The London Magazine January 2024 - Sample Issue

SPECIAL FOCUS: HOW TO AGE WELL

Luxury lifestyle, prime property

THE 2024 LIST INTERIOR DESIGNERS OF DISTINCTION

Nicky Haslam

Extreme snow

London calling

“It is a bore to be relaxed.

I like to be on edge”

Ice driving in Lapland, ski touring in Norway

Property market predictions for the year ahead

JANUARY 2024 £4.95

thelondonmagazine.co.uk

THE WISHLIST EVENTS & EXHIBITIONS The Mark Knopfler Guitar Collection Christie’s is auctioning the personal guitar collection of Dire Straits frontman, Mark Knopfler. With more than 120 guitars, this is a chance for fans of the legendary band to own a piece of music history. A quarter of the hammer price will be shared between charities Knopfler, right, supports.

31 January christies.com

Crystal Sound Bath Sessions Notting Hill’s Members' Club is partnering with bestselling author Jasmine Hemsley for a series of crystal soundbaths.

Guiding members through a deep state of relaxation, discover how music can heal.

Read more about Bodyism in our health special on page 25.

9 January bodyism.com

ART & DESIGN Accidentally Wes Anderson: The Exhibition Step into the whimsical world of the offbeat film director at this South Ken exhibition, above. Weave through themed rooms, from Classic Façades – highlighting iconic building fronts – to Hotels/Motels, showcasing the most luxurious places to stay. Watch out for the London Room, which pays tribute to the capital.

Open now awaexhibition.com

London Art Fair Aesthetes and novices alike can explore more than 100 galleries from around the world within Islington's Business Design Centre. Looking to complete a feature wall, or start a collection anew? Find it all here.

17-21 January londonartfair.co.uk

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Marking the centenary of artist Lucian Freud's birth, the National Gallery's landmark exhibition will bring together his pivotal works from across seven decades, below.

Until 22 January nationalgallery.org.uk

PHOTOGRAPHS: MARJORIE BECKER SHAH; TRAIL PROOF OF PLUTO AGED TWELVE BY LUCIEN FREUD, PRINTED BY MARK BALAKJIAN; ALAMY/ALESSANDRO BOSIO; HELEN CATHCART

Lucian Freud: New Perspectives

WHAT'S ON FOOD AND DRINK The Walmer Castle Run by husband-and-wife team Jack and Poppy Grennall, the pub has been carefully restored with interiors designed by Isabella Worsley. Serving modern British dishes, The Walmer Castle is a feast for the eyes, in terms of both food and interiors, below.

Notting Hill walmercastle-nottinghill.co.uk

The Cinnamon Club

O N S TAG E Alegría: In a New Light Cirque du Soleil’s luminous production is set in a kingdom that has lost its king.

Through striking acrobatics, the immersive experience will be a spectacle for all members of family. In the iconic Royal Albert Hall, this classic production plays upon themes of hope and renewal.

Opens 11 January royalalberthall.com

Start 2024 with the Cinnamon Collection.

The renowned restaurants, created by executive chef Vivek Singh, are ready to welcome diners to a culinary experience.

At The Cinnamon Club in Old Westminster Library, feast with live jazz, or join in with the Bollywood Beats New Year’s Party in Liverpool Street. thecinnamoncollection.com

Sabine Enjoy panoramic views of the cathedral alongside the winter menu. Highlights include spicy chilli and coriander beef short rib. Be sure to pair with a cocktail.

St Paul's sabinelondon.co.uk

Plaza Suite This comedy stars award-winning actors (and spouses) Matthew Broderick and Sarah Jessica Parker, playing three different couples in a world-famous hotel room: a long-married pair, former high school sweethearts and a mother and father preparing for their daughter’s wedding.

Opens 17 January plazasuiteuk.com

Alan Cumming is Not Acting His Age Scottish actor Alan Cumming returns with a new cabaret show at Theatre Royal Drury Lane. Having played everyone from the Pope to Hamlet, guests will be in for a treat, as he dives into the often contentious and taboo topic of ageing with joie de vivre.

15-16 January lwtheatres.co.uk

Edward Scissorhands Based on the 1990 Tim Burton classic, choreographer extraordinaire Matthew Bourne gives this tale a new lease of life through a dance production that has been captivating audiences since 2005.

Until 20 January sadlerswells.com

The Rebellious Wine Club Alexandra Price, head of wine at the Crispin Group, will host January’s session.

Highlighting her favourite low alcohol, alpine wines, tickets cost £39 pp.

Clerkenwell bandhbuildings.com L

LOOK AHEAD WELLNESS WORKSHOP: HOW TO GET A GOOD NIGHT’S SLEEP In Daylesford Brompton Cross, learn how to change habits with resident nutritionist and wellness expert, Rhaya who is a qualified naturopath who has been practising for 30 years. Tickets are £40 per person.

28 February daylesford.com DRAWN INTO THE PRESENT: PORTRAITS ON PAPER Placing historical 20th century works alongside new creations, Drawn into the Present: Portraits on Paper brings together works by Georg Baselitz, Andy Warhol and Yan Pei-Ming.

Closes 9 February ropac.net MEET THE WINEMAKER SUPPER CLUB Don’t know your merlot from your malbec? Now, you can sensibly discover the joys of wine and food. Held in the Humble Grape Battersea, enjoy an evening tasting wines with Nicolas Laugner of Domaine AllimantLaugner, producer of Alsatian wines for 11 generations.

27 February humblegrape.co.uk/ events

The London Magazine 17

INTERIORS

EYES WIDE OPEN

PHOTOGRAPH: RUTH WARD

Interior designers to watch in 2024 FROM ESTABLISHED MASTERS OF THEIR CRAFT TO EXCITING EMERGING CREATIVES, WE’ VE ROUNDED UP OUR SELECTION OF TALENTED LONDON-BASED INTERIOR DESIGNERS TO KEEP AN EYE ON THIS YEAR. BY ARABELLA YOUENS The London Magazine 35

INTERIORS

Best for…

Maddux Creative’s founders Scott Maddux and Jo leGleud have been working together for more than 12 years. Architect Scott arrived in 1994 from the US, and Jo trained in fine-art craft design in the UK. Based in Peckham, the company’s known for conjuring up eclectic spaces which are as striking as they are unique. The pair are firm believers that history and modernity should coexist, and that craftsmanship is paramount.

“This year, we see a shift towards cooler tones, characterised by soft pastels,” explains the pair. “This trend finds its perfect complement in the sleek, modern aesthetic of cool metals, such as stainless steel, chrome, pewter, nickel, and graphite. Colourful bathroom ware is another trend that looks set to become more established in 2024.”

Colour, materiality and the stimulus of art influence the designs of Notting Hill-based Studio Vero. Established in 2014 by Venetia Rudebeck and Romanos Brihi, Studio Vero is looking forward to developing an individual brand of interior design “which combines our love of art and antiques with our signature use of colour and texture,” explains Venetia.

Other interior designers known for their deft handling of art include Sophie Ashby of Studio Ashby, whose long-term mantra for putting together a scheme is “start with the art”.

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ART ATTACK

Previous page: Maddux Creative's Scott Maddux and Jo leGleud Clockwise from left: Studio Vero's Venetia Rudebeck and Romanos Brihi; a living room richly decorated

by Studio Vero; this Marylebone pied-aterre demonstrates the ease with which Maddux Creative blends antiques and modern design

PHOTOGRAPH: SIMON BROWN; MICHAEL SINCLAIR; BEN PIPE PHOTOGRAPHY

ART AFICIONADOS

TRAVEL

IF YOU WANT TO EMBRACE THE PURE, UNADULTERATED JOY OF STREAKING DOWN PRISTINE SLOPES WITH NOTHING BUT TRUSTY SKIS BELOW AND THE SUN OVERHEAD, SKI TOURING OFFERS A RETURN TO THE SNOW-FILLED ADVENTURES OF OLD

The London Magazine 53

TRAVEL GET FROST This page:

Test your nerve on the behind the wheel of a tricked-out Porsche on the Arctic ice with Kalmar Beyond Adventure's Spirit of Speed experience Opposite page: Spy wolves in the wilds of Yellowstone National Park with a luxury tailor-made Audley Travels package

54 The London Magazine

VILL AGE LONDON

BROOK GREEN

H

omeowners in Brook Green tend to stay put.

And why wouldn’t you? With fast services to the West End, green spaces, top-class schools and friendly shops and pubs, it ticks all the boxes. “Connectivity and community lie at the heart of Brook Green,” says Jacinta Breen, sales manager at Druce estate agents, “with six Tube lines all within a ten-minute walk, it’s a dream for commuters and families alike.”

It’s not famous, and that’s the way its residents would probably like to keep it. “Brook Green remains a somewhat hidden gem. Picture the charm of Parsons Green with a more convenient commute. Tucked between Hammersmith and Kensington, it is its own village oasis, centred around the green and dotted with independently-owned shops and restaurants,” says Breen. It’s quieter than nearby Shepherd’s Bush and Hammersmith, according

to Joe Blackett, director at Dexters Shepherds Bush.

He describes “a property paradise – with a mix of chic Victorian homes and quirky warehouse conversion apartments”. There are some colourful cottages here, and even grand Georgian townhouses.

There’s a best-of-both-worlds feel, whether your preference is Westfield Centre or a quiet pub. “This neighbourhood delivers urban living with a village atmosphere, fi lled with green spaces and a rich culture,” says Mark Cullen, head of sales at Hamptons in Kensington.

“Entertainment is abundant, with venues like the Shepherds Bush Empire and Lyric Theatres. There are a variety of pubs and eateries too, such as Brackenbury Wine Rooms, and Pope’s Eye Steak House.” The upcoming development of Shepherd’s Bush Market will only add to the appeal, and an abundance of outstanding schools complete the picture.

“This neighbourhood delivers urban living with a village atmosphere, filled with green spaces”

BEST FOR: EXCELLENT SCHOOLS

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• TUBE LINKS• A SENSE OF COMMUNITY • FAMILY LIFE

PHOTOGRAPHS: SHUTTERSTOCK/CKTRAVELS; ISTOCK PHOTO/COLDSNOWSTORM. ILLUSTRATION: SARAH McMENEMY

ALL THE ELEMENTS OF A PERFECT LONDON VILLAGE COME TOGETHER IN THIS WEST LONDON ENCLAVE, MAKING IT A HOTSPOT FOR BUYERS AND RENTERS WHO LOVE ITS CONNECTIVITY AND COMMUNITY

VILLAGE LONDON

A day

IN BROOK GREEN TRADING PLACES Whether you're perusing the shops lining Shepherds Bush Road (left), or buying fresh produce and artisan makes at Brook Green Market, you can get your retail therapy here

Ask a local 9 AM

By The Green Start the day (or new year) on a mindful note with a walk through The Green in Brook Green. As the centre of the community, when the warmer months arrive, visitors can make the most of the tennis courts and the awardwinning artisan Bears Ice Cream Company (bearsicecream.co.uk), which is highly popular in the area.

11A M Discover and wander First opened in 1886, the Olympia (olympia. london) on Hammersmith Road, has always been a destination for industry showcases, from fashion to interiors and art. Attracting visitors far and wide, it always sparks ideas and provides inspiration for those who visit.

Trade event Top Drawer (14-16 January 2024), will see suppliers, including Fortnum & Mason, show their latest collections, while the Listed Property Show (2-3 February) is a must for owners of historic homes.

1PM Dine out No matter the cuisine, this corner of west London has an array of establishments that can satisfy any palette. In this area

full of friendly pubs, if you want to try something new, The Melody restaurant (themelodyrestaurant.co.uk) is a chic fine dining spot serving modern European dishes.

The Hammersmith Road establishment is the original site of St Paul’s School and served as a location for the film Melody.

3 PM Local discoveries Every Saturday at St Mary’s Primary School on Masbro road, the Brook Green Farmers Market (brookgreenmarket.co.uk) illustrates what makes the area a treasure and is an exciting excursion. The market is home to organic produce, independent homeware, lifestyle makers and more. Sign up to events and news of new traders via their website.

5 PM Spot of tea Betty Blythe tea rooms (bettyblythe.co.uk) on Blythe Road, is one of the area’s best secrets.

With Art Deco touches and ambiance, get into the 1920s spirit via a dressing up box of vintage accessories.

K A R E N S T O R E Y, INTERIOR DESIGNER AND FOUNDER OF CUSSONS AND STOREY INTERIORS “I've owned a home in Brook Green for more than 20 years and have very happily raised three children here. Our local friends all think of it as the best kept secret in west London! The Green offers wonderful areas for families to come together.

The Queen’s Head pub has a huge garden at the rear, which is fabulous in the summer months. On Blythe Road the Betty Blythe Tea Room offers a unique vintage tea experience.

Next door is Pentolinas, a vibrant Italian restaurant, while Zia Lucia’s makes wood-fired pizzas, which the children love. And every Saturday, there’s the Brook Green Market.” cussonsandstorey interiors.co.uk

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LONDON LIFE

ANNE ASHWORTH

S

elf-improvement takes many forms.

Wall Pilates and exercise regimes driven by artificial intelligence (AI) are forecast to be the ways in which Londoners become more buffed up in 2024.

But my own new-year fitness resolutions will involve striding out at a brisk pace en route to monuments, museums and interesting streets. As in 2023, these cardio-boosting trips will have a purpose: I’ll be marking anniversaries, key figures in our London’s history and current political events.

The National Gallery celebrates its 200th birthday in 2024; the collection was first based in Pall Mall, moving to the Trafalgar Square site in 1838. The sight of this landmark never fails to lift my spirits so, in the months ahead, I’ll be making even more visits than usual to see my favourite works.

Some paintings at the National Gallery have become so familiar to me that their subjects almost feel like friends. Key personalities from our city’s past are more distant figures, but it’s possible to gain a closer acquaintance.

This was the case when I dropped into the re-opened Handel Hendrix House museum on Brook Street, Mayfair, fulfilling a resolution of 2023. The composer and the guitarist lived in this home – in the 18th and 20th centuries respectively. Handel composed Messiah on the premises, while Hendrix partied, listened to Handel’s works and indulged his fondness for soft furnishings at the nearby John Lewis store.

Imagine the reaction of other customers when the rock god strolled into the curtain fabric department.

Will I be back at the Handel Hendrix House in 2024? You can bet on it. But I’ll

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Like Handel, Hendrix and so many others who continue to make our city great, Holbein was a Londoner by choice also be going to the Holbein At The Tudor Court exhibition at the Queen’s Gallery to view the portraits of the big personalities of the reign of Henry VIII. Like Handel, Hendrix and so many others who continue to make our city great, Holbein was a Londoner by choice, not by birth.

Besides hanging out in museums, I’ll also be turning the journeys to work meetings into mini-excursions. A quick check of the blue-plaque websites allows you to make

STILL IN THE FRAME The National Gallery collection will mark its 200th anniversary in 2024

a diversion down a road with handsome architecture and properties in which people of note once lived. Sometimes it’s fun to take a road less travelled, like Cleveland Street in Fitzrovia, for example. This road, which runs north from Mortimer Street, offers plaques to two eminent Victorians: Charles Dickens and Samuel Morse, painter and the inventor of the telegraph.

Westminster has the most blue plaques of any borough and in this general election year, I’ll be taking detours to some key addresses, such as Jermyn Street, where Isaac Newton set up home, and St James’s Square, where eminent London Victorian Ada Lovelace spent her days, alongside creating the first computer. In St James’s Square gardens, I’ll contemplate how the workings of generative AI, the ever-evolving innovation of our age, may affect the outcome of the election. This contest will be fought out on the doorstep, but also on TikTok and Instagram.

For some perspective on politics, I’ll be stepping inside the Churchill War Rooms in Whitehall, the nerve centre of planning during the Second World War. To my shame, I’ve never been, but one of the glories of London is that there’s always more to discover. This Imperial War Museum offshoot includes a Churchill exhibit, in which I’ll be particularly interested, since I’ve been reading No More Champagne: Churchill and His Money by David Lough. It’s an almost voyeuristic foray into the statesman’s precarious grip on his finances, largely thanks to lures of tailors and wine merchants and the allure of trophy real estate.

Election angst will have us in its grip this year. But I’m resolved to find an antidote in London’s unparalleled diversions. L

PHOTOGRAPH: SHUTTERSTOCK/BORIS STROUJKO

As this election year dawns, 2024’s London continues to offer up history to put politics in sharp relief, from new exhibitions to blue-plaque trails