Luxury lifestyle, prime property
SPRING STATEMENT
TheWISHLIST
EXPERIENCE LUXURY LONDON THIS MONTH
IN BLOOM
At Hampton Court, the annual Tulip Festival returns in true spring style. The flower – which is associated with royalty and rebirth – will be showcased in its full glory at the historic palace. Wander through the gardens to see the spectacular variety on show. Tickets include entry to Hampton Court. 11-26 April, hrp.org.uk
GRAND DISPLAYS
Explore the latest exhibitions in art, style and classic cars this month
OPEN DOORS
Before its summer programme, the Palladian masterpiece, Banqueting House run by Historical Royal Palaces, is opening to the public for select days in April, May and June. Highlights within the Whitehall building include Ruben’s ceiling, commissioned by Charles I. 3 April. hrp.org.uk
First gear
At Royal Hospital Chelsea, Salon Privé London returns to celebrate motoring prestige. Find a choice of general entry (family tickets available for Saturday) and Sloane Hospitality, where guests will be treated to a gourmet luncheon and complimentary full bar. 16-18 April. salonprivelondon.com
CLAY DAYS
Ceramicist Phoebe CollingsJames will display 17 works in west London's Pitzhanger Manor's breakfast room at the a rose, a bridge, a house exhibition The London-born artist's work is inspired by cuneiform tablets and Ashanti folklore. Opens 1 April. pitzhanger.org.uk
ROYALLY YOURS
Explore the inimitable style of Britain’s longest reigning monarch at the King’s Gallery’s Queen Elizabeth II: Her Life in Style showcase, featuring around 200 outfits from childhood to adulthood. Shown alongside accessories, visitors will also be able to admire never-before-seen designs, sketches and handwritten letters. Opens 10 April. rct.uk
Life’s work
Birth coach and doula Tanya Lipner Chesney shares how she supports women throughout pregnancy, labour and birth
Amother of four happy, welladjusted children, Tanya brings a wealth of knowledge and professional experience to her role as birth coach and doula. As a trained dancer and yoga instructor, Tanya works with her client’s body and breath to optimise the biomechanics of birth.
hospital or at home and can assist clients afterwards too, advising on feeding, bonding and babycare.
What di erence does having a doula make?
When it comes to her own four uncomplicated pregnancies and straightforward births, she attributes not luck, but a positive mindset, physical fitness, informed choices and a flexible approach, which she encourages her clients to adopt.
She has no agenda or judgement, just guidance and information to help women make birth choices which are right for them.
What does a doula do?
A doula provides continuity of care to women throughout pregnancy, labour, birth and into the early weeks of motherhood, informing them of their options and advocating when needed.
She works continuously with her clients, alongside healthcare providers, to help them understand their pregnancy, in preparation for birth. She can support actively during labour, advocating in accordance with the choices they’ve made, whether the birth is medicalised or not, in
Research shows that having a doula shortens labour by 25%, reduces the need for pharmaceutical intervention by 30%, enhances the birth experience for parents, decreases the likelihood of PND, and increases the likelihood of successful feeding.
Why appoint a doula when birth is a natural process?
I n this age of social media, information about pregnancy and birth is abundant but not always accurate. A doula sifts through confl icting opinion, helping the mum to achieve an empowering and transformative birth experience.
What’s the di erence between a doula and a midwife?
A doula doesn’t provide medical care, she supports emotionally, practically and informatively. Whereas most hospital midwives can’t guarantee being able to work with a woman all the way through pregnancy and birth, a doula can. L
Contact Tanya at hello@yourlondondoula.co.uk or visit yourlondondoula.co.uk
MY FIRST LONDON HOME
JACK SAVORETTI
Singer-songwriter Jack Savoretti talks to Tallulah Rushaya about growing up in Parsons Green, his latest album and why London has given him everything
DIVIDE & CONQUER
VAST OPEN-PLAN ROOMS ARE FALLING OUT OF FAVOUR AS LONDON OWNERS INCREASINGLY DESIRE PARTITIONS THAT MAINTAIN A CONNECTION BUT CREATE MORE PRIVACY AND QUIET. ARABELLA YOUENS ASKS THE EXPERTS HOW THIS CAN BE DONE
CURTAIN CALL
Leading curtain-maker Pat Giddens, on why this year’s window dressings are softer and more luxurious than ever before
Anew form of “soft architecture” is emerging, replacing hard surfaces and fixed elements with fabric, texture and fluid forms. It’s less about visual impact and more about how a space feels.
According to leading curtain-maker and home furnishings expert Pat Giddens, it’s no longer just about “sitting soft”. “Clients are looking to soften every area of the home with fabric – we’re not only dressing windows but walls, ceilings and doors too,” she says.
Curtains are being used in place of doors. Upholstered panels are wrapping walls. Ceilings are tented or padded to reduce echo and add warmth. In open- or broken-plan homes, textiles are defining zones more gently than hard partitions ever could.
A RETURN TO TRADITION
A longside this softer architecture comes a renewed appreciation for traditional detailing. Austrian, London and festoon blinds are back, as are cafe curtains, sink skirts and under-counter curtains. Bedrooms are seeing the return of bed valances, reading nooks and beds cocooned with fabric. Patterned ottomans and trimmed footstools add a decorative flourish.
“It’s a look that references the past without feeling nostalgic,” says Pat. “ We’re using traditional elements, hand
TRADITION WITH A MODERN TWIST
crafted, but reinterpreted with modern flair. Think gathered headings, floppy tops and frilled pelmets. Interlining adds body. Drapes pool deliberately on the floor. Frilled skirts, trims and fringes feature prominently. Finishing details matter – fringes, tassels, tapes and contrast borders elevate both statement pieces and everyday fabrics.
CONTRAST AND LAYERING
P attern is used confidently across curtains, upholstery and accessories, supported by rich weaves, slubs and classic herringbones. Natural, tactile fibres dominate: linen, wool, alpaca and silk, alongside moiré finishes that catch the light.
Depth is created through contrast – velvet paired with silk, matt linen against gloss lacquer, satin beside polished wood. Texture and pattern work together to build warmth and dimension.
Traditional prints are in, from florals, botanicals and animal prints to stripes, checks, gingham and polka dots. Global and vintage textiles – Kantha quilts, Suzani embroideries and natural loom fabrics – introduce craft and character. L
Based in London Pat Giddens is the last of five generations of drapers who have been dressing London’s finest home s. Visit patgiddens.co.uk , or call 020 8969 8291 to learn more.
PAT GIDDENS CREATES BEAUTIFUL DRAPERY AND CURTAINS
April showers
NEVER MIND THE BATHTUB… STATEMENT SHOWERS OFFER SPAINSPIRED WELLNESS FEATURES AND ARE TAKING CENTRE STAGE IN THE SMARTEST LONDON RENOVATIONS, WRITES ALEXANDRA GOSS
Once a workaday afterthought, the humble shower is fast becoming a stand-out element of bathroom design, even displacing the welcoming bathtub as the visual and architectural heart of the room.
“Luxury showers are really having a moment, particularly in London homes where space is often tighter and a bath sometimes simply isn’t practical,” says Louise Ashdown, head of design at West One Bathrooms (westonebathrooms.com).
“A shower shouldn’t feel like a compromise – it can be the star of the room. A beautifully designed shower, with great water pressure and tactile materials, can feel every bit as restorative as a long soak, if not more.”
The shower is a crucial element in the elevation of the home bathroom from something merely functional to fabulous, a beautiful sanctuary that sets you up for the day. Many homeowners are opting for as large a shower area as possible – a 2025 report from the home improvement site Houzz revealed 57% were increasing the size of their shower during bathroom renovations. “With the right proportions, materials and craftsmanship, a shower can feel every bit as luxurious as a bath,” says James Lentaigne, creative director at Drummonds (drummonds-uk.com).
This is certainly the case in the primary ensuite in a family home in Chelsea completed recently by Finchatton ( finchatton.com), where the shower is placed firmly and unapologetically in the spotlight, with bold, dusk y-pink floorto-ceiling marble and copper accents. Meanwhile, West One Bathrooms’ new conservatory-style shower is a glass-walled, light-filled design that combines the serenity of a greenhouse with the luxury of a high-end bathroom.
In other bathrooms, the wow factor is created by a freestanding shower, such as Drummonds’ imposing Thurso or the showstopping 8ft-high La Cage from Catchpole & Rye (catchpoleandrye.com), a vast, encompassing brass frame inspired by a 19th century French original. As well as a 12-inch shower rose, La Cage has perforated ribs to spray invigorating jets of water. “Showers are becoming immersive wellness spaces, borrowing ideas once reserved for gyms and
FUTURE LEADERS
EdTech entrepreneur Brian Ong explains the five skills children need to learn to become the business leaders of tomorrow
The old adage of “study hard, get into a good school, and secure a good job” is no longer a surefire route to success. As the economy becomes increasingly defined by AI-driven automation and international commerce, the next generation has to adapt and find ways to move beyond technical proficiency. Employers will look for skills that remain valuable even as technology progresses. To prepare for the future workplace, look for schools that will equip children with these core skills.
CRITICAL THINKING
Critical thinking enables business leaders to approach problems objectively, a skillset crucial for deconstructing challenges and identifying innovation. The rapid advancement of AI underscores the importance of being
able to distinguish what’s true from what isn’t. Courses such as Theory of Knowledge, a core subject within the International Baccalaureate, foster critical thinking. They encourage students to question assumptions, analyse problems from multiple perspectives, and develop creative solutions. Students who are successful in such multidisciplinary courses learn to work with, rather than rely on, AI tools.
A GLOBAL MINDSET
A global mindset goes beyond familiarity with different cultures and languages. True competence is being able to see issues through a multitude of cultural, situational and theoretical lenses, so that students can effectively collaborate. Students who recognise that socio-cultural factors shape how others think are best equipped to