Life Magazines (Hertfordshire editions) July 2020

The value of swimming

We are open for business as usual on an appointment only basis

FROM THE

T

EDITOR

he home of sculptor Henry Moore in the magnificent Hertfordshire countryside reopened to the public on Saturday 4 July following a three-month delay due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Henry Moore Studios & Gardens showcases Henry Moore’s iconic sculptures in a beautiful rural setting. The plentiful outdoor green space ensures that culturally curious visitors can enjoy a day out to discover Henry Moore’s magnificent works, all while easily adhering to government social distancing guidance.

Harpenden’s hidden gem, the stunning Grade 1 listed Rothamsted Manor has re-opened. Following the introduction of recent COVID-19 Government guidelines, we can now hold wedding ceremonies at the Manor for up to 30 people, whilst adhering to social distancing.

The Manor is the perfect Hertfordshire wedding and events venue with sustainability, history and tailored customer service at its heart. Rothamsted Manor is the perfect place for civil ceremonies, wedding receptions, corporate dinners, afternoon teas, awards ceremonies and much more.

It’s the best of worlds and the worst of worlds! Life in lockdown has been a real challenge for schools. St. Francis’ College has embraced that challenge determined to continue opening the hearts and minds of our students and engendering a sense of community spirit even though separated remotely by screens.

Faye Manning Editor

Editor Faye Manning Editorial Assistant Katie Miller Sub Editor Nicholas Peter business DEVELOPMENT manager Kelly Pauling Design & Production Lisa Wade SALES Lewis Casserley Accounts Kathy Manning, Andree Georgiou Directors Rory Smith, Patrick Smith

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OUT & ABOUT

Hatfield House W

Now reopened

e are delighted to announce that the Park, Gardens & Woodland Walks are now open for visitors.

To ensure everyone enjoys the tranquillity of the park whilst avoiding any crowds we are limiting the number of tickets sold for each day. Tickets must be bought in advance online via our website. We are not running a timed ticket system so you are welcome to arrive and stay all day!

Link to images: We hope to invite visitors back to the Park, Gardens, Woodland Walks and Old Palace soon.

The team here at Hatfield House are busy reviewing the recent government guidance and taking steps to ensure both visitors and staff can maintain safe social distancing whilst still enjoying the beautiful surroundings. The safety of our staff and visitors is paramount and for this reason we will not be receiving visitors into Hatfield House itself for the remainder of this season.

Hatfield Park Farm and play area will unfortunately close and won’t be re-opening in its current form. We are taking some time to review what attractions and experiences we can offer future visitors to this area of the Estate. Some of our forthcoming events have either been postponed or cancelled. Please visit our website event listings for all the latest information. We hope to open the Coach House Kitchen with a reduced take away menu in a form which complies with latest government guidelines.

“I know that the whole team at Hatfield are looking forward to welcoming visitors back to Hatfield Park. I would personally like to thank everyone who has sent messages of support or feedback during lockdown when access to the Park 1 0 J UL Y 2 0 2 0

has been restricted to local passholders. Whilst we have decided that Hatfield House will remain closed we hope that this will present a fresh opportunity for people to discover some of the wonderful areas of Park and Woodland. I hope that people will enjoy their visit and be encouraged by knowing the money they spend with us goes back towards helping us conserve and protect Hatfield House and its Park for the enjoyment of future generations!”

–Anthony Downs – Estate Director. www.hatfield-house.co.uk

OUT & ABOUT

Paradise Wildlife Park Re-opens Y ou can now book your tickets onwards on our website! Only change is now that you will need to select a time of your arrival so that we can ensure staggered numbers of visitors entering the park, thus complying with social distancing rules.

Please feel rest assured that we have followed every bit of government advice to ensure social distancing and safety measures are underway to keep all visitors on site safe.

We have implemented a one-way system, put up regular hand sanitizer stations on site and much more to give you and your family peace of mind that you are safe. We are also limiting the number of tickets available each day to allow plenty of space.

For more details on the safety procedures we have put in place at the park, please visit our website.

We are so excited to finally welcome our visitors, members and supporters back to Paradise Wildlife Park after a long 12 weeks of closure. We are truly grateful for all the support and donations we received and cannot wait to give you the family day out you have been sorely missing.

We are so excited to announce that Paradise is “Good to Go�

Certified!

We have received accreditation from VisitEngland confirming that we meet recommended safety measures, and have put systems into place to protect the public and our staff from Covid-19!

This has given us the perfect reassurance that we can offer families a great day out while keeping them safe.

Come and make new memories with us! General ticket sales available now! Book your tickets today at pwpark.com www.pwpark.com 1 2 J UL Y 2 0 2 0

CAN YOU HELP US? As we experienced a great financial deficit during the pandemic, we will need to continue our fundraising efforts, so please consider donating to our Just Giving page to help us look after our animals. www.justgiving.com/ campaign/animalsupportfund

OUT & ABOUT

Henry Moore Studios & Gardens now open

T

he home of sculptor Henry Moore in the magnificent Hertfordshire countryside reopened to the public on Saturday 4 July following a three-month delay due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

A 27-mile drive or a 40-minute train journey (via Bishop Stortford station, which is a ten-minute taxi journey from the Studio & Gardens) out of London in Perry Green, Hertfordshire.

Henry Moore Studios & Gardens showcases Henry Moore’s iconic sculptures in a beautiful rural setting. The plentiful outdoor green space ensures that culturally curious visitors can enjoy a day out to discover Henry Moore’s magnificent works, all while easily adhering to government social distancing guidance.

To responsibly manage visitor flow on site, visitors will be given the rare opportunity to enter the Studios & Gardens via Henry Moore’s home ‘Hoglands’. Following in the footsteps of the many collectors, artists and celebrity guests Moore invited to his home and studios, visitors will move into the Gardens of ‘Hoglands’ and then into the grounds where his iconic works stand.

To help avoid queues and crowds, the Studios & Gardens team has introduced pre-booked time slots which visitors must arrive within. Floor markings and signage will indicate where to queue and there will be separate entry and exit points to the gardens and buildings wherever possible. Toilets are available and will be strictly cleaned throughout the day, and hand sanitiser will be available throughout the site.

Pre-bookable picnic lunches are available from the café and can be booked via the Henry Moore Studios & Gardens website. The café will be serving a limited menu of take away drinks and snacks, which should be paid for using contactless methods of payment. Visitors are welcome to bring

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their own food and drink to the gardens, and the designated picnic areas will be frequently cleaned and sanitised.

In order to effectively manage social distancing measures, all visitors must pre-book tickets, with a 60-minute arrival slot, in advance of their visit.

Tickets will go on sale on Monday 22 June at 10am.

Godfrey Worsdale OBE, Director at Henry Moore Foundation commented, “We are delighted to be reopening to the public following a delay to our season launch. The safety and wellbeing of our visitors, staff and local communities remains our priority and the team has been hard at work to ensure that visitors can safely enjoy our outdoor space, which lends itself well to social distancing.

We look forward to welcoming visitors back to experience Henry Moore’s sculptures in the landscape he knew so well, after what has been such a difficult time for so many.” www.henry-moore.org/studios-and-gardens

THE DETAILS Henry Moore Studios & Gardens Open from Saturday 4 July – Sunday 1 November 2020 Wednesdays to Sundays and Bank Holidays, 11am – 5pm Last admission: 4pm.

Perry Green, Hertfordshire, SG10 6EE www.henry-moore.org/ studios-and-gardens Top: Henry Moore Double Oval (Photo: Jonty Wilde); Below: Henry Moore, Large Reclining Figure 1984 (Photo: John Chase)

OUT & ABOUT

Knebworth House & Adventure Playground NOW OPEN!

F

ollowing recent government directive, Knebworth House and Adventure Playground including Fort Knebworth can now open, alongside the Gardens and Dinosaur Trail, which successfully re-opened, with social distancing and health & safety measures in place to visitors on Wednesday 27th May. Now, the majority of Knebworth House’s attractions including the House, Park, Gardens, Dinosaur Trail and Adventure Playground is open again to visitors.

Pre-booking online is essential with time-slots of 11am - 2pm and 2pm - 5pm available for access to the Formal Gardens and Dinosaur Trail. The ticket is valid for the full day for use at the Park and Adventure Playground between the opening hours of 11am – 5pm. The Fort will have limited capacity, and will be monitored by staff counting in and out visitor access. Some of the play equipment will be out of use until further easement is issued.

A separate ticket will need to be purchased to access the House, access to the Gardens, Dinosaur Trail, Park and Adventure Playground will be included in this ticket. The house will open from 12pm - 5pm.

Season Ticket holders, RHS members and Historic Houses members are also required to book a time slot, but will not be charged.

During these difficult times the health & safety of visitors and staff will remain of utmost importance to management, who have implemented strict practices to safeguard all on site including: • Making hand sanitiser available on site for staff and visitor use.

• Displaying clear signage throughout the site advising staff and visitors to wash their hands regularly and follow the catch it, kill it, bin it guidelines.

• Enhanced cleaning regimes.

• Welcoming visitors with a smile instead of a handshake.

• Social distancing measures and signage.

• Limited Capacity and timed access.

• One-Way system around the House and Gift Shop.

• The bouncy castle, drop slides and maze will remain closed.

• Takeaway tea, coffee and snack offers.

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“During these difficult times the health & safety of visitors and staff will remain of utmost importance”

Knebworth House are keen to offer a safe space for families to enjoy the Summer months ahead.

The 28 acres of Gardens including the Dinosaur Trail is a great location to watch the seasonal flowers bloom while children can follow the trail of 72 life-sized dinosaurs through the wilderness garden.

The Adventure Playground with Fort Knebworth is a great place to get some fresh-air and let the children let off some steam, and the Park is perfect for picnics and ball games.

It is a fantastic day out at £10 per person, or £14 per person for a House ticket. Family tickets are also available.

The Covid-19 situation is being monitored daily by management and their website and social media channels will be updated as the situation changes.

The attraction does however ask visitors to follow government advice and remain at home if you have any symptoms.

Managing Director, Martha Lytton Cobbold Commented: “We are really looking forward to safely welcoming our season ticket holders and public visitors to the House and Adventure Playground from Saturday 4th July. The re-opening of our Gardens and Dinosaur Trail has gone extremely well, so we are thrilled to be re-opening more attractions. We are working hard and proactively to enable continued safe access, retain employment and our business. Thank you very much for your ongoing support.”

For more information and to book tickets visit www.knebworthhouse.com.

Bespoke luxury spaces tailored just for you Visit our new display from July

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OUT & ABOUT

Rothamsted Manor in Harpenden re-launches as sustainable events venue

H

arpenden’s hidden gem, the stunning Grade 1 listed Rothamsted Manor has re-opened. Following the introduction of recent COVID-19 Government guidelines, we can now hold wedding ceremonies at the Manor for up to 30 people, whilst adhering to social distancing. (Though, as a licensed venue, our normal capacity for wedding ceremonies is up to 115 people). The Manor is the perfect Hertfordshire wedding and events venue with sustainability, history and tailored customer service at its heart.

Rothamsted Manor is the perfect place for civil ceremonies, wedding receptions, corporate dinners, afternoon teas, awards ceremonies and much more.

Steeped in history, with 12 acres of gardens and set amongst beautiful Hertfordshire countryside,

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OUT & ABOUT

“We are very focused on our approach to sustainability at Rothamsted and our offering at Rothamsted Manor really showcases this”

Endeavour and Mother Father Son. Another little-known fact about the Manor is that during WWII it was requisitioned for use by the military and became a listening post, recording and feeding messages to Bletchley Park for decoding.

Nicole Sadd, CEO at Rothamsted Manor said: “It is such a pleasure to see Rothamsted Manor open again. The buildings and grounds have played a huge part in Rothamsted’s agricultural research heritage. The estate is rich in history. It’s a real hidden gem. We are very focused on our approach to sustainability at Rothamsted and our offering at Rothamsted Manor really showcases this. The Manor has been completely rebranded, our chefs have developed a new suite of delicious, sustainable menus, and we’ve created a new package that is transparent and caters for a variety of events and budgets. All our catering will now be done onsite by our inhouse kitchen team. We’re really delighted to be re-opening and very much look forward to providing sustainable, client-focused events at the Manor for years to come.”

Rothamsted Manor is located on the historically significant Rothamsted Estate, home to some of the world’s oldest and most important agricultural research experiments.

With a wealth of period features and beautiful facilities across several rooms, the Manor is the ideal venue for weddings, events and dinners. It has often featured as a filming location in several TV, music and film productions, more recently including ITV’s

THE DETAILS For a brochure or to find out more, please contact our Events Team on 01582 938500 or email rothamsted.manor@rothamstedenterprises.com. Alternatively, visit www.rothamstedenterprises.com/rothamsted-manor 2 0 J UL Y 2 0 2 0

OUT & ABOUT

Hertfordshire BACK OPEN FOR BUSINESS Abigail’s Flower Truck

1 3 “We have worked super hard to provide a safe shopping environment”

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Our Vintage Flower Truck is back on the road baby! We have missed meeting you all ‘truck-side’ as you create your own bouquets, but It has been such a delight spreading floral fun through our AFT Friday Flower Fix deliveries during this time, window waves and knowing your blooms have added a little sunshine to your homes has certainly filled the void.

We are super excited to welcome you back to the truck, encouraging creativity and conversation within communities once again! Whether it’s one single stem to brighten surprise tea and toast in bed or a big birthday bunch, we’ve got it covered! www.abigailsflowertruck.co.uk

SMALLFORD FARM SHOP The modern, rustic shelves at the Smallford Farm Shop are bursting with home-grown produce and great quality products.

Located on the site of the family-owned fresh produce nursery (Glinwell), the Farm Shop and Glasshouse Café have been built from the history of the site - selling produce to local customers from pallets. You can now buy the delicious home-grown tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers and aubergines, alongside a wide range of local and independent products, creating a unique offering in Hertfordshire. Easy and ample parking, inside and outside seating areas and options for vegans, vegetarians and gluten-free. More than just a Farmshop. www.smallfordfarmshop.com

the dressing room Re-opening the doors to my store on June 15th was like a breath of fresh air. After 3 months of lockdown, myself and my team were ready and eager to see our lovely customers face to face once again. Thankfully we had been busy online throughout lockdown but nothing beats that one to one service and styling in store. Our customers were keen to come back in and have a catch up with myself and the team and get their styling fix. We have worked super hard to provide a safe shopping environment, our fitting rooms are open with cleaning between customers and the store is open our usual trading hours so there is plenty of time to spread out your shopping, therefore any initial apprehension has been swiftly replaced with a relief to have some normality back in our lives. www.the-dressingroom.com

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EYES on St Albans

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We were delighted to reopen on Monday 22nd June! We are back open for business on a reduced staffing, we apologise in advance if it takes longer than usual to reply to your enquiry. When you phone the shop, your call maybe diverted to answer phone and we will endeavour to call you before the end of the day... Physically but never socially distant. www.eyesonstalbans.com

Carl Russell & Co We are very grateful to be open again after the lockdown, we would like to say a big thank you to all of our customers who have supported us online and who have contacted us with their kind words of support. We have used the lockdown period to make some changes in the country clothing department which we hope improves the shopping experience with us. With social distancing measures in place and back to our normal trading hours both in the country clothing department and gunroom we look forward to welcoming customers both old and new. www.carlrussellandco.com

JOHN LADBURY Happily, life after lockdown for John Ladbury seems to be back on track and it seems that many of you have spent the downtime planning a beautiful new kitchen for your home. We all deserve a bit of luxury and John Ladbury bespoke kitchens certainly deliver. Using premium timber, top of the range appliances and with a gorgeous array of worktops to choose from, your perfect kitchen will be built and assembled in our dedicated workshop in Welham Green. Make an appointment to visit our showroom and one of our experienced designers will help you to create the kitchen you’ve always wanted. www.johnladbury.co.uk

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“It has been wonderful to be able see customers again in-store and bring them the unique Gatwards experience”

6 5 “We all deserve a bit of luxury and John Ladbury bespoke kitchens certainly deliver”

GATWARDS This year is our 260th anniversary at Gatwards and therefore closing our doors for the first time in our history was not how we anticipated marking this milestone.

Getting the shop open again on 17th June was both a joy and a relief. We have been helping our customers online during the lockdown but it has been wonderful to be able see customers again in-store and bring them the unique Gatwards experience.

We have taken precautions to keep everyone safe including Perspex screens, jewellery sanitiser and hand sanitising stations and our new appointment system is working really well for those who want to spend a little extra time with us to choose something special. www.gatwardsofhitchin.co.uk

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HERTFORDSHIRE FIREPLACE GALLERY, POTTERS BAR The well-established Hertfordshire Fireplace Gallery welcomes you safely back to their showroom in Potters Bar. They have been helping customers with their fireplace requirements for almost 19 years and have the largest selection of fires and fireplaces throughout Hertfordshire and surrounding areas, offering free surveys and free local delivery. A full installation service also available by qualified Gas Safe and HETAS engineers. So whether you are looking for a traditional surround in limestone, marble or timber or the latest contemporary hole in the wall fires, call in today!

9 Barnet Road, Potters Bar En6 2Qx 01707 657070 www.hertsfireplacegallery.co.uk J UL Y 2 0 2 0 1 9 2 3

OUT & ABOUT

Books on the Hill

W

e are a new independent familyrun bookshop in the heart of St Albans, Hertfordshire. We first opened our doors in November 2019. The dream was of creating a warm and inviting, old-fashioned bookshop. A haven for busy lives. A meeting place for readers, writers, poets, talkers, speakers, thinkers and dreamers. To hold literary events for book lovers across the ages. Our book range includes new books, children’s, vintage & antiquarian, and first editions.

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Our dedicated team will help you with all your book queries and questions. Or if you just fancy a chat we are happy to talk about everything books. Everyone on the team has an input in the books we choose, which helps to keep our shelves so interesting. But if you require a book and it appears we do not have it in stock do not fear, we can order in the books you desire.

Events We hold lots of different events at Books On

“Do not fear, we can order in the books you desire”

The Hill, at the moment these are taking place online using Zoom but we hope to hold some instore events in the next few months. Our next author event is: In Conversation with Mary Paulson-Ellis, the author of The Inheritance of Solomon Farthing. We will be asking Mary about how she found the writing process, her inspiration for the book and much more.

Book Club We have three book clubs, two traditional book clubs with set texts: fiction Book club and non-fiction book club. Our third book club is called ‘breakfast book club’ and it differs from your average book club as there is no set text.

Discussions are around books you love or books you are currently reading and how you are finding them. It is a great way to discover new books.

Reopening after lockdown We have now been open two weeks post lockdown and have been so grateful for our community’s response. Kind words and messages have been flooding our social media and emails over the last few weeks and as a team it means the world to us.

During our first week back we had two young girls

skipping out the store with glee because they were so happy to have bought vintage copies of Alcott’s Little Women. It is during these moments that we as a team feel honoured in helping people get the books they desire.

For more details please see our website www.books-on-the-hill.co.uk

“We have now been open two weeks post lockdown and have been so grateful for our community’s response. Kind words and messages have been flooding our social media and emails over the last few weeks and as a team it means the world to us”

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FEATURE

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 UL Y 2 0 2 0 1 9 2 7

OUT & ABOUT FEATURE

Travel in Style H

erts Executive, Hertfordshire’s largest executive car service company, has been taking leisure and business passengers to and from the airport since 1998. In its 22 year history, there’s not been a day that it didn’t complete at least a few airport runs. At busier times of the year, 100-120 runs a day would be the norm. That was until COVID-19 struck.

According to Bal Notay, MD at Herts Executive, “Things began to change in mid-March. Travel to and from airports began to slow down quite dramatically. Not one of our fleet of 40 Mercedes vehicles made a single trip for almost six weeks.

We’ve never known a time like it.”

Notay continued: “Most of our early work was taking passengers wishing to avoid public transport to and from their offices. Many of the passengers were senior executives tasked with making the decisions and changes for their companies to survive the pandemic. We got to know these passengers really well. They were clearly managing huge challenges of their own. There was a certain camaraderie to the situation as we travelled the nearempty roads together.”

Despite a record number of executive hire and chauffeur companies going into administration throughout the COVID-19 lockdown, Herts Executive weathered the storm and now has most of its fleet is back on the road.

According to Notay, the company survived due to its investment in automation technology: “In late 2019 we completed a complex project to part-automate our bookings system and fleet management. This meant that when lockdown measures were introduced, our team could work remotely putting us in the advantageous position of being there to take bookings when few other

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companies could.”

But it’s not completely back to business as usual for Herts Executive. Notay explains: “Some things haven’t changed. We remain committed to providing an affordable, excellent airport transfer service and, as a part of that promise, we’ve frozen our prices and introduced discounts for new and existing passengers. We have, however, ramped up safety measures. Our vehicles and any passenger luggage handled by our chauffeurs get a full clean-down at the end of each trip. We supply fresh, sealed face masks to passengers at the start of every journey.

We have also increased investment in our Driver Academy Programme, which takes the best drivers in the industry and develops them into fully trained chauffeurs. There’s a lot of great driver talent out there looking for work and we see this as an opportunity to field the best team of drivers in the region and industry. www.hertsexec.co.uk

“According to Notay, the company survived due to its investment in automation technology”

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01707 888000

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FEATURE

The Harpenden Collective

W

e have always viewed coworking in the suburbs as a new movement. A collective of individuals and businesses who are readdressing the balance between work and life.

Questioning not just the commute, fixed working hours and physical presence in the office but also business overheads, efficient use of time, stress, well-being and the needs of our families. A band of individuals who are fulfilling their dreams to build that app, run that retreat, start a completely new career, be their own boss on their own terms.

As we start to re-emerge from lockdown there has been much written about how the working world is adapting to the sudden and seismic change in how we do business and what I am hearing loud and clear is that while we may be entering a period of economic uncertainty, many people are keen to readdress the levels of stress associated with their pre lockdown working lives, often caused by commuting and long imposed hours at their places of work. But working from home comes with it’s own set of challenges and now many want to reintroduce the social element and the efficiencies of working in an office/studio environment. This is where co-working comes in. We now see many more local businesses and individuals joining our movement to take back control of their work and life balance.

By co-working locally not only can you improve your own lifestyle and reduce your carbon footprint, it’s a fantastic way of supporting your local community. We have heard so much over recent years about the demise of our high streets and I am

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concerned, like everyone, that in the short term we may see some retailers, pubs and restaurants close down. However if the thousands of pre-lockdown commuters were to work remotely in their own communities, can you imagine the impact this will have on their home towns and communities? Could this movement towards more flexible and efficient working practises have the knock-on effect of helping our communities to thrive again? It makes sense that by working along-side and networking with like-minded businesses and individuals there is a unique opportunity to boost local economies.

If you are interested in finding out more about co-working in Hertfordshire, or becoming part of a local business community, please do contact us and we’d be happy to discuss your requirements. We can help you to achieve a less stressful, cost effective way to work, spending less time in transit and more time creating amazing opportunities to grow your business and support your local community.

Local co-working communities are full of dynamic thriving businesses: I think you’d be surprised! www.theharpendencollective.co.uk

“Many people are keen to readdress the levels of stress associated with their pre lockdown working lives”

Rothamsted Manor – Harpenden’s historic, hidden gem The perfect Hertfordshire venue for civil ceremonies, weddings, private events, parties and afternoon tea.

Call us now to find out more.

T: 01582 938500 E: rothamsted.manor@rothamstedenterprises.com www.rothamstedenterprises.com/rothamsted-manor

ACT NOW! Save your family £176,000 in unnecessary Inheritance Tax. Our clients David and Jennifer had a house worth just over £900,000 and savings and investments worth a further £540,000, built up through a lifetime of work. They didn’t think themselves rich but the value of their home and savings meant an inheritance tax bill of £176,000 was going to be paid when they passed away which didn’t sit well with them.

After sitting down with us for a free initial consultation they heard about a few options that let them retain access to their money and eradicate the £176,000 tax bill.

Call us now on 01923 909339 and arrange your FREE, no obligation consultation with our expert.

Future Start Independent Financial Planning Ltd is registered in England under number 09048509 and is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority www.fca.org.uk under number 736240. Inheritance tax (IHT) planning is not regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Everyone’s circumstances are different and IHT may or may not be payable at the levels mentioned in the example above. Tax rules and legislation can also change. Calculations based on 2020/21 tax year.

FEATURE

YOUR DREAM WEDDING AT BROCKET HALL

W

hether you’re newly engaged or have been thinking about booking a wedding venue for some time now, you’ve no doubt done some venue research. As you’ll realise, there are several unique styles of wedding venues out there, all offering couples a different experience when it comes to their actual wedding day. The difference between non-exclusive and exclusive use venues may seem trivial during the wedding planning stages but, on your big day, it could add that little bit of extra something which every couple deserves. Exclusive use guarantees you your privacy for the duration of your wedding day. You’ll generally receive sole exclusivity of a wedding venue, the grounds, the staff and anything else you require. It means you can be sure that you’re not going to bump into anyone on the day that isn’t a guest, or a member of staff, at your wedding.

Some exclusive wedding venues will differ in terms of what they will provide within their exclusivity package. Hiring a blank canvas wedding venue could mean that you need to bring in every wedding supplier yourself; from the tables, chairs, linen, catering team and more. Booking to have sole use of a wedding venue means that you and your guests will have the use of the whole property for the duration of the wedding. Feel like royalty for the day with a complete exclusivity where the only guests are the ones you have specially invited. Find a venue that has accommodation on-site too, and your wedding venue will be transformed into a special retreat for the duration of your celebrations.

If you’re unsure about how hiring an exclusive use wedding venue can enhance your wedding day, here are eight reasons which might just convince you to go for that exclusive use venue.

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Privacy A wedding is a personal occasion for your family and friends, so it’s natural to want complete privacy to enjoy the day with only ‘your people’. There won’t be any strangers roaming around the venue staring while you’re all in your finery and you won’t find any strangers in the background when you’re flicking through your wedding photo album.

You will be able to choose exactly who you’ll be spending your day in the company of, giving your wedding the ultimate sense of intimacy.

Security Exclusive use venues tend to be a lot more secure and, with just your party on-site, it’s a lot safer and

“You will be able to choose exactly who you’ll be spending your day in the company of, giving your wedding the ultimate sense of intimacy”

FEATURE

you won’t have the fear of strangers gate-crashing your wedding reception.

Staff Exclusive wedding venues tend to lend themselves to better service because all of the staff at the venue are there to serve your party alone. That means you won’t have to queue up with strangers at the bar and you and your party will receive the undivided attention of the venue’s staff. It’s likely that the experienced staff will have seen every possible wedding-related mishap there is to see and they’ll know exactly how to rectify it; so you can feel safe in the knowledge that the happiest day of your life is being handled by the experts.

Travel From getting ready in the morning, to saying “I do” and have the last dance of the night, choosing exclusive venue hire means you don’t have to travel anywhere during your big day. Not needing to worry about travel makes everyone more relaxed. It also means there’s no need for taxis or designated drivers. You can keep the party going as long as you like, stay over and have breakfast together in the morning.

Attention When opting for an exclusive use venue, you can rest assured that you and your partner will be the centre of attention all day, without having to compete with other couples.

No Hidden Extras Exclusive use venues and all of their bonuses usually come as a package, so there are no hidden costs involved.

Location Some of the most beautiful venues in the country can be exclusively yours, but it’s not just the stunning barn or grand country house you’ll have, but the grounds and gardens too. Can you imagine celebrating in acres of rolling parkland, as Lord and Lady of the Estate? Amazing outdoor space could take your wedding to the next level.

More Quality Time Being in the same venue for the duration of your wedding gives you more time with your guests and

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“Few properties in England can claim to have been the home to two prime ministers, played host to George IV, Queen Victoria and the infamous Lady Caroline Lamb who introduced the Waltz to England in the Ballroom”

loved ones. It means the celebrations can last a lot longer too, as everyone can stay until it’s time to leave the following day. Since you’ll be at the venue for the duration of your celebrations, you can also build in extra time to capture more happy moments on camera too.

As you can see, there’s much more to selecting a venue than simply price and location. The benefits of having exclusive use of a wedding venue are genuinely compelling, so make sure you explore it as an option. Choosing an exclusive use wedding venue could add the perfect touch to your big day, with a homely feel and endless privacy and security for an intimate atmosphere. It could just give you a wedding day that exceeds expectations and is unforgettable.

Set in 543 acres of idyllic Hertfordshire countryside, Brocket Hall has played host to a variety of special and important events. The elegant and romantic setting is the perfect location for your special day. The Brocket Hall Estate, designed by Richard Woods, with the meandering Broadwater Lake and charming Paine Bridge offers the perfect backdrop for your wedding photographs.

Few properties in England can claim to have been the home to two prime ministers, played host to George IV, Queen Victoria and the infamous Lady Caroline Lamb who introduced the Waltz to England in the Ballroom – which can seat from 50 – 150 guests for your wedding breakfast. The Ballroom is sumptuously decorated with fine paintings, including the stunning ceiling painted by Sir Francis Wheatley.

Your special day includes the traditional butler service, with our Head Butler and his team catering to your every need. There are 30 luxurious double bedrooms within Brocket Hall and a further 16 bedrooms in the Melbourne Lodge, sleeping a maximum of 88 guests on the estate.

On the Estate, we also have alternative venues to the Hall including our exclusive-use fine dining restaurant, Auberge du Lac (pictured above), and The Oak Room which is room-hire only.

For more information or to enquire about available dates please contact; weddings@brocket-hall.co.uk. 01707 368897

EDUC ATION

Learning In Lockdown

Jo Cameron, Principal of Queenswood School in Hertfordshire, explains how teachers and pupils have adapted to the current coronavirus situation

A

s the nation entered lockdown, school communities made rapid and radical transformations in order to deliver education remotely. Staff and pupils have had to master new technologies, syllabuses have had to be totally reconsidered, teachers are finding new ways to motivate students, and parents are also getting involved on a daily basis.

Independent schools such as Queenswood are fortunate to have the technology in place to be able to deliver a full timetable of online lessons, direct from teachers’ homes. Video conferencing software, collaborative documents and virtual learning environments have proved invaluable, and the positive feedback we’ve received from parents has been overwhelming.

We’ve adapted the timetable to allow pupils regular screen breaks, and ensured that girls are set work that takes them away from their desks and out into the fresh air where possible. A fabulous example of this is an English project, where pupils have been creating their own versions of the infamous Cottingley Fairies photographs in their gardens.

Of course, remote learning is not without its challenges. For instance, many of our boarders live overseas in different time zones; for those in the Americas, the school day now begins at 4.00am, while girls in the Far East could be burning the midnight oil. Teachers have found that audio-video recording of lessons allows international students to access the work at a time that suits them.

The cancellation of GCSE and A-Level exams brought a sudden and dramatic end to two years of preparation for our Year 11 and 13 students.

However, at Queenswood we have always firmly believed that education is about so much more than narrow exam syllabuses, and teachers have relished the opportunity to devise a stimulating alternative

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curriculum for girls in Year 11 and 13, providing stepping stones to the next stage of their education.

Geographers are taking an online course with the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine; Drama students are writing plays; physicists are studying nuclear fusion in depth.

We’re also able to offer a varied and stimulating virtual co-curricular programme. From knitting to netball; from morning meditation to movie-making; from art history to hockey; from cookery to creative writing – girls are able to expand their horizons (metaphorically, if not literally) and learn new skills.

Now more than ever, young people need the support of communities, and at Queenswood, we’re making every effort to continue the pastoral care for which we are renowned. There are daily catch-up sessions with tutors, video podcast-style chapel services, and even a live-streamed assembly every Friday, in which I explore our beautiful campus and share the joys of spring with girls, parents and alumnae.

This is schooling unlike anything we have ever experienced, and all of us are of course eager to return to familiar structures and practices. But lockdown has taught us new ways of working, shown us new ways of thinking about education, and reaffirmed our values.

– Jo Cameron, Principal, Queenswood School www.queenswood.org

“We’ve adapted the timetable to allow pupils regular screen breaks, and ensured that girls are set work that takes them away from their desks and out into the fresh air where possible”

EDUC ATION

New Approach to Learning at St. Francis’ College I

t’s the best of worlds and the worst of worlds!

Life in lockdown has been a real challenge for schools. St. Francis’ College has embraced that challenge determined to continue opening the hearts and minds of our students and engendering a sense of community spirit even though separated remotely by screens.

We have felt it is important to ensure continuity of learning, encouragement and personal development during this time. To this end, we made sure we provided a very high quality provision offering a selection of approaches to teaching and learning including face to face teaching which reflects the variety used in the classroom. Staff have been committed to ensuring each pupil’s learning needs are being met by answering individual queries from pupils and responding to parental questions

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via e mail. The College has continued to provide pastoral support and care through form times, assemblies and individual teacher attention.

We have delivered a full timetable including PE workouts, Individual needs support, even music lessons as well as addressing issues of screen time and workload to ensure personal well-being in this new environment. The College is providing the highest possible standard of education under these extraordinary conditions and whilst we cannot provide the daily social interaction and hubbub of friendship groups, we are delivering all other aspects of the curriculum spiritually, intellectually, pastoraly and morally.

To help our families feel connected and supported, we invite parents to our weekly assemblies, provide daily briefings and encouragement and share information promptly.

Daily challenges and quizzes support our enrichment programme and provide stimulation.

Our Science Department has donated PPE locally in order to support the wider community.

So many of our parents send daily messages of support, thanks and encouragement to us.

St. Francis’ College has stayed true to our motto ‘one heart , one soul ‘ and remains a community unified in its commitment to the education and development of the young women in our care.

We are looking forward to seeing our students back in school very soon.

Please contact our Admissions Office for more information about St. Francis’ College.

St Francis College, Broadway, Letchworth Garden City, Hertfordshire, SG6 3PJ Tel. +44 (0) 1462 670511

“We have felt it is important to ensure continuity of learning, encouragement and personal development during this time. To this end, we made sure we provided a very high quality provision offering a selection of approaches to teaching and learning”

EDUC ATION

St Columba’s College & Preparatory School

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t Columba’s College and Preparatory School is an independent Catholic day school for pupils aged 4—18 in the heart of St Albans, Hertfordshire. We provide a high-quality education to young people of all faiths and none.

Our Columban ethos and values guide all that we do, allowing us to provide an education of the Head and Heart that places happiness and confidence at the centre of its mission. Teaching the Columban values of courage, courtesy and compassion enables our students to become confident individuals, with the skills to enter an ever-changing and complex world.

We strive for academic excellence whilst realising that it is a well-rounded education that best prepares our young people for the world and workplace of tomorrow.

“Our moral education is based on the Charism of the Brothers of the Sacred Heart” Our moral education is based on the Charism of the Brothers of the Sacred Heart. We support each student’s development in a community where they are known, valued and treasured, through a wellstructured pastoral system.

St Columba’s College is moving to co-education!

This exciting next step in our development means that from September 2021, we will welcome girls into Lower Sixth (Year 12) and Lower Prep (Reception, Year 1 and Year 2). This will be followed by a phased transition, which will eventually see St Columba’s offering its unique, high-quality Catholic education to boys and girls from ages 4-18.

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Headmaster, Mr David Buxton said: “Following a great deal of research, investigation and deliberation over recent years, including a survey of our current parents, we have decided that introducing coeducation to St Columba’s College is the right thing to do.

“It will fully prepare our students for life beyond St Columba’s College, and it will help the school continue to flourish. Such a change is consistent with what is happening in many of our fellow Brothers of the Sacred Heart schools around the world.”

In recent years we have invested millions of pounds in new facilities including a fitness suite, science and D&T labs and a modern IT suite in the Prep School. We are currently upgrading our sports pitches, which will be completed by September 2021 for use by the whole school.

Our remote learning programme in 2020 has been a great success with parents and pupils and we were able to continue our provision of strong pastoral support through regular communication with parents and students. www.stcolumbascollege.org

OUT & ABOUT

National Garden Scheme launches

Chelsea Flower Show Special Collection for Virtual Garden Visits campaign

C

helsea Flower Show is the most prestigious shop window for garden design in the world. Careers are launched by gaining that elusive gold medal for a show garden.

For visitors they are the big draw; fascination with the huge cost, a sense of fantasy, and admiration for the prodigious skill required to create something so accomplished in such a short time.

After Chelsea is over, often the only way people can enjoy the work of the designers is by visiting gardens they have created which open for the National Garden Scheme. With no show this year, we are celebrating these talents with virtual visits to memorable gardens designed by four of the most distinguished current designers – two of which are their own – and one garden designed for this year’s show. Together the five have amassed an impressive 29 Chelsea gold medals between them.

Tom Stuart-Smith, who lives in Hertfordshire, is one of the most admired garden designers in the world who in the early-2000s created a series of the iconic Chelsea show gardens, winning 8 gold medals and three best in show awards in the process. Tom’s career revolves around the garden he has created at his Hertfordshire home The Barn. In a gorgeous film vignette he takes us on a tour and talks about his work.

Similarly, another favourite designer, Bunny Guinness, winner of six Chelsea gold medals and popular panellist on Radio Four’s Gardener’s

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Question Time, takes us on a tour of her Cambridgeshire garden where sustainability and self-sufficiency are the watchwords.

Julie Toll and Marcus Barnett both have similarly enjoyed Chelsea success to help boost their now international reputations as designers.

Their contrasting ability to blend modern and contemporary with a more traditional country garden style are brilliantly shown off at the Manor House, Ayot St Lawrence designed by Julie and 15 The Avenue, Cheam, designed by Marcus.

And in celebration of the National Garden Scheme’s relationship with nurses we feature what would have been one of the stars of this year’s show, the Florence Nightingale Garden: a Celebration of Modern Nursing; designed by Robert Myers, which we will now have to wait until the 2021 Chelsea Flower Show to enjoy. The film is introduced by the President of the Florence Nightingale Foundation, Baroness Watkins, who explains the link between Florence Nightingale and the National Garden Scheme, before designer Robert Myers explains the inspiration for his garden and reveals some of the key features.

The films are part of the National Garden Scheme’s Help Support Our Nurses campaign which it has been running while all its gardens are closed. The charity is sharing weekly portfolios (released each Thursday) of films made in their gardens by owners who open and inviting people to make a donation when they watch in a bid to make up the huge funding gap for nursing and health charities that the closure of the gardens has created.

OUT & ABOUT

THE WINE TIPSTER’S GUIDE TO ENJOYING THE 2020 SEASON AT HOME T

he traditional summer season of events might have been cancelled but you can still commemorate these quintessentially British celebrations. The Wine Tipster, Neil Phillips, offers a guide to enjoying the British summer season at home, accompanied by the best drinks to make the experience complete.

BRITISH HORSE RACING There’s no better excuse to get dressed up and enjoy horse racing from your living room. There is Newmarket’s Moët & Chandon July Festival (9th – 11th July), Ascot’s King George VI Weekend (25th July), and the Qatar Goodwood Festival (28th July – 1st August) Tune into ITV and Racing TV. The Wine Tipster says: “Dress to impress! Keep a cool head with a lower alcohol white, or a top Rosé and bring out a pedigree fizz when you bag your first winner!

• Moët & Chandon 2012 Grand Vintage Brut is the 74th Grand Vintage produced by this worldrenowned Champagne House. Enjoying vintage Champagne is a great way to celebrate in style.

(Majestic and other retailers around £52) • Stonier Pinot Noir 2017, Mornington Peninsula Australia. This is a real classic that shows how brilliant Pinot Noir can be. Beautifully crafted and balanced. (Majestic, Cellar One, £22.99).

• Luscombe Sicilian Organic Lemonade is an excellent soft drink option. (Sainsbury’s, £3.00 for 100ml)

WIMBLEDON CHAMPIONSHIPS Wimbledon might have been cancelled but you can get involved with #WimbledonRecreated across all social media platforms by recreating your favourite Wimbledon Championships tradition via. www.wimbledon.com The Wine Tipster says: “What could be more rewarding after a summer afternoon of tennis than a magnificent bowl of season-ripe strawberries and cream, matched with top fizz from The Official Champagne of Wimbledon?!”

• Lanson Black Label Brut Champagne NV, France. Lanson has been the Official Champagne of Wimbledon for a number of years, producing a fabulous range of Champagnes (Tesco £33.00 and 4 4 J UL Y 2 0 2 0

other retailers).

• Lanson Rosé Brut Champagne NV, France Gorgeous, dry rosé with lovely flavours of summer fruits and perfectly balanced. (Tesco £38.00 and other retailers).

• Coates & Seely Britagne Brut Rosé NV. Perfect with scones laden with cream and strawberry jam (www.coatesandseely.com £32.95) • Chapel Down English Rosé 2019, Kent. Easy drinking Rosé, with delicate summer fruits and a lovely crisp finish. (Waitrose £12.99) • Bolney Estate in Sussex leads the way with English red wines, including their delicate, elegant

OUT & ABOUT

and fruity Pinot Noir 2018 (Oxford Wine Co, £21.99)

HENLEY ROYAL REGATTA, FOODIE AND MUSIC FESTIVALS Henley Royal Regatta is famous both as a great summer sporting event and as a social occasion, with picnics by the river. Lay out a picnic at home this year instead. Food and music festivals are also off the menu this summer, however, markets are open with local produce. Foodies Festivals will be running Prosecco Tastings with The Wine Tipster on Facebook Live at 1pm on 25th July and 8th August. www.foodiesfestival.com The Wine Tipster says: “Picnics are great fun, with lots of tasty and easy-to-nibble choices. Select drinks to give your blanket banquet a touch of casual elegance with the below top tipples.”

•Astoria Prosecco DOC Treviso Extra Dry “Galìe”, Italy. Lovely, soft, floral, fruity and elegant with beautiful balance - the perfect start to every picnic. (www.gerrardseel.co.uk £12.95 ) • Maree d’Ione Fiano, IGP Puglia Italy 2.25L .A white wine, organic and vegan-friendly too, this has lovely refreshing citrus and tropical fruit flavours.

(Waitrose, £25.99) • Chadlington Ale’s Oxford Pale Ale - a beer with character from the Cotswolds (www. chadlingtonbrewery.com, £29.99 for 12 bottles)

CLASSICAL MUSIC EVENTS Glyndebourne Festival is still taking place, albeit virtually. Listen online every Sunday at 5pm throughout July. www.glyndebourne.com/ openhouse You can still wave your Union Jack as the 2020 season of The Proms goes virtual on Friday 17th July on BBC Radio 3 and Sunday 19th July on BBC Four for 8 weeks of broadcasts on television, radio and online. www.bbc.co.uk/proms The Wine Tipster says: “I love opera and The

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Proms and will sorely miss the summer serenade in my garden coming from The Royal Albert Hall and Glyndebourne this year. However, I’ll be tuning in to these fabulous alternative performances with some vino classics too!”

• Nyetimber Classic Cuvée, Sussex. Always refined, elegant and beautifully made. A vino composition to savour. (Waitrose, Majestic £36.99,) • Yealands Reserve Sauvignon Blanc 2019, is classic New Zealand style and just what you are looking for from a high-class Marlborough producer based in the Awatere Valley (Waitrose £11.59).

• Espérance de Trotanoy, Pomerol Bordeaux 2014 is a powerful, perfumed performance of a wine with dark brooding fruits and purring tannins which combine for a crescendo finish. (Corney & Barrow £69.25) • Château Beaumont 2015 Haut Medoc Cru Bourgeois is a classy, great value Bordeaux from a luxurious vintage (Lea & Sandeman £21.95).

Until we can all get together again, the traditional summer of events will be replaced by smaller homegrown gatherings. The most important thing is to enjoy the experience and stay safe.

ABOUT NEIL PHILLIPS THE WINE TIPSTER Professional wine, bubbles and horseracing expert, Neil Phillips, has combined his three life-long passions to forge a unique career spanning over three decades. www.thewinetipster.co.uk Social media @thewinetipster

OUT & ABOUT

Staying supportive, staying kind and standing together

G

allery 1066 one of Hertfordshire’s leading art galleries has been working hard during lock down by offering client’s virtual gallery tours and home visits.

They are also proud to have helped raise over £150,000 collectively across the UK for the NHS with the new release by acclaimed artist Doug Hyde called ‘Thank You’.

This collection sold out within 2 days and was a phenomenal response by collectors.

Gallery 1066 is always looking at innovate ways to help brighten everyone’s day with inspiring works of art and have recently teamed up with local Fashion Designer & Illustrator Sarah Leete.

Sarah has been busy creating with the gallery a fabulous collection of fun and witty illustrations for people to download free of charge and to colour in.

‘The drawings are for all ages and we would love people to share with other families and just to have some fun with them!’ said Hayley Norman, Gallery Owner.

And as people are now finding more time to spruce up their walls the gallery are offering a FREE 30 minute ‘virtual interior design service’ enjoying time with clients over video calls.

With a safe door to door delivery and virtual service business is as usual. So, if you are looking for some inspiration and advice please do get in touch, we’d love to hear from you!

‘Staying supportive, staying kind and standing together is key for us as a business and we hope to promote that message to everyone’. www.gallery1066fineart.com 01462 896164 / 07974 246389. Please go to our Facebook page: gallery1066fineart to download our colouring drawings

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A Hidden Gem of Beauty Beauty specialist Beauty By Rosie coming back bigger and better than ever with 25 new colours and a freshly new refurbished cabin! Opening from the 4th July for all your beauty needs, lashes, gel nails - specialising in biosculpture which is the leading gel system, LVL lashes, tinting, waxing, spray tanning, luxury manicures and pedicures.

SPECIAL OFFER

Book in now and recieve 10% off for all new clients booked until the end of July

fashion, HEALTH

& beauty – Fashion, health and beauty news to keep you looking and feeling your best – i m a g e : DAR K LI P S F OR SU M M ER

FASHION, HEALTH & BEAUTY

[ NE W S ]

FASHION & BEAUTY ELEGANT & UNDERSTATED Osterley Collection razors feature an elegant, understated contemporary design. Polished by hand to an impeccable mirror finish simply highlights the subtle linear detailing of this beautiful shaving accessory. An exquisite shaving item, weighty and perfectly balanced for an impressive wet shave. www.wildeandharte.co.uk

SUMMER LOVING This popular everyday tote bag has a Limited Edition interior make over! Still the perfectly sized everyday carry all that you love, but with the added beauty of a hand silkscreen printed lining. Ethically hand crafted with sturdy, cotton canvas dyed using natural pigments extracted from the colourful African soil - each bag has a unique and warm tone. The beautiful striped cotton scarf in ivory is completely handmade using traditional weaving techniques. This beautifully soft, natural ivory scarf is perfect to keep near for all seasons. Keep cosy with it wrapped up snug around your neck, tie the edges together to make an infinity style scarf or style loosely when the weather warms. www.oncewaslost.com

FABULOUS FEET A tingly, soothing treat for sore feet. 100% natural skincare products made with a little help from bees. All the products are made in West Oxfordshire using beeswax, blended with sustainably sourced natural plant oils and packaged sustainably. 5p per sale donated to The Wildlife Trust. www.nevesbees.co.uk

fab florals POSITIVE ENERGY This unique handmade bracelet features a gorgeous blue chalcedony stone. Chalcedony is believed to absorb negative energy and enhance feelings of generosity and goodwill.

A lovely piece of jewellery, special enough to be worn on its own or to with a stack of other bangles. www.aamjewellery.co.uk 5 2 J UL Y 2 0 2 0

Introducing the wrap maxi dress to see you through every occasion. This summery dress comes in a feminine silhouette that will cinch in at the narrowest part of your waist and has flattering angel sleeves.

Featuring a tie-wrap front. The bold colour and striking print will turn heads, whilst the shape and design remain timeless. www.wearthlondon.com

BEAUTIFUL BOTANICALS IRIS is the perfect clutch bag or can be used as a glamorous case for your tablet. The opulent Botanical jacquard is paired with a luxurious soft pink velvet and edged with a deep forest green fringing. All topped off with a decadent oversized tassel! Inside is lined with a vibrant contrasting lime green satin. There are rings inside the bag so you can attach a strap if you wish. Everything we do is made in the UK and is limited edition - we don’t want everyone to be the same now do we? www.charltonisland.com

Dr Claudia Bernat MRCPsych, Consultant Psychiatrist, Ellesmere Clinic, High Barnet.

“It is all too often the case that people arrive to my clinic after years of suffering from long term psychiatric and psychological issues disabling their general capacity of functioning. I believe that after careful investigation, building an achievable treatment plan that is specifically tailored to an individual’s needs, including medication and/ or psychological intervention, there is little reason for the continual suffering endured by some people. It is my aim to establish realistic treatment goals, to resume a good level of functioning and achieve a good quality of life”. Dr Bernat’s special interests are in the areas of Depression, Anxiety, Bipolar Disorder, Women’s Mental Health and Trauma. She can see families and individuals who are going through a crisis and are in need of psychological support. Dr Bernat can conduct assessments in English, Portuguese, Hebrew and Spanish.

020 8441 5241 • 07950 855319 ellesmereclinic@hotmail.com • www.barnetmentalhealth.co.uk

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FASHION, HEALTH & BEAUTY

Cream of Royston O

nce you know your son or daughter is getting married a wedding is just the excuse you need for dressing up. Bride aside all eyes will be on the mums.

Cream of Royston has been trading in Royston for 44 years and is predominantly a special occasion store. The extensive stock on two floors is colour co-ordinated for ease of selection. Everything is available from outfits (sizes 6-24) to shoes and bags, hats, fascinators and lingerie. Brands stocked include Condici, John Charles, Ispirato and Ann Balon.

Less formalwear from Isabella, Frank Lyman and Gina Bacconi is ideal for a day at the races, wedding abroad or guest at a wedding.

Mothers usually purchase their outfits four to six months before the event and customers are given the option to change it if they see something they prefer later, but they rarely do. Once everything gels and you have that wow factor you have found the outfit. It is usual for mothers to co-ordinate with the wedding party. Many brides have a colour scheme for bridesmaids and mens suits and it is a good idea to either blend or contrast with this. It is very important to be comfortable with what you are wearing. A shift dress with a jacket is always a

popular choice because you can take the jacket off in the evening when things warm up. Elegant and slightly understated always works and a hat should complement the outfit. They have to be happy with the final look.

Whilst the outfit must be perfect for the occasion it is important to have the correct lingerie underneath which can alter the whole look of a garment. Cream has a well stocked lingerie department which can be tried with the outfit. A free alteration service is available on all full priced outfits bought in store a fitting being carried out one month before the event, thus ensuring a perfect fit.

Shoes and bags are made in different heel heights in Spain in beautiful leathers and Rainbow Club can be dyed to match the outfit. Feel free to pop in or book an appointment. The Sale shop Occasions for less located adjacent to Cream offers mother of the bride, shoes, bags and hats from previous seasons all at fantastic prices.

Why not pay Royston a visit? There is something for every occasion and budget.

Cream, John Street, Royston. We are following government guidelines and the store is covid secure. Opening hours are 11am – 4pm

MOTHER OF THE BRIDE AND GROOM SPECIALIST Condici • John Charles • Ispirato • Izabella • Ann Balon • Linea Rafaelli • Gina Bacconi • Lewis Henry • Luis Civit

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Live Your LiFe To The FuLL GOOD HEALTH IS

20% GENETIC AND 80% LIFESTYLE

Our philosophy is that good health isn’t about taking pills…prevention is better than a cure.

Our clinically tested, 8 week ProLongevity programme helps people to lose weight, improve wellbeing and avoid or reverse diabetes. We use new technology to monitor real-time blood sugar levels. We provide personalised advice based on your body’s unique data. We then combine these to help you make changes to your diet and lifestyle.

There’s no drugs, no hunger, and no calorie-counting. We avoid traditional approaches that treat symptoms after the damage has been done.

Live your life to the full. Find out how at: www.prolongevity.co.uk To find ouT how iT works Web: www.prolongevity.co.uk • Phone: 01727 834365 Mobile & WhatsApp: 07768-275802 E-mail: graham.phillips@manorpharmacygroup.co.uk

FASHION, HEALTH & BEAUTY

DARK LIPS

FOR THE SUMMER

asks a make-up artist how to get the vampy look.

Prudence Wade

A

s summer approaches, we tend to put our winter clothes away and bring out our warm weather outfits. The same ethos is often applied to our beauty bags: when the sun comes out, we pack up our dark lipsticks and eyeshadows in favour of brighter colours.

However, this doesn’t always have to be the case. While you might associate berry lipsticks with autumn and winter, designers like MaxMara and Rick Owens made a strong case for darker pouts this season. It’s a surprising choice for the spring and summer months, but still totally wearable. It’s a way of experimenting with make-up without having to draw anything wacky on your face, or even learn any new techniques.

Admittedly, you don’t want to look like Morticia Addams did your make-up in the middle of summer, which is why we asked Stila’s lead make-up artist Sascha Jackson for her top tips...

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Preparation

dry skin,” advises Jackson. It’s not like you need fancy new products to get soft, smooth lips, because there are plenty of home remedies which work just as well. The make-up artist has a few favourite DIY methods of her own, saying: “You can use some lip balm and an old toothbrush and gently scrub your lips until super smooth. Or, my personal favourite is making my own home-made lip scrub using coconut oil and brown sugar (if you only have white then that’s fine too). Mix them together in a small pot and work into the lips for a minute or two, then wipe away. Your lips will be super-smooth and soft.”

For super-hydrated lips, you might be tempted to use lip balm or oils before applying lipstick, but Jackson warns against this as they “may hinder the performance of your lipstick - so make sure you wipe away any excess product”.

With any type of make-up, it’s important to prep your skin properly so the products glide on seamlessly. The same logic applies to your lips - and priming them is even more important when you’re wearing a bold, statement colour.

“First, exfoliate your lips to get rid of any excess

Luckily, applying lipstick is one of the easiest things you can do in the world of make-up - all you need to do is draw the colour onto the shape of your pout.

Application

“With any type of make-up, it’s important to prep your skin properly so the products glide on seamlessly”

M&S Matte Lipstick in Berry, £10

Burt’s Bees Lipstick in Russet River, £9.99, Holland & Barrett

However, Jackson says: “The bolder colour, the more precise you will need the finish to be” - so you might want to try something different than just swiping on lipstick. She suggests using a lip brush or a small, dense eyeshadow brush: “Load up the brush, then start by lining your lips, as you would a lip liner. Lining first makes sure you have crisp, neat edges. Then, you can then fill in the middle and any gaps - making sure your lips are evenly coated with product.”

Illamasqua Antimatter Lipstick in Turntable, £10 (was £20)

Finishing off the look Jackson calls this trend for darker lips a “welcome change from the usual summery shades of corals and pinks. But wearing a darker, bold lip in the summer months needs adapting from how you would perhaps wear it in the winter season, to make sure it keeps within the summer vibe.”

This means you need to think about how your dark lip pairs with the rest of your make-up. Instead of going for a smokey eye, Jackson says: “I love pairing a dark berry lip with a contrasting pop of colour on the eyes. Nothing bold or crazy - just a bright eyeliner or a wash of a pastel shade will do.

Think of wearing a dark berry lip with a yellow eyeliner, or pairing a deep burgundy brown lip with a wash of turquoise shadow.”

She also recommends using bright and summery make-up for your skin. “Keep everything light and glowy,” Jackson suggests. “Try using an illuminating primer under your foundation, use highlighter on the cheekbones and high points of the face, and try to keep textures to a cream formula, as opposed to matte powder. This will make sure it sets off against the darker lip and ties in nicely with summer fashion and trends.”

Bobbi Brown Lip Color in Blackberry, £24.50

SUQQU Vibrant Rich Lipstick in Hanasumi, £30, Harrods

Stila Shine Fever Lip Vinyl in Supercharge, £17

Axiology The Bullet Lipstick in Infinite, £24, ASOS

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STRAPPY SANDALS

FASHION, HEALTH & BEAUTY

A pair of sexy, ankle-tie sandals is a must-have this summer. Katie Wright reveals her top picks.

I

f you make one purchase from the shoe department this summer, it has to be a pair of strappy sandals - but not just any kind.

The focus is firmly on the ankles this season, at least according to the catwalks, where skiny straps, ropes and ribbons of all kinds were wound round models’ legs.

At JW Anderson, the rope-ties of flat sandals were wrapped round trouser legs too, proving the transitional power of this trend - but now that we’re heading into summer proper, it’s all about bare legs and sexy sandals.

That doesn’t mean you have to totter around on stiletto heels, however. Take your cue from Toga SS20 with Nineties-style square-toed flats, or chunky ‘flatforms’ for a bit of height with maximum comfort.

As for stilettos, there are plenty of party-ready options out there too, from rainbow-bright hues to metallic tones with chain detailing.

Spurred by the catwalk focus on natural materials such as raffia, espadrilles with extra-long ankle ties are making a comeback too.

Whether flat or wedge, neutral toned or in a summery bright, they’re perfect for pairing with floaty dresses or linen shorts.

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Dune Monique Pink Spaghetti Strap Stiletto Heel Sandals, £52 (was £70)

Topshop Black Wrap Sandals, £26.10 (was £29)

Miss Selfridge White Short Sleeve Organic Cotton T-Shirt, £6.80 (was £8); Black Ditsy Hem Mini Skirt, £16; Exotic Skinny Ankle Tie Sandal, £13.50 (was £18)

Air & Grace Ibiza Natural Raffia Espadrille, £99

oliver bonas Rope Tie Black & White Studded Sandals, £49.50

New Look White Leather-Look Ankle Tie Flatform Sandals, £25.99 River Island Gold Chain Ankle Barely There Heeled Sandals, £45

Shoeaholics Collection Cadiz Yellow Wedges, £24

“There are plenty of party-ready options out there too, from rainbow-bright hues to metallic tones with chain detailing”

HOME &

PROPERTY SPONSORED BY

Expert property solicitors for all aspects of residential conveyancing. www.slatergordon.co.uk/property

– Keep it local for everything house and home – I M AGE : B LUE ROO M

H OME & PROPERTY

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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

Marrakech Design tiles

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 6 4 J UL Y 2 0 2 0

When contemporary Scandinavian design meets traditional cement tiles, the result are striking.

Renowned architect trio Claesson Koivisto Rune has designed numerous patterns for Marrakech Design, among them with the awarded winning pattern Dandelion.

Find us locally at: Tiles etc., European Heritage and Kent & London Find us on Instagram: @marrakechdesign

Bespoke luxury spaces tailored just for you nordikka.co Nordikka Interiors, Blinding Bifolds Showroom, The Dutch Nursery, The Great North Rd, Brookmans Park, Hatfield, Hertfordshire AL9 6ND E: info@nordikka.co

M : 07738469691

H OME & PROPERTY

Top considerations for an indoor pool

S

o, you’ve decided on an indoor swimming pool, what now? There are many questions to be answered and decisions to be made along the way, attention to detail and precise planning is crucial when designing a successful swimming pool and pool house. Origin have the experience, knowledge and delivery expertise to bring your vision to life. They work with you from concept to completion and manage the entire process, taking you through every step.

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 stand alone pool houses and extensions, a few of which have been listed below: Stand alone pool house advantages: • A space to escape away from the home • Typically most cost efficient • Can be a focal point of a garden design • Can be easy to build under permitted development rights • Reduced disruption to your household over the course of the build • Separate social hub

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“There are advantages and disadvantages to both stand alone pool houses and extensions”

Disadvantages: • Distance from the house, notably in poor weather Pool house extension advantages: • Your indoor pool becomes another recreational area of your main home • Ease of access when the weather is poor • Convenient way to incorporate swimming into your everyday life and daily routine Disadvantages: • Typically increased cost due to matching existing materials and additional adjoining work to the existing property • More advanced dehumidification systems are essential • More disruption during construction • Usually requires a formal planning application Will you need planning permission?

For a pool house in your garden it’s more than likely that you won’t need planning permission.

In the majority of cases as long as the pool building is freestanding, complies to the permitted development design criteria and your permitted development rights are intact - you won’t need it.

Almost without exception, a pool house extension to your home will need planning permission.

Origin have a wealth of experience in gaining planning approval for indoor pools in listed buildings, areas of outstanding natural beauty, conservation areas and they also manage the whole process for you so, no need to panic!

Do you start with an architect?

Simply put, no because Origin do it all. We are fortunate in the UK to have some of the best architects in the world but specialist architects with working knowledge of an indoor pool environment are very rare. Architects are extremely well versed with domestic construction details, but unfortunately an indoor pool is very different. An architect can provide you with 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.

However, Origin’s team of experts provide initial design sketches and a budgetary proposal free of charge in their feasibility studies.

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

important part of a pool design. They retain heat, reduce running costs and some provide a level of safety, making them a necessity rather than an option.

When thinking about adding different features of pool design to your indoor swimming pool, it’s important to remember your motivation for the pool in the first place. Are you looking to create a place of wellness and relaxation? Your own fitness centre or a new social hub for friends and family?

The additions of gyms and bar areas make great use of the space and allow you to take your pool house to the next level, these elements will transform the space into the social hub of your home but keep in mind, it will increase the size of the building and hence drive costs up. Items such as a corner spa are a fantastic addition, whether used relaxing after a hard days work or after an invigorating swim, they add an extra dimension to the pool complex. When adding a sauna or a steam room it is important to remember these typically lead to a larger building where circulation space is also key.

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.

Which aspects of pool design have the biggest impact on cost?

Size is an obvious one as setting your heart on a 25m pool would be a significant investment. The most popular size for an indoor pool is between 8m to 12m, if you’re an avid swimmer and wanting an indoor swimming pool for practice and training, there are some excellent counter current swim devices available making the size of the pool less important.

Buying a swimming pool cover is one of the bigger investments you’ll make throughout the whole process but they’re well worth it as they’re an J UL Y 2 0 2 0 1 9 6 7

H OME & PROPERTY

your new Hertfordshire bathing mobility specialist

A

re you struggling to use your existing bathroom? Perhaps your mobility has decreased, and you can’t manage that step into the bath or shower anymore?

Bathing is essential to health and wellbeing and it’s important that you can live independently in your own home. If it’s time to make changes to your bathroom, it makes sense to speak with a specialist.

When using the Bathing Mobility Advisory Service (BMAS) Hitchin, you really are in expert hands.

Unlike some bathroom companies, our sole focus is bathing mobility and we are passionate about helping people bathe safely in their own home.

BMAS appreciates the investment you are making in selecting a new wet room, mobility shower or bath. You are looking for an enhanced, safe bathing experience and a better quality of life, and our bathing mobility experts are here to help you choose the right solution that suits your needs and budget.

The biggest concern our customers have expressed is that we’re going to give their bathroom a look better suited to a hospital than a home – this isn’t the case! BMAS bathrooms are both practical and stylish and we offer multiple design options so you can choose something that matches the rest of your home.

“BMAS bathrooms are both practical and stylish so you can choose something that matches the rest of your home.”

We don’t believe in ‘package’ bathrooms, as we know that every customer is different with individual requirements. Which is why we offer a free design consultation service so we can find out all about you, with absolutely no obligation of course. Your new bathroom will be entirely bespoke 6 8 J UL Y 2 0 2 0

and designed around you to create a safe and suitable environment.

Then let us take care of every aspect related to creating your perfect, safe easy-access bathroom.

You won’t be dealing with multiple contractors or strangers in a call centre. Our aim is to make the whole process an enjoyable experience for our customers and we pride ourselves on our high level of personal service.

All work is completed on time by our own tradespeople who will minimise disruption to your daily routine and leave your home clean and tidy.

We remove all rubbish at the end of the project and your bathroom is signed off personally by Lee Brand, the BMAS Hitchin manager. We won’t disappear when the job is done; your satisfaction is paramount.

Be inspired in our new Hitchin showroom You can now view our quality products and workmanship close up in some beautiful displays.

Our experts will be pleased to talk through your ideas and offer advice to get your plans moving!

BMAS, 67 Hermitage Road, Hitchin Open Monday-Saturday (please check website for opening hours) 01462 889 097 herts@bathingmobility.co.uk bathingmobility.co.uk

H OME & PROPERTY

Start with the foundations and build out

B

eginning any home interior project can be, at first, quite daunting. Hours are spent on Pinterest or flicking through interior magazines seeking an inspirational start point, or discovering a much loved item which underpins a project. Once a theme is sighted, building strong design foundations enables the room or space to take shape with greater direction and clarity.

During the course of the past surreal months, we have all huddled in the comfort of our homes. This has seen us begin to reassess our own environments with fresh, optimistic eyes as we begin to re-emerge and desire to create further comfort from our dwelling.

Whether it’s building a functional home working environment, or creating a cohesive living experience to draw the family together, each require a grounded canvas upon which to hang an interior design. Scandinavian, Industrial, Mid-Century, or Transitional are all emerging themes for 2020 / 2021. Each hold distinctive colours, shapes, and textures. Walls and floors are the foundation of all such spaces.

As tile specialists we are introduced at various stages of a project. We identify appropriate surfaces to fit within our client’s specification and design aspirations. Whilst we hold a wide selection of products spanning a spectrum of materials from wood and concrete to marble or stone, we have also risen to the challenge of identifying specific product requests discovered during the research stage of our clients interior vision.

Our product is made from highly durable porcelain. They are digitally printed with intricate designs that stand the test of time. Alongside the

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prints, where a raw material holds texture our ranges can include such characteristics. This generates a tactile identity and reconnects with the natural source.

From hexagons and triangles, to large slab sheets we are continually building our porcelain portfolio.

We can support all projects, from an artisan splashback to a continual floor surface spilling into the great outdoors. We continually strive to meet all our clients’ diverse needs ranging from essential products to making new discoveries.

With ten years experience with the Architect and Design community in London, Astwick Tiles are an independent business, developed to solely serve residential projects. Our Design Specialists are available to assist at any stage of your interior vision.

If you have a space in mind and require a floor or wall surface please visit our showroom in Astwick, Stotfold, where we will be delighted to have the opportunity to inspire and assist you.

The Old Dairy, Church Farm, Astwick, Stotfold, SG5 4BH 01462 520 772 studio@astwicktiles.co.uk

“As tile specialists we are introduced at various stages of a project. We identify appropriate surfaces to fit within our client’s specification and design aspirations”

Radlett Premier Bathrooms

info@elliottoflondon.co.uk

64 Watling Street, Radlett, WD7 7NP Tel: 01923 850444 | Fax: 01923 850456 Email: sales@radlettpremierbathrooms.co.uk www.radlettpremierbathrooms.co.uk

H OME & PROPERTY

Kitchen Transformations Transform your tired kitchen in as little as 2 days from start to finish...

AFTER

before

I

t’s so easy… Swapping the doors and drawer fronts will dramatically change the look of your kitchen, giving you an amazing transformation without the stress, upheaval and mess that comes with a traditional refit.

Dream Doors offers you a one stop shop for all your kitchen needs with a huge choice of doors worktops, sinks, taps, appliances and accessories.

The Kitchen is the Heart of the Home. Not only does it serve as the most functional room in the house but it is usually the most social one too, but whatever your lifestyle is it any wonder so many of us spend time planning our dream kitchen?

AFTER

before

“A new kitchen is said to add an average of between two to five per cent to the value of your home” We offer a personal service to help you realise your dream from start to finish.

A new kitchen is said to add an average of between two to five per cent to the value of your home and with Dream Doors you can change as little or as much as you want. From a simple facelift - replacement doors, a new worktop and perhaps a sink we can transform a kitchen in just a couple of days! Everything is installed by our local skilled tradesmen, the rubbish removed, and a new kitchen ready to use in the blink of an eye.

We can also provide a completely new bespoke kitchen should you prefer, and to help you visualise your dream create a computer aided design for you to see it come to life.

So whether you are looking for a quick transformation or a total redesign, Dream Doors has it all. For ideas and inspiration give Dream Doors a call and let them bring your dream to life.

Call 020 8429 3556 and speak to Tohid or Marek to arrange for your free no obligation quote.

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“From the first meeting I was very impressed with his knowledge.

The fitter was very polite and professional. I am over the moon with finished result.”

– Customer base in Ruislip

“This was a big job changing worktops/ door fronts / tiles and a new floor. Guys where polite and where good workers.

Job was finished to a high standard.”

– Customer in Stanmore (Customer feedback from Checkatrade, score 9.7 out of 10)

QUALITY KITCHEN MAKEOVERS FROM

DREAM DOORS

Simply replace the doors and worktops!

Our showroom is open now. Visits by appointments only.

20% discount

until 17/08/2020

DO yOu DREAM Of A nEw kitchEn?

*On new orders only. Valid on doors and laminate worktops. Valid on orders more than £3500 including VAT

H OME & PROPERTY

Trent Park by Berkeley Homes A collection of new homes in a historic location

T

he one, two and three-bedroom apartments and two, three, four and fivebedroom houses at Trent Park, Berkeley’s development in Enfield, North London, are set across a beautiful collection of refurbished and new homes in Trent Country Park.

The Grade II listed buildings include the historic mansion house and orangery, both of which will be restored and repurposed. In the 1920s and 30s, owner Sir Philip Sassoon entertained many celebrities, politicians and members of the aristocracy at Trent Park including Sir Winston Churchill and Charlie Chaplin. Later, his son, Edward Sassoon entertained guests with flights over Trent Park after tea. He was the first person in the UK to privately own a plane, building his own aerodrome to house his pride and joy, the Percival Q6, a 1930s British communications aircraft.

Trent Park offers a wealth of stately amenities at The Lawn Club, including an elegant open-air swimming pool, a state-of-the-art gym located in a beautifully-restored orangery and open-air tennis courts.

The expansive landscaped gardens which surrounds Trent Park has a rich influence by both the world famous landscape designer Humphry Repton who laid out the lake and parklands surrounding the great house in the late nineteenth century and later by Norah Lindsay a renowned

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garden designer who was commissioned by the socialite Sir Philip Sassoon in the mid twentieth century.

Ideal for busy parents, some of the most renowned and aspirational schools in the UK are located in the development’s surrounding area.

Trent CE Primary School is located two miles away and Grange Park Prep School a seven-minute drive away.

Help to Buy is available on selected homes.

Assisted Move is also available at Trent Park; it doesn’t matter if you are moving to a larger home or downsizing. Once you have chosen your new home at Trent Park and if you haven’t yet put your existing home on the market, Berkeley will appoint three independent selling agents to value your existing property. Its team will then work closely with your chosen agent to give you the best chance of selling your property within an agreed timescale.

Priced from £565,000 for a one-bedroom apartment in Highfield House, and from £1,295,000 for a four-bedroom house at The Wisteria. Call Berkeley on 020 3797 8033 or visit www.trent-park.co.uk

Do you ever dream of owning your own pool or spa to enjoy on hot summer days?

At Crystal Leisure Pools in Bedfordshire we make it a reality for homeowners every day!

Based in Shefford, we work across most of England installing pools and supplying spas and hot tubs to private homes, we also carry out commercial swimming pool installations to health clubs and sports centres. We provide a comprehensive service helping design and plan your new pool with you. As well as carrying out a complete installation to the highest quality standard including extras like lighting, solar covers and supply of pool chemicals.

Please call for latest information regarding opening times due to the ever changing covid-19 situation

Crystal leisure Pools ltd 1C St Francis Way, Shefford Industrial Estate, Shefford, Beds, SG17 5DZ Tel: 01462 819003 Fax: 01462 819001 Email: enquiries@crystalleisurepools.com www.crystalleisurepools.com

H OME & PROPERTY

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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 7 6 J UL Y 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

The drivewayS and paTio company www.hertfordshiredriveways.com

Come home to quality...

driveway inSTallaTion

Thinking about a new driveway, modernising or improving your front of house? Our experienced team can provide you with a complete service from the initial design through to finished article.

Driveway anD patio Design anD installation!

Free surveys anD quotations!

The block paving, reSign bound and naTural STone SpecialiST Having over 25 years of experience within our home improvement sector, we have built an unrivalled reputation for the quality of our installations and the care and the service provided to our customers.

As well as experienced and professional driveway and patio installers, we also work alongside leading governing bodies within our industry. Being approved installers of Marshalls, Bradstone and Brett landscaping, we are able to give all our customers the peace of mind that carrying these accreditation’s deliver. Our approved status allows us to proudly and confidently service Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire and North London with decades of design ideas. We can offer a vast range of product choices and solutions to all size and manner of installation requirements.

The approved specialist

paTio and garden ServiceS

Being more than just professional hard landscapers, we provide a complete service that offers garden and patio design. With a free consultation backed by skilled craftsman, we can create the outdoor space that you have always dreamed of.

oTher ServiceS

We can also add the finishing touches to your new garden or driveway project, including services such as raised kerbing, steps, sleeper walls, Landscaping for natural or artificial lawns, and also a range of quality fencing products, to name but a few.

Call today without obligation to arrange a free survey and written quotation

Tel: 0800 112 3920 / 0333 577 3920 Caxton Point, Caxton Way, Stevenage, Herts, SG1 2XU

H OME & PROPERTY

Tye Architects : Case study S

ettled in the open countryside in Buckinghamshire this house is nestled in a secluded rural location, reflecting its surroundings of mature woodland. The setting and elegant simplicity were paramount to the design of this house.

The brief was to provide a dwelling which responds to its context in materiality. A simple palette of carefully selected materials includes the use of stone from the earth on the lower level and timber on the floating box of the upper level, enhanced by a green tinted series of panels to provide transparency and reflect the surrounding plot-scape.

With clean geometric lines, the floating first floor cantilevers and balances on the ground floor, providing long reaching views from the master bedroom and several short distance views of the plot from the other bedrooms. This architectural element pulls you into the site and allows you to marvel at its geometry and weightlessness.

The lower floor is grounded by the strong stone element; the roofing detail of the first floor floats, gliding with the frameless glazing.

Approaching the house, the glass enhances the large open spaces. The open plan ground floor connects from the front entrance area through to the rear garden and a horizontal expanse of glazing connects the rear living spaces to the garden-scape to the rear.

Vertical electronically controlled louvres to the windows provide solar shading and privacy shading to the bedrooms. Wooden sliding door panels, some recessed and hidden in the walls allow for

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areas to be discretely closed off. The house is fully equipped with a home cinema room and an outdoor amphitheatre. A sunroom in the garden provides an area for outdoor living where you can sit outside in a sheltered area at different times of the day and enjoy the views of the house and the landscaped garden.

This project is energy efficient and environmentally friendly with ground source heat pumps providing the heating and hot water. To further reduce the carbon footprint, the house is also equipped with solar panels and low energy lighting.

This dwelling was designed to create an elegant, contemporary family home with an open plan layout that is an environmentally sustainable, contextually relevant and timeless concept.

H OME & PROPERTY

Moneyhill Interiors Welcome back to our Showroom, what great news – open again!

M

oneyhill Interiors are back to service the demands of Clients fed up with an inadequate kitchen, old appliances and non functioning areas ! Celia from Moneyhill says the demand for home offices is really what is driving the return to improving your home – its seems many Clients are thinking of not going back to their Head Offices ! Media pieces and soft seating areas in the kitchen are also in demand

“We have been able to use Zoom to present schemes when some clients do not want to come into the Showroom”

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where the whole family can get together.

With the great technology we have, we have been able to use Zoom to present schemes when some clients do not want to come into the Showroom, although we are obviously able to socially distance with ease due to our size. Our German kitchen Manufacturers managed to produce kitchens all through the shut down along with our Italian manufacturer Dada. A few weeks ago our English production by Davonport was restarted and we have just installed two large kitchens for Clients who are now delighted to finally be able to use their new extensions. We can source most of the major appliance names, and specialise in appliances from Sub Zero & Wolf, Miele, Quooker and have a working Aga on display.

Here at Moneyhill we offer a truly bespoke

H OME & PROPERTY

service, from start to finish. We work very closely with our Clients and are able to produce fabulous drawings and CAD Design and offer full service drawings if required for Builders etc.

70% of our Client base comes from recommendation – happy Clients are more than happy to tell their friends. We have owned Moneyhill for the last 16 years says Celia, and now find we are happily designing new kitchens or bedrooms for Clients moving or extending.

We are very excited about our mix of product

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too, with an eclectic mix of materials and finishes we are able to source product from around Europe or wherever we feel appropriate. Our range of materials and colours are what makes our projects so individual, from huge new builds to small cottages or apartments.

Our web site is constantly updated but is a very good reference, showing many of the different designs and styles available. Brochures can also be downloaded this way. However, nothing beats the experience of seeing and touching our furniture, and we welcome Clients to the showroom for a coffee, cup of tea or just a chat.

Please do call or email for an appointment – we will be delighted to welcome you, or welcome you back, to a great friendly environment that really can change the way you live!

Showroom hours 9-5pm Monday to Friday, Saturday 10-4pm, other times by appointment.

Moneyhill Interiors Ltd., 1 Moneyhill Parade, Uxbridge Road, Rickmansworth, Herts.

WD3 7BQ 01923 773906 www.moneyhillinteriors.com celia@moneyhillinteriors.com

CALL FREE: 0808 301 9552

homecountiesloftladders.co.uk

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Enhance the value and beauty of your home

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ith lockdown measures now easing, our showrooms are as keen to see you as we imagine you are to start your exciting home projects. To celebrate a return to trading and the summer months being in full swing, we are offering a 10% discount off all our timber windows and doors throughout July.

As one of the most important decisions you will make for your home, choosing the most appropriate windows and doors is likely to take both time and quite possibly, a fair bit of research. Walk down any street in England and you can tell, almost instinctively whether the doors and windows of a home really suit the structure of the building. When the windows are wrong, it is blindingly obvious, but when they have been chosen well, or the original style preserved, the effect is often simply beautiful.

For many homeowners, restoring the integrity of the original structure is paramount, whether the home is a country cottage, a Victorian semi, 8 4 J UL Y 2 0 2 0

a modern townhouse or a converted barn, we are dedicated to the supply and installation of beautiful timber windows and doors. We’re passionate about wood, with our suite of products leading the market in the breadth of application, uniqueness of design, quality of construction and performance in use.

Our collection has been carefully and sensitively tailored to complement the English home, with attention to detail at the centre of everything we do. Unlike timber windows and doors of old, our products will not twist, will not rot, require minimal maintenance, and have high levels of security and insulation to ensure there is no need to sacrifice beauty for comfort.

From authentic sash windows and casement windows to front doors, stable doors, French doors, smooth gliding patio doors and folding sliding bi-folding doors, our range has it covered in both traditional and contemporary styles.

We have stunning showrooms in St Albans, Amersham and Olney, where you’ll be greeted by friendly staff, offered expert advice and experience a perfectly relaxed, unpressured environment. Pay us a visit to see and experience the beautiful products on display; we look forward to welcoming you. www.timberwindows.com

SPECIAL OFFER: SAVE

10%

“Our collection has been carefully and sensitively tailored to complement the English home, with attention to detail at the centre of everything we do”

home H OME & PROPERTY

LUXURY LIGHTING:

A new collection from Nicola Schellander

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uxury glassware and lighting designer and manufacturer Nicola Schellander has unveiled a new collection of bespoke hand-blown and hand-cast glass lighting and interior accessories.

Nicola, a multi-award-winning designer, draws on her years of experience in both the glass and crystal industries to create her unique, elegant designs including lights and chandeliers.

Inspired by a gap in the UK’s lighting market - which in the main relies on mass-produced imports - Nicola uses the finest craftsmanship to produce exquisite hand-sculpted designs which are customisable to the buyer’s own specifications.

Nicola said: “Perhaps contrary to popular belief, you can do anything with glass, and I realised this was a real niche.

“It’s a fascinating material. As part of my work I might mould it, cut it or curve it into shapes using a whole range of different implements. I can hand-sculpt and reheat it over and over to tease out different designs each time. The possibilities are endless.”

She added: “With the vast majority of lights in the UK they appear the same from every angle. I create my designs, so they give a different perspective from different angles. Each one is handmade rather than manufactured from moulds, to give them their uniqueness.”

Nicola counts interior designers and private buyers among her clients and says much of her enjoyment comes from demonstrating to them just how fluid glass can be.

She said: “Sometimes the fluidity of glass can be a real revelation to customers. So, when they first come to me they might be limited in their idea of what they want from me. In general, the majority might have an idea for a moulded design as generally that is what they

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have always been used to seeing.

“But when I talk to them about all the other techniques I can use and the styles I can create they get really excited. It’s a great part of the process as this is when the ideas between us come alive. They really can get involved in the design process – even if they don’t have any idea what they want we can start from scratch. We might use a mood board and work on a brief together before I put some ideas together for them to see.”

“The unique collection is available in 18 different colours, with 14 different flex colour options” Nicola’s lights are designed for kitchen counters, kitchen islands, dining tables and restaurants and are also ideal as a cascade in a stairwell or a hallway.

She is also collaborating with a company to work on adapting the designs for bathrooms which is an emerging trend. The designs can then be made to IP45 bathroom lights standards.

The unique collection is available in 18 different colours, with 14 different flex colour options, but Nicola said she can also mix and match colours and create new colours to order.

Her creations are designed so that customers can choose to hang them on their own or in twos or threes or more. They can be mixed with different shapes, sizes or different colours, or can hang from different heights, for a more dramatic effect.

“I find that more and more of my clients are looking for customisable goods,” Nicola said.

“The majority of customers today want to know they’ve played a part in designing their home. I design my products so they can personalise them. They can stack and change, choose their own colours, there’s a lot they can do so whatever it is they decide to buy for their home they have a real input and can put their own stamp on the design.” www.nicolaschellander.com

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Orchid Court: Opposite Watford Junction Station; an iconic new development – Stamp Duty Paid during July 2020*

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fter a successful post-lockdown launch for the long awaited Orchid Court, the month of June proved to a busy and positive period for reservations.

Orchid Court is a selection of one, two and three bedroom apartments situated in the heart of Watford. Whether you’re a first time buyer, second stepper or simply looking for a home that offers flexibility, you’ll find what you are looking for here.

The development; built by renowned and award- winning developers Signia, is situated within a prime location being only 320 metres from Watford Junction Station where fast trains run direct to London Euston in just 19 minutes making it perfect for your commute into work.

The 79 private apartments are finished to a high specification and are designed to maximise light and space. They benefit from having secure underground gated parking, three lifts giving access to all floors (including the car park), grand communal entrance, large garden and recreational area, contemporary kitchens with quartz worktops and fully tiled bathrooms featuring Hansgrohe brassware.

With each apartment benefiting from a utility cupboard housing a washer-dryer and offering further storage solutions, video entry phone, full 10 year LABC Warranty and selected apartments also have balconies or terraces. The apartments including the one beds are all larger than your average size, so viewings are highly recommended.

If you need some downtime you can pop down to the Town’s spectacular Shopping Centre which is under a mile away and take your time to peruse a host of new shops and eateries in the Cafe Quarter. For something a bit more luxurious you can treat yourself by taking a trip to the 5 Star Grove Hotel Golf and Spa which is just minutes away and set within 300 acres of stunning Hertfordshire countryside.

Watford itself is seeing over £1 billion of investment which will create a bright and modern 21st century town and a major business, retail and cultural destination. The regeneration includes a host of new public spaces that will set the stage for outdoor music, arts and entertainment.

The show apartment is now available for viewings by appointment only. Prices available from £299,950, with anticipated July move-in dates. We are offering stamp duty paid on all reservations throughout July*. To secure your appointment at the iconic Orchid Court please contact; Imagine New Homes in advance on 01923 608373 or email newhomes@imagine-group.co.uk. *T&C’s apply 9 0 J UL Y 2 0 2 0

PROPERTY HOME & PROPERTY

Blue Room: PANTONE’S 2020 COLOUR OF THE YEAR We’ve found 10 ways to give your home a beautiful blue injection, to take it from dull to dazzling in 2020 and beyond... words: Gabrielle FagaN

Splash out on a statement seat “The popularity of blue is down to its versatility.

Blues are easy to live with and simple to pair with other colours,” says Charlie Marshall, founder of furniture company, Loaf. “Plus they don’t really ever go out of style, unlike some bolder, fleeting of-the-moment shades. “If you want to make a real statement, then a sofa or love seat in a blue fabric will add real wow-factor to a sitting room.” If you’re baffled by blues and its many hues, Marshall advises checking out blue interiors on Pinterest and Instagram. “It will help inspire you and show you how the colour works,” he adds. “Experiment first, before you invest in a large item, by updating inexpensive, smaller accessories like cushions and throws, or introducing an artwork that features a blue palette.”

Take flight with blue “Classic Blue is a strong, honest colour that gives you a feeling of being anchored when you look at it,” declares Anna Jacobs, one of many designers inspired by this year’s blue palette. “There’s nothing frivolous about blue,” she adds. “This timeless colour will outlast through multiple trends. It also makes a fantastic base colour for many colour schemes, as it will support and enhance bright colours, while enlivening neutrals.”

Go grand with majestic blue Bold decorative designs in rich dark blues will add a touch of grandeur that could turn your home into a little palace. “Although it may be considered a bold choice for walls, Classic Blue is surprisingly versatile,” points out Alex Whitecroft, head of design at I Want Wallpaper. “It can be styled in many ways to achieve different looks. Deeper shades of blue can look regal, so add a splash of opulence to your living space with a quirky feature wall, such as one papered with a Rasch Portfolio Peacock Print.” Alternatively, for a contemporary vibe, he advises geometric prints with metallic detailing.

Think blue & take two Splashing out on the home may not be on the agenda - but you can easily add a fashionable dash of blue by styling up with a couple of affordable accessories. Give a sofa a smart, new look with a cosy throw, and invest in that most useful of occasional seats - a plush pouffe.

Dream in blue Colour blocking is another chic way to introduce Classic Blue while creating visual interest, enthuses Rebecca Snowden, interiors style adviser, Furniture Choice. “Painting a blue band on the lower half of a wall, and having the upper half ivory or white, is super effective” she says. “Take the colour up to less than half the height of the room and paint the larger proportion in ivory or white. This will 9 2 J UL Y 2 0 2 0

“Blues are easy to live with and simple to pair with other colours”

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make the wall appear higher and is ideal for making smaller, low-ceiling rooms look airy and more spacious.” Blues are perfect for rocking a coastal vibe, she points out. To channel this look, Snowden suggests pairing the shade with light wood and natural materials like rattan or jute, and completing the effect with sea-inspired artwork.

Feast on blue A deep blue tone brings a summer vibe to any room, which is calming, relaxing and ideal for an eating area. Combine fresh white and blue with a pared-back contemporary interior, free of clutter, and let the colour sing in the space.

Transform a tabletop A successful table setting is one which is a visual feast for the eyes, but doesn’t compete or clash with colourful food, allowing the meal to star. Serve up delicious shades of cool blue in tableware and contrast with a pure white tablecloth, or for a more rustic feel, display on a richly grained wooden table.

Guarantee a blue skies outlook Add drama and luxury to a room by dressing windows with new curtains in a deep blue shade, reminiscent of velvety blue skies. “It’s amazing how blue can transform a home, and a sophisticated, deep, dark blue for curtains and Roman blinds will not only be dramatic and striking but will ramp up a feeling of cossetting comfort,” says Susan White, group marketing director for blinds and shutters specialists, Hillarys. Their Onyx Magma curtain and Roman blind range, in a blue-toned marble effect print, starts from £276, Hillarys.

Make an open & shut case

“Brightly coloured shutters make for a fantastic alternative to a feature wall,” says Chrissie Harper, customer experience manager at California Shutters.

“Full height or solid shutters work particularly well painted in a bold shade, instantly creating a major statement. Classic Blue is striking but not anchored to a season, so the shade will make your home feel cosy during the colder months but bright and open when days are lighter and longer,” she adds. The company has a colour-matching service, which gives you the option to match your shutters to your wall so you can achieve an impressive all-over look for a room.

Quick step into blues Interior designers always plan the floor before the walls, because they know the impact it can have on a space. Carpet or flooring in a deep, rich hue could lead your scheme and make your wall colour choice easy, as it should merely complement the floor.

“Carefully considered flooring is the perfect way to introduce blue in a subtle yet stylish way,” says Anna Del-Molino, buyer at Carpetright. “Using a deep shade of blue on floors, curtains and walls adds depth and interest to a space. To keep the shade from overwhelming your room, complement with pops of softer colours, such as dusky pink, grey, or rich oranges, and reflect the light with gleaming metallics.”

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Mano r V i e w, F i n c h l e y, n 3 A chain-free five bedroom 1920’s home offering extension potential and a west-facing garden.

Semi-detatched

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T he owners loVe “We added a loft conversion many years ago, and planned to add a side and rear extension”

F reehold

“The location; minutes from the train station, shops, supermarkets,schools and Stephens House & Grounds”

“Finchley is the perfect medium between living in a green, safe neighbourhood but being able to get into London so quickly”

Scott Henderson

Senior Branch Manager Finchley Central Office

£1,200,000

T: 020 8346 0102 E: N3@martyngerrard.co.uk

Tudo r c lo se , M i l l h i l l , n w 7 A four bedroom detached home situated within a gated development offering a 100 foot south-facing garden.

Detatched

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we’ Ve noTic ed…

• This home is in a great location whether your need is the over ground via Mill Hill Broadway or for the road and bus networks • This home has the potential to be extended (STPP).

F reehold

Gregg Cruder Branch Manager Mill Hill Office

£1,450,000

T: 020 8906 0660 E: NW7@martyngerrard.co.uk

H OME & PROPERTY

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�

bathrooms of distinction

The art of bathrooms: from inspiration to installation

Beautiful Bathrooms, Unbeatable Prices Europe’s Leading Manufacturers on Display

SHOWROOM 020 8440 1106 18-19 Green Hill Parade, Great North Road, Barnet, Herts EN5 1EU email: Neil@aquarooms.co.uk