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Editor Faye Manning ••••• Editorial Assistant Jordi Brown ••••• Sub Editor Kieran Bullworthy ••••• Fashion Editor Nicholas Peter ••••• Design & Production Lisa Wade ••••• business development manager Abi Gardner 07841 871 458 ••••• ACCOUNTS Kathy Manning Andree Georgiou ••••• Directors Patrick Smith Rory Smith
BESPOKE, CREATIVE & PERSONAL DESIGN
LONDON - HEREfORD - VIENNA Phone: 0207 603 0299 Email: info@gnlandscapedesign.com www.gnlandscapedesign.com Beautiful, innovative and inspiring landscapes that bring harmony to house and home.
CONTENTS OUT & ABOUT
13
FASHION, HEALTH & BEAUTY
43
HOUSE & GARDEN
55
We put fantastic local businesses and exciting events in the spotlight each month Fashion, health and beauty news to keep you looking and feeling your best Keep it local for everything house and home
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out & about – We put fantastic local businesses and exciting events in the spotlight each month – I M AG E : t H E IV Y M ARLO W GARD E N
OUT & ABOUT
HENLEY FESTIVAL GOES DIGITAL FOR 2020 7.30pm – 9.30pm, Sunday 12 July
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or release at 12.00pm on Thursday 11th June: For 2020 Henley Festival has announced that it will be going digital, presenting a 2-hour evening concert, streamed on the Henley Festival website with performances from the Hurley House Hotel on Sunday 12th July from 7.30pm – 9.30pm on what would be the final day of the festival. Popstar Will Young will perform some of his classic hits including Love Revolution, Joy and Light my fire. He says: “It’s a pleasure to be able use a home filmed show, the band and I have been working on during lockdown for Henley, a place I’ve performed in and loved. I grew up not too far from there, so it is almost a virtual home-town show.” Soul singer Beverley Knight will perform a short 40 minute concert of her top hits. There will also be performances from classical pianist Hao Zi Yoh, and number one Jazz musician Joe Stilgoe. Comedy will be provided by Rory Bremner who will perform some new topical material, interviewed by cricket commentator David Gower who says “As a guest in previous years I have grown to love the atmosphere and diversity of the many talents on show at the Henley Festival so it is a great pleasure to add a little something back with this year’s digital event” Festival goers can watch the digital concert
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from the comfort of their own homes, with tickets starting from £10.10 each and available from www. henley-festival.co.uk. All ticket sales will help to support the not-forprofit festival to continue in 2021. Established 38 years ago as a classical music charity event, Henley Festival continues to be run on a not for profit basis supporting charitable projects at both a national and local level. Henley Festival announced back in April that this year’s five day black-tie Festival will be postponed in its entirety to July 2021, moving the full 2020 line up to next year including headliners James Blunt, Madness, and Sophie Ellis Bextor. Anyone who holds tickets to the 2020 festival will be able to use them in 2021. Henley Festival CEO Nick Mattingley said: “We are absolutely delighted to be able to offer a digital version of Henley Festival for 2020 with some of the UK’s best loved performers. This is a wonderful opportunity for people to experience the festival from the comfort of their homes.”
THE DETAILS Ticket Information: Tickets start at £10.10 and are available to buy from henley-festival.co.uk. Visit the festival website for further information www.henley-festival.co.uk
OUT & ABOUT
A Covid-19 Probate Guide from Royds Withy king
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any of you may have read about the slowdown in probate, which is the procedure for sorting out financial affairs following a death. The coronavirus pandemic means estates are taking months longer than normal to sort out. Not only does this cause extra stress at a very difficult time, it can leave bereaved families at risk of financial penalties. Our Covid-19 Probate Guide features our top 10 tips to reduce stress, increase speed and tackle problematic issues. In summary, we recommend: ✔ Speak to the person before they die to get all the key information and documents; ✔ Make sure they are honest with you, and can confide in you regarding anything they may fear could crop up; ✔ Make sure they have their “house in order” in terms of their paperwork; ✔ Get proper help with handling the estate and qualified valuations; ✔ Take control of the assets and insure them; and ✔ Do not rush the estate distribution. In addition to this, our legacy management portal Life Safe® allows people to keep a secure record of all their important documents, digital assets and treasured possessions in one place.
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Life Safe is an ultra secure, online vault created by our Private Wealth team. Its multi-factor authentication provides a safe platform where clients with complex legal needs can store and keep track of their affairs. These might include their Will, Lasting Power of Attorney, pre-nuptial agreement, property or trust deeds, contracts and other legal documents as well as passports, insurance policies, share certificates and vital information on property or investment portfolios. Increasingly, Life Safe is likely to be used to store digital assets, such as passwords to social media, bank and cryptocurrency accounts, and records of physical assets, including photographs of artwork, antiques, jewellery, cars and collectables, sporting memorabilia and sentimental items. Life Safe can also be set up to issue alerts reminding the owner of renewal dates and deadlines as well as to provide an at-a-glance wealth overview to assist with financial management. Should the unimaginable happen, such as a sudden bereavement, Life Safe provides clients with peace of mind knowing that their affairs are in order and that they, or their loved ones, will be able to access the information they need. For more information, see roydswithyking.com or call 0800 046 4479. To access the COVID-19 Probate Guide on our website, please search for ‘Guide to being an executor’
“Our Covid-19 Probate Guide features our top 10 tips to reduce stress, increase speed and tackle problematic issues”
OUT & ABOUT
Wedding postponed due to Coronavirus? You may be able to recoup your deposit from the venue Jacob Gatley, a solicitor in B P Collins’ dispute resolution team who advised Perry and Seema, advises on what to do if you find yourself in this situation:
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edding season is well and truly upon us, yet across the country many couples have been left devastated after their wedding receptions could not take place due to COVID-19 and some venues have been refusing to return deposits worth thousands of pounds. B P Collins spoke with its clients, Dr Perry Green, a cardiologist and his fiancée, Dr Seema Alaee, a respiratory specialist, who were due to marry in April 2020 in Gloucestershire. When their wedding could not go ahead due to the pandemic, B P Collins was instructed to help them recoup their deposit, which all took place while Dr Green was suffering from coronavirus. Thankfully he has now recovered.
The facts of the case Initially the venue’s owners offered to move the wedding to an alternative date in September 2020 for an additional payment of £2500. However, due to the demands of their jobs as hospital doctors in the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic, choosing an alternative date in the future was almost impossible. The venue did offer to re-schedule the wedding for next year at no additional cost, but this was not feasible as Perry and Seema really wanted to marry this year and so they requested a full refund as the contract had been frustrated due to COVID-19. By April 2020, the couple was still chasing for both a response and refund from the venue, but neither were received. The venue eventually said that the offer to re-book the wedding for free was now withdrawn and incorrectly suggested that Perry and Seema had cancelled the contract, with the consequence being that the venue was entitled to keep their deposit. In addition to this, the couple had made enquiries with their wedding insurer and were told that as the wedding was not going ahead due to a Government order or regulation, they would not be able to claim 1 8 J U LY 2 0 2 0
Could hiring a lawyer save you money in the long run? Many prospective newlyweds are facing insurers not paying out so seeking legal advice early on is helpful. Perry and Seema did the right thing by querying what would happen to their venue booking in relation to COVID-19 early on and sought legal advice before requesting the return of their deposit. those monies under their insurance policy. Faced with potentially losing the monies, they had little choice but to seek legal advice. Perry explains how they felt when the wedding had to be cancelled and the deposit was not forthcoming: “Like many couples we felt upset and frustrated. We’d been planning our wedding since July 2019, and we’d done a lot of the preparation ourselves including designing personalised decorations for the marquis and creating our own bespoke menu for guests.” Seema added: “We’d put in extra shifts at the hospitals, working every weekend from November 2019, and whatever little free time we had was spent planning our wedding. I was also upset that my dad wasn’t going to be able to walk me up the aisle.” Perry instructed B P Collins, which sent a letter before action to the venue demanding the return of the monies. Under the Law Reform (Frustrated Contracts) Act 1943, Perry and Seema were entitled to claim the return of their monies paid under the contract prior to the wedding being frustrated due to COVID-19. The parties subsequently agreed a settlement, whereby the venue refunded Perry and Seema £4,264.62, which was their deposit less the venue’s expenses, which could not be recovered from its suppliers or insurers. Settling the case at an early stage saved time, money and the added stress of potentially taking the matter to a small claims court. Perry and Seema added: “Jacob was amazing from the beginning and was really open about the whole process and what we could achieve. Without Jacob we would not have got our money back. He helped us to draw a line under the discussions with the venue and move on.” Perry and Seema are still hoping to marry this year and hold a celebration for friends and family after lockdown ends.
Has the government given any guidance? Yes, but a lot is contingent on when the guidance was published and what has been said between the parties, so putting things in writing is key when arranging everything initially. Should the venue return your deposit if you decide to cancel the wedding? Not always, but if the contract has been ‘frustrated,’ the venue should return your deposit, subject to any expenses that may have been incurred by the venue. Should different approaches be taken with different suppliers? A date for a venue may not be flexible but other wedding suppliers such as the caterer, photographer, band and so on, may be flexible. Always check the contracts. Should you always have a written contract? Yes ideally, but the devil is in the detail with any written contract. Any correspondence between the parties may also be relevant as to what has been agreed. For further information or advice please contact the B P Collins dispute and resolution team on 01753 889995 or email enquiries@bpcollins.co.uk.
OUT & ABOUT
London Buyers’ Great Escape Woodcote
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enley has so much going for it as a market town. We may be famous internationally for the Royal Regatta and boy do we miss it - but as a place to live, many of us are thrilled to be able to call it home. One of the positives to come out of the tragedy that is the Coronavirus is the strong community, a veritable army of local helpers and heroes, and a sense of gratitude for this beautiful area. The Henley area has always been attractive to a London market. Located in the Thames Valley it’s a natural progression for those seeking more space and a great quality of life. As a local estate agent, since Lockdown has eased we’ve seen at least 70% of new enquiries coming from the West London postcodes. And who can blame them? Here’s a reminder of why it’s amazing to live here: • Green space - with open countryside and ancient woodland less than a mile from the centre of town, and with riverside parkland, towpaths and miles of footpaths, the Henley area is the gateway to the countryside. • Transport links - our town is only 35 minutes from Heathrow Airport, 8 miles from the M4 or M40, and connected via railway to the Great Western mainline into Paddington and connected to Crossrail when it opens in the next year. • Schools - with a plethora of high quality primary, prep, secondary and private schools within a 20 mile radius, families are well served. • Amenities - Beyond the Henley Royal Regatta, Henley’s entertainment and leisure scene are vibrant and varied. We have one of the oldest theatres in the UK - The Kenton Theatre. We have a 3-screen cinema. We have a museum by the river. We have festivals that celebrate literature, food, children and the performing arts, Advent, the music of the 1980s, and of course the Henley Festival itself - a
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5-day black-tie spectacular of music and song and dance and comedy and art. The food scene is growing, with the arrival of several high-end independent restaurants and cafes. The riverside is a generous expanse of mooring, paths, meadows, a cafe and playground. • High-speed broadband - with both the traditional broadband providers, and now our own fibre-optic network of ultra high-speed broadband, working from home - or streaming series to bingewatch - has never been quicker. In short, there’s a lot to be grateful for. And a good reason for the increased interest in our town. So, in case you were on the fence about whether you should market your property, we thought you might like to know the attributes that buyers tell us that they want: • a garden - as a sanctuary and another living space • a space to work from home - an office or studio or garden room • fast, reliable broadband • a convenient walk into the centre of town • open-plan living • space for comfy lounging with wood-burners The volume of buyer enquiries is back up to preLockdown levels, and we understand what buyers are looking for. If you were thinking about trying the market, why don’t you call us to discuss it. www.philipboothesq.com 01491 876544. Half Crown Cottage
“The Henley area has always been attractive to a London market. Located in the Thames Valley it’s a natural progression for those seeking more space and a great quality of life. As a local estate agent, since Lockdown has eased we’ve seen at least 70% of new enquiries coming from the West London”
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Henley-on-Thames £940,000 A fabulous 4/5 bedroom family home with open-plan living, within a short walking distance to the town centre and railway station. Master bedroom with en suite and dressing room, a sitting room, a distinctive kitchen/dining room with bi-fold doors to the rear garden. Two additional detached studio/offices. Gated off-road car parking and a garage in a block. EPC - C
Henley Town Centre £1,795,000 One of the oldest and arguably one of the most attractive properties in Henley town centre offering five bedrooms, three reception rooms, a modern kitchen/breakfast room. A self contained home office/annexe. Double garage and south facing garden with pool.
Fawley Nr Henley £1,345,000 Extended and renovated, to create modern living space with under-floor heating yet retaining character features such as exposed beams, flint walls and a double sided open fireplace. Four bedrooms (Master with en suite), mature gardens with a glass box outbuilding and secure car parking. EPC - E
Henley Town Centre £800,000 A luxury apartment located on the first floor of this highly desirable residential development with a lift to all floors. Benefitting from high ceilings, large windows and a balcony overlooking expansive communal gardens. 2 allocated car parking spaces. No chain. EPC - C
OUT & ABOUT
Big names back new Chalfonts crime thriller author
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halfonts author Paul Waters has attracted high profile backing for his new historical crime thriller Blackwatertown, published on 23rd July. Local bestselling writers Frederick Forsyth and Tony Kent are both backing the book, along with a host of big names in fiction. Paul’s book has been described as LA Confidential meets The Guard. As Frederick Forsyth says, it’s an “extremely intriguing story with intricate twists and turns”. The main character is a maverick police sergeant called Jolly Macken, who is banished to the sleepy 1950s Irish border village of Blackwatertown. He vows to find the killer of his brother – even if the murderer is in the police. But a lot can happen in a week. Over seven days Macken falls in love, uncovers dark family secrets, accidentally starts a war, is hailed a hero and branded a traitor. When Blackwatertown explodes into violence, who can he trust? And is betrayal the only way to survive? Blackwatertown is published by Unbound and the audiobook by WF Howes. You can get it on Amazon, but local bookshops are stocking it too, including The Little Bookshop in Cookham and The Book House in Thame. According to Paul the lockdown has made it a challenge to spread the word about Blackwatertown. “I’ve had to be innovative. Thankfully local businesses which don’t usually sell books have stepped in to help.” For instance, The Deli in Chalfont St Giles, is well known for delicious meals. But the owner Mark has agreed to sell Blackwatertown over the counter for customers to read with their coffees. And The Craft Beer Shop in Little Chalfont has gone even further. The owner Mick French has been sending packages of craft beer to regulars, so they can get together online for Zoom beer tastings. “Mick has offered to send out copies of Blackwatertown with his beer deliveries,” says Paul, “so we can have live readings with a bit of extra lubrication.” Apart from writing books, Paul is an awardwinning BBC producer and co-presenter of the We’d Like A Word podcast, shortlisted for 2020 Books Podcast of the Year. He’s from Belfast
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and was a TV and radio reporter there. His first home in Bucks was Seer Green, before moving to Chalfont St Giles. His children attended school in Beaconsfield and Amersham. “It’s a friendly place to bring up children,” says Paul. “And the perfect place for a writer, with the inspirational example of John Milton’s Cottage nearby, where Milton wrote Paradise Lost.” Paul has had an eventful journey from Belfast to Bucks. Along the way he’s cooked dinner for Brazilian football legend Pelé, gone undercover in Zimbabwe, conducted football crowds, smuggled a satellite dish into Cuba and produced the BBC World Service’s first live coverage of the 9/11 attacks on America. You can find more about Blackwatertown and where it’s available at Paul’s website www.paulwatersauthor.com
“Paul’s book has been described as LA Confidential meets The Guard. As Frederick Forsyth says, it’s an “extremely intriguing story with intricate twists and turns””
OUT & ABOUT
BBQ-ready this summer with HA Price Butchers H
A Price Butchers of Beaconsfield has been a part of the local community for 40 years. Previously operating from his shop in Holtspur Parade, Derek Morris, owner, now runs an order-to-buy service from the basement of the old shop. Pre Covid-19, Derek’s business was almost all commercial – supplying many restaurants, cafes and pubs, within the catering industry or b-b-q’s and hog roasts at events. With the temporary yet sudden closure of all of these businesses and events Derek knew that the focus of his business had to change. “We have always had a loyal customer base within the local community” says Derek, “They order from me via Facebook or phone during the week, for collection on a Wednesday or Friday morning”. This system has worked for a number
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of years now, and if you look at the reviews on his Facebook page you will see a raft of positive feedback. “Since the beginning of lockdown we have seen a huge increase in people choosing to buy local. Be it to avoid the supermarket queues in the beginning, or so many more with the view of supporting a local business, it has been a busy time. Often I am working ten hour days and have been no stranger to starting at 4.30 in the morning to fulfil the customer orders and make sure good quality meat is available for all at a time when the supermarket shelves were bare”. Derek has been using the same suppliers for over 35 years, English Norfolk Chickens and English Berkshire Pork. His beef is hand selected from areas within Berkshire and the Home counties and his lamb comes from Reading. Derek has been supporting local for years. His sausages and burgers
“Derek Morris, owner, now runs an order-to-buy service from the basement of the old shop”
are all handmade by him and his team, and all of the B-B-Q meat is freshly prepared on site to ensure quality and consistency. The current pandemic presented Derek, amongst many many other local businesses with a number of challenges. A change of tact was needed, hence, Derek has now launched a website where people can place orders, he has rebranded and widened his product range. One concern at the forefront for Derek is the worry that his new customers may well return to their old buying habits once this is all over. The support of the local community is going to be as important going forward as it is now. Available at H A Price Butchers currently are some fabulous B-B-Q packs, Thai flavoured chicken, ribs, burgers, succulent steaks, lamb steaks, lamb kebabs, Italian pork steaks and sausages. Come Christmas there will be more seasonal produce in his range. To place an order please call on 07714 406182 or visit https://pricebutcher.co.uk H A Price Butchers, Holtspur Parade, Beaconsfield, Bucks
Your friendly local butcher! H A Price is a long well established independent butchers. Our meat and other products are of the highest quality and competitively priced.
Beef • Pork • Lamb • Chicken + more
summer bbq packs now available
100% fresh
10 Mile Free Delivery from Beaconsfield. Min. spend required. Deliveries made on Wednesdays & Fridays 11am-2pm Call Us Now: +44 (0) 7714 406 182 https://pricebutcher.co.uk
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OUT & ABOUT
Chef Laurie Gear
July recipe & kitchen news
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uly is the prime season for strawberries and English strawberries are a fantastic example of how we as consumers can play our role in supporting our local growers and producers to come through these difficult times. The English climate is ideally suited to growing soft fruits and look out for less-familiar varieties such as Florence, Alice, Rosie, Cambridge Late Pine and Rhapsody,
each with its own flavours and aromas. We have had great fun at home with our own strawberry growing pot and stocks are plentiful in our shops and markets. This sumptuous Summer dessert showcases the beautiful flavour of this versatile fruit and can also be adapted to suit other available fruits such as raspberries, gooseberries or even some gently poached red or blackcurrants.
English Strawberry Galette with an English Strawberry Sorbet Ingredients Serves 4 Pastry Cream • 150g castor sugar • 300 ml cream • 6 egg yolks • 2 whole eggs • 700 ml milk • 80g cornflour • ½ vanilla pod or 3 drops of good quality vanilla essence
Filo Pastry • 4 sheets of filo pastry • Melted butter • 100 g icing sugar
• 1 x star anise • 2 punnets strawberries • Juice of ½ lemon • Juice of 1 lime
Strawberry Sorbet • Stock Syrup • 150 g caster sugar • 100 ml water • ½ lemon zest and juice • ½ orange zest and juice • ½ vanilla pod
Macerated Strawberries • 25g castor sugar • ½ to 1 punet of English strawberries sliced thinly • Wild strawberries to garnish if available
Method Pastry Cream 1. Place the milk and cream in a heavy bottomed pan with the vanilla seeds with the empty pod. 2. Bring to the boil, 3. Meanwhile whisk the egg yolks and whole eggs with the sugar and cornflour 4. When the liquid is on the point of boiling, pour onto the egg mixture whisking well, and return this mixture to the pan. Cook on a low heat until thicken 5. Remove from heat and chill. Caramelised Filo Pastry 1. Lay out one piece of filo pastry on a baking sheet 2. Brush with melted butter and sprinkle with icing sugar 3. Then place 3 more layers on top 4. Slice the filo pastry sandwich to form 8 oblongs 5. Bake in a hot oven between two baking sheets lined with greaseproof until golden brown Strawberry Sorbet Stock Syrup 1. Place all the ingredients into a thick bottomed pan bring to the boil then remove from the heat and leave to infuse overnight and then strain 2. Chill in the fridge until very cold. 3. To make the strawberry puree macerate 1 punnet of strawberries with the sugar – blitz in a
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liquidiser and then pass through a chinois To make the sorbet 4. Add the strawberry puree to the stock syrup and gently mix 5.Churn in an ice cream machine or alternative place in a tub in a freezer and then beat every hour until set. 6. Macerate Strawberries 7. Macerate the sliced strawberries with the caster sugar to soften To serve 1. Place an oblong of the caramelized filo pasty 2. Pipe the pastry cream – place the sliced macerated strawberries on top and sandwich with a top layer of filo pastry – finish with sieved icing sugar 3. Add a scoop of the sorbet and garnish with wild strawberries if you have
The Artichoke Re Opening Update We are delighted to hear the latest Government’s release for restaurant, pubs, café and hotels for the 4th July. We do not have a reopening date just yet but anticipate to be early August as we are currently updating our kitchen and preparing the restaurant to ensure we are able to provide a safe and enjoyable environment for both guests and our team. We will be very pleased to add your details to our waitlist so that we can keep in touch and take your reservation as soon as we are able and if you would like to sign up to our newsletter www.artichhokerestaurant.co.uk as we will be releasing our news and updates online. We are delighted to hear the latest Government’s release for restaurant, pubs, café and hotels for the summer. The Artichoke Restaurant 9 Market Square Old Amersham Tel: 01494 726611 www.artichokerestaurant.co.uk
F I N E
E N G L I S H
B U T C H E R S
Our passion is quality meats & service Our goal is to offer you quality produce & great service
Proud to supply quality meat and produce to the local area during the COVID-19 pandemic We are Offering hOme delivery fOr anyOne self-isOlating Or unable tO travel tO Our shOps at this time serving hot and cold food all day 28 day dry aged beef • English lamb • Free range port • Home cured dry aged bacon Fresh home cooked meats • Eggs • Multiple varieties of sausages • Liver Chicken Kiev • Jamaican chicken • Duck • Pies • Quiches • Pasties • Sausage rolls Scotch eggs • Black pudding • Cheese aberdeen house, hazlemere Crossroads, hazlemere hp15 7lg tel 01494 711803 tudor house, high street, West Wycombe hp14 3ae
www.rstrouttbutchers.co.uk
OUT & ABOUT
THE IVY MARLOW GARDEN SET TO OPEN ITS DOORS ON SATURDAY, 4 JULY
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he Ivy Marlow Garden is excited to announce it will be re-opening its doors in the heart of Marlow on Saturday, 4 July. Offering the ultimate dining experience in a beautiful yet safe environment, diners can look forward to a host of exciting, creative cocktails and delicious dishes once more, all set against a backdrop of tranquil surroundings, vibrant fabrics and greenery. Whilst service will still remain a priority, the restaurant will be implementing the highest standards of health and safety, ensuring both guests and employees will be dining and working in confidence and in a safe environment. Measures will include thermal cameras for temperature checks, the use of tracking software for all
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employees logging daily temperature readings over a seven day rolling period, and professional deep cleaning and disinfecting on a daily basis. Air filtration units have also been fitted (99% effective in killing the MRSA and H1N1 viruses, which are part of the same RNA Coronavirus family) and dedicated members of staff have been appointed to ensure that health and safety is at its highest standard on an on-going basis. These are a few of the measures that have been implemented but more detailed information will be published prior to opening. The restaurant’s concern is not only to give guests and staff the most positive of experiences, but also to ensure that Health and Safety is paramount. To book a table or for further information, please visit www.theivymarlowgarden.com
Whilst service will still remain a priority, the restaurant will be implementing the highest standards of health and safety, ensuring both guests and employees will be dining and working in confidence and in a safe environment.
OUT & ABOUT
Authentic Indian Food delivered to your door R euben’s freshly cooked authentic Indian Food - a hobby that has turned into a business during the Covid-19 pandemic. Based in Iver is the brainchild and passion of Raj Dhugga. In pre Covid times, Raj loved to cook, and started from a young age with her mother. Gathering, developing and generally picking up recipes as she went, her cooking tended to be for family mealtimes or dinner parties with friends. Raj says “It was actually my boys who have said to me on many occasions that I should do something food related. Lockdown has given me the time to create something I am really passionate about” What started as a menu shared on WhatsApp with a few friends is currently an Instagram with over 400 followers, and a website with the menu, some amazing reviews and gallery for the most amazing Indian food I have ever tasted. Reuben’s was named after Raj’s eldest son and it is he who created the elephant logo. Along with her niece Bianca they both are responsible for the photography whilst her younger son Luca prepares the raita and is learning to make the ice-cream.
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“Lockdown has given me the time to create something I am really passionate about”
“It’s very much a family business, my dad even grows fresh coriander and mint in his garden for me” says Raj. Life Magazines tried a range of dishes personally recommended by Raj including for starters the Aloo Tikki – deliciously flavoured potato patties and Keema Puffs. These tasty creations contain minced spiced lamb with peas. For mains we enjoyed the Malai Kebabs (boneless chicken twice marinated and slow cooked on skewers). Karahi Gosht (lamb cooked in spices) this was my favourite I can’t deny – it was fantastic. Murgh Makhani (butter chicken) this was my son’s favourite, Kela curry and Baingan Aloo Sabzi. Alongside we had the dal which Raj had promised would be amazing as her recipe had been given to her by Manjit Gill (Head chef at Bukhara Restaurant in Delhi). Bukhara has been hailed as “The Best Indian Restaurant in the World.” In 2012 Bukhara pop-up came to Knightsbridge for two weeks and her husband had made reservations as a surprise. Having enjoyed the taster menu Raj was blown away by the Bukhara Dal, it was velvety smooth and unlike any other Dal she had tasted. After a lovely evening we met the head chef Manjit Gill. Some days later Bukhara were running a cookery course and Raj jumped at the chance to go back and to cut a long story short she convinced him to give her the recipe for the dal which is what she uses today. We finished our meal with a coconut ice-cream, Raj added these to the menu as she thinks it’s really lovely to have a refreshing dessert after a spicy meal even if the weather is cold outside. They have proved to be really popular, Raj says ‘coconut is the one that is winning in orders at the moment’ Where can I begin on describing the ice-cream, I’m actually glad the family all wanted to stick with Raj’s suggestion of coconut – I wanted mango but I doubt anything could have been better, my daughter now wants the recipe! To order from Raj, visit the website //sites. google.com/view/reubens-cuisine/home reubens@mail.uk Facebook: Reuben’s Instagram Reubens_cuisine
A mentoring service working with young people to help them realise their potential and create a better future for themselves Emotional Wellbeing • Academic Pressures Low Self Esteem • Isolation • Relationship Issues Challenging Behaviour • Bullying • Social Skills
Authentic indiAn food home cooked and delivered to your door. Traditional recipes, slow cooked to order Freshly sourced & home grown ingredients Pre-order (24 hours in advance) Halal available on request http://sites.google.com/view/reubens-cuisine/home Call or whats app 07719 001061 or email reubens@mail.uk to place your order Instagram: reubens_cuisine
Petrina: HarPiSt Petrina is a freelance harpist in the south of England, who combines her teaching and orchestral playing with solo engagements for functions and weddings. For formal settings, Petrina plays a full sized concert harp, with 47 strings, an elegant carving and a delicately decorated soundboard, which sounds as wonderful as it looks. For outdoor functions Petrina plays a clarsach which is a more portable instrument. Petrina is available for private receptions, for civil wedding ceremonies, church services and for background music during your wedding breakfast. Please call her for further details.
T: 01494 771263
MyFutureSelf aims to equip young people with tools and strategies to increase their emotional health, resilience and improve their overall wellbeing. Please contact for an initial conversation to see how we could help you to support your young person Tel: 07761 681910 Facebook: search “My Future Self ” Email: info@myfutureself.org.uk
www.myfutureself.org.uk
OUT & ABOUT
Bucks Authentic Goods U
ntil recently, pre-loved luxury goods were something consigned to ‘thrift shops’ and hand-me-downs. Today, the pre-owned luxury market is rising at a rate of 12% per annum, a whole 9% higher than its new off-the-shelf counterpart. Purchasing preowned is now your access route into affordable and sustainable designer fashion, as well as providing a gateway to rare and high-demand items. This is where we come in. We didn’t just want to create an online store, but instead we aspired to create a unique buying experience for our customers. When we were brainstorming about Bucks Authentic Goods, we knew we wanted to marry together the instant online-shopping style of today with the unique, personalised shopping experience of the past. With the birth of our business, we are striving to re-establish the key relationship between seller and customer, where each of our client’s individual wants and needs will be fully catered foranything from a rare, vintage handbag to the latest must-have timepiece. We truly believe that our designer pieces are timeless. A classic handbag or vintage watch will be worn time and time again, some may even evolve into sentimental heirlooms, to be passed through the generations. While some may think these are extravagant purchases, we see it as a valuable investment that can last a lifetime. Purchasing a luxury good is always a big step, whether it be your first item, or if you are adding to an already extensive collection. We believe our prices are not only fair but save a substantial amount against RRP, making your dream purchase not only financially viable but sustainably ethical. We stock an extensive range of designer staples such as, but not limited to, Gucci handbags, Rolex sports watches and Chanel totes; but we are also
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able to carefully source more unique items, that can be challenging to acquire, through our network of trusted providers. Ranging from the latest Patek Philippe to a limited-edition Louis Vuitton accessory.
ABOUT US Starting a new business during these strange times we are currently living through may seem like an odd time to kick-off a new venture, especially when selling high end luxury goods. However, business owner Rob saw a gap in the market for a local business to provide luxury pre-owned designer handbags and Swiss timepieces. Being born and raised in South Bucks, it was an easy decision to base the business in his hometown. “We take immense pride that our hometown in Buckinghamshire is immersed with successful, independent businesses that are at the heart of the
“A classic handbag or vintage watch will be worn time and time again, some may even evolve into sentimental heirlooms, to be passed through the generations”
“We were aware it was time to pursue what we were passionate about; combining the enjoyable elements of our past careers, with the exciting challenge of a new industry.”
local community. Therefore, we wish to follow in their footsteps by becoming the choice pre-loved luxury goods company locally and further afield.” However, this wasn’t a sole decision and his partner and fashionista, Rebekah, knew it was the right time for Bucks Authentic Goods to get off the ground. “Both coming from clinical backgrounds, we knew we enjoyed the face to face interaction that came with our job roles. However, we believed it was the right time to pursue what we were most passionate about; combining the enjoyable elements of our past careers, with the exciting challenge of a new business.” We are looking forward to meeting our future clients and with both of us having separate roles to play, we are certain that between Rebekah’s passion for rare and on-trend handbags and Rob’s focus on luxury watches, we will be able to deliver our customers their dream products. Whilst we do not yet have a physical store, the two of us will be taking an active role within the community, attending local fairs, markets and events, in and around the Buckinghamshire region. If you don’t catch us there, please check out our website, www. bucksauthenticgoods.co.uk or our Facebook/ Instagram pages @bucksauthenticgoods. Best Wishes, Rob & Rebekah
believe there has never been a better time to start thinking about the influence your wardrobe is having on the world around you. The positive impact that Bucks Authentic Goods will have on sustainable fashion is important to us because as a couple in our 20s, we believe our generation has a duty to act where they can.
www.bucksauthenticgoods.co.uk @bucksauthenticgoods @bucksauthenticgoods info@bucksauthenticgoods.co.uk 07738649914
Sustainability By 2027, a third of our wardrobes will be made up of second-hand items. This is a positive statistic, considering that the fashion sector is the second biggest polluter in the world, with the factors that contribute to this including; water consumption, greenhouse gas emissions, rainforest destruction and waste accumulation. With this in mind we J U LY 2 0 2 0 3 5
OUT & ABOUT
Rickmansworth Sailing Club celebrates 90 years of sailing & welcomes new members Sunday Racing is open to all members and held year round
R
ickmansworth Sailing Club (RSC) based at Troy Lake, West Hyde, is rich in sailing history both locally and nationally and is this year celebrating its 90th anniversary. In those 90 years, the boats sailed on Troy Lake have changed and evolved, but the basics of the sport remain the same with many sailors simply enjoying being at one with nature. As a friendly family sailing club run by its members, for its members, RSC keeps the enjoyment of the sport at the heart of its decisions, and when approached by Aldenham Sailing Club who had lost their lake, in true RSC style the committee worked hard to help provide a new home for the Aldenham sailors. No stone was left unturned when establishing just how RSC could assist Aldenham members get back on the water. RSC is in the fortunate position of owning its lake and much of the surrounding land – so there is no landlord to hike up the rent or remove the water. This is just one of the factors that made it so attractive to the Aldenham members looking for a new place to sail. A working group was formed between the two clubs, with weekly zoom calls helping guide
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Members of Rickmansworth Sailing Club enjoying being back on the water
priorities and ensure a smooth integration when some Aldenham members eventually join RSC. On site at RSC, a carefully organised and socially distanced effort has been underway to prepare for the club’s new members and their boats. In a year where normal activities have been paused RSC is delighted to welcome its new members who will strengthen the existing membership base of over 150 people who already enjoy RSC’s friendly atmosphere. Whilst the club has been cautious and has followed all guidance from the government and the RYA it was fantastic recently to be able to re-open its lake to allow a limited and safe return to sailing, much to the delight of its members. Jonathan Carter, Commodore of Rickmansworth Sailing Club commented: “We were saddened to hear about the closure of Aldenham Sailing Club, but our members and committee have been working tirelessly to prepare the site to get Aldenham members back on the water. This boost in membership in our 90th year will go a long way in helping us to continue sailing for another 90 years and longer.” Alongside its regular Sunday racing for the more experienced/keen sailors, Rickmansworth Sailing Club is a recognised RYA Training Centre and offers reasonably priced sailing instruction to both members and non-members.
“It was fantastic recently to be able to re-open the lake to allow a limited and safe return to sailing, much to the delight of members”
THE DETAILS You can find out more about joining at www.rscsailing.org.
Members working to clear the south-east dinghy park for its new arrivals
A friendly family sailing club celebrating its 90th year. We race on Sundays throughout the year and on Wednesday evenings during the summer. Based on Troy Lake, Rickmansworth, Herts, owned by the Club and our members. Offer RYA Training for those wanting to learn to sail http://rscsailing.org/RSCTraining2.php New members are always welcome. Troy Lake, West Hyde, Rickmansworth WD3 9YB When the club’s open you can try us on: 07473 488 655 www. http://rscsailing.org
OUT & ABOUT
Local Man Needs Assistance to Complete Fundraising Challenge P
atrick Burke of Cowper Road, Berkhamsted is looking for a local business to provide a suitable location for his challenging sponsored walk this September, perhaps by way of a car park or other hard standing area, to support his fundraising efforts in raising £10,000 for the local Chilterns MS Centre based in Wendover. Patrick Burke, 66, cannot do what other people take for granted; running, skipping and hopping stopped many years ago. In fact, Patrick’s ability to do something as simple as walk is severely impeded by Multiple Sclerosis (MS). He must focus the whole of his attention on just lifting up one leg and putting it in front of the other whenever he wants to walk. “The walk will be a huge challenge for me in so many ways. My limit at present is 45 minutes. The length of time that I can walk is limited by muscular fatigue and poor balance. Walking for an hour will knock me out physically for a couple of days,” says Mr Burke. Multiple Sclerosis is a disease that affects the nerves in the brain and spinal cord and is different for everyone. In Mr Burke’s case one of the effects of the disease is the transmission of messages from the brain to the left leg and foot muscles. As a result, he cannot lift his foot off the ground or hold his leg in the air. Mt Burke cannot walk unaided. He must use a four-wheeled walker, which he must hold onto with both hands to maintain his balance. He uses a clever electrical device to stimulate muscles so he can lift his leg off the ground and take small steps. The location for the walk should be a flat tarmac surface. Walking up and down or across a slope is very difficult and walking in a tight circle challenges Mr Burke’s balance. Ideally, he would like to walk approximately 50m in a straight line, turn around and walk back, as often as he can in the space of an hour. “For me It feels like I’m walking in water,” says Mr Burke. “It is very tiring, and my walking is excruciatingly slow. If I tried walking with walking sticks or crutches, I would fall over.” Mr Burke was diagnosed with Relapsing Remitting Multiple Sclerosis in 1995, though his symptoms started in 1972. In 2000, the disease morphed into Secondary Progressive MS and he took medical retirement in 2012. He is a regular visitor to the Chilterns MS Centre for physiotherapy, group exercise and one to one help to manage the disease. “As a small charity we are so lucky to have the incredible support of our members and supporters, especially during this pandemic. Many have opted to make the most of lockdown by doing something to help us and each other, either by volunteering to
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be a buddy and keeping in contact with others, or by coming up with innovative ways to fund raise, like Patrick, so that we can continue to support them and many others like them affected by this incurable condition. With all of our traditional events and collections cancelled, we are still in need of raising funds to help us keep going through to our 35th birthday in September and beyond.” Lauren Parker, Community Fundraising Manager. “There are many factors motivating me to do this,” said Mr Burke, “I want to prove to myself that I can walk for an hour. And another big motivation is seeing how much money I can raise for the charity, which is an oasis for people with MS in this area and the support they provide is quite outstanding.” To contact Patrick Burke about a location for this fundraising challenge, please telephone: 07947 024691 or email: patrick@aid4disabled.com. To make a donation, please visit www.justgiving.com/fundraising/ walk4onehour.
“Multiple Sclerosis is a disease that affects the nerves in the brain and spinal cord and is different for everyone”
info@elliottoflondon.co.uk
fashion, HEALTH
& beauty – Fashion, health and beauty news to keep you looking and feeling your best – i m ag e : fa b r i c
FASHION, HEALTH & BEAUTY
A Covid-19 Journey Back to Business As a small independent niche retailer, this is my Covid-19 story so far.
A
fter closing my boutique on March 23rd following Government instructions, I endured 12 weeks of my business being closed with very little income. In the last week we were open and for the first few weeks of lockdown we were generously supported by some wonderful loyal customers who either popped in to wish us luck or who ordered over the phone or via email for goods to be posted out or hand delivered. These orders were a lifeline for me as I don’t have a website. Odette’s reputation and ethos is based on proper, professional fitting with excellent customer service and an enjoyable, uplifting retail experience. I don’t believe this can be replicated online and certainly not for the bras which is why a website was not a priority for the boutique. I did get half way to developing a website with a top designer but as I wanted it to totally reflect the luxury and ethos of the boutique it was taking up too much of my time and so it stalled. In hindsight, I wish I had finished it as it probably would have worked during lockdown. It is something I plan to complete as soon as possible to compliment the boutique’s services going forward. I spent lockdown doing an overhaul of the finances for the business and working out a survival strategy. I spent a lot of time trying to access all the help that the Government were handing out and eventually this was worth the effort. My two members of staff were furloughed but personally as a non salaried director I fell through the gap and have received no income whatsoever personally. I managed to catch up with a lot of admin work during lockdown but I did also relax and took a pause and enjoyed my natural surroundings. I’m very lucky to live in a very beautiful part of the Chiltern Hills. I actually switched off from social media after a while as I felt it wasn’t appropriate and that I had nothing relevant to add to all the noise that was already out there. Being allowed to re-open on Monday 15th June was amazing. I met with my staff the week before to help prepare the shop and discuss our plan for going forward. My Senior Member of staff is shielding her partner 4 4 J U LY 2 0 2 0
and so has decided to stay off a little bit longer but she will be back in July. My other Sales Assistant announced that she was pregnant during lockdown and the baby was due in August, so she will not be coming back until much later. Fortunately I have someone very flexible to help me through these opening weeks. The task of preparing the shop and our services to safeguard both the staff and customers whilst at the same time trying to make things work economically was daunting. However, I think I have succeeded as the initial response has been amazing and so positive. I decided to start back with a Bounce Back Sale with 40% off almost everything except for brand new stock. This encouraged a lot of customers in the first week or so and the support was amazing. I sent out our usual newsletter announcing the opening and also picked up my social media activity again. It has been wonderful to reconnect with all our customers again, the response has been so positive and I really appreciate the effort people have made to come along and support us. There has been a genuine, desperate need for new bras and also for comfort. A lot of ladies have put on a bit of lockdown weight whereas a few have miraculously lost weight but in both cases they have needed re-fitting. There has also been a huge demand for our activewear and leisurewear as comfort has become the key to lockdown. This last week has seen a shift towards swimwear as the travel and holiday restrictions have been relaxed and the surprise hot weather has spiked an interest in our resortwear and sundresses. We hope this gives everyone the confidence to pay us a visit. Please come and benefit from our Bounce Back Sale ending July 4th and support your local businesses. It really is a question of use us or lose us at the moment. There is absolutely no way of knowing what the future holds but I’m very happy with my re-launch and I’m trying to stay positive. Liz Brighton www.odettelingerie.co.uk
The precautions we have put in place include: • Deep cleaning and sanitising the shop daily. • Sanitising the till area, touch points, and the fitting room after every customer. • Hand sanitisers and masks available if required. • 2m social distancing observed and prompted by floor tape. • Huge double width fitting room for distance fitting. • Maximum ventilation in fitting area from skylights • All garments tried on are steamed and quarantined for a period of time before being returned to the shop floor. • Only 2 to 3 customers maximum in the shop at one time. • Private appointments available at 3.30pm and 4.30pm daily for high risk or sensitive customers.
FASHION, HEALTH & BEAUTY
FUN FRESH FASHION STORE OPENS IN OLD AMERSHAM
N
ew to Old Amersham, super-chic boutique, FABRIC, opens its doors for some socially distanced retail therapy! Sited in a renovated coach house at 91b High Street (on the cobbled lane just behind The Grocer at 91) the fun pink interior combined with urban steel rails, vintage monochrome fashion photos and comfy candy striped sofa, invites you to browse in a relaxed atmosphere. Founders, Ailsa Feroze and Diana Halley are excited for their new bricks and mortar shopping venture. Friends for many years, they met in publishing PR and previously ran a business together, so know they can make a collaboration work! A passion for fashion and the pipe dream of running their own clothing boutique is now a reality. Diana comments, “Shopping should be a pleasurable experience, whether instore or online, it’s a way to feel good about yourself. We hope FABRIC offers something fresh and fun to women of all ages.” FABRIC stocks a carefully curated collection of designers, all chosen for their eco credentials, including Barcelona-based Design Society (your go-to for boho chic), trendy Netherlands denim brand MUD Jeans (made from 40% recycled fabric) and hip Shoreditch-based Religion (think sunset brights with calming neutrals, perfect for
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easy summer style). FABRIC is in good company, with Jay-Z loving the Paris based brand Maison Labiche, best known for its funky avant-garde t-shirts. Not forgetting ‘it’s what’s underneath that counts’, celeb faves Stripe & Stare are the most comfortable knickers around! Go wild with Maruti footwear and their signature animal print collection of trainers and sandals and accessorise outfits with woven clutch bags and Ibiza-vibe jewellery. FABRIC is open Tuesday - Saturday 10.30am-5.00pm, so feel free to pop in and have a browse. 91b High Street, Old Amersham, HP7 0DT 07979 860457 www.fabricfashionstore.co.uk
Quality eye care. Quality eye wear. We are open during CoVid 19 for all your optical needs Full social distancing precautions taken Staff in full PPE All safety precautions taken Please call to book an appointment Open for all optical care and injuries
01494 258586 | hello@hillvision.co.uk 53 Hill Ave, Amersham, HP6 5BX
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Bella Therapy Counselling Are you unhappy, overwhelmed or anxious? Then I can help Stress Management/Depression Couples Therapy | Family Therapy Professional therapist based in Wooburn Green Confidential / Non-judgemental Day / Evening appointments
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FASHION, HEALTH & BEAUTY
Biophilia & Fitness B
efore we boxed ourselves into houses and office blocks, our most primitive home was the vast outdoors. The familiarity of home gives us an innate connection to nature, binding us to all living things that also call her ‘home’. This association is the basis of Biophilia. Despite the progression into our modern world, there is an instinctive and emotional appreciation for nature.
Biophilia: NOUN |bio·phil·ia An innate and genetically determined affinity of human beings with the natural world.
How can I gain the benefits of Biophilia at GDN Fitness?
Top 3 benefits of training outdoors
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“He stood breathing, and the more he breathed the land in, the more he was filled up with all the details of the land. He was not empty. There was more than enough here to fill him.” – Ray Bradbury. From the infinitive heights of the forest trees to the trickling waters along a stream, it is no coincidence that we decorate our dwellings with house plants and enjoy the calming yet manufactured sound of a water feature. This biological, evolutionary characteristic within us means that being amongst nature has a profound, positive effect that can benefit our physical and mental wellbeing. The World Health Organisation has predicted stress-related illnesses such as mental health disorders and cardiovascular diseases will increase in the years to come (WHO, 2008). Now more than ever, health and fitness concerns more than just the body. Following the more recent global crisis with COVID-19, the restriction on using fitness outlets like gyms, health clubs & sports halls has made outdoor fitness training more relevant.
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A STRONGER IMMUNE SYSTEM Exercising outdoors is a great way to give the immune system a boost. The body behaves differently when it’s in nature, it acts as a natural stimulus and protects itself from disease. ‘Green exercise’ is used to describe the additional effects over and above the physical activity itself. Research proves that fresh air, grass, trees and the colours of the natural environment have a positive impact on mental health and physical wellbeing.
A RELEASE OF FEEL-GOOD HORMONES Dopamine is an important chemical messenger in the brain. It’s involved in reward, motivation, memory and attention. When dopamine is released in large amounts, it creates a feeling of pleasure and reward which is why we feel energised and enthusiastic after exercising outdoors. Studies have shown those who exercised outdoors on a regular basis had higher levels of Serotonin, a hormone that regulates mood, compared with those who workout indoors. They also had higher levels of Endorphins, the post-exercise rush that occurs after exercising outside, especially in green environments.
A BOOST OF VITAMIN D The sun is one of the best sources of Vitamin D for the human body. Skin exposed to sunlight triggers the body to produce more Vitamin D, which improves brain function and promotes healthy teeth & bones. It can also reduce the risk of cancer & type 2 diabetes as well as protecting against respiratory infections, heart disease & stroke.
The glorious English summer hasn’t disappointed this year, so create some time for yourself and reconnect with nature. 5 0 J U LY 2 0 2 0
A unique space where health & fitness meets lifestyle, GDN Fitness is a private gym that optimised their outdoor training facilities to promote Biophilia whilst participating in tailored & motivating training sessions. A meticulous approach has been taken to now reopen their doors, ensuring their clients are able to exercise in a safe yet beautiful setting. GDN’s simple concept provides two products;
Personal Training Individually tailored sessions provide a supportive, inspiring and well-connected environment. The focus is on long-term health, correct movement and posture to encourage a balanced lifestyle.
Small Group Classes Within their outdoor training pitch cater for 6 people, including a trainer. This creates an enjoyable and motivational atmosphere as sessions are designed with a personal yet collective skills training in mind, allowing individuals to maximise on instructor feedback. Both products ensure members are always accompanied by a trainer and receive effective workouts in a stunning, spacious environment. The protocols set within the GDN premises are aimed to tackle COVID-19 systematically and are up to date with the World Health Organisation guidelines. Looking for an inspiring outlook on fitness in a spacious and safe environment? The team welcome you to GDN Fitness.
FASHION, HEALTH & BEAUTY
AVOIDing bronzer mistakes
Make-up artists share their top tips for a naturally sun-kissed look. Katie Wright gets her glow on.
W
ith holidays to sunny, farflung destinations pretty much impossible right now, if you want a tan this summer, the old ‘fake it till you make it’ adage is more relevant than ever. Bronzer is the easiest option if you want to get a gorgeous glow in no time, but it’s still possible to go 5 2 J U LY 2 0 2 0
overboard, pick the wrong shade or end up with uneven patches. That’s why we’ve enlisted a pair of pro make-up artists to school us on how to create a subtle, sun-kissed look with either cream or powder formulas. Here are five common mistakes - and how to avoid them, plus our pick of the best bronzing products.
1. Not prepping skin properly “Skincare is a tool to make your skin beautiful and healthy and glowing,” says Julia Carta, celebrity make-up artist on behalf of Cetraben. “Using skincare the right way, you’re going to get a beautiful canvas.” She recommends moisturising with Cetraben Natural Oatmeal Moisturising Cream (£6.99 - was £8.99, Boots), which will create a smooth, hydrated base, whether you’re using cream or powder bronzer.
2. Choosing the wrong shade “Making sure you get the right bronzer for your skin tone is so important, because getting the wrong one can either make you look orange, ashy or like there’s no make-up on you,” says Bobbi Brown make-up artist Zara Findlay. How do you find the perfect shade? “Your bronzer should be the same undertone as your skin - cool, warm, olive, or neutral - and should be the natural colour your skin tans,” Findlay says. “The easiest way to see if it is the perfect colour for you, is to place the bronzer against your chest and see if the bronzer lifts and compliments your skin tone.”
“Making sure you get the right bronzer for your skin tone is so important”
3. Incorrect placement “After you prep properly, then you can start to look where your placement goes,” says Carta. “With bronzer, it’s across the cheekbones and across the bridge of the nose where the sun would hit you naturally.” You can also use matte bronzer to gently contour your face. “So if you’ve got a wide face, you want to slim it down by putting bronzer in certain areas,” Carta says. “Use the same placements that you would do with contouring technique, which is a ‘C’ shape around the temples.”
4. Only using one type of bronzer Bronzers usually fall into one of two camps: matte or shimmer. Carta recommends combining the two to create a three-dimensional look. “Use the matte where you put your contouring powder, then where you want your highlights, use the the shimmery one. “That’s a clever way of doing it - it’s what I do a lot when I’m working on celebrities, because it gives them that beautiful subtle glow.”
5. Forgetting your neck The cheekbones are the most important area for bronzer, but it’s important to finish off with a light dusting of colour over the rest of the face to even out your skin tone. “Always bring the bronzer down to your neck you don’t want to look like two separate people!” Carta warns. “To define the jawline and get rid of a double chin, you should blend it in - and don’t forget your ears as well.”
Bronzer best buys From cult classics to hot new launches, get your glow on with these brilliant bronzing powders and creams. Benefit Hoola Matte Bronzer, £27 Chanel Healthy Glow Bronzing Cream, £42 FeelUniqueMorphe Brontour Fantabulous, £12 Beached Rays For Days Natural Bronzer Serum, £21, Beauty Bay Dr Hauschka Translucent Bronzing Tint, £29.50, Look Fantastic Bobbi Brown Bronzing Powder Duo, £38, ASOS MUA Bronzed Perfection Golden Dunes, £4, Superdrug
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LooKINg FoR youR oWN bESPoKE bAR oR hoME gyM? We can bring your dream home bar to reality
Including all pumps and beer lines, refrigerators, storage, fully functioning bar, games room, your style, You dream it – we will build it…
Tel: 01494 676922 Mob: 07795 597264 Email: smbservices2001@gmail.com
FREE ESTIMATES • All aspects of roofing & building work • New builds, extensions & loft conversions • Tiles, slates & flat roofs • Drives, patios & landscaping • Soffits, fascia’s & guttering
• Moss removal specialists • Chimney repair – rebuild & repointing • Restoration & refurbishment specialists • Plumbing & heating • Kitchen & bathroom installations • Windows & doors supplied and fitted
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– Keep it local for everything house and home – I M AG E : ORIGIN L E ISUR E
H OUSE & GARDEN
[NEWS]
INTERIORS Lockdown launch
An established business woman who has always dreamed of a career in interiors has launched a new home interiors business. April Bowden from Northumberland, has set up Home Luxe Co after seeing more and more people turn to home improvement projects during the lockdown. www.homeluxeco.com
MARVELLOUS MARBLE
Introducing original marbled wallpaper prints made in the traditional Japanese Art of Suminagashi, meaning ‘floating ink’ The process of Suminagashi involves colours being placed on the water surface, which then begin to expand on the water. They are only encouraged to move by air, nothing else disturbs the surface. The colours move in an organic way - when a dynamic pattern has been shaped, Natascha makes a print by placing and moving the paper on the water. Each piece is unique. Colour combinations are inspired by paintings such as Klimt, Monet and Van Gogh’s Starry Night, marbled in blues, yellow and gold. Contemporary pieces are created with bolder colours including neons. www.natmaks.com
Suns up, shades down
Lutron Sivoia QS Triathlon is the most fashionable, flexible, and reliable motorised blind system available today. This battery-powered solution features industry-leading battery life and is easy to install and maintain, making it perfect for retrofit applications. 0845 340 4435 www.brand-designs.com
MIRROR, MIRROR
Bright Interiors for the Summer
Brighten up your home and garden with this beautiful selection of bright and colourful interiors! We love this collection from Charlton Island. www.charltonisland.com 5 6 J U LY 2 0 2 0
Introducing a mirror to a room is one of the easiest ways to update a space. Melody Maison’s mirrors collection spans a wide array of styles, sizes and colours as well as a range of prices. They update this collection monthly to make sure customers stay on trend. Melody Maison design, manufacture and distribute French style furniture to all corners of the globe, and have many thousands of satisfied customers worldwide. www.melodymaison.co.uk
Trusted Electricians Professional – Quality – Service
Kennett Electrics specialise in full scope domestic and commercial electrics With a clean, efficient and reliable service we treat your home as we would our own
OUR SERVICES INCLUDE New build wiring - Full and partial rewiring Fuse board replacement - Landlord certificates Lighting upgrades - Exterior lighting and power installation Socket upgrades and additions Trust Mark and NAPIT assessed, approved and registered so you can be assured of high standards
IF IT’S ELECTRICS, IT’S KENNETT ELECTRICS Please get in touch 07915 60 60 60 dkennett@kennettelectrics.com www.kennettelectrics.com
H OUSE & GARDEN
Top considerations for an indoor pool need planning permission. Origin have a wealth of experience in gaining planning approval for indoor pools and they also manage the whole process for you so, no need to panic!
Do you start with an architect? No, Origin do it all, providing initial design sketches and budgetary proposals free of charge in their feasibility studies. Architects are extremely well versed with domestic construction details, but unfortunately an indoor pool is very different. An architect can provide an outline design for an indoor pool but this may be an unnecessary expense as many don’t have the knowledge or insurances needed to take that design further.
S
o, you’ve decided on an indoor swimming pool, what now? There are many decisions to be made along the way, attention to detail and precise planning is crucial when designing a successful swimming pool and pool house. For anyone wanting to begin the process, here are the answers to key questions to help with the decision making. Are you interested in a stand alone indoor pool house or a pool house extension to your home? This is the biggest decision you’ll need to make when it comes to your indoor swimming pool as placement and location play a crucial role in the success of a project. There are advantages and disadvantages to both options. You’ll need to think about main use for the swimming pool, do you want a place to escape to away from the home or do you want it attached to your home? Will it play a big part in your daily routine? Do you have a budget you’re working towards? Will you need planning permission? For a stand alone pool house that is freestanding, complies to the permitted development design criteria and doesn’t affect your permitted development rights, it’s likely you won’t need planning permission. However, a pool house extension to your home will
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Which features have the biggest impact on cost? The most popular size for an indoor pool is between 8m to 12m as the bigger the pool, the bigger the cost. For avid swimmers, there are some excellent counter current swim devices available making the size of the pool less important. Buying a pool cover is one of the bigger investments you’ll make throughout the process but they’re worth it as an important part of the pool design. They retain heat, reduce running costs and provide a level of safety, making them a necessity rather than an option. When adding different features to your indoor swimming pool, it’s important to remember your original motivation. Did you want to create a place of relaxation? Your own fitness centre? A social hub for friends and family? Origin’s experts can discuss your requirements, guide you through the options and produce a fully costed proposal and design for you allowing you to undertake the ultimate home improvement so you can finally achieve the perfect work life balance. After all, staying in is the new going out.
THE DETAILS To speak to the experts at Origin Leisure call 01895 823366 now or visit www.originpools.co.uk for more information and to subscribe to our newsletter. Instagram - @originpoolsuk Facebook - Origin Leisure Twitter - @OriginLeisure
THE ASpEn poRcELAin Wood TiLE RAngE
1A Brickwall Lane, Ruislip, Middlesex, HA4 8JR - 01895 621 651 18 King Street, Maidenhead, Berkshire SL6 1EF - 01628 624 546
info@spacers-uk.com | maidenhead@spacers-uk.com
H OUSE & GARDEN
A TREE HOUSE For Your Children
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t’s a dream of many children to own their own tree house where they can escape and immerse themselves in fantasy and imagination. The tree house has long been a symbol of the freedom of youth, and of creativity running wild. Tree houses have changed over the years, from rickety and unsafe structures, to modern designs that now even incorporate swings, slides and climbing frames. Despite their evolution, their popularity has remained consistent. When you really want to give your kids the ultimate custom tree house or wooden playhouse for the garden, getting a bespoke timber building from skilled craftsmen guarantees you get exactly what you want! The shops are full of playhouses barely big enough for the children’s toys and with a similar limited shelf life! If you really want to give your children a
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“The tree house has long been a symbol of the freedom of youth, and of creativity running wild”
All images courtesy of Cheeky Monkey Treehouses
playhouse or tree house that lasts their whole childhood, bespoke wooden buildings are ideal. Bespoke treehouses are a big trend in many gardens; with elaborate designs built high up on stilts, within and around branches. They can take on many different shapes sizes, colours and themes, too, and feature a number of cute accessories and fun activities to keep kids entertained throughout the summer! And you don’t need a tree to have a tree house. It can be built in the right location for you. The areas surrounding your tree house could be landscaped with shrubs, trees or a lawn - whatever is needed to enhance the appearance of your treehouse. Your children’s safety is of paramount importance. The construction process of a treehouse can be demanding - not kids’ stuff at all; requiring a great deal of planning and ensuring European safety standards are met. Approach specialist tree house companies and get recommendations from friends. It is crucial that you receive professional advice and guidance, with construction and installation done by experts to keep your child safe. Provide them with a fantasy hideaway in natural surroundings by making a part of the garden their own. www.cheekymonkeytreehouses.com
Bespoke design & build treehouses, playhouses and elevated platforms. Commercial & International commissions welcomed
TEL: +44 (0)1403 732452 www.cheekymonkeytreehouses.com
H OUSE & GARDEN
[NEWS]
OUTDOOR LIVING OUTSIDE ILLUMINATIONS
To decorate your outside space, start with festoon lights, hang them as a single string or double up for added illumination, position them over outdoor seating to be enjoyed on warmer days. Then, it’s time to think about low-level lighting, place spotlights at ground level to illuminate shrubbery and trees, giving an instant wow-factor to the space. Finally add finishing touches such as wall lights near the door, which’ll be very practical once the sun has set and for an extra decorative touch place a pair of garden lanterns near the door. www.lights4fun.co.uk
GARDEN SPACES
ELEGANT LIVING
Created to revolutionise the outdoor design world, MYSA’s handmade pieces are crafted with the most avant-garde materials, ensuring quality, sophistication and innovation in design. A unique luxury experience through carefully created products and passionate artists which strive to conceive furniture that exudes elegance, intricacy and emotion. www.mysaoutdoor.com
PERFECT PIZZAS
Gozney Roccbox is a restaurant grade portable pizza oven that makes outdoor entertaining fun again, providing a genuine alternative to the BBQ/ traditional grill for those who want to push the boundaries of home cooking www.gozney.com 6 2 J U LY 2 0 2 0
If quiet time means gardening time, tools and accessories to make outdoor tasks even more enjoyable could prove to be a real gift. From kneelers to aprons, thermometers to barometers, there’s something for everyone, whether they’re gardening pros or simply enjoy a little potter for some rest and relaxation. www.gardentrading.co.uk
GET THE GLOW
Outdoor candles are the key to creating a Summer evening ambiance and are very versatile in their styling. You can choose to fit them in outdoor lanterns or place them on a table top. www.lights4fun.co.uk
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LITTLE EARTH DESIGN
Life Magazines recently spoke to Eliot Strudwick, founder of Little Earth Design, a bespoke kitchen and furniture company based near Henley-On-Thames. Eliot explained to us how the company arose and its guiding ethos.
Tell us a bit about yourself and what inspired you to create Little Earth Design? My interest in creative processes and wooden craft in particular can be dated back to my early teens when I assisted in the making of a small wooden jewellery box as a Mother’s day gift. During my 15 years as a luxury cabinet maker, I noticed an increasing demand for handmade bespoke products. I subsequently turned my passion into a business and Little Earth Design was born. What was behind the decision to offer a handmade and bespoke service? Lifestyle needs and tastes can be quite varied. I enjoy the process of consulting with customers and tailoring the kitchens and furniture to match specific requirements. We use the highest quality materials and precision joinery techniques to ensure a stylish result. It gives me great joy to see the end product and the delight it brings our customers. Little Earth Design has a considered sustainability focus. How do you make that a reality? As a company we are always reviewing how we can further develop our sustainable philosophy. Wood types are handpicked for quality and sustainability. Local suppliers and British manufacturers are used whenever possible to reduce emissions. We utilise paint that contains little if any harmful VOC (Volatile Organic Compounds). What trends are you currently seeing in the Kitchen Design Market? Whilst blue hues remain a popular colour choice for cabinetry, increasing interest is being shown in deep forest greens. Two tone kitchens are a more recent request – the contrast of darker units and 6 4 J U LY 2 0 2 0
brighter shades elsewhere can be a stylish statement. The trend for discreet storage is set to continue with the intention to declutter and maximise the space. Bolder statement taps are being considered and materials wise we are seeing more requests for marble counters and tiles. What advice would you give to someone who is starting to plan the style and design of a new kitchen? The first thing I would suggest is to declutter the existing kitchen and clear out unwanted gadgets and crockery. This will help to plan the kitchen you want, rather than just accommodating what’s existing. Have a good think about the functionality of the kitchen outside of cooking e.g. for entertaining or home working. When considering lighting we encourage a flexible system so you can regulate different areas of the kitchen independently. Task lighting ensures appropriate visibility for specific areas e.g. food prep. There is a lot more to consider to achieve the desired results. That’s why the early consultation stage of the process is so important. info@littleearthdesign.co.uk www.littleearthdesign.co.uk
“During my 15 years as a luxury cabinet maker, I noticed an increasing demand for handmade bespoke products. I subsequently turned my passion into a business and Little Earth Design was born”
Unit 5, Greys Green Business Center, Henley-on-Thames, RG9 4QG Email: info@littleearthdesign.co.uk | Phone: +44(0) 1491 628 646 | www.littleearthdesign.co.uk
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A wealth of choice at Window Wise
Window Wise Company Ltd are approaching their 40th year in business and the choices now available have never been so apparent.
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o-owner Christian Metcalfe explains:“From replacing one or two windows and doors, a complete refurbishment project or new build, the products and choices available now to customers are greater than ever”. A lot of important decision have to be made to ensure that the designs and styles of the windows and doors compliment the property and also comply with the glazing and security regulations that are now required. Colour options on both uPVC and aluminium frames have increased over the last 5 years and it is quite often that a large door system in either bifolding or sliding is a different colour finish to the rest of the windows, which in turn makes a feature of the property. It’s even the case now with a traditional looking house that the front elevation can retain the character, but the rear can be transformed into a contemporary look with the glazing being the prime factor in the design. Being able to show customers all of the products and choices available were one of the most important decisions when Window Wise relocated to their new showroom.
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THE DETAILS Free Parking Opening Hours Mon-Fri 8.00am – 5.30pm Sat 9.00am – 2.00pm Telephone: 01494 776242 01923 260636 Email: info@window-wise.co.uk www.window-wise.co.uk
Christian adds “ My business partner, Bruce (Hutchens) and I understand that potential customers want to have the opportunity to come and see, feel, touch, open/close the windows and doors. They want to have a close look at the frames, look at the finishes available, glass options and handles etc. We are very mindful of the power of photographs on internet websites/social media and how they provide early ideas of what customers want; however we wanted to be part of the next stage and give customers the opportunity to come and see the quality of the products we offer. To provide the service and the opportunity for customers to view all products, Window Wise Co Ltd are pleased to announce the opening of their new showroom in Buckinghamshire. Located in the town of Chesham, their 2700 sq ft premises includes a complete range of windows, doors, bifolding doors, panoramic sliding doors, front entrance doors and rooflights, available in both aluminium and uPVC options.
Windows Bi folding doors Panoramic sliding doors Composite doors Aluminium front doors Roof lanterns Flat roof lights Orangeries
NEW SHOWROOM Unity House, Chilton Road, Chesham HP5 2AT Free customer parking
01494 776242 www.window-wise.co.uk
info@window-wise.co.uk
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DESIGNING A POST LOCKDOWN KITCHEN
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f you have been spending more time in your kitchen over the past few months, it’s likely that you have discovered just how well it performs and how much joy it does, or does not, bring you. As the lockdown eases and the world starts to resume some normality, now is a great time to consider investing in a new kitchen. You can put to good use all you have learnt, and design a kitchen that is just right for your lifestyle. Our design process at K&B Studios always begins with questions. We want to know what works in your current kitchen and what you want to change. We would also want to understand more about how you use your kitchen, how often you cook, what do you cook, who eats in the kitchen, and much more. We also encourage our customers to consider putting together their own mood board. We would suggest you look for inspiration in a number of places, on our website, in brochures and magazines, to build a picture of what your ideal kitchen would look like. Once all the research is done it’s time to come into the showroom to feel and touch and understand more about the quality of our products. We are now open for business once again and able to welcome customers to visit our showroom. We have several working kitchens on display so you can see how all the elements work together. You can see the difference between a gloss and matt finish, touch the work surfaces, see the islands and even experience how our appliances work. As well as the displays we also have a huge range of sample doors, covering different shades, finishes
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and price ranges. Rest assured that we will be operating in accordance with all the latest government guidelines on health and safety. Our priority remains the safety and wellbeing of our customers and staff. Contact us using the details below, we look forward to seeing you soon. We are currently open Monday to Friday www.kbstudios.co.uk E Mail: sales@kbstudios.co.uk phone: 01494 677727 K&B Studios can also design your made to measure bedroom furniture
Local specialists in upvc, composite and aluminium windows, also doors since 2000 Let us help you find the perfect Windows, Doors and Conservatory WE CREATE A LIFESTYLE THAT SUITS YOU! www.alpha-windows.com Sales@alpha-windows.com SHOW ROOM 3 High Street, Iver, SL0 9ND 01753 663 663 TRADE SUPPLY (by appointment only) Pinewood Nurseries, Wexham Street, SL3 6NB 01753 663 993
Designers, manufacturers & installers of bespoke timber, windows and doors. Specialists in conservation areas & listed buildings.
• FAMILY RUN BUSINESS • TRADITIONAL BOX SASH WINDOWS • CASEMENT WINDOWS / BAY WINDOWS • ARCHED AND SHAPED WINDOWS • FACTORY SPRAYED PAINT FINISH • ALL TYPES OF PURPOSE MADE JOINERY • MATERIALS INCLUDE SOFTWOOD, HARDWOOD & OAK
For advice and a free quotation, call 01753 651 084 or visit our factory and showroom at: Unit 13 Duttons Farm / Bangors Road South, Iver SL0 0AY info@window-company.co.uk www.window-company.co.uk
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Bathroom Lighting From the mundane…. to the magnificent BRAND Designs Ed Goldney explains the Fab Five rules to follow to achieve a luxuriously well-lit bathroom.
Inspirational Lighting LED downlighters offer good general lighting within bathrooms however, you should consider specific light placement, not just a basic uninspiring 2 rows of 4 grid. For example, 1 spot downlighter over a sink (further task lighting is required for mirror use), one over a towel rail placed close to walls to provide a scallop effect delivering drama. If possible, consider indirect lighting for the general lighting, perhaps building a coffer and using LED linear solutions to light the ceiling thus obtaining indirect reflection, such as LED tape within a profile. Also consider highlighting specific features. Consider in ground uplighters behind baths, within niches, by arches and shower entrances to provide further layers of light to allow various scenes of lighting, this is what differentiates between the mundane and the magnificent.
Task Lighting The key area of lighting in a bathroom will be mirror lighting for tasks such as cleansing, shaving and application of beauty products. Downlighters/ uplighters/LED linear tapes provide general lighting, offering a variety of scenes however, light directly onto the face via either wall mounted luminaires, or via a lit mirror should be adopted. A trending solution is also suspended pendants with the appropriate IP rating. This light source should ideally have a colour rendering index of 90+ and to be of white origin, 3000k warm white to 4000k as desired.
Night Lighting Low-level lighting which comes on automatically as you enter your bathroom during the night provides ideal discreet lighting that doesn’t fully wake you. Ceiling mounted PIR sensors can switch just this low-level lighting on. Consider warm glare-free 7 0 J U LY 2 0 2 0
lighting where you will not see the lighting source, such as small niches or lighting under a floating sink. Be sure to use appropriate frosted diffusers under sinks to eliminate undesirable LED spotting effects from reflective flooring.
Lighting Control Lighting controls are essential to balance the various layers of light across the different circuits. If you have 3 of more lighting circuits, such as mirror, downlighters, under sink for example, to create amazing bathroom lighting your general and night lighting should be dimmable and controlled via a smart lighting control solution, such as Lutron. Amazing lighting is achieved by having scenes such as morning, relax or shower for example. Lighting can be dimmed / turned off /automatically activated via ‘scene-keypads’ or PIR sensors providing the appropriate lighting as desired.
Zones and IP Ratings You absolutely cannot use just any lighting in a bathroom! Bathrooms have 4 dedicated lighting zones to ensure that water and electricity do not mix. These zones ascertain a light fittings (luminaires) required IP (Ingress Protection) rating. An IP rating is made up from 2 digits. The first digit refers to protection from solids, and the 2nd digit protection from liquids. For both digits, the higher the number the higher the protection. More info can be found at www.brand-designs. com/journal/Beautiful-Bathrooms. enquiries@brand-designs.com
“The key area of lighting in a bathroom will be mirror lighting”
0845 340 4435 brand-designs.com enquiries@brand-designs.com The Design Studio Chesham, HP5 1SD
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Finding the perfect tile T
rying to find your perfect tile can be a time consuming and frustrating exercise, especially if you require different tiles for multiple rooms. Up until now anyone looking for quality tiles has had to visit tile showrooms or browse tile websites where you are confronted with a vast array of tiles in both large and small formats with countless different colours, textures and finishes. Where do you start? What tile will work best for you? What is the tile made of and will it be suitable to use within the required area? What is variation of patterns inherent within each tile range? How do you know which retailer offers the best prices? What technical information do you need to know? Due to the ongoing effects of the Coronavirus there has been distinct shift in buying habits and people are now looking for a more convenient, professional and customer orientated buying experience without having to visit shops or showrooms. And if you are looking for quality tiles this is where SV Tile Solutions is perfectly positioned to help. With over 12 years’ experience running a large retail tile showroom, advising both domestic and commercial customers on all types of design solutions for a wide range of projects, SV Tile Solutions is all too familiar with the problems buyers are confronted with. So, we devised a way each customer can choose their ideal tiles from the comfort of their home, knowing the tiles come from quality manufacturers and the prices are the most competitive in the market. SV Tile Solutions meets customers at a time and place of their choosing and we bring along a wide range of full-size samples of quality tiles. If none of the samples we carry are what the customer is looking for we will gladly go through the
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manufacturers brochures to select alternative fullsize samples and deliver them free of charge. No more trips to shops or showrooms worrying about protection against the virus, traipsing around town in miserable weather conditions, or being stuck in traffic jams with the kids in tow. Now, anyone looking for tiles has nothing to lose by asking us to meet them at a time and place of their choosing. We guarantee you will be not be disappointed in the professional, friendly service we provide and quality of the tiles we supply. So, why not call us for an informal chat to see if we can help? www.svtilesolutions.co.uk
“We devised a way each customer can choose their ideal tiles from the comfort of their home”
Bringing a taste of the Mediterranean to your garden This is a brand new launch of incredible outdoor lighting available from fairyDusk. Order yours at www.fairydusk.co.uk/ collections/the-med-collection Al fresco never looked so good contact: lights@fairydusk.co.uk
All major credit cards accepted. Finance available subject to status and terms and conditions
Opening Times Mon - Sat 09:30-18:00 Sun 10:00-16:00
Email: showroom@highwycombe.kutchenhaus.co.uk
Follow us on Instagram @fairydusklights
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Botanical Wall Murals fit for a Castle colonial mansions and canal houses. With varying designs from tropical jungle styles to mellow meadow scenes, the non-repetitive murals will provide a sense of luxury and serenity in a variety of rooms and because of the amount of detail that goes into each piece of art, you will continuously discover new elements and forever be intrigued. View the full collection of botanical designs at www.wallsauce.com.
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reators of made-to-measure wallpaper murals, Wallsauce.com has welcomed mural artists, Sir Edward to its botanical designer collection. Amsterdam-based interior design studio, Sir Edward holds a passion for wall murals. Their style of antique landscapes has been heavily influenced by the wall paintings commonly found in old castles,
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“The non-repetitive murals will provide a sense of luxury and serenity�
Due to gove r nm e nt g u i De l i ne s w e w i l l re- o pen by a ppo i n t men t o n ly o n 1 5 t h J u n e . i n orDe r to p r ote c t ou r c u stom ers a n D o u r s ta f f w e w i l l ma i n ta i n rel eva n t soc i a l Di sta nc i ng g u i D e l i n es . pl ea s e ca l l t o bo o k a n a ppo i n t men t
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SIMPLE
WAYS TO FENG SHUI
Finding calm and positive energy at home has never felt more important, says
a connection with nature,” says Rosheen Forbes, commercial activity & events leader at IKEA UK & Ireland. “Adding plants and greenery is an easy place to start, and depending on the ‘bagua’ (centre of energy), the colours you choose can increase the energy in certain areas. Calculating your bagua map is simple but needs approaching differently depending on your home,” Forbes adds. “If you live in an apartment, align the bottom of the bagua map with the front entrance wall. If you live in a house, use a compass and place the ‘career area’ (bottom middle on the bagua map) where your compass indicates the north. “So, when planning your garden, think about planting blue and purple flowers in your ‘wealth corner’ (south east), and pink, white and red flowers in the ‘relationship corner’ (south west) to increase the energy around love and partnerships. “Furthermore, outdoor mirrors can be used to attract abundance. With its curved shape and smooth flowing lines, an oval mirror can be used to reflect the light from the sun, making the space feel bigger and brighter. For smaller spaces, place two mirrors to face each other so the light bounces off, creating beautiful brightness.” Fancy giving your home some Feng Shui magic? Read on for more tips on how to go about it...
Sam Wylie-Harris.
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ith a growing focus on finding comfort at home and turning our living spaces into calming sanctuaries, this year has reignited our interest in Feng Shui. The ancient Chinese practice is all about creating harmony in a space - but goes far beyond using colour and light to create the right ambience, for instance. Strategically placing furniture to promote wellness, using artwork and living plants to get the right vibes and keeping rooms clear of clutter all factor. Based on the belief there’s a continuous flow of ‘chi’ - or energy - between an individual and their surroundings, thinking about how to arrange our objects to promote good work-life balance has additional appeal right now, with so many more of us adapting to life without a commute. There’s plenty of scope for Feng Shui to feature in gardens and patios too, for an extra boost when you throw open the doors or look out the window. “The practice of Feng Shui aims to strike a balance between the self and the natural world. It can be applied to any room of the home, particularly outdoor spaces, where there’s already 7 6 J U LY 2 0 2 0
Think about muted tones and textures
“The ancient Chinese practice is all about creating harmony in a space”
“When introducing the tools of Feng Shui into the home you need to think about adding balance and drawing energy into the room,” says Wil Law, home design stylist for John Lewis. “You can start with colours - using muted tones mixed with natural materials and soft furnishing accessories immediately creates a calming effect. Try a natural wooden armchair (like our Croft Collection Frome Leather Armchair, £899, John Lewis), with muted colours on the walls and textured vases and ornaments with a soft rug or carpet underfoot,” says Law.
Keep colours positive if you’re not into neutral Of course, colour is subjective, and what’s positive and calming to one person may be undesirable to
FREE Home Measuring, Design and Fitting Service Independent family run business since 2005
Manual, Motorised & Home Integration Options Blinds Shutters Curtains Conservatory Blinds Awnings Call to arrange your no obligation home visit today on 01628 681538 www.blindscape.co.uk
Maidenhead Showroom: 3 St Marks Crescent, Maidenhead, SL6 5DA Mon-Fri: 9.30am - 5.00pm Saturday: 10.00am – 3.30pm
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another. Alex Whitecroft, head of design at I Want Wallpaper, suggests using colours that reflect your personal happiness - but try to avoid darker colours or too much black, as these can sap positive energy flows throughout the home. “Brighter colours will have an immediately uplifting effect, so this may be the perfect opportunity to create a feature wall. You might even want to go so far as using your ‘commanding position’ (the spot furthest from the door and not in direct line with it) wall as the accent - and earn yourself double Feng-Shui points while you’re at it.” If you’re not sure where to start, check out I Want Wallpaper’s Erismann Paradiso Tropical Leaves Pattern Wallpaper in Jungle Leaf Forest, £12.99 per roll. In Feng Shui, green is the colour of renewal, fresh energy and new beginnings and is believed to help relieve stress. If going green with walls isn’t possible, Whitecroft says to look for accessories to enhance good energy. Living plants, brightly coloured cushions or a wall decoration will brighten a room and tie the look together in one fell swoop.
and bobs will maximise your desk area, while taking up less room - and they can be rolled away when it’s time to log off. Ikea’s FJALLBO Laptop Table, £55, ticks all the right boxes - and can even double up as a drinks trolley in the garden.
Aim for minimal clutter
Try to separate work and relaxation Another key Feng Shui tip is to keep your work space separate from your relaxation area, to help balance your work and home life and enable you to properly ‘switch off ’ while working from home. Out of sight, out of mind can only be a positive move on many levels - signalling when it’s time to end those video conferencing calls, light a candle and chill out. And just in case you’re wondering, candles should be placed in the bagua of your home - as well as releasing daily stress, their glow brings fiery energy and will keep the ‘chi’ harmonious and happy. But back to the business of a work station: slim, movable tables, deep enough for a laptop and bits
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“If you’re short on outdoor space, stress not. Think about bringing the outside in with some greenery”
The starting point for any positive environment is to keep kitchen work surfaces and table tops as clear as possible. This might mean having a good sortout, and investing in some suitable storage solutions. “Old magazines, dusty ornaments and general brica-brac once placed in haste and never removed will not contribute to a positive energy environment,” says Whitecroft. “If you find it hard to part with sentimental clutter, find a box to neatly pack it away. Do be cautious though - simply moving clutter from one spot to another won’t do much to aide your energy flow. Donate to charity shops or find a way to bid farewell to items in order to clear your space, and ultimately, your mind.”
Bring the outside in If you’re short on outdoor space, stress not. Think about bringing the outside in with some greenery. “Plants are a brilliant way to bring energy into the room, add colour and cleanse the air. They look great in natural baskets or ceramic vases and succulents are easy to care for,” says Law Last but not least, another important Feng Shui tool to build a soothing environment is to consider carved furniture with smooth edges, over angular and sharp designs. Sharp edges and corners, otherwise known as bad energy ‘sha’, could have a negative effect when you’re unwinding - and right now it’s all about maximising the feel-good factor where we can and letting positive vibes flow!
CALL FREE: 0808 301 9552
homecountiesloftladders.co.uk
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KITCHEN DREAMS very important key words as their driving force – Service and Price. With no commitment to any one manufacturer, Clive and the team are able to listen to the customer, understand what the needs are and then match the right product to suit. There will be questions, suggestions, and of course, an update on what is new to the product range since the last time you bought this type of product – who knew that a washing machine could establish how much detergent it needs? Clive and his team will bend over backwards to get a delivery time that actually works for you – when I was instore a lady came rushing in having had an emergency breakdown on her washing machine that resulted in needing an urgent replacement before she went on holiday. Clive was able to slot her in to the deliveries for that same omestic appliances – During the afternoon, the new machine was subsequently Covid19 Lockdown we have all installed later that day with the delivery staff making probable spent more time in our minor adjustments to the plumbing, the old one kitchens and realised that not disposed of and everything up and running by everything works as it should. But replacing failed 4pm – not bad in just a 4 hour window from the appliances during lockdown wasn’t as straight initial problem arising. So, with brands including forward. Large companies such as Ao and Hotpoint, Bosch, Zanussi, Miele, Liebherr John Lewis were just offering internet and Neff amongst many others, and Fields also sales and deliveries to your doorstep. products ranging from fridge freezers design, sell and Luckily for the communities of to dishwashers, from kettles to install complete South Bucks we had Fields, They microwave ovens, it really is worth kitchens using quality carried on providing phone advise paying your local branch of Fields a kitchen manufacturers. and sales 7 days a week plus offered visit.www.fields.org.uk a full install service in the home. Beaconsfield Showroom: During the 9 weeks they installed over 01494 674 044. Gerrards Cross 260 essential appliances and now that Showroom:01753 893 304 the new normal is here they are continuing to delivery and also repair appliances. Because Fields We all know that are part of the appliances are a largest European-wide necessity and ‘must buying group Euronics, have’ purchase, never you can be sure that you the most exciting thing will never pay more than to have to buy. To add to you would in larger that, how do we keep up superstores with the changes, the latest technologies, knowing the quality from the cheap and cheerful – how do we know that we are purchasing the domestic appliance that is right for us –for our needs as well as our budget. Coupled with that, how do we know if we are being ‘advised’, or ‘sold to’ by the retailer? Assuming we can get past all of that, what about the delivery, will it be delivered at a time to suit? Will it be fitted and any minor hurdles overcome? What will we do with the old one? Most of all, what if there is a problem with the product in the future? Thankfully answers to all of these questions can easily be found– locally. Fields have showrooms in Beaconsfield New Town and Gerrards Cross. Fields. Owned and run by Clive & Amanda are part of the European-wide buying group Euronics . A family run business with two
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Over 30 years at our Farnham Common Showroom Following Government guidelines we are open on an appointment basis. Please telephone: 01753 64663 or email: info@kitchenartonline.co.uk to make an appointment.
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