the top ten of the world’s most expensive shopping streets: 1.

2.

3.

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Upper Fifth Avenue, New York Causeway Bay, Hong Kong Rent: $2,735 per sq ft per year Avenue Des Champs Elysee, Paris - Rent: $1,556 per sq ft per year New Bond Street, London - Rent: $1,216 per sq ft per year despite boasting rents worth $1,216 a square foot a year, London’s Bond Street is not the most expensive shopping street in the world 5. Pitt Street Mall, Sydney - Rent: $1,016 per sq ft per year 6. Via Montenapoleone, Milan - Rent: $998 per sq ft per year 7.

Ginza, Tokyo - Rent: $953 per sq ft per year 8. Myeong dong, Seoul - Rent: $932 per sq ft per year 9. Bahnofstrasse, Zurich - Rent: $875 per sq ft per year 10. Stoleshnikov, Moscow - Rent: $557 per sq ft per year

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Forecasts and Opportunities Top 5 property investment opportunities to watch 1. New wealth creation in emerging markets The growth in global wealth, especially from emerging markets, is set to power demand for residential investment property in many key global cities, The growth in Ultra High Net Worth populations (investors with more than $30m in investable assets) is set to rise from nearly 168,000 to over 215,000 in the decade to 2023. While the ever popular global hubs are set to take the lion’s share of this investment, we will see a growing appetite for alternative markets and more speculative plays from investors – we note overleaf a number of “nextneighbourhood” markets where some of this investment is likely to focus on.

2. Improving economic fortunes The weakest spot of the world economy has for several years been Europe, however the tentative improvements in economic fortunes there has fed into a belief that

prices for property have hit a low point, and investor appetite has returned (strongly in some markets). Aside from Europe, there are other markets where improving sentiment and growth is helping to drive market performance – India is a notable example. The arrival of Narendra Modi’s new government, has led to an increase in business confidence. A focus on residential market affordability is likely to be a key plank of future policy development – creating significant opportunities for developers and funders.

3. Continuation of safe haven trend Despite some easing of the crisis conditions facing the global economy in recent years, the flow of wealth from economic or political crisis locations into “safehaven” markets is continuing. In markets like London, Sydney, New York, Miami and Vancouver these flows tend to reinforce demand for established market neighbourhoods, with buyers focussing on wealth preservation and looking for mature and stable markets.

Even in these markets however there have been signs

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that safe-haven investors are willing to consider newer market opportunities – certainly Brooklyn’s regeneration has been in part driven by wealthy investors looking for an alternative to rising Manhattan prices. As prices have risen in some target markets, the opportunity for developers to attract buyers to alternative markets within the same cities, or even alternative city markets is a trend set to expand.

4. Prices expected to reach their floor, attracting new investors Key European markets, notably Dublin, Madrid, Rome and even Paris, have experienced a long period of declining values and weak demand, as the global economic downturn was followed by the Eurozone crisis. We saw prices in the prime markets in Dublin turn up in 2012, followed by Madrid in 2013, Knight Frank forecast that there are still challenges in these markets, but there is a growing sense, certainly from investors, but also from developers that prices are low by historical standards and that there is a considerable upside for early investors

moving into these markets. We expect to see a greater focus on property investment opportunities in markets like Paris and Rome, which thus far have been largely overlooked by investors, nervous of political uncertainty, but which are increasingly offering good value when compared to neighbouring alternatives.

Infrastructure So important is the opportunity offered by infrastructure, that the focus is on key global examples.

Some big cities have embraced the options – some haven’t, for developers the issue is understanding at what point to move in the development cycle, something we have been monitoring closely in our series of reports on London’s crossrail project.

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Appraising residential opportunities Where have investments done best in the residential property market, what are the trends across the leading global cities?

Taking advantage of Knight Frank’s Prime Global Cities Index, which benchmarks the price performance of over 30 cities, on a quarterly basis, a unique insight into the relative strengths and weaknesses of these bellwether markets. In the year to the end of 2014, the Prime Global Cities Index rose by 6% overall, up from 5% at the same point in 2013, pointing to a continuing upward trend for prime city prices. This ongoing market strength is evidenced by the fact that the index was 36% higher than its post-Lehman low in 2009, and perhaps more surprisingly 25% higher than its pre-crisis peak reached in 2008.

The key trends, risks and property opportunities which will dictate the future performance of these critical urban markets, over recent years strong market performance within the world’s leading city residential markets has come from all corners. Jakarta has featured prominently at the top of the growth rankings for several quarters, its growth is supported by the fact it remains one of the most affordably priced big city markets in the region.

Of all the recovery markets, Dublin has perhaps been the most obvious beneficiary of returning investor appetite. 2013 proved to be a notable turning point for Dublin’s upmarket residential areas such as Dalkey and Ballsbridge. Since then luxury prices have risen strongly, by around 24%, although they still remain 35-45% below their pre-crisis peak.

New districts: the fast growth urban market neighbourhoods to watch Residential development and investment provides a high profile opportunity for property businesses to grow their brands globally. Significant investments recently in Sydney, Los Angeles, New York, London and other key hubs, by some of the largest Chinese and Asian property companies, confirms the appetite for the sector. This trend has coincided with a rapid expansion in cross-border demand for residential property from end purchasers. In most cases this demand has been led by an investment motivation, although lifestyle, safe-haven, education and other drivers have been common accompanying reasons. With the macroeconomic environment set for a shift away from stimulus measures a renewed focus is on spotting micro-market opportunities and that is set to take centre stage.

Interest Rate Forecast for 2015 – 2016 Interest rates will remain low, but long-term rates are not quite so low as they have been. That’s the nutshell. Before explaining the numbers and the reasoning, let me explain my view of interest rate determination.

Short-term interest rates are largely determined by the central banks. For those in the United States, that’s the Federal Reserve, Bank of England for the U.K and ECB for Europe Long-term rates are much more market driven. The global average interest rate for long-term debt is the result of global demand for credit compared to global supply of saving. The key item here is the global business cycle, because demand for credit goes up in booms, while the saving rate tends to fall at the same time. I emphasize

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“global” because capital moves around the world seeking its highest risk-adjusted return.

leaders among the top cities forecasted to see the highest office rental rate growth through 2015.

Long-term interest rates in any particular country result from the interplay of the global average interest rate and some local factors. Expected inflation is the largest factor that shifts one country’s interest rate away from the global average. Expectations of future short-term interest rates also influence the long-term interest rate.

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• Intermediate interest rates, such as 2-year or 5-year bonds, are a mix of the two sets of factors.

With that framework, here’s what to expect through the remainder of the year. Short-term interest rates will remain very low, at about the current level. When the Fed starts to get nervous about inflation, they will first stop buying long-term securities, and then only later they will raise short-term interest rates.

Long-term interest rates are a different story. Global demand for credit will expand as the world economy grows. This assumes that Europe does not melt down, a significant risk. It also assumes that China continues to grow, which is quite likely, despite the wobble in mid 2014. Global economic expansion will put upward pressure on long-term interest rates worldwide.

Global Office Market The global office market is poised for slow steady growth in 2014, while 2015 is proving to be more robust as recovery takes hold and business gains renewed confidence. Jakarta, Dublin and Boston are the regional

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In the Americas, technology and energy continue to be the main drivers of the U.S. real estate recovery.

As a result, Boston is expected to see continued strong demand pushing prime asking rents upwards by 22%, while Dallas is enjoying a resurgence of activity with rents expected to rise 3%.

In EMEA, major international cities such as London, Stockholm and Frankfurt have led in the European leasing recovery, but others are now joining in, including some from the formerly distressed fringe.

Dublin, for example, has bounced strongly with no new construction underway and double-digit rental growth anticipated.

In Asia Pacific, more subdued growth in the region should cause leasing conditions to remain less buoyant over the next year with rents expected to advance by 1-2%. Rental growth rates will pick up in a number of core and emerging locations led by Tokyo and Manila, where supply risks are limited, upon the resumption of stronger economic growth.

UK Taxation Changes Sales of homes in the most expensive parts of central London plummeted by almost a quarter after George Osborne, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, overhauled the unpopular stamp duty system, resulting in a steep fall in the amount raised through the tax. New figures from DTZ, the property consultancy, showed that there were 638 sales in prime central London in the three months after December 4 when the new rules were introduced,

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generating an estimated £92.8 million in stamp duty receipts, averaging out at 145,184 per property.

This has had an impact on activity in the Prime Central Market whilst buyers and sellers digest the impact of the heightened cost of buying property. London contributes 40% of the total UK Stamp Duty bill (London’s total was £3 Billion for the whole of 2014) with the Borough of Westminster contributing more than Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales combined!

Stamp Duty So let’s reflect where the UK sits when it comes to property tax and fees. There is a temptation to assume that the UK pays the highest acquisition costs due to our Stamp Duty thresholds (particularly above £1 million+), but this isn’t the only cost that needs to be considered. There is no doubt that the two tax buzzwords in property fees and taxes in the UK have been Stamp Duty and Mansion Tax. Mansion Tax can now be put to one side with a Conservative Government, but Stamp Duty still remains a prevailing cost to consider in the purchase process.

Is Stamp Duty the main cost to consider and what are the other charges to be incurred?

Whilst stamp duty is by far the largest purchase cost in the UK, this is not necessarily the case in other countries. Japan is a typical example of this, where stamp duty is minimal and often non-existent. However,

ancillary costs make the process extremely expensive.

Buyers pay the following: Agents fee – 5%, Acquisition fee – 3%, Registration tax – 2%, Stamp Duty – 0.01% – 0.2%, Legal fees 0.10% and Real Estate Agent’s Fee – 3.15%. Hence their overall buying costs are above 13% all in. Furthermore, buyers in Japan pay for 100% of the entire transaction costs and the seller doesn’t pay any costs at all.

In the main buying property overseas is an uncomplicated process, and legally there are very few obstacles in the way, but there are exceptions.

Australia Acquisition of property is subject to Foreign Investment Review Board (FIRB) approval, which typically can be a stringent process and can be difficult due to their strong conservative political stance on foreign rights.Total purchase costs are considered moderate.

Brazil Foreign individuals and non-residents may invest in urban properties through direct ownership from abroad, or through resident companies or partnerships.

However there are several restrictions on investments in rural properties. Total purchase costs are considered moderate.

France There are no restrictions on foreign ownership. Total purchase costs are considered low.

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Germany There are no restrictions on foreign nationals buying property in Germany. Financing is possible for foreigners, but should not be expected to cover more than 60% of the purchase price. Total purchase costs are considered high.

Hong Kong Foreigners, in general, can buy properties such as condominiums in Hong Kong and rent out without restriction. However, Hong Kong does restrict certain nationalities. Total purchase costs are considered high.

India A foreign national cannot buy any real estate in India, unless they can prove they live in the country for 183 days per year. Tourist visas last for 180 days. Like the United Kingdom, total purchase costs are considered either very low or very high, depending on the price of the property.

Italy There are no restrictions on foreign ownership in Italy.

Total purchase costs are considered high.

Japan There are no legal restrictions on foreigners owning

real estate property in Japan. Total purchase costs are considered moderate.

Spain Foreign internationals can trade residential or commercial without restrictions. Total purchase costs are considered moderate.

Sweden There are no legal restrictions on buying property in Sweden. Total purchase costs are considered low.

Switzerland Very restricted for a foreign international to purchase, the government have a stringent quota a system that very few get through. There are also restrictions in selling your property. Total purchase costs are considered low.

UAE Foreign nationals cannot buy freehold properties in designated areas of Dubai. Some sites, such as The Palm, Jumeirah, Emaar Towers, The Greens, International City, and others can be purchased. Residence visas are issued to property owners, which extend to their immediate families. Total purchase costs are considered low

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United Kingdom There are no restrictions on foreign ownership. Total purchase costs are considered low to high United States There are minor restrictions on ownership of property in the United States, but it purely depends on where.

Detailed legalities vary from state to state. But on the whole any restrictions are minor for most cases. Total purchase costs are considered moderate.

Capital Gains Tax for Non-domiciles The taxation of property investments in the UK has changed significantly in recent times. Investors should make sure that they obtain the most up to date tax advice on issues relating to real estate, preferably prior to purchasing. Chartwell Estates can introduce the reader to the very best advice.

Is it true that Overseas Buyers now have to pay Capital Gains Tax on their UK properties?

Yes. New proposals for non-residents owning (or buying) UK Residential property have now come into force. From April 2015, non-UK Residents selling UK residential property are subject to Capital Gains Tax (CGT) on future sale: • Regardless of value • To gains made after April 2015 • At a CGT rate of up to 28% (see following) What does this mean?

Take a home in South Kensington, bought or valued in

April 2015 at £5m, owned by a Non-Resident Chinese individual. Applying industry predictions of growth between 7-8% per annum, it is sold in April 2025 for £10m.

The Capital Gains Tax accrued in just 10 years (£5m) will be taxed at 28% = £1.4m. This is the same as buying the UK Government a brand new Audi R8 V10 Plus for every year of ownership!

Paying the tax You will only have 30 days to: • Notify HMRC of the Sale • Calculate the Gain • Submit a Return • Pay the Tax Due BUT: If you already submit a UK self-assessment Tax Return, then you can submit your Return and tax calculation: • After the end of the Tax Year (5th April) as normal • Pay the tax on the normal due date (31st January after the Tax Year) Tax advice for those affected For those already owning UK Property, alternative ownership structures are available that will take clients out of the CGT regime, but action is needed as soon as possible to ensure no additional tax is incurred. For Prime London Properties, CGT is accruing into the £100’s a day.

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Britain’s richest property billionaires: What do they own in London?

The top 10 richest property billionaires: 1. Amancio Ortega Fortune: £35.8bn Property investments in London: Ortega boasts a £4bn global property empire including a £660m chunk of London real estate. He also owns Devonshire House opposite the Ritz Hotel in Piccadilly - the former residence of the Dukes of Devonshire in the 18th and 19th centuries.

2. Joseph Safra Fortune: £9.39bn Property investments in London: Brazilian billionaire Joseph Safra bought the Gherkin last month for a cool £726m. His company also owns buildings in New Bond Street.

3. Ernesto & Kirsty Bertarelli & family Fortune: £9.37bn Property investments in London: Owners of Cross Tree Real Estate, the Bertarellis’ property portfolio includes three London sites worth £220m - this includes 1-3 Berkeley Street worth £150m and the £83.5m property at 48 Dover Street.

4. Henry Cheng Kar-Shun & family Fortune: £9.3bn Property investments in London: This Hong Kong family heads the Knight Dragon/New World Development which recently put up for sale the first 200 residential units at its Greenwich Peninsula scheme at prices starting from £250,000. This was part of the 10,000 units they expect to sell in the next few years.

5. David & Simon Reuben Fortune: £9bn Property investments in London: The Reuben brothers are best-known for their plans to turn the derelict In & Out Club at Piccadilly into Britain’s most expensive home. They also own London Oxford airport and have

permission for a 350-room development in Hoxton.

Wang Jianlin, owner Dalian Wanda Fortune: £8.7bn Property investments in London: Jianlin’s Dalian Wanda is behind the One Nine Elms scheme in Vauxhall. The scheme will boast two skyscrapers with 45 and 60 storeys. Back in 2012, he also bought the Sunseeker luxury yacht business in Poole for £320m.

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The Duke of Westminster Fortune: £8.4bn Property investments in London: The Duke of Westminster’s Grosvenor Estate sold off £240m of prime central London properties in April. According to Estates Gazette, Grosvenor Estates holds 300 acres of Belgravia, Mayfair and Oxford Street.

8. Ananda Krishnan Fortune: £5.4bn Property investments in London: Malaysian oil magnate Krishnan invested £102m in the ExCel London exhibition centre in 2008. He also bought the 5.5acre St John’s Wood barracks for $390m and plans to make luxury flats there.

9. Nathan Kirsh Fortune: £5bn Property investments in London: South African tycoon Kirsh owns a £850m property empire including Tower 42, the former NatWest tower, which he snapped up for for £282.5m. He also owns the Abacus Property Group.

10. Earl Cadogan & family Fortune: £4.2bn Property investments in London: The Cadogan Group has assets worth over £3.9bn under its belt – this includes 93 acres in Chelsea. Back in July, the group paid £47m for the Thurloe & Gunter estates in South Kensington and Earls Court. (sources: London Love Business / Forbes) 6.

Quarterly Review: Summary There’s no doubt that our traditional client base’s appetite for Prime Central London has been impacted by external political and economic factors this year, from non-dom changes on CGT to Stamp Duty. However, external geopolitical and economic factors will continue to see London and a handful of other key international locations maintain their international status as havens of safety and of course, residential idylls.

Chartwell Estates is a Private Brokerage and Advisory Service for UHNW individuals and families. The company operates as a bespoke office for the discrete acquisition or disposal of property-based assets, both privately and off-market. We only deal through established contacts, networking globally with private individuals, families and professional advisors. Through this trusted network we also provide a broad range of specialist advisory and management services that are complementary to our clientele’s’ requirements.

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Frond C, Palm Jumeirah For millennia the palm branch has been recognised as a symbol of peace and eternality that transcends race and creed; in Greece a palm branch was awarded to victorious athletes at the original games, while the palm frond personified victory in ancient Rome. Since victory signals an end to conflict, the palm would become a symbol of peace and, later, of paradise. So where better to build paradise then on the tree that bears amity and accord upon the comfort of its fronds?

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he Palm Jumeirah is the renowned artificial island off the coast of Dubai, consisting of a tree trunk, a crown with 16 fronds, and a surrounding crescent.

Jumeirah was built entirely from natural materials in accordance with a concept and design from the Prince of Dubai Himself. An address on the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s largest man-made island is considered an elite status symbol not just in Dubai â&#x20AC;&#x201C; but across the world.

This signature villa allows direct access to the illustrious Jumeirah beach and has been upgraded inside and out by the current owners who sought to create the perfect family home. This has been achieved through an elegantly devised open plan lay-out that is perfect for both family living and entertaining. The ground floor consists of 2 en suite guest bedrooms, a large majilis and family lounge - both overlooking the garden and sea - and a large dining room.

The stunning kitchen was designed and installed by Hacker and benefits from a separate laundry, maids and drivers rooms each with their own access. Several of the internal walls have been strategically removed, maximising space and enhancing the natural light. The home has been furnished by a leading interior designer

briefed to create a contemporary space while keeping a warm, homely feel.

The first floor comprises of a further 4 en suite bedrooms - including the beautifully redesigned master suite, complete with a spacious modern bathroom and private balcony. All of the bathrooms have been upgraded using the best Bango Design fixtures and fittings with painstaking attention to detail and fine craftsmanship. As an added benefit, the property could easily be extended internally - should a purchaser wish the addition of more bedrooms or living space.

Welcoming at the front of the property is a large block-paved driveway providing ample parking and a two-car garage; while at the rear of the home the private, meticulously manicured gardens provide a sublime sanctuary. Boasting an extended patio area, infinity pool and sun terrace set against the unique Dubai skyline, this truly represents the luxury of Palm Jumeirah living. ÂŁ8,000,000 For more information contact estates@chartwell-london.com 0207 409 0533 chartwell-estates.com

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Cogress: An Investment Community Words by BEN FOWLER

We all dream big. Making dreams a reality, however, often seems a daunting task; the grandeur of ones’ dreams can prove intimidating, making one seem impotent, of little importance. However you do not dream alone, and private equity house Cogress UK has developed an exciting new business model to help make dreams a reality - for as the saying goes, alone we can do so little, yet together we can do so much.

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hartwell Estates are proud to be acting as an introducer to Cogress - a community of investors.

They are an exit-oriented private equity platform connecting their community with opportunities usually reserved for the largest investors. Their platform carefully vets and matches all property developers and investors, giving piece of mind on both sides.

Currently celebrating their first year anniversary in London Cogress’ success in one year is nothing short of remarkable.

Their experience is backed up with numbers. Since 2009 their management team has invested in more than 150 projects globally including the US, Canada, Germany, Cyprus and Israel, with over £800 million of asset value, before joining together to create Cogress. The company was founded with a clear focus on the UK market, where they already have a range of investments.

Cogress’ model is based upon spreading the equity of

a large-scale development project across a worldwide community of investors, affording them access to opportunities normally reserved for the biggest of fish. By pooling the resources of like-minded investors, a relatively small-scale investment gives the chance to sample the fruits found at the top of the ladder. Simply put, resources are combined; the communal investments provide an enterprise with equity, with the spoils later shared back among the group. Here community is the operative word, the Cogress model is inclusive - and the potential investor well-integrated into the project. They are free to select from a carefully chosen pool of new builds and renovations; free to match the scale of their investment to their appetite. For relatively modest investments, one can reach up to the dizzying heights that only the super-rich can – elevated on the shoulders of the Cogress community.

Strength in numbers means becoming more than the

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sum of their parts, but also provides the safety of the group when swimming in such deeper waters. The investor is part of an interdependent relationship, gaining the wealth of experience possessed by the Cogress team in the field. Chief executive Tal Orly heads up a team of experts in all stages of project development – from legal and financial to planning and execution. This knowledge provides peace of mind that any of their vetted projects have been meticulously, expertly examined. Potential difficulties and costs have been scouted; unseen pitfalls avoided. Would-be investors are freed from the nervousness of entering a new market previously closed off to them. After all it’s easier to climb when you’re not afraid to fall This peace of mind contrasts to something as unprotected as crowd-funding; a Cogress investor joins a vetted, sophisticated pool of the like-minded to take advantage of a proven business model. This model was perfected in Israel by Cogress’ co-founder Avi Katz with Hagshama, and since 2009 the management team has proven this model with involvement in over 150 projects globally - amassing assets in excess of £800 million. Although the Cogress model is evolutionary, changing and adapting to suit the specific requirements of a project, the underlying structure remains consistent. In a typical project 60-80 % of the cost is provided by senior debt (usually a bank loan), the remaining 4020% is equity - with 90% coming from the Cogress investors’.

This is a symbiotic relationship; an exchange of knowledge for resources, one intended to reduce the risk and fear of our dreams becoming nightmares – yet one that still rewards with a healthy average annual return of around 20%.

These returns will soon be enjoyed by Cogress’ investors in their recent Golders Green project. This residential scheme was finished ahead of its October 2015 estimate, comprising

of 39 studio flats and 2 office units. The project is now valued at £8.5 million, with equity supplied by the Cogress community totaling £825,000 – and the returns on the £25,000 minimum investments expected to exceed 25%. Looking forward, as the community expands so do the projects and opportunities to be found; capital raised recently for a project at Vauxhall Bridge Road has totaled £1,463,000 and at Ravensbourne House, Keston, £3,085,000. Both these projects expect returns well above 20%.

The success at Golders Green highlights the benefits of shared resources and expertise, involvement in a house-inmultiple-occupation (HMO) scheme would prove out of the financial and experiential comfort zone of many potential investors. Such opportunities would be easily missed, a shame given that we live in interesting times for the market. The recent narrow conservative win in the UK is expected to ease the nerves in the investment and property market, increasing the potential for involvement in large-scale investment opportunities. Today London remains a safe haven for property and by 2018 will be the home for over 9 million people - the demand is there for houses, and it will be for a long time. Alone you may not be able to take advantage of this like the super-rich can, and your dreams of their success may remain simply dreams. However many others share those dreams in common - and by working toward a common goal, Cogress demonstrates that with a modest investment the common can quickly achieve uncommon success.

Now with a clear focus on the UK market, they already have a range of investments with current pipeline in excess of £80 Million. If you are an experienced investor and can readily commit equity please contact us and allow us to introduce you to Cogress.

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National Heritage: A Weekend on Lake Como Recap Words by ALLEGRA BAISTROCCHI

In the warmth of a late afternoon in June, Villa Passalacqua sits resplendent in all of its glory. Starting from the lakeside, our guests made their way up the winding driveway which provides a grand entrance to this magnificent Villa in the pretty village of Moltrasio. It was a fitting location for a magical Friday evening that set the tone for a special weekend.

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nternational Heritage was delighted to host a weekend event in late June introducing some of the most desirable waterfront properties available on Lake Como to a number of our special clients and their guests.

Friday provided the opportunity to introduce world-renowned Italian jewellers Gismondi at our welcome evening. Contessa Allegra enjoyed wearing a beautiful diamond necklace with diamond and ruby chandelier earrings, and our guests had access to an array of Gismondi’s exquisite jewellery to try on at their leisure.

And just to make every woman’s dream come true, they brought their top designer to design individual jewellery pieces to each guest’s personal requirements.

The perfect historical setting was complimented by some spectacular metal sculptures brought - in person - by top international sculptor Helidon Xhixha, who works with Contini Art UK. Their modernity was the perfect juxtaposition to the rich history of the Villa and manicured gardens. Our guests were impressed by the reflective steel creations standing tall in the gardens - the

visually stunning, practical pieces of sculpted furniture forming an integral part of our setting in the Villa.

Saturday was devoted to opening up some beautiful lakefront properties, discreetly for sale, for our guests to view with lunch provided in a historic home; its long terrace providing a tranquil view of the lake. With the sunlight glistening over the lake - and a little more Gismondi champagne - the guests were then left to relax for the evening.

To conclude the weekend, Sunday brunch was arranged at an exclusive new lakefront development. Coffee, croissants and cakes, a tour of the apartments (the automated boat lifts in the dock were a fascination!), then motorboats across the lake to a property near Bellagio. And for those wishing to experience more, the motorboats dropped guests at the majestic Villa d’Este hotel for afternoon tea… or a glass of chilled rosé. Italian Heritage at its finest. www.national-heritage.com

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Singhing the African Song Words by NICOLETTE WATERFORD

A functional winery, a luxury spa and a boutique hotel. Delhi-based industrialist Analjit Singh’s latest acquisitions in the Franschhoek valley on the southern tip of Africa, South Africa, reveals his special relationship with this African country.

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fter visiting Cape Town for the first time ever, Analjit Singh, founder and chairman of The Max India Group with interests in life insurance, health insurance and health care, felt a sense of belonging. Wanting to invest in something functional, he ended up taking a stake in the South African wine and hospitality industry, the very first Indian investment in this sector that includes the acquisition and amalgamation of three prominent farms in the Franschhoek valley and the development of a new luxury boutique hotel, spa, winery and wine tasting facility.

This was also a first investment project in his personal capacity outside of India which clearly reflects in the name, the Afrikaans word Leeu (meaning lion), the Sanskrit derivation of Singh. For Singh, this is one of the rare investments in the consumer products space.

The industrialist, whose flagship firm is into a range of businesses including healthcare, insurance, senior living and contract research, is also a private investor in Vodafone’s Indian telecom arm, but the bulk of his business interest revolves around the services sector.

“I felt a gripping sense of belonging, of energy, a sense of place when I first saw this property in Franschhoek,” he recalls. “I am here out of choice. I was not born here. Neither was I married to someone from here. I am here because I want to be here.”

His South African portfolio called Leeu Collection, the manifestation of Singh’s vision for sophisticated escapes and unique wineland experiences, currently comprises Leeu Estates, a 21-room five-star luxurious boutique hotel and winery in the Franschhoek valley, Leeu House, an exclusive and private five-star 12-room boutique hotel in the heart of Franschhoek village and

the boutique hotel, Le Quartier Français.

Three historic farms, Dieu Donné, Klein Dassenberg and Von Ortloff were joined to create Leeu Estates, with its exquisite, restored 19th-century Manor House. These farms featured prominently in the traditions of the Franschhoek Valley, which has a fascinating history and a distinctly French ambience, having been settled by the French Huguenots in 1688.

Leeu Collection is also a partner in Mullineux & Leeu Family Wines, which produces award-winning wines in Riebeek-Kasteel in the Swartland wine region some 80 kilometres north of Cape Town and at Leeu Estates.

The latest acquisition to the Leeu Collection, a world renowned boutique hotel in the Franschhoek valley, Le Quartier Français (LQF), firmly establishes Singh’s footprint in the consumer product space and his determination to create something extraordinary in the beautiful Cape winelands. A place he now calls home.

“South Africa is a beautiful country with the friendliest people, who have made me feel truly welcome.

It has an unparalleled sense of peace. I love the people, the style, the gentle manner and a lot about being here.

I feel welcome here, although the Cape Winelands is an international formal setting, to me it feels like home. I am excited about the great opportunities that have become available to me and look forward to learning and making a contribution, in particular to the country’s top notch wine industry.”

“This latest acquisition makes me excited because I love to be part of creating something special. We are determined to create world-class experiences in a luxurious environment where the Cape winelands will feature prominently.”

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Palzatte, Barbados Words by ALISTAIR BROWN

Palazzate is a huge new beachfront property that sits on the swanky west coast of Barbados. It is just a short drive from the trendy bars and restaurants of Holetown, golfers can head to nearby Sandy Lane and the Limegrove shopping center is home to brands such as Cartier and Bvlgari.

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alazzate has four five-bedroom apartments of about 1,200 square meters each: perfect for large families, plus extra room for visitors and staff. No planning permission is needed if you

want to knock it through into a single mansion. There is a pool for each apartment plus a spa, gym, prayer room and even a 1,900-litre fish tank. Outside are gazebos among the palm trees and ginger lilies.

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This architectural masterpiece set on the famed west coast of Barbados has recently been announced as complete and ready for purchase. This unique beach estate is now offered for immediate purchase and occupancy.

Located at the northern end of the West Coast, this beachfront address will be the crown jewel of the island now becoming known as the Barbados Riviera.

Just a few minutes away is Port Ferdinand Marina & Luxury Residences as well as historic Speightstown.

The property owners at Palazzate will have exclusive access to berths and yachting facilities in Port Ferdinand Marina.

Enter this masterpiece through a cobblestone entryway with a tranquil fountain leading to an atrium boasting a grand chandelier and a tucked away Secret Garden. Total privacy is ensured with underground parking and private access direct to each of the four homes via private residence elevators and separate service elevators.

Offering four spectacular residences ranging

from 12,000 to 15,000 square feet of living space, each of the homes offers undisturbed views of beautifully landscaped gardens and unspoiled beaches to the Caribbean Sea beyond.

Exquisitely finished with the finest materials from around the world, completed with impeccable local craftsmanship and provision for custom options to compliment the owner’s style, each residence comprises: • Five bedrooms with ensuite bathrooms • Three of the bedrooms are ocean facing to the front of the home and direct terrace access • A private Media Room • Home Office/Library • Expansive, open living spaces • Private infinity edge pool on each terrace • Service quarters and private laundry facilities • The building offers shared amenities that includes it’s own luxurious spa along with a fully prepared gym featuring a full bubble wall. An additional TV lounge, café and entertainment area is the showcase to a 20-foot Salt Water Aquarium as its focal point.

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Discreetly placed staff quarters; lavish gardens; and a main pool strategically designed to highlight its surroundings while providing access to the beach.

Technology plays a significant role in the building with security and data provisions to meet the needs of the future owners. A number of key features from biometric controls to infrared camera surrounding the building are controlled from a security room on the basement level.

Underground parking for 18 vehicles provides simple access to the building for the owners and staff members alike. This same level of the building houses the mechanical, engineering and storage areas required to manage the building. Water storage is also situated on this lower floor.

This uniquely constructed building is built with local coral stone, which offers a uniquely distinctive look that will be preserved for many years into the future.

Hand-cut, each individual piece of stone provides a sense of place that is seldom seen in modern construction.

Arguably the best food and coolest bars in the Caribbean are nearby. Try freshly caught seafood with an Italian twist on the beachfront terraces at the highly

popular The Tides in Holetown, or head further south for Bajan classics such as flying fish on the flowerfilled patios of Brown Sugar. Sip cocktails and nibble tapas into the small hours at the elegant Red Door Lounge in Holetown.

Four berths at nearby Port Ferdinand are included in the price of US$125M â&#x20AC;&#x201C; call Chartwell Estates for access to your own unique App to further explore this amazing property. $125,000,000 For more information contact: Estates@chartwell-london.com www.chartwell-estates.com

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Why Britain?

Words by MARK ESTCOURT

The UK has long been seen as a desirable place for the international wealthy to live and work. It has a diverse and entrepreneur-friendly business culture, coupled with strong rule of law and stable taxation environment that have helped it draw a global elite. However, recent changes to the tax legislation have created concern that it will not prove as friendly in future. We believe those concerns are misplaced.

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s a place to do business, the UK is unrivalled. Its position at the centre of the global financial community means that it is an excellent place to raise and manage capital. The tax regime has been built to encourage entrepreneurship and the UK remains a melting pot of legal, financial and investment expertise.

The unpredictable weather may be a long-

standing source of frustration to its residents, but the UK can also offer much in terms of quality of life: The housing market has been stable through the worst periods of financial crisis and remains buoyant. Its private schools are globally competitive, with links to universities around the world. The cultural scene is rich and international in focus.

But donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t simply take our word for it: Last year,

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London retained its top spot in the annual Knight Frank Global Cities Survey, beating near-rivals New York and Singapore. The survey evaluates international cities on four main factors: economic activity; political power; quality of life; and knowledge & influence. London is therefore a global city with all the commercial and lifestyle advantages that comes from being the no1 destination.

Equally, residency is relatively accessible for the international wealthy. The UK government has generally been supportive of inward migration, keen to draw international talent and skills to the country. The Investor Visa programme provides global high net worth individual with a clear path to achieve UK residency and citizenship.

The programme allows aspiring residents to invest a minimum of £2m in the UK economy via a range of assets specified by the Government. In return they will receive an initial 3 years and 4 month residency with the possibility of extension if certain criteria’s are met. There are also other Visa types available for those willing to invest £5m or £10m, which offer a shorter investment term and residency qualification.

These assets have often been invested in a portfolio of UK gilts, but this is not compulsory and investors can invest in other assets (Bonds and Equities for example) to achieve greater growth. Invested well, these assets can form part of the building blocks of a wider investment portfolio. For example, the London & Capital bond portfolios will incorporate high yield bonds, financial bonds and investment grade corporate bonds to improve returns for investors.

The UK also benefits from a benign tax climate for the international wealthy. UK residents who have their ‘domicile’ outside the UK may not have to pay UK tax on foreign income, providing they do not bring it into the UK. The same rules apply if individuals make any foreign capital gains, for example selling shares or a second home. This alternative tax treatment is called the ‘remittance basis’ and provides good opportunities for wealth structuring and planning.

However, the rules on domicile have been tightened in recent years. Initially, an annual charge of £30,000 was introduced for those resident in the UK for at least 7 of the previous 9 tax years, with subsequent rises to £60,000 for those here for 12 of the previous 14 years and £90,000 for 17 out of the previous 20 years. Nondomiciliaries will therefore have to decide whether it is worth paying the annual charge to remain on a remittance basis.

The most recent budget has extended these provisions further, abolishing permanent non-domiciliary status. Previously, residents in the UK would only have had to prove an intention to move back to their home country at some point. Now, non-UK domiciliaries who have been UK tax resident for 15 of the past 20 tax years will be deemed as UK domiciled for all tax purposes from that date. This includes income tax, capital gains tax and inheritance tax. If someone arrives in the UK in, say, January 2010, they would be deemed as UK-domiciled from 6 April 2023 (if the proposals are enacted).

This has, understandably, troubled some expats in the UK and it is true that non-domiciliary status has been controversial. However, we believe it does not fundamentally dent the UK’s attractiveness for international visitors. At worst, the favourable tax regime lasts for 15 years, and major capital gains can be structured with that in mind. Also, the final details of the regime are not yet finalised and there may be ways to stay ahead of the domicile clock or potentially use trusts to mitigate the UK tax burden on non-UK assets.

Either way, we believe the UK remains a compelling place to live and work; any changes to the tax rules are far outweighed by its advantages. We would suggest that anyone thinking of moving here should arm themselves with the right adviser, who can help them navigate these issues within minimal disruption. www.londonandcapital.com

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Pride of Britain As Brett Gregory-Peake reveals, British business still has new tricks up its sleeves.

Despite being an Englishman, when pressed, I normally describe my provenance as British. This helps me to side step slurs about England’s lacklustre rugby performance and exercise my ineptitude for accents, the occasional James Bond by Sean Connery impersonation notwithstanding. ‘British’ helps us to be bigger, bolder and frankly, more interesting. By coincidence, in the context of this issue’s focus, in recent months we have had the good fortune to work with an abundance of British talent and young entrepreneurs.

Here’s a snap shot of some British business acts, veteran and virgin amongst them, who are leading from the front, embracing creativity and innovation.

March & White

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hen GQ call to request that you edit their ‘Bachelor Pad’ section, it’s a sign that you’re doing something right. British design duo James White & Elliot March are ‘curators of style’, whose team has grown from two to thirty five designers and architects in just five years. Following their triumph at The Arts Club, their commissions now range from London interiors, to New York skyscrapers and private yachts. www.marchandwhite.com

Hedge Brunch

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iscerning networking outfit for the alternative investment world, Hedge Brunch, have launched their first ‘Real Estate Brunch’ with an inaugural event at the Rolls Royce Showroom in Mayfair. No name badges or panel discussions, just a highly connected audience after the same outcome. www.hedgebrunch.com

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Bentley

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n recent years British motoring sensation Bentley has transformed itself from aristocratic carriage of choice to supercar slayer. Harking back to its heritage as a motor racing great, the marque is as exciting today as it was in yesteryear. This chameleonlike character is in evidence again with the launch of its first SUV, the Bentayga. www.bentleymotors.com

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hey might be owned by the Chinese, but Burberry are resolute in their support of British business. The fashion house has launched its first restaurant, Thomasâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s, from its flagship store on Regent St, with an all-British menu. From breakfast to dinner, ingredients are sourced from UK farmers and artisans within elegant Art Deco interiors, including scones straight off the Aga with clotted cream. www.uk.burberry.com

Burberry

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Hay Hill

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reaking the traditional members club mould, 12 Hay Hill’s hybrid has bridged the gap brilliantly between work and play to deliver a unique members-only business destination. Run by a former Operational Head of the Royal Household, from an enviable Mayfair location with Michelin star dining by chef Shaun Rankin, 12 Hay Hill does not get more British. www.12hayhill.com

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shering in the bygone era of dinner and dancing, before their official launch in 2016 The London Cabaret Club is stimulating the capital with a series of 007 inspired pop up shows titled ‘London Never Dies,’ celebrating 50 years of British espionage.

Choose your favourite Bond movie, get glamourous and prepare to be entertained late into the night. www.thelondoncapitalclub.com

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The Lakes by yoo rguably the most successful super model of all time and now a national treasure, Kate Moss has complemented her passion for fashion with an interior design debut at the exclusive country estate, The Lakes by yoo. Firmly cementing her long established love of The Cotswolds, Kate collaborated with British artisans to curate the ‘The Barnhouse’, which is for sale from £2.2million.

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www.thelakesbyyoo.com

www.batterseapowerstation.co.uk

t’s the largest brick building in Europe, once featured as the cover for a Pink Floyd album and nearly became Alton Towers 2, Battersea Power Station is already a symbol so synonymous with London. With Phase 3 design undertaken by iconic British architects Foster + Partners and Canadian talent Frank Gehry, Battersea Power Station is changing the London skyline and redefining the borough.

Battersea Power Station

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Living in the Golden Quarter The Eclectic View Penthouse Words by FRANCIS HOLMES

Vienna has recently been voted one of the most desirable cities in which to reside, a city best known for its beautiful architecture, cultural offerings and historic city centre. Set between St Stephen’s Cathedral and the Stock Exchange, the Golden Quarter is set amongst the most historic streets of Vienna.

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very European city worth its salt has a truly luxurious area in which to shop; a few streets (usually cobbled) that are magnets for those looking for the very best in life. Paris has the Champs-Elysees, of course, a tree-lined boulevard in the eighth arrondissement; London has bustlin Bond Street and, for those in the know, the more discreet and exclusive Mount Street, tucked away in a village-like corner of Mayfair. And, now after an extensive expansion completed in late 2014, Vienna has the Goldenes Quartier, or Golden Quarter, in the heart of the city’s First District, which is a listed UNesco World Heritage Site.

The Eclectic Penthouse is part of this major redevelopment that has transformed the area. Every aspect of the apartments have been created with luxury in mind and furnished with exclusive materials as well as state-of-the-art technology.

This spacious duplex penthouse apartment 304m in total is flooded with natural light and has a fabulous city view of Vienna’s historic buildings including the Kohlmarkt and the Michaelertor. Comprising of two bedrooms and two bathrooms as well as an assortment of entertaining rooms designed with open plan living in mind, the apartment is connected by a black spiral feature staircase linking the elegant dining room to the modern kitchen.

The most breathtaking aspect of this beautiful penthouse is the sunroom on the rooftop with a surrounding terrace with views that stretch across to this most historic of cities. €9,400,000 (The purchase price includes all fixtures and velvet furnishings.) www.goldenesquartier.com/living-and-working/living

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Artwork by Charlie Billingham

The Art of Investment Words by BENJAMIN AUSTIN

Art is a very personal choice, very much one man’s meat. Where a super contemporary piece will leave many people cold and others will rave about the concept, how important the artist is and how progressive and challenging it is.

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he old reactionary remark of ‘my eight year old could have done that’, sets the demarcation lines between those who embrace modern art and others who know what they like and want their art to be beautiful and representational.

This debate about what art should and should not be has raged for centuries, every movement has had their young Turks, the avant-garde of their time, pushing boundaries and tastes, until they eventually become part of the establishment. For instance Impressionism was very revolutionary, it was previously unheard of for artists to paint outdoors ‘en plein air’ away from the confines of the studio. In 1863, Manet’s Le Déjeuner sur l’herbe was rejected by the official Salon and was ultimately shown at the Salon des Refusés. The image of a nude

woman sitting amongst clothed men was shocking for contemporary eyes.

Other seminal and sensational artwork that provoked outrage when first shown, include Picasso’s infamous Les Demoiselles d’ Avignon (1907), Duchamp’s unturned urinal ‘Fountain’ (1917) and in more recent times we have Tracey Emin’s notorious ‘My Bed’ (1998), complete with an ashtray full of cigarettes, dirty knickers and used condoms. ‘The Holy Virgin’ (1996) by Chris Ofili upset the former mayor of New York, with its’ depiction of a Black Madonna surrounded by cutouts of pornographic magazines, mounted on elephant dung. Of course the publicity only helped to shore up the value of Ofili’s work.

Damien Hirst’s ‘Mother and Child Divided (1993) a vitrine of a cow and calf bisected in formaldehyde, likewise

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Artwork by Charlie Billingham

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created a tabloid sensation.

In the 90’s it was Charles Saatchi with his media savvy who helped to fuel the controversy surrounding these YBA (Young British Artists) and in turn increasing the value with collectors like the hedge fund king Steven Cohen snapping up the work (he apparently brought Hirst’s shark – ‘The Impossibility of Death in the Mind of Someone Living) for $8M in 2004. As the art got bigger, bolder and brasher so did the galleries that represented the artists. Larry Gagosian now has an empire of galleries stretching all over the world and his star turn artist Jeff Koons is a darling of the Post Pop genre. Balloon Dog (Orange) sold at auction in 2013 for a staggering $58.5M. The growth of the market has seen the art world morph and change over the years. Auction houses are now acting as galleries, staging curated exhibitions, artists have bypassed galleries and gone straight to auction, like Hirst did in 2008 at Sotheby’s two-day extravaganza making more than £111M. Hirst has recently opened his new gallery in Vauxhall (costing £25M) with a John Hoyland exhibition to general critical acclaim.

Galleries are now featuring their inventory online, with the emergence of Internet selling platforms, such as Artsy and Paddle 8. One of the most interesting developments in recent years is the growth of the art fair, giving collectors a one-stop shop. From your cheap and cheerful artwork for under £5,000 found at the Affordable Art Fair to the high value pieces on offer at Basel (Switzerland, Miami and Hong Kong), Frieze (London and New York) and the Armory (New York), plus the numerous satellite fairs that have sprung up around the major ones, such as Volta, Scope, Pulse and NADA. Fairs have also subdivided such as Frieze having two parts, the original one for the contemporary work and Frieze Masters catering for those looking for modern Masters such as Bacon and Warhol. For antiques there are fairs such as Olympia Art & Antiques fair and TEFAF in Maastricht. The fairs are social events and an excuse to throw a bash, with luxury brands getting in on the act to gain exposure to high net worth individuals.

Miami is famed for its’ non-stop parties, where wealthy collectors rub shoulders with celebrities and beautiful people. The same can be said for the Venice Biennial, years ago Venice was just a platform for countries to showcase the best of their cultural export, nowadays mega yachts are moored up and dealers are out in force.

So where do collectors start? How do you navigate this complicated world, full of fairs, gallery openings, auctions and sales? One can approach the market in terms of returns and track the Mei Moses World All Art Index to establish the auctions results ranging from Old Masters to Contemporary work. There are also art funds whereby investors can expect profitable returns, a model for this was the British Rail pension fund, when in the 1970’s about $70M was invested in about 2,500 works of art, which delivered an annualised return of 11.3%.

This is of course viewing art as a pure commodity, like stocks and shares rather than looking at the inherent aesthetic value. A smart and sophisticated collector has a keen eye on both.

Many art enthusiasts would like to build a collection, but not everyone has the budget or even room

for a Koons dog. We have also seen that controversial work may prove to be a sound investment but may not fit in with the sensibilities and taste of a collector. Art provokes questions and the whole business can be complicated and even confusing. It is big business with galleries, auction houses and artists growing in stature and with the lines being blurred in an ever-changing market place.

As a result Chartwell are launching a new division that will provide a bespoke art and antiques package for their clients, offering expert advice on acquisitions ranging from emerging young artists to established blue chip work. We also have the ability to source antiques, objet d’art and other collectibles. Chartwell Art and Antiques has an existing relationship with dealers, galleries, and independent artists. The ultimate aim is to guide a client through the process of acquiring significant pieces and assist in building a collection. As part of the overall ‘turn key’ ethos of the company, Chartwell Art and Antique is able to advise on every aspect of acquisition, from selection and negotiation, to insurance, delivery and installation. Chartwell Art and Antiques gives their clients an insiders’ perspective. It will cherry pick the very best and guide prospective buyers through the rich array of artwork on offer, be it through a gallery or at a fair. For a client they must be satisfied that pieces are to their tastes, within their budget and ultimately a sound investment. Good art, be it contemporary paintings, sculptures or classical objects creates cultural discourse, activates a room and promotes ongoing creativity and commerce.

We have included examples of artwork by two young emerging British artists who are currently being snapped up by collectors and have very promising careers ahead of them - Charlie Billingham and Tim Ellis. Charlie Billingham’s work is quintessentially British, reflecting a Regency period of racy humour to comic effect, featuring decoratively painted legs and bums all trussed up in the high fashion of the day. Charlie comes out the Royal Academy Schools and was featured in ‘New Order: British Art Today’ at the Saatchi Gallery in 2013. He has had solo shows both in London and Berlin. Tim Ellis plays with design and symbols, creating work that mimics flags and banners. He folds and scuffs the paintings making them seem to appear from a different time and era.

Indeed the source material can be seen in Art Deco motifs, Modernist iconography and advertising design. Tim paints on glazed bed linen, and therefore the work refers to domesticity and a home made aesthetic. This is further enhanced by the work being displayed using distressed and acid bathed bulldog clips. Tim also hails from the Royal Academy Schools and has been included in the London Open at the Whitechapel Gallery and is represented by Fold Gallery. He is featured in the book 100 Painters of Tomorrow (Thames & Hudson) and his work appears in The Saatchi Collection and various public and private collections in Europe, Asia and the USA. .

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Artwork by Tim Ellis

Welcome

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elcome to the second edition of Chartwell Design. This publication sees us delve into the latest design trends - in this issue specifically we focus on British designed products to coincide with our Best of British Journal.

From the Chelsea suites at the 5star Berkeley to how to style yourself and your home a la Mr James Bond, we hope there is something that inspires your next design or renovation update. We also celebrate the launch of Chartwell Design, (REMOVE)operating internationally though based in St Jamesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s, London providing services which include CAD design, interior design, bespoke furniture and project management.

2016 will see our Chartwell Dubai office opening offering bespoke design services in the UAE.

Office UK 23 Hanover Square , Mayfair London W1S 1JB T

Factory Italy Via Milani 1 Ripoli 64023 Mosciano Santâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Angelo ( TE )

+44 203 7058465 | info@segmento.co.uk | www.segmento.co.uk

+39 085 8028568 | www.d1ebanisteria.com

Robert Angell - Chelsea Suite Words by VICTORIA SHEPPARD

Chartwell takes a look inside the latest, very British “Chelsea Suites”, creation of acclaimed interior designer Robert Angell. The Berkeley in Knightsbridge has expanded its’ range of luxury suites with the guidance of renowned designer Robert Angell. The interior pays homage to British craftsmanship, with each suite adorned with handcrafted furniture and design pieces with Angell’s signature sophisticated style. The decor is warm and discreet, oozing the elegance the discerning traveller would expect in a 5* Knightsbridge or Chelsea property.

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orking alongside artisans Ben Whistler and Dunmore on the ‘Chelsea Suites’ project, Robert Angell has made further additions to The Berkeley’s ongoing refurbishment plan (which includes Angell’s’ redesign of the famed Caramel Room). The suites overlook the iconic Wilton Place location, with one of the new Chelsea suites featuring a terrace, guests can simply enjoy the quintessential London backdrop or enjoy the foray of

supercars and luxury motors arriving at the hotel. Curved spacious sofas and a dining table make the suites a great place to hold an intimate drinks reception and there is the added privacy of soft wooden sliding doors to close off the bedroom.

The suites see The Berkeley welcoming its first array of four-poster beds, which are covered with rich white cotton bedding and coloured cushions. The British feel of the suites is continued all the way through to the marble-

clad bathrooms which are accompanied by/feature(?)

English brand Bamford’s botanical products. The suites (seamlessly?) blend traditional elegance with modern luxury with the comprehensive in-room entertainment system and high speed internet connections. The suites can also be connected together to become two-bedroom suites upon request.

There are five Chelsea Suites available, rates start from £2800 plus VAT with the Sleep Butler service priced at an additional £300 per night.

Reservations can be made directly by contacting the Reservations team by email reservations@the-berkeley.co.uk +44 (0) 203 733 5821 www.the-berkeley.co.uk For more information about Robert Angell and his studio Robert Angell Design International: +44 (0)20 7481 4800 www.robertangelldesigninternational.com

Four Seasons Dubai Words by VICTORIA SHEPPARD

Internationally renowned designer Adam D. Tihany will design the interiors of the second Four Seasons Resort in Dubai, set to open in 2016. The new hotel marks the brand’s first complete hotel collaboration with Tihany, who also designed several restaurants at the recently opened Four Seasons property on Jumeirah Beach Road.

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ocated in the heart of Dubai’s fashionable Financial District, the ultra luxurious 106-room hotel offers an intimately sized contemporary oasis for business travelers.

The hotel’s unique identity embodies the essence of Four Seasons while creating an elegant and refined environment for guests.

“Our vision for Four Seasons DIFC was to create the ultimate luxury boutique hotel in one of the most sought after neighborhoods in the country,” said Shahab Lutfi, CEO of Bright Start. “By appointing

Adam D. Tihany to execute this vision, we ensured the hotel design would not only be at the highest level of sophistication but would also bring a unique identity to the Financial District.”

Commenting on his work, Tihany said, “Four Seasons DIFC is nothing short of a custom tailored suit, elegant and designed to completely adhere to the needs of its guests.” www.fourseasons.com/dubaijb

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‘You Never Know When Inspiration Will Hit You. That’s the Thrill’ Words by JO DENBURY for BEYOND BESPOKE

Joanna Bibby, who founded the innovative luxury design company Ochre, along with Harriet MacDonald and Solenne de la Fouchardière, tells how she finds her inspiration in the unlikeliest of places.

What drew you to design in the first place?

It was a deeply intuitive thing. From a young age I appreciated colour, shape and form. I have no idea where it came from, but it was just there, deep inside me, waiting to be realised.

How did you get your career started?

Well, I was a late starter in the design world. I was involved in the catering world and travelling rather a lot for ten years (which is also creative) before I returned to art school aged 30 and my eyes were open to a much bigger creative field. With a slightly more mature head on my shoulders, it all seemed possible and it was a very exciting time. That is also where I met Harriet MacDonald.

Your furniture is beautiful. How do you come to choose the combinations of your materials?

There is no straight answer to your question. It is purely through a gut feeling that they will work. It’s crazy I know as we marry materials that probably shouldn’t work together but they just do. It’s the learning progress along the way that we enjoy.

What inspired your latest collection?

Our most recent lighting is the family of Seed Cloud Installations and Celestial Pebble pendants and the challenge and inspiration was working with LEDs to hide the source of lighting in a chandelier.

Can you describe to us your designing process and where you go to for inspiration?

Harriet, Solenne and I design together. It may seem strange to some that we don’t split the tasks between us, but we don’t.

We share an aesthetic so when it comes to colour, proportions and ideas we just sing from the same hymn sheet. It’s terrific, but I know how lucky I am to have this relationship with my business partners.

What would you say makes furniture work successfully in a room?

It has to be functional and it has to be beautifully made, but when it comes to the design it is totally in the eye of the client. We have no control of that. We design products we like, display them and photograph them how we like, and if we are lucky the clients will like them too. I love it when clients mix modern pieces with fabulous antiques.

Where do you go for inspiration?

This is such a hard question because it simply comes from anywhere and everywhere. It might be going to visit the V&A glass department, a masterpiece at the National Gallery, visiting a Mughal monument in Delhi, a wet piece of lichen on a tree or the structure of a dry stone wall. Nothing should be out of bounds for inspiration. Who knows where it might just hit you?

And that’s the thrill.

How important is craftsmanship to you? Can you give us some examples where you have used old techniques for modern collectables?

It is 100% paramount. There is so much talent and skill out there that we want to work with and explore further. Bronze casting and water gilding are two very good examples. We love exploring new processes; it’s the essence of how we work.

What do you listen to when you are designing or do you prefer silence?

I actually quite like both, and it totally depends on my mood and what I am trying to focus on. I do love BBC Radio 4 subconsciously playing in the background, as there is something very comforting about the predictable weekly shows, but I am good at switching off too if I want some space. Silence is also terrific. I don’t generally work to music but I love listening to it at the weekends, in my PJs, making a cuppa in the morning, and that can vary totally from jazz to rock to world music.

Would you say you prefer clutter or order in your home and workplace?

I dream of having order in both but sadly I have neither – unlike Harriet and Solenne, who are super clutter-free. It’s weird, I know where everything is but it’s just all over the place!

What is your proudest achievement?

That Ochre is still going strong 20 years on, having started as a business around a kitchen table with a dear friend. It’s still thriving and we are still dear friends.

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The Interiors Luxe List Words by JO DENBURY for BEYOND BESPOKE

From bespoke baby grands to camelia-emblazoned trays, these are some of the best picks from British luxury interiors.

Fully upholstered and neatly buttoned, the glamorous new Gosford stool in tinted sycamore will complement any dressing table. £2,725. www.davidsonlondon.com You might have noticed there’s a trend for faux on our walls. Take this whimsical ‘Cabaret’ paper at £105 per 10m roll. By Cole & Son A piece of art fitted with a Goldfinch piano – ‘The Baby’ by Based Upon is truly remarkable and took nine years of design evolution. £475,000. Each piano is bespoke. www.goldfinchpianos.com Continue the Chelsea Flower Show vibe with the latest collection of découpage trays by Bridie Hall. Pink and white Camelia tray, £180. www.pentreath-hall.com

For timeless homes that are completely bespoke to each client’s requirements, Thomas Coombes Interior Design will advise on both the practical and expert craftsmanship.

The ultimate in luxe is this Sable Chair – a metal frame clad in the finest Italian leather with hand-sewn pinched seams and scalloped corner details. Choose one in Quince for a nod towards this season’s brights. Sable Chair £1,308, also available as Bar Stool £1,914. www.ochre.net

Luxury in Details Bespoke Bar Luxury Yachts Influenced Design of the Bar Words by VICTORIA SHEPPARD

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bespoke home design bar can make you feel like you own one.

This contemporary bar project was designed by Agnieszka Makarewicz with close collaboration from the client.

The combination of ebony macassar timber, creamy delicate leather panels and polished chrome created a bespoke composition.

Elegant and stylish fabric from Dedar added a bit of a sparkle to the bar stools.

A clean and contemporary look was achieved in this design by using only the best materials - combined in proportion to create a unique arrangement. The client who had a very active role in the design of the bar had sought inspiration from his love of interior yacht design.

The entire configuration includes a front and back bar, which is accompanied by full height mirror panels.

In front of the island bar we have four bespoke bar stools in polished chrome.

DESIGN

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London: +44 (0)207 952 6366

design@chartwell-london.com

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www.chartwell-london.com

Chartwell Group Design Lifestyle Words by VICTORIA SHEPPARD

The Chartwell Group are now working in conjunction with Custodian, our selected partner agent for sourcing rare, highly sought after and classic cars, watches and art from around the world.

Chartwell have formed a partnership to be able to offer our clients the following services..

Vehicle Sourcing Vehicles sourced for our clients include Super & Hyper Cars: La Ferrari, Porsche 918 Spyder, McLaren P1, Ferrari 488 GTB & Spyder, Ferrari 458 Speciale & Aperta, Porsche 991, Porsche GT3 & GT3 RS. Dino, 275, 500 Superfast, F40, F50, Enzo, 250 California Spyder’s, 250 GTO’s (series 1 & 2), Bugatti Veyron’s, Mercedes 300 SL Gullwing, Pagoda, and classic Porsche’s.

Vehicle Collections: We can build clients vehicle collection with the benefit of our trade knowledge on off-market assets, and also dispose of collections discreetly with minimal

administration, and also arrange and manage of storage of collections. International delivery by air or shipping can be arranged to ensure your vehicles are at your preferred destinations. We can also work with investment funds whom are looking to invest in appreciating vehicles with good returns, we can also store collections and buy and dispose of vehicles to maximise margins to investors.

The following automotive services are also available; Acquisition, disposal, storage, maintenance, transportation, advanced market knowledge. Fleet sourcing. Armoured adaptions. Investment and pension platforms, and storage.

Our HNW international client base spans UK, Europe, The Middle East and USA. Please contact automotive@chartwell-london.com or call the media team on 0207 952 6366.

Behind Closed Doors The Most Luxurious British Bathrooms Words by BEN FOWLER

The bathroom of modern Britain is a world away from the bare, cold rooms of yesterday where luxury and decadence were scarce. Years ago the bathing experience was fleeting; cold feet were dipped in and out then retreated upon sharply. The 21st century home expects more, globetrotting owners have experienced elements of five-star hotel luxury and want the health and beauty grace notes previously associated with spas. Bare and cold have been replaced by minimalism and sheer indulgence as the philosophies of the British bathroom. No longer a place of mere function, it has become a “cocoon”, a “retreat” – the only room that we can lock ourselves in and the world out. Rather than escape, we linger, we luxuriate. And while the other, more public, parts of the home are intended as showpieces to impress dinner guests, the bathroom provides our own champagne moments, our own private sanctuary-fortress.

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uch is the importance of a wellness sanctuary today that the addition of a high-end bathroom adds £45,000 to £75,000 on to the value of a £1.5 million London home. While significantly larger in size than before – and expanding – the biggest transformation is what a bathroom is made of.

Modern British luxury is defined by carefully matched panels of marble, frameless shower enclosures big enough to party in, vanity areas with forensic lighting and copper baths – often proudly displayed as centrepieces. This hotel-room fashion for positioning adds drama and spectacle; although with the advent of modern one-way viewing glass, bathers might prefer a window seat - enjoying a good view of open British fields or parkland, an experience of luxury and modesty while basking in the freedom outside.

The modern experience needs to be tailored to the modern lifestyle; uniquely the British bathroom attempts to cater for the needs of professional couples who have to quickly face a hectic day, while also

providing a quiet space where one can relax in the bath as their partner lounges and chats with them in front of a fireplace - able to share a peaceful moment as a reward for long working hours. Today’s bathrooms require a certain flexibility. Separation of function within the room facilitates a multi-experiential bathroom; electromagnetic glass divisions switch from frosted to clear at the touch of a button, allowing spathroom combinations of spa and bathrooms.

Chronotherapy water lighting and horizontal showers draw inspiration from the spa and bring it to the highend home.

The British bathroom today provides a metaphor for the entire house, presenting an opportunity to show off the degree of quality and detailing to which the property has been finished. At the same time though, the bathroom is a behind-closed doors domain; in the bustle of the modern lifestyle it provides a solace to shut out the world, relax, and escape into a perfectlyequipped private universe.

The Foxhill Manor in the Cotswolds provides the chance to bask in the beauty of the surroundings while sipping Champagne.

Bespoke bathrooms by Drummonds (drummonds-uk.com), including designs

by Milly Goodwin, chrome finishes and the stunning, polished Torridge bath at Andy Murrayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Cromlix, Dunblane.

In London at The Goringâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Royal Suite, guests can experience the spectacle of a near-life-size portrait of Queen Victoria hung behind a hi-tech glass wall in a shower big enough for six.

Example from Lapicida (lapicida.com), including the work of Rebecca Cherrington and Clarity Arts, and displaying the modern luxury trademarks of natural marbles and stones.

Designed to evoke the art deco era with a contemporary twist, this bathroom at The Wellesley, overlooking Hyde Park, captures the art deco era with a contemporary twist featuring handselected blocks of veined marble and a decadent freestanding baths on an aluminium plinth.

Example range Ripples (ripples.ltd.uk), famed for their hand-drawn designs and luxury bespoke bathroom spaces.

Fixtures and designs from Bathrooms International by THG (thgparis.com), displaying the fine detail and quality of finish.

James Price Bespoke Blacksmith and Designer Words by BEN FOWLER

In a small parish village in West Sussex, hidden amongst the quaint stone buildings, the fires of a forge roar.

Resting on the coals of the furnace sits a coffee pot, the aromas mixing with the heat and smells of the workshop. In the corner sits a Collie named Billy, patiently watching as his master, blacksmith James Price begins his work. Pouring a coffee, he sets to the task at hand and places a single piece of steel into the fires, from this simple strip of metal he will work and hammer the form of one of his trademark candlesticks. And so this simple strip of metal, in this tiny village, will eventually become a talking point at some dinner party held in the dining room of a luxury property in the big city. All journeys have to start somewhere, and, as the hammer comes down, so this one begins.

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ames Price had a somewhat unconventional training; upon following his studies at the Centre for Rural Crafts in Hereford he wrote a letter to master blacksmith Christophe Friedrich. Drawn to the clean lines that Christophe produced, he would continue to train under

his tutorage in Switzerland. After honing his skills at Christopheâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s traditionally renovated water-powered forge, he returned to the UK. He would continue to learn, working in various places, maintaining and preserving the traditions imparted on him through his own high-end designs.

Many modern displays of traditional craftwork seem like designers utilising a craft as opposed to a craftsman utilising design methods. “I like to keep my feet in both fields” says Price, his work demonstrating old-fashioned handcrafting and the physicality of forging with a creative, contemporary aesthetic. The finish of his work gives an organic feel and result unachievable through welding or other methods, exhibiting a respect for the steel that seems, as Price comments, to “need the fire”.

Preferring a loose brief, Price’s portfolio is incredibly diverse, with much give and take as the creative process attempts to match the vision of the client – something he has described as “cross-pollination”. As an example of the evolution of a project through the processes used, his stunning orbit light and its’ radiating arcs capture the fluid movement inherent in the making process. Similarly, the form of the cocoon light reflects the taming of over 40 metres of forged bronze. The pedestal lights, meanwhile, convey the full force of the forging process, the stack of overlapping steel on the base having been forged together under a large power hammer - a wonderfully solid base that captures the plasticity and malleability of the hot metal.

The natural connotations of the traditional aspects of forging frequently come into play in Price’s work. The fantastic wheatears-and-sheaf design flavoured with a very British agricultural influence. Nature provides inspiration for the sapling arch, giving an organic feel to a formal section of garden. A close connection between the art of the smith and nature’s designs is displayed by

his fireside seats. Forged and fabricated from sumptuous bronze and commissioned for clients who own a vineyard, the twisting bronze vine stems support suede upholstery.

Blacksmithing has its roots in more utilitarian uses, once an essential local tradesman repairing tools and equipment.

Occasionally James is still called upon to repair “the odd fork” as a favour; but his bespoke work is an even rarer thing – the perfect blend of tradition, craft and design. Billy the dog - who - in one the finest of craftsman’s traditions - was acquired as part of an arrangement to fix some door fittings, barely bats an eyelid as James Price hammers away; the candle stick beginning to take shape and form, malleable in the fire of the furnace and in the imagination of the smith, as an expert craftsman’s hands work to make an expert designer’s vision into reality.

For details contact : James Price Blacksmith Ltd. The Workshop. Highbridge Lane, East Chiltington, East Sussex, BN7 3QY Tel: 01273 890398 Email: info@blacksmithdesigner.com www.blacksmithdesigner.com Images by Hugo Fox

James Bond Words by VICTORIA SHEPPARD

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mulate the classic James Bond style with these timeless pieces. The latest James Bond movie ‘Spectre’ launches in Autumn 2015, we have put together this guide to stealing Bond’s style.

Pendant Light ‘Revolve Pendant Light’, Bert Frank - £570 ‘Tic15’ watch by Piero Lissoni for Alessi - £225 Croc iPhone case in purple by Alma - £40 James Bond Poster; Sean Connery as 007 1965, Italy, from LAPADA dealer Antikbar - £1,250

Cocktail shaker - £72 Alessi Ballerino Chandelier by Nigel Coates - £POA Original Cocktail Cabinet by Justin van Breda - £5,000 Moet Gauche Chaise by Christopher Guy - £7,916 Ladies Silk dressing gown, Gingerlilly - £210 Nonchalante Col, 008 silk shantung by Dedar - £186/m To create you dream interior please contact the Chartwell Design and Chartwell Bespoke Team on 0207 952 6366

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Feng Shui in the UK Words by VICTORIA SHEPPARD

Situated inside one of London’s most infamous shops is the eloquently designed Chai Wu. How does a luxury retail outlet create an authentic Asian dining experience inside a department store?

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he interior design of the restaurant is influenced by the five elements in Chinese philosophy; fire, water, wood, earth and metal. The interior is a combination of marble, leather and timbers to create a relaxed all day dining experience. The restaurant combines traditional Chinese design alongside contemporary features, including a theatrical kitchen which diners can sit at to watch the chefs at work. When designing a restaurant it is important to consider all elements of the dining experience that are important to your clientele. Chai Wu consists of bar style seating by the marbled sided

open grill - great for solo shoppers - while also housing booths and intimate white clothed tables for business lunches and dates.

The 5 star design theme continues through to the food where dishes are presented ‘smoking’, sprinkled with Gold Leaf and gently topped with caviar. Each course looked like a work of art from the Seafood and Black Truffle Dumpling to the stunning Dragon Fruit filled with Sweet & Sour Chicken. www.chaiwu.co.uk - Chai Wu is located on the 5th Floor of Harrods.

Lighting up England Words by VICTORIA SHEPPARD

Temple & Ivy unveil their debut interior lighting collection, which combines traditional sculpture with modern materials and the rich textures and flamboyance of the natural world.

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heir very first collection is a range of bird leg lamp bases that have been, almost, brought to life by the sculptor as each set of legs is so detailed and life-like.

The collection features Avocets, Flamingos, African Jacana, African Rail, Runner Ducks, Ostrich and Purple Gallinule.

Temple & Ivy founders, Nicky Boulton and Susan Neville, spent several months in Kenya and Zimbabwe photographing and tracking birds to launch their first lighting range. Working with sculptor Neil R Mason, a winner of several wildlife sculpture awards, they ensure that the legs are as life-like as possible. Using Neil’s talent for capturing the movement of a bird and the foundry’s expertise interpreting it, the legs have the appearance of a bird freely walking, not grounded by a

base. Birds’ feet are, after all, perfectly balanced for their environment.

Nicky & Susan took inspiration from the birds they discovered on their African travels but also by historical design and architecture. They were drawn in particular to the Georgians, who used feet on all kinds of household furniture and to the Surrealists, who explored the use of legs and feet on tables and chairs. Temple & Ivy cleverly bring both classic and contemporary styles together - and lighting is just the start. The lamps are available in Bronze, Copper, Verdigris, Pewter & Old Gold. Shades can also be customised to the clients specifications or fabrics tailored to suit their current interiors. www.templeandivy.com - Made in England

Chartwell Introduces Chelsea Based Artist Minna George Words by VICTORIA SHEPPARD

Based in her London studio - talented artist Minna George creates a limited number of mixed medium paintings every year, the majority of which are snapped up by her loyal collectors.

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eorge has been a professional artist for the last 15 years since graduating from the Chelsea College of Art and also gaining a Masters with Distinction in European Art History & Practice. Her courses enabled her to work alongside legends of the art world including Sir Peter Blake. George has also worked in prestigious galleries and has owned her own gallery which enabled her to gain a greater insight into the mind of a collector. Minna’s craft does not begin when she picks up her paintbrushes, she creates the finest canvases and personally makes all of her own paints using pigment.

Minna draws inspiration from the environment around her such as nature and ‘life’ which are often the subject of her paintings. George’s paintings often take months of fine tuning before release and often have up to 30 layers of paint. Minna will add and remove the thin layers to achieve a depth within the painting.

Drawings are also translated into Minna’s paintings organically and she often includes a drawing of a subject of interest to create a better representation in the

painting. In George’s latest collection there are references to horses, flowers and landscapes. The excitement of drawing a subject in one line, with the confidence that it will look as anticipated, pushes George to challenge and develop her creations further.

George has been commissioned on many an occasion to furnish luxury international homes in their entirety with her paintings alone. Minna’s client base includes A-list celebrities and prominent collectors and business people.

Most recently Minna’s works have been featured in a stand alone exhibition at The Royal Automobile Club, Pall Mall as well as “Pop” at the prestigious Darren Baker Gallery, London.

Minna is regularly exhibiting with the Darren Baker Gallery and Contemporary Collective please contact via the website for further information …

For more information on Minna’s work please visit www.minnageorge.com

Music to Our Ears Words by VICTORIA SHEPPARD

Chartwell are specialists in all things bespoke - we create fine homes, furniture and surrounds to our clients exact requirements. We are always pleased to discover other artisan craftsman who’s products we can partner with our homes. Founded by JR Norman in 1975 (originally named 1066), Norman was a pioneer in the art of piano building and went against the grain of his peers to create truly magnificent works of art around finely tuned pianos.

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oldfinch create custom-built pianos which look more like a work of art than a musical instrument. From a baby grand fully encrusted with Swarovski crystals to a contemporary bronze masterpiece - your wish is Goldfinch’s command when it comes to designing your vision.

In 2008 Goldfinch launched its designer range of pianos with a mantra of your ‘imagination being the only limitation’.

In 2009 the company made waves when it installed

a piano onboard Sir Donald Goslings yacht. After a 2015 rebrand from 1066 to Goldfinch, the piano’s are made and created in Cambridge, UK. A piece of art fitted with a Goldfinch piano – ‘The Baby’

by Based Upon is truly stunning piece and took nine years of design evolution. £475,000. Each piano is bespoke. www.goldfinchpianos.com - Made in Cambridge, UK.

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John Makepeace: ‘Furniture is Our Legacy for Future Generations’ Words by BEYOND BESPOKE

John Makepeace is Britain’s foremost furniture designer, and makes unique museum-quality pieces of furniture that will not be repeated for anyone else…

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f ever there was an apposite expression for John Makepeace’s rise from small boy whittling wooden objects out of discarded skirting board to internationally renowned, award-winning furniture maker collected by everyone from grand dukes to the V&A, then it must surely be “Mighty oaks from little acorns grow”.

“As a child I loved whittling,” says Makepeace, admitting to initially ‘varying degrees of success’ at a pursuit that first sparked his passion for making. “We were evacuated to Wales during the War so my father was toing and froing, and when we moved back to the house just outside Birmingham it needed quite a lot of

attention, including replacing skirting boards that were rotten. In 1946 it was really hard to get any wood at all, so offcuts from the skirting were heaven for me.”

Fittingly, for a boy, the local cricket bat works also became another source of offcuts, but it was the presence of ‘three rather special’ pieces of furniture in the family home that have had the biggest influence on his later career choice. “They were made by my paternal grandfather who was a cabinet maker in Ipswich,” reflects Makepeace. “They had a really quite special quality.”

The death of his father before he was 18 prompted him to rethink a teenage ambition to enter the Church, and instead of heading off to university, Makepeace decided

to pursue a career in furniture design and making, spurred on by several summers ‘gleaning a lot about the design scene’ in Holland, Denmark and Sweden.

“On leaving school I began looking for somewhere to train, and that brought me to Dorset and to a maker at Lychett Matravers, who was very good on the construction of furniture. He told me not to expect to make a living from making furniture, and suggested I qualify to teach through a distance learning programme in the evenings and weekends. To complete this, I taught in Birmingham for two few years. Teaching persuaded me I didn’t want to teach.”

Working on furniture commissions and exhibiting at various London venues, Makepeace featured extensively in the national press. “It was not long before I was selected as a member of the Chartered Society of Designers. I was getting design recognition for a range of products, which were made for design retailers, such as Heal’s and Liberty,” explains Makepeace. “That in turn led to recognition from the architectural profession and I was commissioned to furnish interiors for Oxford’s Templeton College, where we did 24 study bedrooms, the library, and then 120 rooms for Keble College, Oxford, and other domestic and office buildings. The large contracts involved unacceptable compromises on singular items of furniture and it was at that stage that museums started commissioning pieces for their permanent collections, such as the V&A, Birmingham Museum, Edinburgh, Cardiff, Leeds, and the Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge. ” In 1976, at the age of 37, Makepeace bought Parnham House in Beaminster, West Dorset, and set up the worldfamous furniture college alongside, but separate from his own furniture studio (distinguished alumni include David Linley and Konstantin Grcic).

Following the sale of Parnham in 2001, Makepeace and his wife, Jennie, purchased the beautiful Farrs, a listed house in Beaminster, which now functions as home, gardens, design studio, gallery, with timber seasoning in adjacent buildings for current and future commissions.

The house and garden, open for charity several times a year, are hugely popular with visitors.

Today Makepeace is Britain’s most renowned furniture maker, collected by major museums, corporate and private collections in the UK, Europe, US and China.

The recipient of Lifetime Achievement Award from the American Furniture Society, a founding member of the Crafts Council in the UK and a former Trustee of the V&A, Makepeace was awarded an OBE for services to furniture design in 1988. With many projects currently in the pipeline, including work at Chatsworth House and chairs for Plymouth University’s Graduation Ceremonies, slowing down doesn’t appear to be an option for Makepeace.

Whether it’s a new commission or the properties of different timbers, his enthusiasm still remains as potent as ever: “There are a lot of common trees, such as beech, that are grown big but very dull, so I don’t use those.

What I’m particularly interested in using are the more distinctive woods like yew, holly, walnut, burr oak and ripple sycamore – now quite rare but very beautiful.”

Unsurprisingly, then, a piece by John Makepeace is

not something that can be hurried along. “One of the issues I find nowadays is that when people are moving house they are inclined to want everything right this moment,” he says. “My pieces often take 12 months, but clients understand that it takes time to make objects of exceptional quality. To help them visualise my proposals I provide very realistic perspectives.”

Tirelessly committed to excellence in design and its ability to transform our homes and lives, Makepeace believes in design as an evolving process.

“It’s about how we experience the object,” he explains.

“Just as theatre or music is about communication, so is design. Objects speak to people who are receptive; I want them to experience the continuing delight from using a Makepeace. Integrity in design expresses the rationale for the object, and its structure and inventiveness that adds to its functionality. I’ve often analysed the components of design as function, structure and expression.”

For Makepeace, quality in furniture design determines its longevity, whether it’s a beautiful collector’s cabinet, a dining room for a palace, or a bedroom for a guest house in Connecticut. “That sense of permanence, of passing things on, adds a further dimension. Some clients are particularly family orientated and consider what each member of their family will have after they have gone. To me, the things that are worth having are worth having for ever.”

And with that, Makepeace hands me an image of an exquisite ‘Mulberry’ dining table, one of a series of different ‘leaf’ tables inlaid with polished bronze. If ever there was an object worth having, and made to be treasured for generations to come, then this one is surely a perfect example.

A Flair for Floors Words by VICTORIA SHEPPARD

From hand-knotted silk rugs to leather floor tiles made from the highest quality hide, there is no better way to transform your home than with a beautiful bespoke floor.

Couture commissions Using hand-spun yarns and the traditional technique of weaving on vertical looms, Veedon Fleece are a custom weaving house with a dedicated team based in Nepal.

They have several different qualities for clients to choose from, such as pashmina, silk or veedon and are a popular choice with architects and interior designers commissioning for some of the most discerning people in the world.

Back to black Working with natural stone means you have a neverending variety of tone and texture on offer. Lapicida are one of the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s leading natural stone specialists and predict an emerging trend for black flooring, offering a

wide choice of new and reclaimed black stones, from limestone to slate and granite in a mixture of finishes.

Luxurious leather By using technological advances and expertise, luxury leather specialists ALMA 1938 can deliver beautiful leather flooring that will stand the test of time. The leather floor tiles are made of the highest quality hides, tanned slowly using vegetable extracts and wrapped around an MDF substrate which is then fitted by their leather workers.

The wood effect Specialising in parquet, marquetry and antique flooring, Weldon have provided flooring for some of the countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s

finest buildings, including Buckingham Palace and the V&A, ensuring that each design fits in with the rest of the room, such as door frames and corners.

Contemporary cool From custom designs, colours and widths, these pure wool venetian flatweave rugs and runners will brighten up any style of staircase and hallway. All of the existing designs can be customised by re-scaling or using a choice of colours from the Roger Oates colour palette, however if a particular colour is required then yarn can be specifically dyed. For instance, the above customer changed the ground colours from oatmeal to white for an uplifting design.

Chartwell Design Words by ALAN BEAKE

The Chartwell Group celebrate the launch of Chartwell - Design. This division of Chartwell will encompass Interior Design, CAD design/ technical drawings, modelling, valuations and architecture.

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eading up our new specialist venture is Alan Beake. Alan has over 30 years experience in the industry and has been working with Chartwell for the past 15 years in Monaco, France and London.

Almost 30 years ago Alan made a break and set up his own Practice to specialise in the Leisure industry allowing Alan to continue to demonstrate his Architecture skills and passion for Interior Design. The practice flourished and went on to expand beyond the Leisure sector in to Retail, Commercial, Industrial, Health and Residential.

Alan recently returned from living and working in Dubai to suggest that there is a future in Dubai for Chartwell following which Alan and Andrew Sheppard

(Chartwell’s CEO) decided to combine their skills and form Chartwell Design.

Chartwell Design’s head office will be based in Mayfair London and is be managed and developed jointly by Alan and Andrew alongside their highly experienced and specialist team. In 2016 Alan will also assist with the launch of Chartwell Design in Dubai.

Alan is proud to announce the launch of Chartwell’s free standing design company -“We are now about to enter a very exciting period both in International Design and Construction Management under one banner - ‘Chartwell’”. www.chartwell-london.com

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The colourful world of Neisha Crosland Words by JO DENBURY for BEYOND BESPOKE

From fabrics and wallpaper to bed linen and fine china, Neisha Crosland is widely recognised as one of Britain’s foremost designers, with her exquisite use of colour and pattern. Here, she talks about her ‘magpie instinct’ and the inspiration behind her latest wallpaper collection

What drew you to design in the first place?

I began painting and drawing from an early age and it made me look closely at things. I was very short-sighted, which gave me a wonderful magnified vision when looking closely at objects. I could only see things very close up;

I could see the veins on leaves and speckles on petals very clearly. Maybe this was where my fascination with pattern began. My earliest memory of it was the checks on a Fritillaria Tulip still covered in dew – it looked like the handiwork of a garden elf that had been done

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overnight. A few years later I saw a drawing of the same type of tulip for a design destined for a Derby porcelain plate. However, my Eureka moment, which led me to study textiles, was at the age of 22, when I took a wrong turn at the V&A and came across the 15th and 16thcentury Ottoman textiles and their bold simple dots and crescents tulip motifs. I was bowled over by the rich quality of colour tone and how modern they were.

How did you get your career started?

I was picked out at my RCA degree show by Tony Little of Osborne & Little. He offered me a job translating my show textiles into a collection of wallpapers and fabrics.

Can you describe to us your designing process and where you go for inspiration?

As Alan Bennett said: ‘The best ideas come from seeing things out of the corner of your eye’, so inspiration can take one by surprise. But like any creative person we have a magpie instinct to pick up on visual stimuli. I go to galleries, watch films, buy books. I also travel a lot, particularly to Japan, Morocco, Spain and Paris.

Picking up inspiration is second nature to me – it’s just something that happens along the way. It is the easy bit.

It’s what you do with it afterwards that counts.

I have a lot of wall space in my studio and sliding panels, as I love to organise my ideas into categories. There is also a board where I pin anything that I want that triggers a seed of an idea. Something might sit there for months.

Then an idea gets moved to another board and from that I start sketching my idea for a layout of motifs in rough repeat. Ultimately I will trace out the motif in real lifesize scale.

The mapping out of the design is done in black pen or pencil so as to get the shapes and repeat right. I am deeply embedded in the technique I was taught at Camberwell and the Royal College of Art. We were drilled in the importance of drawing and to take each step of the process as a separate adventure that eventually links everything together.

Colour has the power to give the design its mood. I create my colours by mixing paint and a combination of using the computer and scanning in colour chips. But always, even when I am doing the first mapping out in blacks and greys, I will have in the back of my mind the first colourway I want to try.

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At art college we made our own screens for printing with and even the gum Arabic to stick the cloth down on the table as well as mixing our own dyes in a dye lab. I love the process. I love that each stage adds an element of alchemy, and even though I do not have access to a dye lab or print table, there are wonderful mills that provide inspiring ways of weaving and printing cloth and wallpaper. I enjoy nursing the wallpaper and fabric through these manufacturing processes. It is very important to work closely with mills and printers to ensure that the designs get translated correctly.

Sometimes it entails a series of trials before I am happy to press the button for production.

What do you listen to when you are designing or do you prefer silence?

Mostly I listen to classical music or Radio 4 or 3.

Your scarves are beautiful. How do you choose your colour combinations?

Often by trying to make the ugliest colours beautiful by combining them with other obviously beautiful colours.

But a lot of experimenting goes on. I collect colour ideas and pin them on my wall. It can be ribbons, sweet wrappers, postcards of painting, photographs of flowers, all sorts of things.

What inspired your latest ‘Poppaea’ wallpaper and fabric collection?

The idea for the Poppaea collection came to me after I visited Villa Oplontis in Italy. It is the seaside villa that once belonged to the notorious wife of Emperor Nero, who used it for leisure and parties. The walls have frescoes full of cacti, baskets of figs, birds, trailing ivy and African geometrics which I used for inspiration. The colours came

from a trip to India where the Mughal Empire like the Roman Empire, used colour schemes that were governed by wealth. The wealthy favoured deep florid colours and metals like gold and silver in their decoration while the less rich used earthy colours such as browns and ochre made from natural dyes. I also admired Mughal carvings in the milky marble ivory. I mixed all these colour groups with a twist of 1960s chic.

What would you say makes a pattern translate successfully into a room?

Layering pattern. Pattern with pattern so that you have mixtures of pattern as well as clashes of pattern and scale. But it must create a harmony and feeling of well-being.

How important is craftsmanship to you?

I like all things well done and have a great respect for people who dedicate a lifetime to perfecting, preserving and developing a technique.

Would you say you prefer order or clutter in your home and workplace?

Order. But I am not a minimalist; I make and have a lot of clutter, but my clutter is ordered clutter. I enjoying arranging groups of objects and I love tidiness. I find it sorts my mind out and that the act of tidying is very cathartic.

What is your proudest achievement?

The first time I saw a lady wearing one of my scarves – it happened to be in Waitrose. I remember I followed her round the cereal section like a groupie! It felt like a real achievement to have people wanting to buy and wear my designs.

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Ochre Recline in style with the Divine Recline chaise-longue, upholstered in burnt-orange horsehair with velvet cushions. From a selection, Ochre, John Makepeace

Davidson London A contemporary take on a classic transatlantic Art Deco design, the Morton has an American black walnut splayed base providing a deep comfortable seat with a shallow tri-buttoned back. From a selection, Davidson London , John Makepeace

10 of the Best of Luxury Chairs From stunning stools to chic chaise-longues, we round up ten of the very best chair designs on the British luxury scene.

BY BEYOND BESPOKE

Nicky Haslam for OKA With a carved twisted rope design inspired by an 18thcentury classic French design, the Cordon Bois armchair is made of ‘weathered’ acacia and comes upholstered in natural linen. £1,250, OKA Direct, John Makepeace

LuxDeco This super-sleek yet ultra-comfortable Spectre chair in Chamois is made by expert British craftsmen. Available in a wide range of colours. £3,750, LuxDeco , John Makepeace

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Linley London Taking inspiration from a traditional wing back chair and the work of Danish genius Hans Wegner, Linley have created The Silhouette Chair, strikingly crafted from a single copper panel, which has been individually rolled and hammered. £45,000, Linley London John Makepeace

John Makepeace Designed as a limited edition, the Serendipity chair by the country’s leading furniture designer and maker, John Makepeace, can be made to order in the wood and leather of your choice from a range of samples. £6,600.

John Makepeace

Tom Dixon A 17th-century English archetype rethought and updated for the 21st century, this extravagant and fully upholstered form with copper-plated steel legs has been tweaked to give an even more rakish silhouette. £3,500, Tom Dixon, John Makepeace

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Cox London The Lounge Chair after Thibier is Cox London’s first Modernist-inspired chair. Upholstered in a stonewashed linen, the elegant steel frame is curved and engineered by hand and then gilded. From a selection, Cox London, John Makepeace

Tom Faulkner Playful and sophisticated, the contemporary Harlem chair would suit either a cosy room, study, or a dining area. £850, Tom Faulkner, John Makepeace

Simon Thomas Pirie Made from black walnut and bleached sycamore, the Gazelle2 armchair by bespoke furniture designer and maker, Simon Thomas Pirie, has an upholstered seat and back and is available in other timbers. £1,350, Simon Thomas Pirie, John Makepeace

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Celebrating Chartwell Journalâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 5th Year Anniversary

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Billy Lloyd Words by BEN FOWLER

Inspiration can come from all manner of individual sources, a sight, a smell, a tactile sensation – but some places seem to provide a richer palette than others. Places that act as muses and meccas for the impressions that spark creativity: treasuries of thought, goldmines of genius. London is as fine a repository of artifice and history as anywhere in the world; its streets cultural museums - urban orchards replete with fruits of creativity waiting to be plucked. Yet without craftsmanship, inspiration is merely a reed shaking in the wind; a whimsy unfulfilled. Bearing this in mind, The New Craftsmen took its uniquely skilled designers by the hand and, yes, led them through the streets of London – with the results sparking as predictably as introducing a match to the box of Bonfire night fireworks.

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he Made in Mayfair project attempted to harness one of the defining traits of craftsmanship - intellectual curiosity – by taking some of the New Craftsmen’s makers to take a guided walk through the Mayfair streets. Their brief was for them to respond to its rich architecture, fascinating stories & artisan traditions.

Among those taking part was Billy Lloyd, the awardwinning, Kennington-based designer and maker of ceramic tableware and interior products. An emerging star in the industry, he is known for his less-is-more designs that re-examine both form and function.

The project granted us the tantalizing proposal of stimulating a meticulous designer, fluent in both the industrial language of manufacture and the visceral vocals of his craft, with the heart of Mayfair.

Billy Lloyd remained true to his reputation for a deep understanding for the materials and processes of his work and his innate explorative curiosity with the creation of the Oxbow plate. Walking the Mayfair streets inspired a design that conveys a meandering journey: an undetermined passage of discovery, of unseen details and intricacies. A deceptively simple, industrial form allows for vivacious, animated presentations; with the design offering a playful twist on the trend of “share-eating”. A dining table comes alive by enabling interaction with the composition of food, becoming a table-scape where a culinary journey can begin; configurations of the plate winding and weaving like the rivers whose features gave the Oxbow its’ name.

As mentioned, concept is of little impact without the facilitation of craftsmanship; and Billy Lloyd’s Oxbow is no mere interpretive impression – it is the execution of such a concept by a master of exceptional skill. Using the extremely-difficult hand-thrown method for porcelain, he has invested the same love and respect for detailing and artifice that he saw on the streets of Mayfair. To see the fertile reactions of an artist to the muse of Mayfair is a treat; to see these impulses consummated by an artificer of such skill endangers spoiling us.

When a man is tired of London, he is tired of life; for there is in London all that life can afford.

Samuel Johnson

Some places reward our presence more than others certainly – so where will London’s famous streets take you next? Will they lead merely to your destination, to the next bend in your river? Or like Billy Lloyd will they inspire something altogether more significant? Let us sit at Billy’s table-scape for a second and consider the words of Oscar Wilde: For the man who can dominate a London dinner-table can dominate the world. www.thenewcraftsmen.com

Chartwell Journal

Thirteenth Edition

Laura Carlin Words by BEN FOWLER

It could certainly be argued that we don’t necessarily become more intelligent as we get older – there are simply less stupid things that we haven’t done yet. Wisdom is as much experience as it is anything else. Children, however, are remarkable for their surprising intelligence and ardor; for their curiosity, their intolerance of shams, and the clarity of their vision. As it is said, only children and fools speak the truth – sadly the truth is often something experience teaches us to ignore. Nothing is as purely astute as the gaze of a child – so unbiased and untainted by experience. The brilliance of ceramicist and illustrator Laura Carlin is her ability to re-interpret the world around her with a combination of insight and naivety that only a child can seem to possess. Refreshingly though, “seem” is the key word, for her work is the perfect reminder to us that through a child’s eyes there aren’t seven wonders in the world – there are seven million.

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aura Carlin graduated from The Royal College of Art in 2004 and has lived and worked in London ever since; her whimsical London Life tiles showcase both her quirky, unique style – and her London.

Scenes of everyday London are hand-painted in delft blue and then digitally printed onto white ceramic tiles. The diverse images conjure up the magic and wonder of the big city, and can be arranged to form any number of fantastical scenes. For the authentic London-look these tiles are sourced from the same supplier as the London underground; presenting the familiarity of the iconic century-old walls. The trademark adroit innocence translates perfectly onto the tiles; a child wandering through the grown-up world, both charming and sincere.

The Britannia plate is part of a porcelain tableware range created by the Wiltshire-based workshop of John Julian Design and illustrated with a narrative of ‘Britannia’ by Laura - who has a proven eye for simplifying the complex; her editorial illustrations having graced The Guardian, New York Times, New Yorker and The Financial Times. Comprising of the Britannia Plate, the Ship and Mermaid Bowls, and the Fighting Dogs Plate, the range offers a mischievous jaunt through British-ness at your dinner table. British finesse is always best served with a touch of the eccentric, and this range provides the perfect pairing of striking simplicity and cultural idiosyncrasy.

Laura has established a cult following across the world for her designs; she has tapped into something ecumenical, a universal inner-child perhaps. Still there after all those years, as that little voice at the back of our minds, flitting in and out of our thoughts. That flight of fancy and that capricious chance. Personally, I can spot my own ubiquitous childishness in her 2004 illustrated book “A World of Your Own.” Further exploring her own private universe, she plays a drawing game where she combines six animals together to create an exciting, new fantasy. Years ago, I would play the same game at school for hours - and that’s a true merit of her work; not merely evoking her own inner child, but making you believe that your inner-child would be their friend, sitting happily beside each other in class, being taught not to be so smart.

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Geoffrey Fisher Design Words by BEN FOWLER

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orking exclusively in wood and utilizing the traditional cabinetmaking techniques renowned of the region, Geoffrey Fisher produces a range of bespoke designs for the home and garden. One of the most striking aspects of his collections is the materials that he uses – all are hand-made from Beech & other unprepared wood foraged in local woodlands. Everything he collects is either natural wastage or only produced when a tree needs to be cut down, coming to the end of its life.

The vibrant, design-less beauty of the natural world is selected by the artists’ eye; the simplicity of the material then employed by the designers mind and the craftsman’s hands.

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High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire has been the historical home of the British furniture industry since the 19th century; in 1875, it was estimated that nearly five thousand chairs were made there every day. Two years later, when Queen Victoria would visit the town, local businesses erected an arch of chairs high above the High Street. Carved into their timbers were the words “Long live the Queen” – a fitting tribute of hope, not only to Herself, but also to the expertise of the local artisans. Sadly such an expression for the perpetuation and longevity of such skills may have seemed in vain as the industry declined in the 1960s. Yet today these arts and traditions do endure in High Wycombe – not by the manufacture of thousands of chairs, but by the rather more concentrated form of Geoffrey Fishers’ bespoke woodwork designs.

Making the common uncommon is a feature of his works; dustpans and espresso-machine brushes are no longer simply tools – they come alive as decoration, both sophisticated and organic. Each pieces’ uniqueness is imposed by its materials - no two of his fantastic slingshots are the same, being made from beech branches found in his local woods.

The sense of fun inherent in his work is evident in his whistles, hand-crafted from native timber and so evocative of British woodland folklore. Functionality is never far from creative whimsy however, as displayed by the exquisite desk brushes and dustpans. His work exhibits craft, function and art in a delightfully British fashion.

“Long live the Queen!” carved the craftsman of Buckinghamshire; but endurance over the centuries is not achieved by wishes, it is achieved by adaptation and evolution. Industries rise and fall; just as a tree will grow and thrive before the inevitable collapse back to earth. And what becomes of such a tree? If it falls in High Wycombe it may well get to live out a second life, nature harnessed by design; becoming not only a slingshot or whistle – but also becoming a fine metaphor for how the skills of the cabinet maker have been adapted by Geoffrey Fisher.

Chartwell Journal

Thirteenth Edition

Ask the Designer: Cutler and Gross Words by BEYOND BESPOKE

Marie Wilkinson, Head of Design at luxury eyewear brand Cutler and Gross, talks about the new Fall/Winter 2015 collection, Circus.

What inspired the current collection, Circus?

It came from the unique combination of glamour, showmanship and high level of skill developed by the performers. It brought to mind all the elements of Cutler and Gross, from Mr Gross’s quotation that we live by: ‘People who wear glasses should not feel separated from glamour’, to celebrating the recent expansion of the Cutler and Gross factory in the Italian Dolomites. Each of our highly skilled technicians leave something of themselves in the glasses they make.

What was involved in the design and production?

Each collection brings the design and technical teams ever closer, with each team informing the other. The collection is conceived and designed in London and produced by our technicians in Italy. Each frame undergoes 43 individual processes and takes between four and five weeks to make.

At the core of our process is the tradition of hand-making acetate frames from sheets of extruded cotton-based Italian acetate and each frame front is individually cut on specially adapted CNC machines. From here the process of drilling and fitting hinges is carried out by hand.

Metal increasingly becomes part of our remit and allows a freedom to make frames lighter in weight and in a greater range of colours.

Each of the new designs were inspired by a performer in the circus, like the Harlequin, interpreted in an elegant optical frame, half in metal and half in a typical graphic acetate.

The model 1182 we called Trapeze whereby we adapted the milling lines to cut the acetate in a dynamic sweeping manner that mimics the sweep of the trapeze flying through the air and in turn creates a glamorous upswept detail. The ruby glitter acetate is inspired by the sparkle of sequined costumes worn for each performance.

The model 1176, is named for the Ringmaster and this authoritative style reigns over the collection, bringing together metal and acetate in an apparently seamless piece belying it’s technical sophistication.

Any challenges?

We wanted to imbue the same delicate contour lines to our metal frames that exist in the handmade acetate frames, and so rather than use the traditional method of soldering rim wire, we have developed a way to mill sheets of steel on a CNC machine in the same way as we mill sheets of acetate. The 1178, named for the Clown because of if it’s exaggerated eye shape, the 1179, the Balloon and 1124, the Aphrodite, named for a daring bareback rider, embody this new method and become seamless in design. www.cutlerandgross.com

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Chartwell Journal

Thirteenth Edition

Permission Impossible Words by BEN FOWLER

Britain has so many fields to be proud of excelling in, a nation of artisans, craftsman and artifice that Chartwell is honoured to be a part of. Not every field is bragged too hard about though, for among more attractive pursuits, Britain has to be a world leader in the contentious generation of rules and regulations. It is somewhat renowned internationally, as on old French saying puts it: in hell the British are employed as chefs and in heaven they are all policemen. This is not necessarily a bad thing, as anyone who has lived outside of the UK will tell you. Say what you want about the level of bureaucracy - at least thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a system. Problems can arise however, as comprehensive regulation often bears the fruit of comprehensive frustration. Everyone knows a tragi-comic planning permission story, usually some private and insignificant war that took up far too much of several partiesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; time. Most of the time some common-sense being applied would save a good deal of grief, for as we all know, common-sense will prevail - if only people would commonly display any.

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have such unfortunate tales though, as the ultimate anti-celebrity, the reclusive graffiti artist Banksy’s “Spy Booth” mural in Cheltenham became a grade-two listed building in its own right this year. Banksy even came out of the woodwork himself, revealing on his website that it was “surprising because when I did art at school I got an ‘ungraded’”

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ureaucracy and planning permission face two key and contrasting enemies in Britain, one is centuries of conditioning to repress emotions and the other is good old-fashioned British eccentricity. Your imagination may be without boundaries and dreams may not need permission - but building them certainly does.

They say an Englishman’s home is his castle?

Robert Fidler took this literally and secretly constructed a mock-Tudor castle complete with battlements and cannons, trying to circumvent the need for planning permission by moving in and camouflaging it under a giant pile of hay bales. This would, he reasoned, exploit a loophole that allows a construction to remain if no complaints are received for four years. Demonstrating why, with regards to rules, it’s always better to read them before ignoring them, the attempt failed and the castle was laid siege by the mighty armies of Reigate and Banstead Borough Council - who simply pointed out that the four-year period requires the building to actually be visible. Still the Dickensian-named Fidler was probably predestined to get up to some level of shenanigans, so we can hardly blame him.

was found on the grounds. The nocturnal protected species had the last laugh (probably a Count-esque cackle) with their cunning use of The Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 and The Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2010. Certainly casts a shadow of doubt on the saying that a house is not a home without a pet.

The best laid plans of mice and men - and even rock-stars, can come crashing down pretty quickly when either planning regulations or irony become involved. Thirty years after Ozzy Osbourne achieved notoriety for biting the head off of a bat, his winged nemeses managed to extract their revenge. Chiltern district council refused to grant the singer permission to turn a barn on his Jordans’ estate into a two-bedroom home after “considerable evidence” of bats

Even television property pundits can prove that they are not infallible regarding the pitfalls of listed buildings. Sarah Beeny, host of numerous property development shows managed to forget to apply for planning permission for her grade-two estate that had not, in its 200-year history as a convent and school, received planning permission to be used as a home. I’m beginning to think that irony might actually work for the planning department. Not all celebrities

Listed and graded buildings have a whole litany of problems all of their own. It is easy to be swept away by the appeal of such a property, by the pleasure of possessing somewhere with special character and history, but their alteration and renovation may require very specific materials and highly specialized techniques. Not that this puts everyone off, tycoon Christian Candy recently purchased a row of seven grade-one listed houses in Regent’s Park to be converted into a megamansion at a cost of £100 million. The approval of any such work, from such a grand scale to much smaller, is strictly moderated using the dreaded “red book” for surveying old buildings.

Worst still could be channel four and Kevin McCloud turning up looking disapprovingly as you decide to become your own project manager.

Funnily enough the owner of the wall “Spy Mural” is painted on spent the last year trying to get it destroyed - only to find out through historical records that he did not in fact own the wall at all, rather a neighbor did. Are we sure irony doesn’t work for the planning department? This does raise the issue of neighbors though, and then things can get really messy. Boundaries crossed, entrances blocked and views obstructed, it can get very unpleasant. Treehouses become the focus of intense hatreds that last generations. Nothing can behave more childishly than a fully-grown adult. Take the case of the man who decided to get revenge on his ex-wife by moving in next door, erecting a twelve-foot statue in his front garden of a hand. A twelve-foot statue of a hand extending a particular digit. The statue even lights up at night.

The Bible preaches that one should love thy neighbor; also that one should love thine enemies, perhaps this is because they can prove to be the same thing. So incensed was the owner of a £12 million property in Kensington over complaints concerning an extension, that they had it vividly painted in bright red and white candy-stripes. This apparently didn’t require permission, and reminds us that although we should try to love our neighbors, this is much easier achieved via extensive fencing.

With all these calamities it can be easy to lose sight that the real purpose of regulations is to stop the inevitable chaos without them. We all have a tendency to be in favor of rules – just mainly for other people. In any case, Britain, try and be glad that there is a system keen to try and keep some order, even if it often fails to make sense. It might help to consider the Florida couple who earlier this year were outraged after contractors built their $680,000 mansion on the wrong side of the street. As Jane Austin mused - “For what do we live, but to make sport for our neighbors, and laugh at them in our turn?”

Chartwell Journal

Thirteenth Edition

Barnard & Westwood Words by BEYOND BESPOKE

Alasdair Abrines from Barnard & Westwood talks about the process of creating a luxury invitation for a private client event

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What was the project?

For Beyond Bespoke’s South West 2015: Luxury and beyond event they were looking to create some beautiful printed invitations that had both a subtle tactile finish and a sleek elegant design in line with their brand. With the nature of the event it was imperative that the finished product was of the highest quality.

What was involved?

After discussions with Beyond Bespoke’s design team it was agreed that the best way to achieve the required result was to foil block the invitations. By using a glossy black foil we would be able to produce an eye-catching detailed impression whilst also giving the text and imagery a debossed, textured finish.

Once the design was finalised we were able to get a foil block produced and order in the paper.

The stock chosen was a luxurious 750gsm Mayfair Ivory material. Not only would this paper mean the end invitations would be on a nice thick board but the smooth texture of the surface of this paper meant the foil would have a much better chance of printing evenly.

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Once all the materials arrived we were able to set the foil blocking plate up on our Platen press and begin foiling the invitations.

After being cut down to size and signed off for quality control by our Head of Production the invitations were packaged up and delivered out to Beyond Bespoke as quickly as possible to allow plenty of time to get them posted out to their VIP guests.

Any challenges along the way?

Given the size of the area to be foil blocked we initially had issues with the foil printing evenly onto the invitations. We were finding that the two thin lines around the border were not printing cleanly in all 4 corners. To overcome this, our machine operator was able to experiment with different temperatures and pressures to get the foil to effectively release.

To ensure each invitation had the best finish possible we actually ran them through the machine twice. This also had the added benefit that it gave an even greater debossed impression to the text and logo.

What are you most pleased with? By effectively foil blocking the invitations twice we were able to get a really sharp, clean image that held the debossed indentation really well.

This resulted in a very luxurious invitation that had both a stunning visual and tactile finish.

We were very happy to hear that the Beyond Bespoke team really liked them and hope the lucky guests do too.

What next?

Barnard & Westwood has recently become a 100% Employee Owned company and so that in itself has brought with it a huge range of different opportunities to explore new avenues in the future and grow together as a team.

We are also increasingly taking part in internal and external events to exhibit the variety of different traditional printing and bookbinding skills we specialise in. The rest of 2015 is looking quite busy for events including further collaborations with Beyond Bespoke, a Movember themed event in November to raise money and awareness for the Men’s Health charity and several more projects in the pipeline. www.barnardandwestwood.com

Chartwell Journal

Thirteenth Edition

Former Chelsea Team Doctor Makes Waves on New Shores Words by NATALIE MORRIS

Roman Abramovich’s inaugural signing is set for bigger and better things as international opportunities open up. We’re not talking Lampard, Drogba or Terry – but Dr. Ralph Rogers, the internationally renowned sports physician and former first team doctor at Chelsea Football Club. The excitement may be off the pitch this season as Dr. Rogers sets his sights on new horizons with the aim of revolutionizing the world of global medicine.

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he distinguished physician is no stranger to aiming high, with a string of impressive professional accolades to his name. Medical Director at the London Sports Injury Clinic, his sporting experience goes even further than the Premier League. Dr. Rogers is currently a vital Medical Advisor to the National Basketball Association (NBA) – so he is well accustomed to coping with the unrelenting demands of treating the world’s most elite athletes.

His unrivalled expertise has put him right at the forefront of professional sports medicine – with experience at Warwickshire County Cricket Club, Walsall Football Club and even at the World Cup where he acted as Medical Advisor to the Trinidad & Tobago national squad. Dr. Rogers plans to put this comprehensive experience into practice as he brings his unique perspective on world-class medicine to Europe and SubSaharan Africa, including Nigeria.

The eyes of the medical world will be firmly fixed on Dr. Rogers as he sets plans in motion to open up his exclusive practice across the globe. Drawing on his unparalleled academic

achievements from some of the best medical institutions in the world, Dr. Rogers aims to develop worldwide medical hubs that will match the quality of care delivered on London’s famous Harley Street.

And sports medicine is just the tip of the iceberg. An expert in human performance, telemedicine, digital health and family health, Dr. Rogers is dedicated to providing the best care to everyone from professional athletes and jet-setting entrepreneurs to families from every walk of life. His mantra rings true at every stage of his career – you don’t have to be a professional athlete to be treated like one.

This unique philosophy is set to change the face of international medicine as Dr. Rogers finalizes his measures for global expansion.

For updates on this exciting medical venture, visit: www.RalphRogers.com

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Tudor International In any field of retail, the ability to get your product to the consumer first is often the difference between your success and that of a competitor. Timing and availability are fundamental elements. Having the right product is the start to any great business but an irrelevance if it is not in the right place at the right time. A successful team stays one step ahead of the pack, and for this it is imperative that you choose the right logistics partner. Regardless of the size of your business, we at Tudor International are confident that we can be that partner. Providing logistic support for many high-street retailers, our experienced team offer fast, efficient solutions to suit your enterprise, ensuring that your product is where it needs to be, when it needs to be there.

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owhere is product availability more fundamental then in the world of retail and fashion, one of the most competitive sectors in the market. Whatever your product, at Tudor we offer your company a service that cares about your reputation as much as you do â&#x20AC;&#x201C; because we believe thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the basis of a true partnership.

Our own reputation for service quality and accuracy is recommended by our partners - our many satisfied customers. We deliver on that reputation with a dedicated fleet of vehicles standing ready, capable of collecting and delivering your goods across the UK and beyond.

To help our clients manage the ever changing and increasing demands of the retail and fashion industries, Tudor offers a complete range of bespoke services. Our dedication to keeping strict transit times enables us to help you meet customer requirements, our working knowledge of the industries allowing us to offer logistic, freight and warehousing solutions that help increase productivity and efficiency - whilst keeping costs as low as possible. Our retail clients range from high fashion to convenience stores, where multiple products are managed by our dedicated team of logistics professionals. At Tudor International, we understand your critical timelines, and can deliver the right just-in-time solution for you. Using the latest technology and modern transportation to provide you and your customers with timing and availability - the competitive advantages you need to survive in a highly challenging environment.

Another field where Tudor works with companies to find the right logistical solution is one that deals more literally with survival that of pharmaceuticals. Here failure is not an option, and again our dedicated team works to fit the right solution for our clients, distributing their pharmaceutical products all over the world. Providing life-saving products is a major responsibility - and one we take very seriously.

By using only approved carriers with years of experience in the industry, we share that responsibility - and live up to it by ensuring your shipments arrive on time and undamaged. This commitment has led to Tudor proudly becoming a leading pharmaceutical courier in Canada.

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by understanding the specific needs of an industry we are able to become the sort of logistic partner that allows a business to truly excel. Our ability to tailor our services to the unique demands of the client, from fashion to pharmaceuticals, is one that can work to achieve such excellence in any potential partnership. Fashion and pharmaceuticals may seem a world apart, but here at Tudor, we don’t see the world as being that big a distance.

Tudor International Freight Limited Rowan Court Green Lane Rawdon Leeds LS19 7DT

This field requires a specialized approach and experience, providing customers with the reassurance they need through highly secure storage, packaging and labelling processes, as well as systems for proof of delivery. These measures remain enabled with the same quick responses we provide in other fields, our transit times ranging from standard, next day or even same day delivery.

In such a critical industry, where every year over one trillion dollars’ worth of products require shipping and transport, several aspects require an experienced hand. The industry spends billions each year ensuring the reliable and compliant transport of its products, and the expectations for cargo handlers are high.

At Tudor International we have the handson experience and know-how to meet these expectations. We know that temperature fluctuations while in transit are a serious threat to the integrity of such sensitive products, and can provide the complex logistics required to maintain a shipment’s integrity. We know that the use of specialised equipment, storage facilities, harmonized handling procedures and strong cooperation among all supply chain partners are essential factors.

We know all this because our company has significant experience handling life sciences, biotech and pharmaceutical shipments. At Tudor we work with our clients to understand their logistical needs and ensure their compliance with ever-changing regulations.

We create and test SOP, select the optimal packaging and meticulously follow each step of the shipments handling. All packaging selected is based on validation through rigorous tests and is, of course, GDP compliant. We can provide the bespoke solution that is needed, no matter how specialized, from packaging that qualifies for frozen/deep frozen, refrigerated or controlled room temperatures. Our containers are preconditioned to the optimal temperature and come in various sizes, accommodating anything from several grams to a full pallet.

In addition to secure, approved packaging, we mitigate risks to critical shipments by supplying validated loggers that monitor the whole cycle of transportation worldwide, providing a complete cold chain process - from shipper’s dock to the waiting final destination.

Our experience in these two totally different fields has led us to find some common ground in the two industries. We have learnt that

Chartwell Journal

Thirteenth Edition

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Our Man in Africa Words by WARWICK NEWTON

Most cities have a nickname, some descriptive - The Big Apple, The City of Love, and others translated like The City of Angels. In its long history Lagos has had both, its original name of Eko meaning war camp, a sharp contrast with its current moniker of the City of Excellence. So when the Chartwell Team landed at Murtala Muhammed International for the first time, which would greet us; would it be excellence or conflict?

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hat turned up to greet us first was a hot and humid early morning. Whilst not as modern as the western airports we were used to, the staff were efficient and it did not take long to exit and breathe in Lagos for the first time, surprisingly the climate was not as oppressive as we’d feared. This was followed by an hour’s drive with a long part of this on the Third Mainland Bridge. This threelane motorway passes steel mills and shanty towns, sweeping past industry and poverty alike, suspended high above the water.

At five o’clock in the morning, however, this spectacle is hidden by darkness, the night filled instead by the bustle of a busy city, roads swarming with morning commuters, the scene decorated by the distinctive white flecks of hundreds of the old Volkswagen Transporters that serve as buses. Every mile or so, the traffic slows as the buses and Rickshaws pull over to deposit and collect passengers, as a myriad of lives begin or end their day. The air feels heavy with early morning dust as we sit five cars abreast on the three-lane carriageway.

A car journey can tell you a lot about a country, from the former glories seen in the antique cars of Cuba to the high-technology of the roads of Japan - it can become a little symbolic. Driving in Lagos was an experience itself - near misses are par for the course - yet despite the everpresent air of danger, accidents are fewer than you would expect: perhaps a little symbolic itself. Vehicles come in two varieties, shiny and pristine or ready for the scrap yard. You are forced to wonder if the transition from one to the other is simply a matter of time. Seeing a long queue ahead, our driver would just drive up

the wrong side of the road. After a few days this becomes normal and your brain just switches off from it.

Our apartment is in an area known as Lekki, offering an excellent view across the Lagoon. Here marine taxi’s fitted with huge engines power across the water; carrying shifts of workers on an unusual commute between the islands.

Everything here seems paradoxical, racing from shanty towns to steel mills surrounded by the shiny and the scrapable. This can be confusing at first, but this is Nigeria and you have to live and breathe it to have a hope of understanding the place, it is a place that has to be experienced. Despite being the largest oil producer in Africa - the 11th in the world we have suffered a month-long fuel shortage.

Incredibly, Nigeria exports its crude oil to be refined then buys it back in again. Strikes by tanker delivery drivers literally bring the country to a complete halt. One day we wake up to find the bustling roads deserted of cars, shiny or otherwise; return to the swarming lagoon to find the water taxis aren’t running - and that there is no fuel for the back-up diesel generators which everyone relies upon due to a capricious national power grid. Shortly after, with no generators, radio stations close down and

Chartwell Journal

Thirteenth Edition

mobile phone companies text their customers advising that there will soon be disruptions to their service.

be remembered that status and respect are considered important characteristics – here a little politeness goes a long way.

that shows signs of improvement. Gratifyingly, projects like our own can only help in this improvement.

After a while this becomes routine, the problem is infrastructure, or lack thereof. In the west we have had 200 years of industrial development.

The Victorians were installing sewers, roads and railways in the UK that remain in use today.

Nigeria has had none of this, the discovery of oil in the Oloibiri swamp lands east of Port Harcourt in the late 1950’s changed all that. It gave the Nigerians a huge boost to their GDP that has been fuelling the economy ever since.

They have had only a short while to play catch up with the west.

The language varies across the country with most business being carried out in pigeon English. This can be a little hard to understand at first, as English is often mixed with native words, but as time passes this becomes the norm and much easier to follow.

I soon learnt that where communication is concerned the door swings both ways, Nigerians find British-English too fast to understand and we have found that if you talk slowly and clearly, conversations become a lot easier. In effect both parties end up talking somewhat broken English!

The skill base is only the beginning of the complexities; the procurement of building materials here is a whole other entity. In Europe if you want 50 Tons of bricks you jump on Google, find a few quotations, check out a sample and they deliver to site. Nigeria is only now embracing the internet age, broadband is in its infancy here; try to imagine the UK twenty years ago with dial-up modems. Smart phones are available, but with a fledgling internet, the Nigerians are only just starting to utilise their full capabilities. Very few companies have websites, and those that do have merely a single page with contact details. Furthermore, details are not regularly updated and phone numbers can often prove to be obsolete. To us it is very much like stepping back in time!

The Nigerians themselves are a remarkable, beautiful race of people quite at odds with their portrayal in the west. The stereotypical jokes about spam emails asking for your bank details references a practice proliferated by a small minority, no worse than a thousand scams attempted at your own doorstep. As with many places we have visited, haggling is the accepted way of business here, and not backing down is something you soon pick up.

Although not a practice the British excel at, you learn to live by the old adage “When in Rome”.

That said, everyone we have met has been extremely friendly and welcoming, it should

The project here is the construction of a private residence for a native Nigerian businessman.

Carrying on with the paradoxical, his desire was to have a luxurious villa idyllically situated in his home country - but one built to European standards. Design and build are two completely different concepts, a challenge to synchronise even in Europe, but these problems are exacerbated once the decision is made to build on another continent. European construction techniques involve high levels of accuracy and precision engineering, a skill base that is not readily available in Nigeria - although one

Another issue is the lack of meta-tags used on websites – these are the keywords on any site that call it up when you search Google. It can be frustrating to type “sheet metal suppliers” into the search engine and be confronted with bedding manufacturers. If only you could then type in “bedding” to find sheet metal suppliers!

All of this aside we have discovered that with a bit of footwork and a lot of networking it is possible to procure most things here. Word-ofmouth is essential for business – again just like stepping back in time! It just requires a little more of an old-school style - meeting a freight forwarding company can put you in contact with a marble importer, a door manufacturer can often recommend a furniture supplier and after a while you develop a contact network for all your requirements. Through this approach, we soon discovered a strong ex-pat community here, meeting a number who have moved here permanently, setting up their own successful businesses. The opportunities in this emerging economy are endless and should be embraced.

A land of opportunities certainly, but which Lagos did we arrive in? Was it the city of conflict or of excellence? Perhaps a little of both at the start, but as the project continues, our dynamic and vibrant team, so befitting of a city that brims with energy and potential, stands ready to produce what we believe will be one of the most exclusive properties in Nigeria, ensuring that when Lagos is referred to proudly as the City of Excellence it will have at least one irrefutable piece of evidence that it is indeed worthy of such a title.

Chartwell Project Team (Nigeria)

EX CELLENC E

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AN D

B E S P O KE

CO N S T RU CT ION

R E N OVAT I O N

Chartwell Africa are emerging within Nigeria, Africa. Chartwell Africa recognise Nigeria as a place of growth and development and we are eager to be a part of the influx in the construction industry. Regardless of the project location within Africa, the size or complexity, Chartwell Africa offer a comprehensive bespoke tailored service that will exceed your every expectation...

Africa: +44 (0)207 9526366

africa@chartwell-london.com

www.chartwell-africa.com

Chartwell Journal

Thirteenth Edition

The Queen of Fireworks Words by BEYOND BESPOKE

Pyromusical producer Serena Foyle creates bespoke shows that unite music and fireworks and leave the audience breathless.

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ost classical music graduates on leaving university head down the well-trodden career path of teaching or become performers, composers or conductors. When Serena Foyle left Edinburgh, and subsequently the London School of Sound, she decided not only to forgo these options but to create a career of her own. Combining her two passions – music and fireworks – she invented the role of pyromusical producer, and today works on award-winning firework displays around the world, from large public shows in the Philippines to intimate private firework parties on English country estates (more of which later).

“Music and fireworks have gone together for hundreds of years but the music had never been given the same importance as the fireworks, and I wanted to change that,” says Serena, whose great grandfather founded the independent Foyles bookshop on Charing Cross Road.

“When one thinks of firework music they usually tend to think of Holst, Handel and Tchaikovsky’s 1812. I use a lot of Russian music and ballet music such as Rimsky-Korsakov and Tchaikovsky but I also find contemporary music very exciting. I am just as likely to use dance music, drum and bass and Dubstep as well as classical. I love to create contrast within the soundtrack, as it brings the whole experience to life.”

With the average firework display for a wedding or party lasting 10 to 15 minutes, Serena’s expertise lies not only in interpreting a client’s wishes but maintaining the momentum throughout the show. “Very often I am given little to go on, which in many ways is the way I like it, as I can then use my inspiration and knowledge of what the celebration is about – whether it’s a wedding or a 50th birthday party – to

choose certain music. Each event is bespoke to the client and it’s a case of getting a sense of the person, and what genre of music inspires them. It’s all about a journey and my role is to lead people on that journey and to keep their attention right through to the end.”

recent fireworks display produced to impressive effect. “The sky filled towards the end to the music from the film Inception, and then it peeled away in a beautifully soft way that left everyone speechless. It was like coming out of a cinema having seen some incredible film.

As with any great music symphony, the key to creating arresting firework music lies in having a mix of slow movements and crescendos, and as Serena is keen to point out, no one finale is ever the same. “You don’t necessarily have to have the big explosive ending,” she explains, recalling a

“Often fireworks displays don’t end in this way because the organisers don’t have the knowledge of music – they are afraid to use something that isn’t the big climactic finale. The best shows have contrasts, and the trick is putting soundtracks together that are unpredictable. I work alongside

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some great pyrotechnic teams, and we have a great connection artistically.”

Knowing what music works best together as well as being able to adapt to logistical challenges also comes with the territory for Serena and her team. “Each time I’m in a new place on a site visit I have to address certain challenges from the land, and work out what suits the location. For example, if I were asked to organise fireworks for a client with a house by the sea, we would put the fireworks on a barge a couple of hundred metres out to sea. For that display we would use lots of

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pretty aerial shells that go really high and fill the sky, because with no land or trees in sight and just a black horizon, it’s important to create a sense of scale.”

girlfriend. “She had no idea,” says Serena, laughing. “The helicopter dropped them in and the fireworks were set up to go off over the lake. It was incredibly romantic.”

It was also a barge (although this time in the Philippines) that helped Serena and her team scoop the International Pyromusical Competition 2013. Closer to home – and a little smaller in scale – Serena has covered all forms of celebrations from anniversaries and weddings to birthday parties, including recently a display on a country estate as a surprise for one lucky

Serena also recalls being asked by a Canadian client to organise a surprise for his wife who was studying at Oxford. “I set the whole thing up to remind his wife of their romantic honeymoon in Rome. This is what I really mean when I say I’m a producer – it’s not just the music and the fireworks, it’s the whole experience. I can even organise the butler, if necessary.” www.foylefireworks.com

Chartwell Journal

Thirteenth Edition

Limewood Cooking School Words by GRACE SHEPPARD

Britain loves to cook. And this love is found at the heart of our highest rated television shows and top selling books – all of which seems characteristically peculiar for a country whose cuisine has, historically, been the subject of international derision. But while the meteoric rise of a dynamic, cutting-edge restaurant culture has inspired the British cook to try and bring home the enviable skills of the British chef, enthusiasm alone may make a dinner party memorable for all the wrong reasons.

After all, it seems that the expectations of the British dinner party have been permanently raised by Come Dine with Me and the Great British Bake-off - the game is afoot, and not all of us can take the heat…But thankfully, that doesn’t mean we should get out of the kitchen – for help is at hand, help from some of the very talents that have inspired our new national pastime.

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hese talents are a trio of esteemed British chefs; Angela Hartnett, Luke Holder and Iain Longhorn. Based at the sumptuous Lime Wood Hotel, a luxury country house in the New Forest, they have launched HH & Co. Backstage – a cookery school made accessible to all culinary skill levels by providing a unique and informal way of learning how to cook delicious food. At Lime Wood you will find the combined skills and know-how of Hartnett, celebrity chef and protégée of Gordon Ramsay, and Holder, famed for his work at the most exclusive restaurants in London and Tuscany. The experienced eye of Iain Longhorn will be watching over your shoulder as you learn the secrets of Hartnett and Holder’s style and a fresh, confident approach to food and cooking.

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The objective is to improve the practical skills necessary to express one’s culinary imagination -whilst also lavishing it with inspiration; encouraging the student, from novice to maestro, to return home invigorated, keen to bring their newfound talents to the table - quite literally. With various styles of cooking to choose from and each housing its own specific courses; you can tailor the classes to your specific tastes, interests or lifestyle - from developing a wider understanding of vegetarian cuisine to perfecting Christmas dinner. For as little as £100 for half day sessions and £195 for the full day, the school offers a bespoke experience, fitted to the proficiency and passions of the student.

The styles vary tremendously in content, in the Meat courses you can learn how to work with all types and cuts of meat, how to cook game or make your own charcuterie; while the Veg courses study all things green, how to break out of a vegetarian rut by showcasing vibrant new dishes, and the key to making ‘feel-good’ food.

Aspiring hosts will discover how to cater for every occasion in the Party courses; from allyear-round ‘seasonal entertaining’ to ‘Christmas made easy’ - as well as all the canapés, cocktails, cheese and wine in between.

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And while those with a sweet tooth can master the re-popularised art of British baking in the Cakes and Puds courses - along with macaroons, truffles and other tantalising treats; you may have to learn self-control with these dainties yourself! Creating Classics offers the opportunity to perfect traditional dishes such as Italian pasta and risotto and how to work with fish and shellfish; so the experienced can brush up their skills or expand their repertoire, while the uninitiated can start the same way as the best chefs – with the classics.

It is not just the experience level or content that is tailorable, for the courses aren’t just for adults – your children can also learn to cook in the Little Nippers sessions. Stimulating a child to become excited about food is to start a lifelong passion – and creates an awareness of health and a good diet. A handson approach allows the budding young chefs to get ‘stuck in’ and make their own delicious, nutritious treats in a fun, approachable way.

Who knows maybe they’ll be hosting their own dinner parties soon enough?

When we consider our national passion for British food culture and our keenness to immerse ourselves in its newly found renown and reputation, we see the true appeal of the Learning with Legends course - a chance to meet and learn from true master chefs that have been at the frontline of this revolution.

After joining world-renowned guest chefs in the kitchen and conjuring up their signature dishes, you’ll enjoy an unforgettable lunch.

The chefs at HH & Co. have helped revitalise an entire nation’s love for its food, so I wonder what better teachers could there be to help us better share that love with our own friends and family?

Certainly none that I can think of…

HH&Co Backstage pop-up classes Wednesday 11 November – Sabrina Ghayour Thursday 12 November- Gizzi Erskine Friday 13 November - Gizzi Erskine Saturday 14 November - Sabrina Ghayour www.limewoodhotel.co.uk/hartnett-holder-and-co

Chartwell Journal

Wimbledon Facts Words by GRACE SHEPPARD

What connects 40 miles of string, plenty of seeds and a Harris Hawk? Any guesses?

Well, add 142,000 portions of English strawberries, washed down with 230,000 glasses of Pimmâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s and 28,000 bottles of Champagne and a very prominent picture of Wimbledon will appear.

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a “People’s Sunday”, with unreserved seating and readily available, inexpensive tickets, allowing those with more limited means to sit in Centre Court and Courts number one and two.

You may have watched many a game on Centre Court, but there are quite a few things you probably don’t know about the Wimbledon Championships:

* Stockport-born Fred Perry not only won three consecutive Wimbledon Championships from 1934-1936 but was also Table Tennis World Champion in 1929. And that’s not the only connection to table tennis - staff behind the scenes at the All England Lawn Tennis Association hold their own table tennis tournament in their break time while the world’s best players compete for a place in the tennis final.

nglish summers are heralded by the sights and sounds of this annual tennis tournament, the oldest and most prestigious in the world, attracting almost half a million visitors over its 13-day lifespan and many more millions of viewers worldwide.

* Tim Henman’s great-grandmother, Ellen Stawell-Brown, was one of the first women to serve over-arm at the All England Club, and Henman’s grandmother, Susan Billington, was one of the last women to regularly serve underarm at the tournament. * The majority of tickets for Wimbledon are selected by public ballot with the ballot always substantially oversubscribed - four applicants to every ticket sold. The All England Club, through its subsidiary The All England Lawn Tennis Ground plc, issues Debentures to tennis fans every five years to raise funds for capital expenditure. Fans who invest this way receive a pair of tickets for every day of the Wimbledon Championships for the five years the investment lasts. Only debenture holders are allowed to sell on their tickets to third parties and demand for debentures has increased in recent years, to such an extent they are even traded on the London Stock Exchange. * Argentinian David Nalbandian was disqualified from the semi-finals of the 1999 Junior Wimbledon after arriving late. He obviously got his alarm-clock fixed by 2002 when he finished runner up to Lleyton Hewitt in the men’s finals. * The Championship was first televised in 1937. * The grass at Wimbledon is cut to a height of 8mm. Since 2001 the courts have been sown with 100% perennial ryegrass which is durable and strong to meet the demands of the modern game. Previous to this, a mixture of ryegrass and red fescue was used. Wimbledon is the only Major still played on grass, the game’s original surface, which gave the game its original name of “lawn tennis”. * Although the Championship is known as Wimbledon Fortnight, it is played over 13 days with the “middle Sunday” traditionally being a day of rest. However, with rain creating a backlog of games, Wimbledon has often staged

* John McEnroe’s outburst on Centre Court inspired Pretenders singer Chrissie Hynde to write the track “Don’t Get Me Wrong”. * Tennis was not the original sport of the All England Club. It was originally The All England Croquet Club (established 1868) and its first ground was off Worple Road in Wimbledon. The All England Club still has a croquet lawn today. * You may be familiar with Hawk-Eye, an electronic calling system, but Wimbledon also has its own hawk. Rufus, a Harris Hawk, trained

by Wayne Davis of Avian Control, visits the club most weeks to deter local pigeons from roosting.

During the Championships he flies for one hour from 9am before the gates open. * The outbreak of the Second World War forced Wimbledon to be cancelled and the grounds became home to a small farmyard stocked with rabbits, pigs and hens. On October 11, 1940, a

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German bomb struck the Centre Court stand, destroying 1,200 seats. When Wimbledon resumed in 1946, the seats remained out of commission amid post-war rationing, with the grounds not fully repaired until 1949. * The top-selling item in the Wimbledon shop is the Men’s Championship Towel - 16,000 are sold every year. * A total of £25m is awarded in prize money.

The prize money for winning men and women’s singles was equalised in 2007 and last year stood at £1.76m for each winner. * The future King George VI (then the Duke of York) played in the men’s doubles tournament at the 1926 Championships, losing in the first round. He remains the only Royal ever to compete in the tournament, though members of the Royal Family are keen visitors to Wimbledon. * The Wimbledon stringing team string on average 2,000 rackets - using 40 miles of string. * Wimbledon is the largest single annual sporting catering operation carried out in Europe. Its catering staff of 1,800 serve 350,000 cups of tea and coffee; 150,000 bottles of water; 230,000 glasses of Pimm’s; 190,000 sandwiches; 150,000 buns, scones, pastries and doughnuts; 100,000 pints of draught beer and lager; 32,000 portions of fish and chips; 12,000kg of poached and smoked salmon, 7,000 litres of dairy cream; 6,000 stone-baked pizzas and 60,000 dutchees (a hot and spicy hotdog-style sausage served only at Wimbledon).

Chartwell Journal

Thirteenth Edition

Interview with Claire Finlay of Fulham’s hippest fitness studio Transition Zone Words by TANIA CHESLAW

Following a successful career in advertising, Claire Finlay started Fulham’s hippest fitness studio TRANSITION ZONE in 2008. Utilising her unique blend of fitness and wellness, Claire creates world-class workouts for discerning clients. Over the years, her name has become synonymous with dedication, bespoke classes and a mindful approach to exercise.

Q. As a teenager you competed at County level at cross-country and then went on to study Sport at Brunel University. What lessons from your years in competitive sport do you carry through to your current work?

To never settle for second best and always strive to do and be better; continuing to educate and increase knowledge is vital to ensure you are prepared to change.

Teamwork and a strong support network are also very important if you want to achieve success.

Q. You started your career in Advertising – had you originally wanted to be working in the fitness field?

That was not my original plan; advertising for me was all about being part of an exciting business sector and utilising my creativity. I saw it as a great opportunity to gain business acumen, which has been invaluable in setting up Transition Zone.

Q. There are a lot of fitness and wellness Studios offering an array of classes – what makes Transition Zone so unique?

We are not about following trends or fads; we like to lead, rather than follow. We promote tried and tested disciplines that actually get results and specialise in small classes that have 8 people as a maximum. Our ethos centres around “Train, Eat, Recover, Repeat” - it’s a 360 degree look at fitness, taking each of the elements into consideration. Our new HiPer Zone that has just launched is a bespoke class where you can train like a professional athlete with state of the art heart-rate performance monitoring.

Q. You encourage your clients to train harder and smarter – do you feel that you have found the perfect combination of exercises that help your clients to do just that?

Yes, most definitely. Our 25/30 minute classes allow access to everyone – even the busiest of mums or City workers can fit a class into their schedules. Exercise isn’t about slogging away for 60 minutes, it’s about making the most of the time you have and doing it regularly - discipline gets results, and we believe in constantly evolving and improving on what we offer clients.

Q. Claire, please tell our readers all about HIIT (High Intensity Interval Training). It sounds like the perfect way to transform one’s body and mind at the same time.

HIIT or High-Intensity Interval Training is a training technique in which you go all-out, giving the exercise you’re doing one hundred percent effort through quick, intense bursts, followed by short, sometimes active, recovery periods.

This type of training gets and keeps your heart rate up and research shows you burn more fat in less time engaging in this kind of exercise.

HIT has become a real buzzword in the industry although I’ve been teaching it for years. In essence it’s about intense exercise followed by rest periods. An example of a HIT protocol is TABATA where you push yourself for 20 seconds then rest for 10 seconds and repeat 8 times.

It’s a 4 minute workout that really works and is particularly good at creating after-burn, which essentially means you’re burning calories even when resting. Naturally it’s great if you’re short on time.

Q. Do you advocate one-off classes at Transition Zone? Or are regular workouts better for mind, body and soul?

Sorry but one-off classes - whatever they are – just do not get results. It’s about regularity and continuity. To see change and get results be it headspace, tone, muscle gain or fat loss - you should be making wellness part of your daily routine.

Q. Can everyone at all fitness levels take advantage of the wonderful array of classes that you offer?

Yes because the classes are small – (a max of 8 people) - so you get lots of modifications and hands-on attention. I like to think of it more like group personal training.

Q. You have taken part in triathlons – what would you say goes towards making the perfect fitness routine to get you ready for the endurance required?

Cross training without a doubt, so you don’t just stick to one event discipline, plus strength and conditioning. I used weights and my own bodyweight (TRX). You have to add core into the mix, as without a strong core nothing

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works. Paying proper attention to your diet and nutrition by eating balanced meals and even booking a consultation with a nutritionist to receive proper advice all helps. Also, planning ahead and recovering well post-triathlon with rest and massage therapy is essential to prevent injury.

Q. As part of your fitness approach, you advise de-stressing – what helps you to keep stress at bay?

I always advise running without headphone as it helps your happy hormones kick in. I always think that’s the point when inspiration floods in too - my problem solving skills seem to come to life during a run, it’s as if another part of your brain switches on! I also like to take time away from London and the studio. These times are rare but as soon as you see another landscape your stress levels diminish.

Stay clean and away from additives and processed foods, but do have the odd treat now and then, otherwise you’ll get bored! Chew your food properly and eat slowly (my mantra that I wish I could stick to!) Also, don’t eat too late and if you have to keep it light, with smoothies or soups to give your digestive system 10-12 hours rest between your evening meal and breakfast and... always eat breakfast!

Q. Do you have any tips for budding health and fitness entrepreneurs?

Enjoy what you do – otherwise it’s simply not worth it! Focus on your goals and not on other people - don’t compare or get sucked into social media and stay true to yourself and your goals. Be prepared to continually change and evolve and increase your knowledge and most importantly be prepared for hard work and long hours!

Q. You also offer injury rehabilitation at Transition Zone – how many of your clients firstly try to exercise by themselves – not in a structured class – and injure themselves in this way?Classes are so popular and accessible these days, but I find many of my clients add running or cycling into their training regimes.

We do see injuries all the time, mainly from poor recovery, over training or pushing too hard and being overzealous at the beginning.

Quick Fire Questions:

Q. Claire, the ethos that you have is not only pro-exercise, but also encourages healthy eating. To this end you feature the Recovery Cafe in Transition Zone – what are your tips on eating healthy?

Q. What are the first and last things you do every business day?

I’m usually up first at home, and I check on my daughter in bed, look at my emails and the Studio’s booking schedule, then I shower and

Q. What or who inspires you?

Jessica Ennis - she’s got a new baby and has just won Gold in the Heptathlon in the Beijing 2015 World Championships. That’s seriously impressive! Also, Liz Earle, who speaks so much sense and has achieved a so much, yet she has remained true to herself and sticks to what she truly believes works.

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drink a hot water and lemon.

Last thing at night, I check on my daughter in bed, check my emails and the Studio’s social media accounts. I then make a ‘To Do’ list for the following day.

Q. What is your must-have fashion item for the Autumn/Winter season?

I am in my gym kit 7 days a week so I try and treat myself to something nice from Net a Sporter or Stella McCartney for Adidas as it feels a bit more luxe. As one of their Ambassadors, I’m often seen in Sweaty Betty - I love their luxe range. An Anya Hindmarch bag always dresses things up, even when you’re in a gym kit!

Q. What are your favourite tracks to work out to?

I swear by my workout mixes that are curated by the budding DJs who work at the Studio!

Q. What would you advise is the best way we can all maintain excellent health levels in Autumn and Winter?

Eat well: keep your daily diet clean and full of fruit and veggies, adding superfood powders to your meals/smoothies/juices where you can. I suggest: wheatgrass, sun chlorella, plant based proteins such as chia and hemp and spirulina.

Sleep well too and don’t do too many things – take time to ‘be’ and use these colder months to snuggle up, hibernate and spend time with family and friends. www.transitionzone.co.uk

Chartwell Journal

Thirteenth Edition

English and Welsh Wine: A Curious Case of When Not to Buy British Words by BEN FOWLER

A brief word association with Surrey or Kent is unlikely to immediately bring up “wine country”, but the fact is that the Britain’s wine industry has been growing and improving exponentially over the last few years. The ability to sell the “brand “of Englishness and all of its allusions has helped vineyards, who have wisely altered their aim from the bottom to the top of the market, to produce and market world-class wines - particularly of the sparkling variety. The revenue and publicity provided by opening up the doors of a vineyard and its estates for tastings have helped the industry flourish, as too has the increased public interest in both gastronomy and the benefits of locally-sourced products. What could be more attractive than a weekend break to The Three Choirs Vineyard in Gloustershire, to experience great local English food paired with great English wine?

“I cook with wine; sometimes I even add it to the food...” W.C.Fields

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t has been quite a journey for the humble English vineyard, first introduced to our shores by the Romans, barely surviving through multiple destructive invasions during the dark ages and evolving to the scientifically-guided enterprises of today.

Indeed, the industry was not without its early critics, the Roman writer Tacitus pointed out an objectionable climate, inappropriate for growth.

I am sure he would change his mind today, although he would probably wonder why 2000 years later British roads had actually worsened…

The English vine however, after centuries of dormancy and a subsequent reintroduction in the 1950s - brought on by observations that there was little difference in the growing conditions of Kent compared to the fabled Champagne regions - finds itself in a period of remarkable growth.

Currently over 400 vineyards exist nationally, with over 150 hectares added over the past two years.

Modern techniques have allowed producers to maximize their quality; well-sited vineyards succeed by selecting the best varieties for their region, climate and desired end-product. Despite a small production of red wine – accounting only for only 10% of the total – this is still admirable when we consider this was once considered an impossible task. English wine really shines with its white wines, and particularly with increasingly well regarded high-end sparkling and peculiarly good late-harvest varieties. Both have enjoyed an ascension of late, with sparkling roses emerging and well-balanced dessert wines being marked for their natural acidity.

With all this positivity, it is worth asking ourselves why our wines are not already in possession of a sterling reputation. Part of the answer lies in a very English quirk of labelling that puts a complication on the old marketing tool of “buying British”. You see British wine is not British. English wine is English, and Welsh wine is Welsh, but again they are not British.

I’ve lost you haven’t I? They do say that the English love a bit of word-play. This is more like word-foolishness. Under regulation, wine that is designated “British” starts life as grape concentrate shipped in from other countries and is “made” in concerns that effectively operate like large-scale versions of a store –bought wine–making bag. The wines are consequently of little character and sit at the very bottom of the wine market. English and Welsh wines by contrast are, as one would expect, the genuine article. For English wine the grapes have to be grown in England and the wine has to be made in England. That just seems to make sense doesn’t it?

The confusion stems from a time when the English wine industry was a fledgling one at best, and was probably a compromise solution to keep both the “British” and “English” producers happy with their own designation. It is obvious that this has hindered the reputational development of our nations vineyards, and it goes without saying that had there been an established wine-growing industry at the time, the British designation would never have been passed, sparing the potential confusion to the

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consumer perception of the UK’s home-grown wine. Successive UK governments have shown little sign of wishing to aid the still relatively small-scale English wine industry – still suffering with the high levels of excise duty and VAT which afflict English producers. Sadly, one of the easiest things government could do to help – simply replacing the “British” wine designation with a different description – remains bafflingly undone. As Laurence J. Peter once put it “bureaucracy defends the status quo long past the time when the quo has lost its status”.

In an odd case of linguistic rather than political devolution, it would seem that buying English and Welsh wine is a fine idea. Boasting a range of interesting vineyards, rich in local flavour and heritage, producing a spectrum of wines that are starting to attract not only national, but even international attention. A brave new enterprise emerging from thousands of years of absence on the world stage to finally try to steal a little limelight from its old world neighbours. Just make sure, on this occasion at least, not to buy British…

Recommendations from the Three Choirs Vinyard, Gloustershire: One of England’s best known vineyards, a single estate location in the idyllic Cotswold’s that provides a unique microclimate for growing a range of scientifically selected grapes, and a perfect example of the modern approach – a beautiful classical English backdrop to a highly contemporary endeavor.

Three Choirs Classic Cuvee Sparkling Three Choirs Classic Cuvee is a traditionallymade sparkling wine of very high quality. A fine example of why English sparkling wine is increasing in popularity. Dry, subtle and easily comparable to a fine Champagne.

2013 Three Choirs ‘May Hill’ A splendid medium white wine that combines aromatic floral tones with a harmonious palate. Medium and well balanced, with rich honeyed fruit.

2011 Three Choirs Late Harvest A blend of Siegerrebe and Schönburger and a great chance to try one of the ascending English dessert wines. Aromas of orange blossom, honey, apricot and hay with muscat grape.

Chartwell Journal

Thirteenth Edition

Emily Watkins Words by GRACE SHEPPARD

In 1940, Sir Winston Churchill delivered an impassioned speech to the House of Commons, stirring a nation’s resolve by declaring that “we shall fight them on the beaches”. Over seventy years later this speech would be honoured by Emily Watkins - as the title of an impassioned dish served for the season finale of The Great British Menu. She joined the winning chefs in serving a banquet for the veterans commemorating the 70th anniversary of D-Day. Emily’s winning fish course featured the best of British seafood and produce with scallops, cockles, foraged sea vegetables and morel mushrooms – often colorfully referred to as “dryland fish”. Emily’s ideology certainly reflects British pride and produce, with her team at The Kingham Plough ”constantly looking to improve ourselves, while sticking fiercely to our ethos of using the amazing produce available locally.”

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hurchill went on to vow that “this shall be our finest hour”, so did Emily create her own finest hour at The Great British Menu? “Winning the fish course for the D-Day Banquet for Great British Menu was publicly my biggest success. It really was amazing to beat so many other professional chefs and to cook at the banquet. It has been absolutely brilliant for us, bringing lots of interesting customers who genuinely want to experience our food and who understand the efforts that go in to preparing our food – it’s so rewarding.”

Far too long the target of jokes, it’s arguable that all aspects of British food are misunderstood.

“One cannot trust a people whose cuisine is so bad,” Jacques Chirac famously said in 2005 – amazingly while he was serving as France’s president. But Emily firmly believes that the cuisine of Britain today could not be further removed from this stereotype, “It is well known Britain used to have a terrible reputation for overcooked and flavourless food, but thankfully there has been a full turn around and we are rightly praised for being seasonal and very ontrend with cooking styles and methods”.

One thing she is particularly supportive of is the quality of our home-grown produce. “You can see it not only in the number of quality restaurants around - the Fat Duck has featured at the very top of the best restaurants in the world for 10 years now, but also in the number of artisan producers of cheese, bread, ice cream, charcuterie, everything you can think of - if there wasn’t a market for them they wouldn’t be here”. Her dedication to British produce ironically came from several years in Italy, their approach to local cuisine inspiring her to embrace her own regional ideas and traditions, “The Italians are fiercely proud of provenance, not only ingredients, but also recipes that are very reactive to the ingredients available in their region. I have definitely brought back this spirit. I like to use not only local ingredients, but ancient recipes from the area as they relied heavily on what was available at any time on the menu.”

One extra victory for Emily is that she is only the second female winner in nine years of The Great British Menu, not that she feels her gender has held her back in the male-dominated culinary world, “I didn’t ever consciously know

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of any blockages as a young chef being female, there is a lot of chat in the kitchen, and a lot of that chat is based around some pretty sordid topics, so you learn to switch off when it goes too far. I have known some girls to be offended by this, especially when it gets personal”. Most successful women know that the need for a thick-skin becomes all the more apparent in life as you climb the ladder – especially in an environment so traditionally alpha-male as the kitchen, “It can be harder at the top though.

There are plenty of blokes out there who aren’t used to having a female boss, and don’t know how to handle it”. Despite needing “dedication and passion to succeed”, Emily has learnt that dedication does pay off, and is refreshingly encouraging to young chefs – both male and female, “I’d say to any chef – keep your head down, work hard and you’ll get there. You have to love this job to work these hours, but it can be hugely rewarding. It teaches discipline in life, and respect for others”.

This dedication and discipline has seen her business rank as one of the top 100 restaurants in the UK for two tears running, with her aim to climb that list following some major

Chartwell Journal

Thirteenth Edition

reinvestment. “We have just built a brand new kitchen with amazing, eco-friendly equipment, which allows us to push ourselves further, and have built some incredible new bedrooms, so guests can stay over after feasting here! My dream would be to carry on improving and seeing a full house every day.” Certainly not one to rest on her laurels! Although that is far from the end of her plans to evolve her business, “Oh and I would love to build a purpose-built curingroom for our charcuterie”. Now there’s that enthusiastic passion again…

Being a chef and a mum poses challenges of its own, the long hours and hard work mean that taking time to spend together can often be difficult, Emily advocates one of the more comforting of British family rituals: the Sunday lunch. “We have a ritual on Sundays that we have a full roast followed by a very British pudding - crumble, sticky toffee pudding or something - as a family at 5pm when we are back from work”. Now that sounds like quality time! And she is ensured to keep her standards up at home by that most dreaded of food critics – her children… “My eldest boy is a bit of a food critic and enjoys things like home-made pizza - I did once suggest buying one in the supermarket and that was not acceptable!! I don’t think it is healthy to ban anything from children - within reason - alcohol is obviously a no-no! But if you refuse to let a child watch TV they can develop an unhealthy yearning for it, the same goes for sweets or fast food. Living in a very rural area we don’t come across fast food restaurants often so they don’t really feature in our lives, if we are doing a long journey down to Cornwall I tend to make a picnic so we don’t have to stop.” Now what could be more British than that?

Her success on television has led her unassuming personality having to accept a degree of celebrity, something she has found a little disconcerting, saying she “still finds it odd that people may want a signature!!” Perhaps her mentor at The Fat Duck, Heston Bloomenthal might have a few words of celebrity advice for her? He certainly played an inspirational role in her thought process and the way that she approaches food, “He influenced me in so many ways, which are subtle throughout my menu – subtle apart from the triple-cooked chips of course!” And what importance were his famous scientific techniques and outlandish imagination? “My food reads very traditionally on the menu; however we do use a lot of techniques that I learnt with Heston behind the scenes - to get the best out of the ingredients. I still experiment a little every day, whether it be with flavour pairing or method of preparation.

Although it may not come from Heston directly, it is definitely his influence. I have him to thank for teaching me not to be narrow minded in following a recipe and to question all the stages of a dish”. Interestingly, her take on old British dishes has been forged by two contrasting influences: traditional provincial Italian love for the best local ingredients tempered with cutting-edge experimentation. Little wonder that it has taken on a life of its own.

As much of an inspiration as Heston Bloomenthal was to her career, she does not plan on following him fully into the celebrity limelight, having a pragmatic approach to her new-found fame. “I see myself as a chef and a mum that happened to take part in a televised competition. I have done a few other bits on TV which I have enjoyed, but that was more to do with what I was doing and the people I was working with, than the fact that it was on TV. I am also a business owner, and it is fantastic marketing doing TV”.

To inspire your own best of British menu for the summer season, Emily recommends “… asparagus, jersey royals and hollandaise. So simple, and yet so delicious, they are a symbol that summer, and all the delicious vegetables that come with it, is on its way. They are also the first new season ingredients available.

Some things are so tasty they are best kept simple. Tomorrow it may be something completely different…”

Chefs like Emily Watkins are taking British food to new frontiers, breaking down the stereotypes attached to our national cuisine. And while Sir Winston Churchill’s great words may have provided a fitting title of her competitionwinning dish, Emily Watkins’ food and approach to her work are returning the favor by providing a fitting example of his famous sentiment that “when it comes to standards, I am only satisfied with the very best.” www.thekinghamplough.co.uk

WHITE TIE Event Party Design Diana Christie-Miller White Tie, Bridge Cottage, Little Bedwyn, Marlborough, Wiltshire, SN8 3JS Mob: 07867 858249 | www.whitetie.co.uk

Chartwell Journal

Thirteenth Edition

Life Ball Words by GRACE SHEPPARD

Earlier this year Signa invited Chartwell Media to the Life Ball in Vienna.

Life Ball is one of the biggest and most spectacular annual charity events in the world supporting people with HIV or AIDS. The event is organized by the nonprofit organisation AIDS LIFE, founded in 1992

by Gery Keszler and Torgom Petrosian.

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he Life Ball experience is a weekend I’ll never forget, and something that I would recommend everyone must experience at least once in their life.

To ensure that the cause of the Life Ball is not forgotten, the opening ceremony on Vienna’s city hall square includes moments of silence and speeches by international stars and partners, which focus on raising awareness for AIDS. Since the establishment of this society highlight, which has become a real tradition, numerous celebrities from this year’s Ball, Sean Penn,Charlize Theron, Kelly Osbourne, Dita Von Teese, Mary J Bilde, designers, politicians, and models, just to name a few show their personal commitment to the issue with breathtaking live performances and send a strong signal of solidarity.

Signa had arranged for us to be dressed by stylist Wolfgang Reichl. For Wolfgang to find his inspiration he used the fine brands from the Golden Quarter. Both before and after the life ball we were staying in pure comfort at the grand and historic Park Hyatt.

Vienna’s central City Hall Square was transformed into a mythical world of pagan rites and fantastic spectacle as the Austrian capital hosted its biggest annual party.This year’s theme revolved around the ancient celebration of spring as the giver of life, and organizers pulled out all the stops. The Gothic City hall was turned into a structure glowing with light, and its square a huge stage of blazing fire & dance.

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one of the best nights of my life,I will do anything for this cause because itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s so beautiful.

Kelly Osbourne

www.lifeball.org www.signa.at www.goldenesquartier.com www.vienna.park.hyatt.com

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Chartwell Journal

Thirteenth Edition

‘Shoes have this incredible way of making you feel amazing’ Words by BEYOND BESPOKE

Gone are the days of shopping for shoes that everyone else already owns.

Upper Street is pushing the boundaries and imagination of shoe design, and leaving it all in the hands of the customer. Here, co-founder and CEO Julia Elliott Brown talks about the journey so far.

How was the idea for Upper Street born?

I founded the business with my sister Katy. She had her wedding dress designed for her, about 10 years ago now, and she couldn’t find the kind of shoes she was looking for, so her dress designer suggested she had some shoes made. She didn’t even know this was possible, but was directed to an amazing shoemaker and had a beautiful pair made. When I saw them, I naturally thought they would be from a high-end luxury brand, but when I found out they were bespoke, I thought how I would love to be able to do that. But I didn’t want to have to go to Hong Kong every time; I wanted to be able to do it wherever I am. Also, what you get in Hong Kong is actually quite a low quality with a lot of synthetic materials, and the shapes and

designs are not particularly contemporary or luxury. We liked the concept but thought we could make this something much more beautiful.

How did you come about choosing your designs?

Katy and I created this huge matrix of shoes we found in magazines and thought, OK, let’s look at all the base shapes you can have, from a pointed court to a round toe court, a sandal to a boot. We took all of those key shapes then looked to see what patterns we could find, in terms of upper designs, everything from a full cut court to a D’orsay side and how these would work across the shapes. All the time we were trying to find examples of shoes and work out where we could find commonalities.

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We then started to work with our shoe designer, Rosa, who has 25 years experience working for the likes of Paul Smith and Emma Hope, and she has really helped us develop over time, making the lines a lot more sexy and refining the heel shapes.

come back and buy a lot from us, they want to see new and contemporary designs. Every season we try to add in either a new material or design and weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re always aware of not having too many options and about putting ideas into the background for another season.

Do your designs follow emerging trends or do you try to keep them quite fresh?

We try to do a blend of the two and be classic with a contemporary twist.

We have a lot of customers who just want something very simple. For instance, a court shoe with more than 170 cool materials to colour it in with is actually enough for some people, but for those customers who do

How do you choose your materials and colours?

One of the biggest challenges we had at the start was putting together the palette and working out which colours were classic and which were more seasonal and contemporary, so we had all the basics covered. It needs a strong eye because it is really important to have that palette together, especially for â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;design your ownâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;, so our customer can interchange the tone

Chartwell Journal

Thirteenth Edition

when they wear the shoes. We then try on the fit samples, all the base shapes and sizes, from a pointed court to the sandal and boot to narrow down the shape. Then we can start playing around with the design, including studs, bows and straps. The common mistake that people think is that this is an opportunity to design the most amazing pair of shoes ever and they have to go with everything. Actually, it’s about finding that gap in your wardrobe – you might not have a red shoe, for instance.

When you pull together the designs, do you have a certain woman in mind?

We think an awful lot about who our customer is and what she’s looking for. We tend to get a lot of busy and successful women. We have a particular customer (I can’t name her but we talk about her) and we discuss what she would like to see. The other customer is a bold bride; she’s the bride who wants something unique and different.

of their design and it still works. We always try to add in some interesting materials, such as snakeskin and fishskin. Just giving people 170 materials to choose from is quite confusing, but by guiding them along with some great classic palettes, to something more edgy, has proved quite successful Why the shoe?

Both of us have always loved shoes – we’re not complete shoe nut cases but I think women do have this incredible relationship with shoes. It’s not just a functional need, it’s something you really want and desire, even if it’s just opening up your wardrobe to look at them all and closing it again. You can never have enough pairs of shoes. Women either tend to be a shoe or a bag person. I’ll have a bag and use it for three or four years until it’s fallen apart and then I replace it, whereas I have a lot of shoes and wear a different pair every day. I think shoes have this incredible way of making you feel amazing and transforming you in a way that a bag doesn’t.

You have the height to give you that confidence and feeling of being in control or to feel more sexy or taller. Even if you’re having a fat day, you can put on a pair of shoes and it can transform what you’re wearing and how you feel.

Comfort over style?

It’s critical to get it right. If your shoes are uncomfortable then it ruins your day or night.

We don’t put ourselves forward as a comfort shoe brand, because to me that goes without saying. One of the things we found was that a lot of designer shoes are quite narrow and that’s quite challenging for a lot of real women. We spend an awful lot of time crafting our lasts and making sure they are comfortable and they fit well but that the design is still there. We do a much broader range of sizes than other retailers because we make to order, so we do sizes 33 – 44 and four different width fittings. We also test-drive our shoes to make sure they are good enough. Unless it feels comfortable, it’s really not going to wash.

How many pairs of shoes do you own?

I think about 50, which I think is very modest in terms of shoes. I do have to occasionally retire shoes because I’ve worn them to do death but I don’t have them all out, I rotate them around seasonally. I wear my shoes every day – why wouldn’t I? I want to showcase them.

How do you give your clients a personal experience?

For us, it’s always about inspiring and empowering them to make the decision because ultimately it is our customers choice. When they come to see us in person, we have a one-on-one personal conversation to try and understand the kind of shoes that the customer likes to wear, the purpose of them and how they want to feel

Bespoke shoes for men have been available for years. Why do you think it’s taken this long for women to have that option?

I think for a long time that bespoke for men has been something they have earned and women have not really gone for it. I don’t know whether it’s just always been a much bigger proliferation for women with fashion across the board.

Women now are becoming less label conscious and bespoke has become a lot more accessible.

Of course, I could have got my shoes made for me before, if I had a couple of grand to go to Mayfair, but I didn’t and I needed something accessible. Women do love and want bespoke, you love it when people ask where you got your shoes from and you say, they were made for me, they’re unique. That is a really great thing to be able to say and feel.

What can we look forward to in the next season?

We always like to push the boundaries and do an interesting collaboration once a year, so coming up next season we have an exciting launch with London College of Fashion students from Cordwainers. I can’t say too much, but all future shoe design starts there and the outcome is superb. We also do a very small collection to showcase our new designs, so AW’15 will see a lot of ‘disco-tastic’ Seventies-inspired designs. www.upperstreet.com

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Chartwell Journal’s ‘In The Know’ Best of British 2015 Bonfire Night 5th November Various locations in London

Goya: The Portraits Until 10th January National Gallery

Winter Wonderland & Ice Rink 21st November - 4th January Hyde Park

Lord Mayor’s Show & Fireworks 14th November Various locations

Hyde Park Winter Wonderland 19th November – 3rd January Kensington

Disney on Ice 22nd December The O2, Greenwich Peninsula

London Jazz Festival 14th – 23rd November Various London venues

Natural History Museum Ice Rink Until 4th January Cromwell Road

The London International Horse Show 15th -21st December Oympia London

Thanksgiving 24th November Various London venues

Christmas Lights 15th November – 6th January Regent Street

New Year’s Eve Fireworks 31st December London Eye

Science Museum Lates Until 25th November South Kensington

Blue and White: British Printed Ceramics Until 3rd January V&A

New Year’s Day Parade 1st January Piccadilly

The World Goes Pop Until 24th January Tate Modern

Triumph & Disaster: Medals of the Sun King Until 15th November British Museum

London International Boat Show 8th - 17th January Excel

Chinese Artist: Ai Weiwei Royal Academy of Arts Until 13th December

Constable: The Making of a Master 20th September - 11th January Victoria & Albert Museum

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Chartwell Journal

Thirteenth Edition

Remember, Remember the Fifth of November…

Words by BEN FOWLER

The British have many peculiar celebrations throughout the year; in the spring the Cotswolds host the annual cheese-rolling of Cooper’s Hill - where twenty young men chase a cheese off a cliff, tumbling 200 yards to the bottom, where they are scraped up by paramedics and packed off to hospital. While the summer sun leads to such oddities as the worm-charming and bog-snorkeling championships, November heralds one of the longest standing British traditions – Guy Fawkes Night. For four hundred years the 5th of November sees Great Britain light up its skies with bonfires; the tradition expanding over time to include detonating licensed shop-bought bombs known as fireworks and the public burning of celebrity effigies (the Edenbridge annual bonfire has most recently seen Katie Hopkins and Lance Armstrong receive the dubious honours).

In fact, until 1959, it was illegal not to celebrate Bonfire Night!

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he story behind it is a great example of a tradition becoming divorced from its origins – see St. Valentine, the beheaded priest whose name is now printed on over a billion cards a year, for details.

Guy Fawkes was a part of a disgruntled Catholic plot to blow up King James I and his Protestant friends on the opening day of Parliament, 1605.

Guy volunteered to light the fuses; God, however, torn between the two groups, flipped a coin and Guy was captured and the plot was thwarted.

To celebrate nearly being burnt to death, King James ordered the day commemorated by the annual lighting of fires; nicely ignoring the irony and like celebrating surviving a plane crash by going sky-diving.

Guy Fawkes would, of course, not live to see himself become both a boogeyman for Catholic extremism and a symbol for political freedom – masks of his face are often worn by political prisoners. He did, however, prove to have the sense of humour that might have enabled him to appreciate the absurdity of his legacy. On Guy’s capture, facing certain torture and execution, he hilariously gave his name as John Johnson – the medieval equivalent of signing a document as Mickey Mouse I suppose. The later reveal of his

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Where to go this November 5th: Midsummer Common, Cambridge Lovely Midsummer Common attracts 25,000 people to its annual fireworks display. The pyrotechnics are followed by the lighting of the bonfire, and there are fire dancers and a funfair.

Fireworks Skyshow, Cyfarthfa Park, Merthyr Tydfil The parkland of the Cyfarthfa castle in Merthyr Tydfil is the setting for the town’s annual “skyshow”. There is entertainment before and after the fireworks, with traditional food stalls and a fair..

Fireworks Spectacular, Birmingham The show at Pype Hayes Park in Erdington includes a huge funfair, music and competitions, and a fire dance performance. The event is always themed, with a fitting finale to the fireworks.

true identity led to the adoption of the term “Guy” as an ugly, repulsive man (later downgraded to meaning simply “a man”), and avoiding the humiliation of teenagers in shopping centers having to ask for a penny for their Johnson.

Fireworks were first seen in the skies of Britain in the 14th century for the wedding of Henry VII, having first been accidently invented in China in the 10th - allegedly by a chef developing marinades. What an episode of Hell’s Kitchen that would have made. Nowadays, 90% of all fireworks are still made in China, with the UK detonating £15 million worth of them every November. Each £15 million investment leads to the majority of British dogs taking the night off to hide under pillows and one person every year suffering a serious hand injury. I don’t that means the same person every year – if it does then if they haven’t learnt by now…

To combat the lack of natural oohs and aahs available in November, scientists have worked tirelessly to develop a range of fireworks - most of which are exactly the same just with different dynamic names like Bada-Bing, Bada-Boom or The Punisher. But Bonfire Night just wouldn’t be the same without the following, familiar types…

Sparklers have been teaching kids about joinedup handwriting and 2nd degree burns for decades.

Burning at 1500 degrees, these make-shift light sabers must never be picked up after they’ve gone out. EVER. Wow, I guess the advertising campaign worked on me at least. They also provide an interesting test of the cheapskates amongst your social circle – just look at who can’t sign their name before the sparkler goes out. A more creative use of the sparkler was provided by art-group Monochrom who lit 10 000 of them simultaneously in a pyro-portrait designed to symbolize liberation from monotheistic traditions.

I think that might have been what Guy Fawkes was going for too…

Catherine Wheels roll nicely between the dark past and colourful future of Bonfire Night, themselves named after Catherine of Alexandra, who was convicted of heresy and subsequently bludgeoned to death on a cartwheel. Today her memory endures in a firework full of potential problems – hammer in too tight and you achieve nothing more than a singed fence. Hammer in too loosely, however, and you lose all the residents of your goldfish pond. I saw this once with my own eyes and it is not a happy memory. The largest wheel ever was over 100 feet in diameter, which, if incorrectly secured, could take out the whole of SeaWorld.

Rockets supply the soundtrack of whistles and

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explosions to the evening. Amusingly known as Jacky Jumpers in Wales, they can jump to speeds of over 200 mph. Their non-whistling cousins, bangers, have been illegal in the UK since 1997.

If you wish to see why, type “banger” and “dare” into YouTube for several thousand perfect demonstrations. Roman Candles are, perhaps, the reason for the invention of bangers; they are seen as the “safest”- or in the language of stupid - “the most boring” of fireworks. The Italian invention does go some way to demonstrate that human nature precludes the idea of a “safe” firework – the Roman Candle is currently one of the most popular weapons in the street fights of Chicago’s gangs.

Stupidity and fireworks go hand in burnt hand, and many accidents could be avoided by following some simple rules. Buy licensed products only: in Croatia 2002, a man attempted to save money and make his own fireworks by using a chainsaw to open up a hand-grenade left to him by his father (?). Follow the instructions: In Java 1998, two men ignited two large display-grade boxes of fireworks by connecting them to their motorcycle battery and revving the engine. The resulting explosion was probably heard by Guy Fawkes himself. And as I learnt myself, don’t dispose of your used fireworks afterward by throwing them onto the bonfire. Sorry again, goldfish.

Why are almost all fireworks made in China? It would seem because no-one else can be trusted with them. And even if you survive the rocket and candle displays, you still have to make it through the food. Roasted chestnuts seem like a great idea, but the reality is the same as jamming splinters under your fingers to end up with a nugget of powdered nothingness. Toffee apples also fall into the great on paper/incredibly difficult to actually eat category. And quantum physicists are still trying to identify the minute period of time in which a marshmallow is edible before it burns. It may well be harder to find than the Higg’s Bosun.

But all these things are part of the fun for us British; and year after year, long since the reasoning was completely understood, we light our fires and detonate our Chinese fire-sticks, so enthralled at writing our names in the night that we forget about the chestnuts. It’s quite romantically metaphoric really. Remember, remember the fifth of November. But maybe let the grisly history fade into the night like our own sparkler-written signatures.

Note: No animals were harmed in the writing of this article, my fish didn’t like the parts about the goldfish pond, and my dog found it a little speciesist but that’s it…

Chartwell Journal

Thirteenth Edition

Elizabeth Marsh Floral Design Elizabeth Marsh Floral Design is based in New Covent Garden Market at the heart of the floristry industry. Elizabeth Marsh services a wide range of customers with weekly flowers but also caters for events and bouquet deliveries across London and the rest of the world.

Elizabeth has also found recognition for the highly bespoke and creative nature of her designs that create a very specific and magical impact

Elizabeth Marsh Floral Design has a 5-Point Culture:

Relevance: arrangements are always integral to the customerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s surroundings, inc lasting, colour, shape and size.

Excellence: the word STUNNING should be able to be applied to every creation that leaves Elizabethâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s studio.

Creativity: to make it a way of life for both staff and the customer.

Her award winning company provides bespoke floral designs for Michelin-star

Fun: each day should be filled with fun, hard work, learning, and inspiration.

Growth: to grow as people through their interactions in a creative environment.

restaurants, four and five star hotels as well as high end corporate companies and retailers. Currently working across London, Elizabeth is starting to apply her floral design process to groups of hotels, restaurants and event planners on a national and international level.

P35-42, The Flower Market New Covent Garden Market, London SW8 5NA T: +44 (0) 20 7738 8506 www.elizabethmarsh.co.uk

Day In the Life of Jo Macina

The Pig On The Beach

Albert Einstein famously said that “if a cluttered desk is a sign of a cluttered mind, then, of what is an empty desk a sign of?”

Your workspace is somewhat different to any that we have featured before, is organisation and order a large part of what you do?

Definitely, gardening is also about working with nature, so you can’t plan everything! The weather can change without warning so you have to be able to work with the changes.

Do you grow any of the produce for the restaurant? When you’re planting the gardens do you have the restaurants menu in mind?

Yes, very much so. The idea for THE PIGs is that we work very closely with the kitchen and chefs. This involves a weekly walk around with the chef, this is where they come and have a look at the gardens and the produce and see what they can use weekly and get some ideas for the following week. They’re able to see when an ingredient grows, how quickly can they have it and how quickly does it grow back. Once a year in the winter we have a big meeting with all the gardens and chefs. This is where we discuss and make decisions about what worked very well last year, what didn’t work, what changes need to be made and what do we want to grow next year, what do we need less of and what do we need more of.

The chefs use everything from the garden and don’t waste anything. If we need to remove produce from the garden as it’s ready to be harvested the chefs then have to get creative to stop anything going to waste. They always make and use the most of what they have available.

Your gardens are renowned for their beauty; do you draw inspiration from any other gardens/gardeners?

I’ve always loved walled gardens, especially medieval kitchen gardens. Art has been influential to me as I studied art at university.

It’s a love of mine and I find it in my gardening.

The different textures and colours of a garden all illustrate a bit of art to me.

Do you have complete control over the design of the grounds? To what extent does the environment limit you?

We definitely have a limit. Because we are located on the seashore, we have a sea wind and a lot of moisture from the air. We also have sandy soil, so we have to choose wisely what sort of plants we grow with this different sort of environment. We also try to mimic the

used to grow their own produce and did a lot of gardening. After the war there was a huge lapse in people growing their own vegetables.

I now see that the industry is coming back, younger people are getting involved in growing their own produce and caring about it. That’s great to see.

Tell us about your team a little?

There’s four of us at the moment and we pretty much do everything between us. We look after the animals; we have chickens, quails, sheep, cows and pigs. We harvest our own honey, we do the lambing, collect quails eggs and chicken eggs every morning and we grow pigs for the meats. The kitchen garden has to be harvested every day, so every morning we spend a few hours feeding animals and harvesting.

native plans of the Dorset coast. I don’t have complete control of the design, our director of THE PIG hotels, David Elton helps to landscape the hotels.

Is there anyone in particular that you would like to collaborate with?

There is a kitchen gardener, Ross Geach based in Cornwall and I’m very interested by his story, he is the kitchen gardener at Padstow Kitchen Garden. Ross was Rick Stein’s head chef and I think it would be fascinating to hear from someone who has gone from the kitchen to the garden. He only became a kitchen gardener recently, he would give a different perspective on the garden as he knows what looks good and tastes good on the plate, this is a huge asset as there is always a strong connection between the kitchen and garden.

How did you get into the industry?

When I lived in London I was studying art and it led into gardening. I started growing vegetables on the roof terrace of my flat in London. At first it was just for friends; we had a studio just next door and used to have lunch on my roof from the vegetables I grew. I then started doing a bit of landscaping for London gardens. I then moved to THE PIG-on the beach, which was my first real kitchen garden experience.

Tell us how the trade has changed since you first started? What are the challenges and innovations that affect the industry today?

The challenges are that things in the industry are difficult to predict. I have seen a change since I started; I know that during WW2 people

Does the location of the Pig On The Beach have a major impact on what plants and materials can be used on the garden?

Yes, there are a few things that are a bit more difficult to grow due to our location like beans, and sweet corn. It’s very interesting because every month all the kitchen gardeners from THE PIGs meet and discuss the produce. We can actually see the differences between THE PIGs - what grows well where, for example asparagus grows incredibly well here because the soil here is typically ideal for asparagus.

Our location doesn’t limit that much, but we have a microclimate in Studland which much warmer and much drier than the other locations of THE PIGs. This means that some things to seed very quickly, and some produce just can’t grow; Studland climate is too hot for the cabbage family.

What is the best and worst thing about being outdoors all day?

There isn’t really a worst thing; I am an outdoor person so for me it’s good being outside all the time. I guess being outside in the sea wind and exposed to the sun all day means it isn’t great for the skin.

What have you got in store for the rest of 2015 - anything exciting that we need to know about?

Over the summer months we grow a big chilli and tomato collection in the greenhouses. We collaborate with other producers and we have over 30 varieties of chillies and 18 varieties of tomatoes. This means lots of new exciting ingredients for the chefs; we have a few upcoming experiments for 2015! www.thepighotel.com

Chartwell Journal

Thirteenth Edition

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Throw & Phetch The New Dog on the Block Throw & Phetch recently opened its virtual doors to canines and their owners. They are an online dog boutique with the sole aim of creating and offering modern-classic designer dog wear and accessories for the pampered pooch.

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heir range of luxury dog accessories have been designed and curated by dog lovers for dog lovers. Michelle Shepherd, owner of the brand, was inspired to create Throw & Phetch when she was unable to find any bright and bold, but durable, collars that would stand out on her two miniature dachshunds.

With that inspiration in mind, Throw & Phetch was developed to focus on luxury dog wear and accessories for both the contemporary and classic owner. Each piece of the collection has been carefully crafted and selected to be aesthetically pleasing whilst durable in nature (they are dog products, after all!) with materials and designs that will really standout.

Their customers are dog owners with a discerning eye who are looking for quality craftsmanship. At Throw & Phetch the collection has been created to suit dogs of all shapes and sizes and Michelle believes that there is something for all types of owner.

Throw & Phetch are particularly proud of their initial range of collars and leads. “I wanted our leatherwear to be bold and really stand out on any dog,” says Michelle. “We chose to work with bright coloured premium leather from Italy as it softens and darkens naturally with time and use – making it a comfortable fit for your dog. The comfort of the dog is extremely important to us”. All of Throw & Phetch’s leather accessories are handcrafted and made in England and they only use superior hardware fittings, in a rose gold finish for that extra look of luxury, that are tested to ensure their durability too.

Whilst the aim of the Throw & Phetch is to offer quality products they are also looking to be fun and playful. They even offer dog tipis, for example, – one of their best sellers – for smaller dogs.

Each tipi is hand crafted in London from 100% hand printed cotton, locally sourced wood and faux leather cord. No two tipis are the same and included with each tipi is a bright selection of feathers to decorate your dog’s unique and cosy sanctuary with. Throw and Phetch encourage your dog to “decorate their tipi however they wish – fairy lights look cool too”. They see dogs as having their own personalities too.

Despite just launching, their future plans are to continue growing their range whilst at the same time being true to their brand identity. They are currently designing a new collection of collars and leads as well as working on a selection of cashmere dog jerseys that will be hand-made in Italy from only the finest Loro Piano cashmere.

Alongside this, they’re also developing their own recipes for natural and organic treats to keep Fido happy when he is feeling a little peckish.

With plans to continue growing their range, the question is - will they always be online? “In the future we are definitely looking to open a boutique in Central London, so we are constantly on the lookout for suitable premises,” says Michelle.

Despite being the new dog on the block, Throw & Phetch are definitely carving a niche for themselves in the luxury dog world. They are serious about their quality but fun at the same time. And, they truly believe in their motto – “spoiled is just another word for loved” www.throwandphetch.com

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Lady Chartwell The Beauty Room www.chartwell-media.com/ladychartwell pressoffice@chartwell-london.com

Bee Venom Buzz Buzz darling, oh, don’t be so rude, I’m talking about the new ADVANCED Bee Venom Range! Boasting a sophisticated formulation, this ground-breaking new range uses the highest concentration of Bee Venom that is currently available on the market, allowing darlings like us to harness the magical skin benefits of Bee venom therapy safely.

The ADVANCED Bee Venom Range is designed to optimise skin turnover and boost collagen whilst simultaneously soothing the skin, thanks to the addition of Manuka Honey, which enhances the work of the bee venom and nourishes the skin, leaving it silky smooth.

This buzzing range currently features an ADVANCED Bee Venom Facial Serum and an ADVANCED Bee Venom Duo Moisturiser. Both are £230 for 50ml.

Bee Venom

British Blow In need of a Great British Blow Dry? Darling, look no further than Kings Road salon Lockonego.

Celebrity hairdressers Ben Cooke and Jonathan Long own the salon and A-listers are regularly spotted there. Whether you are looking for a redcarpet blow dry or glossy highlights you WILL leave Lockonego looking fabulous! www.lockonego.com

www.skinchemists.com

British Blow

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Mayfair Forum

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Mayfair Forum Submission to Chartwell Journal Some things are naturally amazing, some things are made to be amazing, and some things need to be kept amazing. Mayfair is all three. Working behind the scenes is a small cadre of experts in their field who are volunteering to ensure our little square of splendid maintains its place among the most attractive neighbourhoods in the world. And you can join us. www.mayfairlocal.com

Parcafe The Dorchester launched Parcafé on 1 October 2015, and let me tell you, one has not left since.

Located next to the Ballroom on Park Lane, the new coffee shop represents the acme of London coffee culture.

Fusing authentic artisan craftsmanship with The Dorchester’s imbued elegance, Parcafé serves specialist grade coffee, teas and fresh juices.

Culinary highlights include morning pastries and fresh fruit as well as sandwiches and salads.

Tempting treats such as cookies, cupcakes and homemade fudge will be available all day, each individually bound in specially designed wrapping to enjoy within the cafe or to take away. Fabulous floral displays, created by Florist at The Dorchester, Phil Hammond are also available to takeaway!

Creating the ultimate luxury coffee experience in London, Parcafé demonstrate the same impeccable service for which The Dorchester is renowned with all customers receiving a warm and personal bespoke service. One will be personally attended to by charismatic baristas who will provide expert knowledge and exceptional precision in the art of delivering the perfect cup of coffee. www.dorchestercollection.com

Parcafe

International 5* Spa Retreat Le Saint Geran When Lady C is in need of an international retreat One & Only resorts tick all of the boxes. I headed to the idyllic sandy shores of Mauritius and visited The One & Only at Le Saint Geran Spa. Voted one of the finest spas in the world it is easy to see why the spa has won over the hearts of luxury international travellers. A private adults pool with a view across The Indian Ocean and sumptuous relaxation beds are stunning features here. Services include a health and beauty studio, state of the art gymnasium and private couples massage room within the grounds with stunning sea views.

Le Saint Geran lesaintgeran.oneandonlyresorts.com

Mr. Chartwell www.chartwell-media.com pressoffice@chartwell-london.com

Treat your skin Luxury skin care brand for men Bolin & Webb recently launched their luxury skin care range.

A select moisturising balm to refresh, smooth and hydrate your skin after shaving or cleansing. Organic cactus extracts and antioxidant-rich hops help to calm, restore and protect the skin, while essential oils and shea butter smooth and moisturise.

Treat your skin

Sexy Fish

Sexy Fish - A new addition to Caprice Holdings Opens in Mayfair

Learn the art of Mixology at The Connaught The Connaught has recently launched The Art of Mixology programme. Hosted by award winning Director of Mixology Agostino Perrone at The Connaught Bar. Perfectly timed for the James Bond movie launch this winter The Connaught are hosting a Gin & Vodka masterclass with an expert lesson in the perfect martini. Agostino will also host a Whiskey tutorial as well as history and classic cocktail recipes - including his infamous 1815 Whisky Sour.

This Autumn sees the launch of another fabulous restaurant to join Caprice Holdings (The Ivy, Scotts..) Sexy Fish opens in Berkeley Square, Mayfair. The menu will consist of fabulously fishy Aisian inspired dishes. www.sexyfish.com Berkeley Square House - Mayfair

The Seaside comes to Mayfair

www.the-connaught.co.uk

The Seaside comes to Mayfair A hidden gem in a quiet Mayfair Street - Bouillabaisse is the latest offering from Kurt Zdesar (famed for opening the first Nobu and Chotto Matte). Zdesar comments “Bouillabaisse is a celebration of my lifetime of travel and showcases my love affair with seafood. Over the last 20 years I have travelled the world coming across some of the most incredible dishes which I’ve brought to London where they have been tweaked and perfected to create a menu that is a collection of my best experiences on a plate.”

The seafood inspired menu has a vast offering of freshly caught fish and even has its own aquarium. Mr Chartwell was presented with a (mostly live) fresh fish platter to help him make his choices - the Hebridean Langoustine & Will Seabass carpaccio was one’s standout dish of the evening. This intimate sea-side feel restaurant is perfect for an intimate date night or business lunch in Mayfair.

Mixology

www.bouillabaisse.co.uk 4 Mill Street, Mayfair

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Urbanologie

U

rbanologie is a luxury lifestyle global destination guide, designed to keep you in the know with up-to-the-minute insider news and exclusive content on all of the latest restaurants, bars, pop-ups, clubs and hotel openings with exclusive access to the most happening and unmissable events; from the world of fashion, the arts, music and sport.

U can now download the new Urbanologie app (available on both App Store and Google Play) – which Chartwell hopes will become your constant lifestyle and travel companion.

Urbanologie guides feature exciting daily updates to make sure U are always the first in the know. In addition to London, Urbanologie has insider guides to Dubai, New York, Los Angeles, Miami, Ibiza and Majorca, Monaco and Hong Kong to follow. Discover the world according to U.

Chartwell have partnered with Urbanologie to provide you with a year’s complimentary membership – please enter the promo code chartwell either via www.urbanologie.com or the app – available on the App Store. As with the dedicated Urbanologie website, the app enables you to: discover up-to-minute insider news about all of the new hip hangouts, pop-ups, unmissable events and the most anticipated restaurant, bar, club and hotel openings and discover interactive editorials featuring insider knowledge, from recommending the best tables to signature dishes and access daily updated editorial content as selected by in-house editors, local contributors and influencers.

Discover the world according to U. www.urbanologie.com

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Chartwell Journal

Thirteenth Edition

Grace the Fashion Bunny Graceâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s picks from her favourite British brands.

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Mayfair Office Girl Words by ELIZABETH ATTEW

Mayfair is the home of Best of British.

For generations Mayfair has been synonymous with having been the home of British Aristocracy, MI5, opulent hotels and many private clubs.

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o many in the world, Mayfair has also been the home of the best tailors in the world, Savile Row and home to the best heritage and luxury brands, Bond Street.

These streets are steeped in History. Shoppers return to the area for the same reasons of those decades before them, their loyalty to the brand. the British customer service and the exclusivity.

Most recently though, Mayfair has become the home to some younger British brands- Victoria Beckham, JM Davidson, Bamford, Penelope Chilvers and Private White VC, to name a few.

The arrival of these brands has been due to the once fragile looking streets having a west-end facelift by the main local landowner, Grosvenor.

This has in turn seen the increase in drawing further UK flagships by international brands such as Valentino, Alexander Wang, Bottega Veneta Man, Ami, Hussein Chalayan and Erdem.

I am a big supporter of Britain as a brand and I hope that you will all join me in this.

Where to cocktail: Smith & Whistle Where to be seen: The highly anticipated Richard Caring’s Sexyfish Where to hide: Thomas’s at Burberry Where to tea: The recently launched Parcafe at The Dorchester Where to indulge, the British way: The Mayfair Chippy. Fish & Chips with a glass of bubbly, what’s not to love!

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Chartwell Journal

Thirteenth Edition

Club Class Words by HUGO CAMPBELL-DAVYS

A host of suave new members’ clubs are opening their doors across London, offering a range of refined services to their businessorientated clientele. These are set to be the best new places to network and work for London’s top city slickers.

12 Hay Hill. A prominent Mayfair location is currently being transformed into this exciting new club. Offering luxury serviced offices and members’ business facilities, 12 Hay Hill is capitalising on London’s elite position in international business and commerce.

Their vision is to attract a new community of international business people, who are looking to establish both a physical presence in Mayfair and to build an exceptional network of business contacts. The Club will also act as a hub for like-minded entrepreneurs and small businesses, seeking a high service office and private social environment.

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n addition to state-of-the-art offices & private meeting rooms, the Club will offer numerous dining facilities, run by the acclaimed Michelin-starred chef Shaun Rankin. Be it in the downstairs bar & bistro, in the ground floor dining room or on the fabulous roof-terrace overlooking Berkeley Square, 12 Hay Hill will guarantee culinary excellence on every level. For those not wishing to take a permanent office at 12 Hay Hill, social memberships are available, providing members with full access to the Club’s business lounges and dining areas.

12 Hay Hill’s offices open for business in May and the dining facilities from early June.

Urbanologie members are exempt from paying the (£500) joining fee when registering for social Club memberships - with prices from £100 a month for International Members and £150 per month for London-based members.

Mark’s Club Originally opened in 1972 by the doyen and tastemaker Mark Birley, Mark’s Club was later purchased by Richard Caring (along with Annabel’s and Harry’s Bar). But after seven years of ownership, the club is set for a shake up, as Caring teams up with well-known entrepreneur Peter Dubens (founder of London-based Oakley Capital) and financier Charles Price (son of the former US ambassador), with big plans to reinvent the place.

Both businessmen have been behind several high-end businesses including KX, the exclusive gym in South Kensington, and - more recently - the stylish Dover Street restaurant Chucs Bar & Grill (with film producer and PR man Charles Finch). They were also former backers of Tom Aikens.

With closure due this July, they are expected to re-open in September following an interiors refurbishment by world-renowned Parisbased designer Tino Zervudachi, who counts Mick Jagger and Sir Evelyn de Rothschild as clients. This forthcoming reiteration of this

iconic destination is set to become one of the most exclusive - and talked about - serious networking clubs in London.

Neuehouse London Self-styled as a private work collective, the New York members’ club NeueHouse has announced that it will open in late 2015 in London’s historic Art Deco Adelphi Building in Covent Garden. This follows the launch this spring of a Los Angeles location at the landmark 1938 CBS Radio Building. NeueHouse debuted in 2013 in New York’s Madison Square district, and like the original, the London venture their first location outside the US - will be designed in collaboration between NeueHouse Design Studio and internationally recognized architect David Rockwell. The club, which provides a “workspace for creative people and entrepreneurs as well as events”, requires the membership to be split evenly between men and women and does not advertise, instead attracting members from “film, fashion, design, publishing and the arts” by word of mouth.

Facilities in the two-storey building will include private studios, a screening room, broadcast facilities, event spaces and private dining rooms. Interestingly the Adelphi Building will be home to another US import - the first overseas restaurant of the iconic American steakhouse Smith & Wollensky.

Devonshire Square Club Bon viveur Brian Clivaz is becoming quite a patron of the new wave of private members’ clubs. He was behind Home House and Dover Street Arts Club, as well as the co-founder of L’Escargot and the ‘Upstairs Club’. Now he has his eyes on an exciting new venture: a members’ club in the Square Mile.

Devonshire Square Club is set to comprise a club lounge, bars, 120-cover brasserie, private dining rooms, library with screening room, and hotel with 68 bedrooms, with an adjacent 18th century townhouse home to the club spa and gym. The Grade II listed Regency six-storey site, is located in the heart of the City of London,

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an area traditionally considered the financial hub of the country which has seen dramatic transformation over the last 5 years. The new outpost of Soho House - in the former Midland Bank building – is also opening nearby.

Devonshire Square is a modern business estate with a unique historical past, made-up of a group of 18th-century buildings that were once the warehouses of the East India Company. The reconfigured estate includes a central courtyard with plenty of destinations restaurants and alfresco dining options, including an outpost of chicken and steak Hixter restaurant from Mark Hix and the award-winning Indian restaurant Cinnamon Kitchen.

With works underway, completion is due summer 2016. “The Devonshire Square Club will be the focal point where those with Mayfair style and glamour meet East End chic. The Club will undoubtedly attract financiers and city professionals but will also be a natural haven for creative executives from Shoreditch and Hoxton. The Club will offer a sophisticated atmosphere in which to conduct business, relax and entertain,” Clivaz said.

Ten Trinity Square This iconic London landmark building and its neo-classical interiors has been meticulously restored by a team of experts commissioned by developers Reignwood Group (also the new owners of Wentworth Golf Club). Now this 1920s heritage property is set to house a Four Seasons Hotel - with 98 guestroom and suites many with breathtaking views of the Thames – as well as 41 private residences, a private members’ club, two gourmet restaurants, and a spa. The private members’ club at Ten Trinity Square, located in the original wood-paneled executive offices of the building, will offer members exclusive meeting rooms, a business centre, screening room, cigar lounge and access to the exclusive Château Latour room. www.urbanologie.com

Chartwell Journal

Thirteenth Edition

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HOME KIDS (1) Horse Shirt 3-10y - £5.00 www.rachelriley.co.uk (2) POPSY Cotton Cashmere Sweater - £38.95 www.thebonniemob.com

(7) “Grandma Sheppard’s Favourite christmas treat!” Welsh Chunk Honeycomb Amphora, 908g - £21.00 www.fortnumandmason.com (8) Copper Weather Clock, by Bramwell Brown - £295.00 (35cm) www.bramwellbrown.com (9) Stag ice bucket by Kenneth Turner - £120.00 www.geminera.com

(3) Stripey Cashmere Bow Tie in Red - £29.00 (4) Cashmere Moyu Pullover in Pink - £119.00 www.oyumoyu.com

(10) QEST Special Edition ‘Royal Piano Gloss Burgundy’ Radio - A limited run from Roberts Radio - £250.00

(5) Knitted Rabbit - Lighthouse Knitwear - £95.00 (6) Charlie - Kid’s Rocker - Fabien Capello - £450.00 www.thenewcraftsmen.com

(11) London Landmark Cushions - £185.00 each (12) Trafalgar Wine Decanter - £525.00 www.davidlinley.com

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LADIES (13) Milk And Pink Marc De Champagne Truffles - £42.00 www.charbonnel.co.uk

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(14) Wool Melton Paula Coat - £1,380.00 www.stellamccartney.com (15) Britannia - Pashley Bike - £675.00 www.pashley.co.uk

MENS

(16) Woven Grain Leather Small Heroine - £1,395.00 www.alexandermcqueen.com

(21) Otis Batterbee - Grey Price of Wales Eye Mask - £50.00 www.otisbatterbee.com

(17) Highland - Stretch Over Knee Boot - £595.00 www.russellandbromley.co.uk

(22) Sandalwood Skin Food - 200ml Bottle - £23.00 www.trumpers.com

(18) Illuminum 100ml - £100.00 www.houseoffraser.co.uk

(23) Velvet Crystal Embroided Slipper - £585.00 www.alexandermcqueen.com

(19) Geranium Collection Gift Set - £65.00 www.bamford.co.uk

(24) Knitted Polka Dot Tie - £85.00 www.aquascutum.com

(20) Henley Velveteen Box - £1195.00 each www.davidlinley.com

(25) Burberry Earlsfield Heritage Shearling Pea Coat - £3,299.00 www.Harrods.com

Edition 12 African Edition Showcase Thank you so much to our host Elena Shchukina of Gallery Shchukina and our wonderful co-sponsors Whitley Neill, Thelma West and partners who made the showcase launch of Edition 12 ‘Africa’ such a great success. This proved a wonderful platform to showcase our skills, projects, partners and clients and allowed us all to meet one another in a less formal environment as you’ll see from the images.

We look forward to welcoming you to the next showcase for ‘The Best of British’.

Working Spaces Best of British Edition

David Linley

Albert Einstein famously said that ‘if a cluttered desk is a sign of a cluttered mind, then, of what is an empty desk sign of? Your workspace seems busy; with different materials and tools is it always like that?

I spend much of my time here at this workbench, but it is just one of many desks that I use. I am always very busy and tend to jump between here, the sales desk on the shop floor at LINLEY, my office at Christie’s and my desk at home, which are all very different aesthetically but share the same qualities; whether a chisel in the workshop, auction catalogues at Christie’s or my fountain pens at home, everything has its own set place. I like my desk extremely organised and tidy, reflecting the precision, attention to detail and creativity that is found at LINLEY.

Do you have a favourite project/ collection that you are most proud of?

It is impossible to choose because we have worked on so many fantastic projects, from exquisite miniature jewellery boxes to complex pieces of furniture for huge superyachts, but I am incredibly proud of the work we have done for Claridge’s Hotel. As well as the interior design of several series’ of rooms, suites and meeting rooms, LINLEY has created some beautiful bespoke pieces for the hotel, including the exclusive design of a tub chair and the magnificent marquetry world map that adorns an entire wall of the LINLEY Map Room.

The detail and sheer size of the panel is

these complicated mechanisms in their construction. At LINLEY secret compartments are not just limited to desks; our designers like to sneak them into smaller accessories like humidors and jewellery boxes as well and, whether you reveal them to someone who is seven or seventy, the same look of amazement appears on their face. When we include secret drawers and compartments in privately commissioned pieces, the designs remain a secret so that only the craftsman, designer and client know their whereabouts.

Do you use a mixture of heritage and modern tools on your desk?

Is there a particular time of the day or night that you feel at your most creative?

I like early mornings in London when the city is quiet and the sun is beginning to rise, it gives me clarity and time to think before the day starts.

If not furniture then what industry do you think that you would have ended up in?

I had a very visual and practical childhood so I think I was always destined to do something creative.

My parents taught me to draw and make things, the first of which was a pot when I was about nine years old. I remember finding it fascinating that you could paint on a rather dull grey glaze that was then transformed into a wonderful colour by the kiln. As children my mother would take my sister and I to the National Gallery to look at pictures but we were only allowed to look at one on each occasion, to see another we had to come back another day. It taught us to look closely at the details and really appreciate art, something that is integral to both my jobs at LINLEY at Christie’s. That said, with my love of cars, motorbikes and agricultural machines, I’ve always dreamt of working in automotive engineering.

Tell us what you are working on in the picture it looks like one of your beautiful jewellery boxes or a humidor?

This photograph shows a marquetry panel that will form the lid of one of our London Landmark Boxes, which we create as a humidor or a jewellery box. It is a stunning portrayal of London brought to life using shimmering mother of pearl and eucalyptus, sycamore and ripple sycamore veneers which we dye by hand and then use precision lasers to cut to the exact shape. The marquetry is incredibly intricate and it would take one of our craftsmen around four hours to meticulously piece together this scene before fitting it to the dark stained walnut box. It has always been the making of things that interests me the most, so I find my time in the workshop incredibly theraputic and even more so when showing a client their bespoke piece for the first time.

Do you often find inspiration at your desk or do you find you work better somewhere else?

I do a lot of thinking when I am out and about in London and the city’s incredibly varied architecture has been the starting point for many LINLEY designs over the thirty years. I’m also fortunate to travel abroad a lot in my role as Honorary Chairman of Christie’s Europe, Middle East, Russia and India. I’ll often sketch things that catch my eye or take a quick picture on my iPhone and send back to the design team in London and pick up trinkets and treasures so that I can be reminded of a particular place when I am back at my office.

called Graft. Hasan rethought the LINLEY tradition or fine cabinet-making by celebrating the natural imperfections in timber that are normally worked out of the material by expert craftsmen.

Overturning convention, the faults are depicted in marquetry using brass and brushed stainless steel alongside walnut and grey eucalyptus. The collection has attracted a lot of attention since it launched and the console table won a Wallpaper* Design Award in 2014.

staggering and well worth a visit if you haven’t seen it.

Your desk furniture is very well known for its secret drawers – does your desk have any secret drawers – or would that be telling?

At home I still sit at the first desk I ever made. It is a beautiful piece with a couple of hidden drawers that have provided my children with much amusement over the years. I have never forgotten the exhilaration I felt when my grandmother challenged me to find a hidden compartment in a bureau and since I started creating furniture of my own, I have aimed to include

Yes, a combination of the two is celebrated and encouraged at LINLEY, where we combine heritage, craftsmanship and design with the latest cutting edge technologies to produce exciting and innovative designs that are built to last for generations.

Do you ever collaborate with other designers, if so, how does that process come together?

We’ve been involved in some fantastic collaborations and it is always fascinating to see what other designers bring to the LINLEY studio. We recently created a furniture collection with acclaimed British designer Simon Hasan

What have you got in store for 2016?

We are celebrating thirty years this November, so our anniversary year is just starting and will continue into 2016.

There are lots of exciting collections, bespoke commissions and interior design projects in the pipeline that we are looking forward to showing off and we have also recently appointed Carmel Allen as Creative Director, part of the strengthening of the senior management team at LINLEY. www.davidlinley.com

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