Life Magazines (Kent editions) May 2019

LUXURY HOME RENOVATION GUIDE

Est.1960

GARDEN BUILDINGS

Beautiful Garden Rooms. What would you use yours for?

The offer is valid from 1st February 2019 - 31st May 2019

Ex Vis ce it l, us Lo a nd t G on ra , 4 nd th De to si 12 g ns th L o f iv e M ay

WELCOME TO OUR

MAY ISSUE

THE TEAM PUBLISHED BY THE FISH MEDIA GROUP LTD

17, The Broadway, Old Hatfield, Herts, AL9 5HZ, UK 0844 800 8439 www.thelifemagazines.com

Get this issue online

© All Rights Reserved. Life Magazines are copyrighted and may not be reproduced in any form either in part or whole without written permission from the publishers. Whilst Fish Media Group Ltd. takes every reasonable precaution, no responsibility can be accepted for any property, services or products offered in these publications and any loss arising therefrom. Whilst every care is taken with all materials submitted to Life Magazines, the publisher cannot accept any responsibility for the loss or damage to such material. Fish Media Group Ltd. reserves the right to reject or accept any advertisement, article or material prior to publication.

Opinions expressed are strictly those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the views or policies of Fish Media Group Ltd. We accept no liability for any mistakes and no responsibility can be taken for the content of these pages.

Editor Faye Manning ••••• Editorial Assistant Katie Miller ••••• Sub Editor Ben Jones ••••• Fashion Editor Lewis Casserley ••••• Design & Production Lisa Wade ••••• business development managers Tim Lees, Lisa Westerman ••••• SALES Vanessa Lane, Anita Hill ••••• Accounts Kathy Manning, Andree Georgiou ••••• Directors Rory Smith, Patrick Smith

CONTENTS OUT & ABOUT

13

FASHION, HEALTH & BEAUTY

39

LUXURY HOME RENOVATION & INTERIORS GUIDE

53

We put fantastic local businesses and exciting events in the spotlight each month Fashion, health and beauty news to keep you looking and feeling your best

From a small home improvement to a full scale renovation, our guide features the best local interior designers, builders and tradesmen to create the perfect home

0844 800 8439

www.thelifemagazines.com

39

D to esi 12 g ns th L o f iv e M ay

e bn d Se teexmt erdO f pt xtben O3efdf S V e Ex is ptem eenrd 0tf ce it emb d3e0d l, us e Lo a beer dt nd t G 3 r 0 on ra 30t , 4 nd t

I N T R O D U C I N G

th

THE REVOLUTIONARY BEOSOUND EDGE PREPARE YOURSELF FOR THE SOUND REVOLUTION

bang-olufsen.com

A powerful genre breaking speaker and minimalist design object. A divine circle of audio clarity, precision and beauty. Designed for intuitive touch and motion.

A New Breed Of wireless speAker

BEOSOUND EDGE

beoshop.co.uk LIKE NO ONE ELSE

BANG & OLUFSEN OF BEXLEYHEATH 155 BROADWAY BEXLEYHEATH KENT DA6 7EZ

BANG & OLUFSEN OF CANTERBURY 1A BEER CART LANE, CANTERBURY CT1 2NY

BANG & OLUFSEN OF MAIDSTONE 37 ROYAL STAR ARCADE, HIGH STREET, MAIDSTONE KENT ME14 1JL

0208 303 2760

01227 452451

01622 692893

BANG & OLUFSEN OF SEVENOAKS 47 LONDON ROAD,

BANG & OLUFSEN OF TENTERDEN 7 EAST CROSS,

BANG & OLUFSEN OF TUNBRIDGE WELLS 66 MOUNT PLEASANT ROAD

out & about – We put fantastic local businesses and exciting events in the spotlight each month – image : H E N L E Y R E G AT TA

OUT & ABOUT

[ event s ]

OUT & ABOUT

18 & 19 MAY

Little Gables - Open Garden for NGS ¾ acre plant lover’s garden extensively planted with a wide range of trees, shrubs, perennials etc, incl many rare ones. Collection of climbing and bush roses. Large pond with fish, water lilies and bog garden. Fruit and vegetable garden. Large greenhouse. Open 2pm-5pm. Admission £4, Children free.

Little Gables, Westerham, Kent TN16 1HA

31 may - 2 june

Maidstone Summer Food & Drink Festival The Maidstone Summer Food and Drink Festival will celebrate the best of local, regional, national and international products. In addition to the food market and street food section there will be a feast of entertainment, including live music, craft ales & beers and a number of activities for younger visitors.

Mote Park Kent ME15 7RN

4 june

Tree walk Be entertained by our Estates Manager as he imparts interesrting facts and amusing anecdotes on his fascinating walk. 11am- meet in the visitor centre £4.30 per person advanced booking required Hall Place & Gardens, Bourne Road, Bexley, Kent DA5 1PQ 1 4 M AY 2 0 1 9

OUT & ABOUT

[ event s ]

OUT & ABOUT

11 may

Tonbridge Artisan Craft, Vintage & Gift Fair Fabulous arts and crafts stalls right in the heart of Tonbridge. Open from 10am to 3pm. Free Entry.

Angel Centre, Angel Lane, Tonbridge, Kent TN9 1SF

11 may

11 & 12 MAY

The Little Welly Goes Wild 2019 A day at The Little Welly is jam-packed full of fun and crazy experiences. We choose beautiful countryside locations and using the landscape and natural features design a 3km course with over 30 big obstacles – involving water, foam and of course MUD! But there’s so much more, we have a festival field full of activities, music, live entertainment and seriously yummy refreshments! We love inspiring families to get outdoors, get active and share quality time together whilst having the most fun possible.

St Clere Estate, St Clere Hill Road, West Kingsdown, Sevenoaks Kent TN15 6FP

Quebec House - With map and musket Bring history to life with an historic re-enactment. Join our eighteenth century surveyor as he explains how map makers played a key role in the Quebec campaign. Meet in the Bicentenary room. Check website for latest information.

Quebec House, Quebec Square, Westerham, Kent TN16 1TD

6 MAY

May Day Celebrations Join us for the traditional activities associated with May Day including Morris dancing and may pole dancing. We we will also be crowning our Royal Court complete with May Queen, King, Princessesand Prince! Enjoy live music and a drink from our licensed bar. Open from 10am to 5pm (last admission 4pm).

Kent Life, Lock Lane, Sandling, Maidstone ME14 3AU

6 MAY

Cloisters Bike Ride in support of Heart of Kent Hospice Join us for the 11th Annual Cloisters Bike ride in support of Heart of Kent Hospice and St. Mary’s Church Stansted Fabric and Improvement Fund. You have a choice of 3 glorious circular routes through quiet leafy lanes and charming villages of the North Downs of West Kent. www.thecloistersbikeride.org Stansted Village Hall, Stansted, Kent TN15 7PH 1 6 M AY 2 0 1 9

25-31 may

Chartwell - May half term Exotic Animal Trail Discover Winston’s favourite exotic pets and animals from London Zoo and all around the world hidden throughout the garden on this fun family trail.

Some of them roar, some of them climb, others fly, two of them swim and one of them even hops!

Chartwell, Mapleton Road, Westerham, Kent TN16 1PS

OUT & ABOUT

14 may

Spring Garden Walk Join our estates manager for a gentle 45 minute walk around the hall place grounds. listen as he explains how we ensure we have year round colour and interest and pick up some good gardening tips.

Hall Place and Gardens, Bourne Road, Bexley, Kent DA5 1PQ

[ event s ]

OUT & ABOUT

19 may

Aylesford Farmers Market Aylesford Farmers Market is held at Aylesford Priory between the hours of 9.30am -1.30pm.

There are normally more than 45+ stalls.

Aylesford Priory, Aylesford, Kent ME20 7BX

25-31 may

Emmetts Garden - May half-term Come and explore the beautiful gardens this May half-term with this bird themed trail. Emmetts Garden is home to amazing bird life. Look out for the open bird boxes hidden around the garden to discover fascinating facts about some of the birds which have been sighted at Emmetts, both small and large, and complete activities along the way.

Emmetts Garden, Ide Hill, Sevenoaks, Kent TN14 6BA

4 may

Knole - Guided walks: Spring and bluebells Discover the joys of spring with beautiful views over the Weald on this family walk. This walk will take us along theGreensand Way through Knole’s 1,000-acre deer park to One Tree Hill with its profusion of bluebells.Weather permitting, there will be some great views over the Weald. We will then return through bluebell woods and rural communities to Knole.

Knole, Sevenoaks, Kent TN15 0RP

1 june

Enchanted Children’s Festival 2019 A free children’s community festival set in the beautiful Priory garden’s, Orpington This is a one day event that will allow children and their families to enjoy a free, fully programmed day of arts and creativity with music, performances and loads of free workshops. 10am-6pm.

Priory Gardens, Orpington BR60HH, Kent BR6 0HH

“This informal course provides an eggs-cellent (sorry!) introduction to the popular hobby of poultry keeping”

1 june

Bore Place: Keeping Chickens If you’re considering keeping chickens, curious about what’s involved or are new or inexperienced and would like to gain confidence, this informal course provides an eggs-cellent (sorry!) introduction to the popular hobby of poultry keeping. The course is designed for beginners, so no previous experience or knowledge is required. Adult £59. 10am-4pm Bore Place, Bore Place Road, Chiddingstone, Edenbridge, Kent TN8 7AR 1 8 M AY 2 0 1 9

www.drenchshowers.co.uk +44 (0) 2380 274 945 sales@drenchshowers.co.uk

OUT & ABOUT

2 0 M AY 2 0 1 9

OUT & ABOUT

Phonics in Junior School words: Miss Rachel Hoyles, Year

S

4 Teacher / Read Write Inc Lead

ince 2018, Bishop Challoner has successfully implemented Read Write Inc., a programme that helps children learn synthetic phonics. Across Reception – Year 3, pupils are grouped according to phonic ability which ensures that all phonics lessons are pitched at the correct level and every child is challenged and able to make clear and rapid progress.

Phonics is an important tool to develop reading fluency and confidence, and is essential to all other areas of the curriculum. Teachers and pupils have noticed improvements in spelling, handwriting, grammar and comprehension.

“My spellings have got much better!” – Year 1 pupil “It has made the children more secure in their sounds which they can apply to their other work.” – Year 3 teacher In Read Write Inc. lessons, pupils read lively and attractive books, which are tailored to the sounds

2 2 M AY 2 0 1 9

and words they are learning. They re-read stories to develop fluency and expression, which makes them confident readers.

“The books are fun to read and there are lots of different stories.” – Year 1 pupils Read Write Inc. has five underlying principles (the 5Ps) – Pace, Purpose, Passion, Participation and Praise. These are evident during our morning phonics sessions, where lessons are lively, fast paced and interactive. Passion is evident from both teachers and pupils and since bringing in this programme, pupils are flourishing and enthusiastic about their lessons. Strategies such as speedy reading and Fred Frog, help to maintain their interest and fosters enjoyment.

“It’s fun and Fred Frog helps us to sound out our words.” – Reception pupil The benefits of this scheme have been obvious – achievement and enjoyment. www.bishopchallonerschool.com

“It has made the children more secure in their sounds which they can apply to their other work.”

– Year 3 teacher

For all of your trade and DIY building & landscaping requirements, ideally located between Orpington, Chislehurst and Petts Wood

Your local suppliEr of: • Sand • Cement • Salt • Paving SlabS • SleePerS • deCorative StoneS • toP Soil • Play bark

PLEASE CALL OR EMAIL TO ORDER YOUR DELIVERY T: 01689 821 750 | E: chris@crosswaysby.co.uk Crossways, 101 Cray Avenue, Orpington, BR8 4AA

www.crosswaysby.co.uk

OUT & ABOUT

THE ARTS & ANTIQUES FAIR Olympia, 19-28 June 2019

T

he Art & Antiques Fair Olympia is the UK’s largest and most established art and antiques fair, firmly established as a prestigious highlight of London’s summer calendar. Celebrating its 47th year in 2019, the event is recognised as one of the most prestigious and established fairs in the UK, and an annual destination for over 30,000 discerning and sophisticated visitors.

160 of the world’s finest specialist dealers are showcased here, presenting a wider choice of high quality, vetted art and antiques than any other fair in the capital. Featuring an eclectic mix of pieces drawn from antiquity to the present day, and with prices ranging from £100 to £1 million, Olympia is renowned as an unmissable event for private collectors, art industry professionals, dealers, property owners and interior decorators.

Amongst the 55,000 pieces for sale will be: art, furniture, silver, mirrors, sculpture, ceramics, Art Deco, mid-century modern, jewellery, textiles, glass and photography. Each object will be individually vetted by independent experts. There will also be a stimulating events programme offering a unique and luxurious cultural experience.

The Olympia fair attracts savvy Londoners, collectors and home owners, from the UK and much further afield, looking for inspiration and exceptional works of art. Interior Designers and bloggers are drawn to the decorative and quirky pieces for sale which help to create stylish and very individual spaces. Many of the exhibitors can only been seen at the Olympia fair.

Mary Claire Boyd, Fair Director, The Art & Antiques Fair Olympia, comments: “The Art & Antiques Fair Olympia is London’s original, quintessential art and antiques fair. Over four

2 4 M AY 2 0 1 9

THE DETAILS Thursday to Sunday tickets are priced from £16 in advance and £20 on the door *.

The fair opens at 11am daily.

Closing times vary.

There is a preview on Wednesday 19th June with drinks from 6.30pm – 9pm. Tickets to the preview are £40 For more information and to purchase tickets please visit www.olympia-art-antiques.com *A transaction fee of £2.20 applies Social Media www.twitter.com/ OlympiaAntiques www.facebook.com/ olympiaartandantiques www.instagram.com/ olympiaartandantiques uk.pinterest.com/ OlympiaAntiques The Art & Antiques Fair Olympia 2019 is co-located with the House and Garden Festival which will run from 19 - 23 June.

Clockwise from top left: Peter Spens ‘Winter Oak, Hampstead Heath’ 2018. Oil on board 81 x 122.5 cm £16,400; Hommage a Terpsichore by Salvador Dali. Exhibitor - Hickmet Fine Art; An impressive pair of early 19th century Regency period, Circa 1825. Price in the region of £ 20,000.Patrick Sandberg Antiques; Peter Spens ‘Skate Somerset House’ 2018. Oil on board 35.5 x 34 cm £2,900

decades since the event was founded, we continue to offer a wider choice of high quality, vetted art, antiques, decorative objects, furniture and collectibles than any other event in the capital. This year we are expecting over 20,000 visitors. “ Take a break to enjoy a refreshing glass, or two, of Champagne in the stylish Louis Roederer Champagne Bar located on the ground floor – whether you want to relax and unwind, or reenergize this elegant bar area is the perfect place to enjoy some decadent nibbles and a glass of Champagne.

OUT & ABOUT

Havet Restaurant Fresh food Daily

L

ooking for deliciously fresh Turkish food with mouth-wateringly authentic flavours, amazing quality ingredients, generous portions… and all served in a welcoming, buzzy, convivial atmosphere in the heart of Bromley and Tonbridge? Welcome to Havet Restaurant.

Our ethos is ‘fresh food, daily’ which means we’re dedicated to sourcing the very best produce available so that our talented chefs can create delicious dishes, bursting with flavour.

Everything on our menu is freshly made according to recipes passed to us by our parents and grandparents and given a modern twist. Every dish and menu item is prepared under our roof using the best and freshest ingredients possible, every single day.

We’re up early to go to the markets and bring home only the premium meats and top-notch fresh produce, just as our families have done for generations before us when preparing home-cooked food.

Our expert chefs create meals that are abundant with all the amazing flavours of Turkish cooking.

Combining the sun-drenched flavours of the Mediterranean with the earthy, delicately spiced dishes of the Middle East, we’ve created a menu that celebrates the best of our parents’ homeland.

High quality ingredients mean great tasting food.

Taking our cue from the success of meze dining, our extensive menu is flexible – you can tailor a meal to suit your tastes and mood, choosing your meat and your sides in a ‘pick and mix’ approach that our diners love. At Havet, you’ll find all your favourite Turkish, Mediterranean and Middle Eastern-influenced dishes and plenty of fish and vegetarian choices too. Choose from traditional

2 6 M AY 2 0 1 9

Turkish meze, mousaka, fish kebabs and perfectly marinated meats. Our kebabs are cooked over our traditional open mangal (charcoal grill).

Havet is not about fine dining: ours is a busy, vibrant restaurant with a lot of atmosphere… and our menus reflect that. We may use the best of fresh ingredients and create all our dishes in-house without relying on mass-produced ingredients, but we achieve a balance between offering the very best Turkish cuisine, yet remaining an affordable place to eat.

“We’re up early to go to the markets and bring home only the premium meats and top-notch fresh produce”

havet HaveT aRe pRoud To aNNouNce THe opeNiNg of THeiR THiRd ReSTauRaNT iN Royal TuNBRidge WellS, comiNg SooN!

Fresh Food, modern vibrant dining “We wanted to create a dining experience reminiscent of our childhood mealtimes. The result is Havet: a friendly, buzzing, authentic Turkish restaurant, full of atmosphere”

Bromley: 195-197 High Street, Bromley, BR1 1NN 0208 2906717 Tonbridge: 150-152 High Street, Tonbridge, TN9 1BB 01732 387387 www.havetrestaurant.com

“From the minute you walk through the door your senses tell you what we’re about: freshness, quality food, expertly prepared and cooked and a great dining experience”

OUT & ABOUT

The Waterfront Enclosure during Henley Royal Regatta Wednesday 3rd - Saturday 6th July

Like Nowhere Else LONG-TABLE BANQUET MENU Beginning Smoked Garlic Houmous (v) Lime and Green Chilli Yoghurt (v) Smoked Taramasalata Buttermilk Lavash (v) Harissa Marinated Baby Aubergines (v) Honey and Ras el Hanout Carrots, Pomegranate and Almonds (v) Roasted Butter Beans, Dukkah (v)

Middle Spiced Slow Cooked Rib of Beef Citrus and Herb Spatchcock Poussins Jersey Royals (v) Baby Beetroots, Lemon and Horseradish (v)

T

aking place over four days, Henley Royal Regatta epitomises and encompasses everything that is great about rowing and our British summertime. However, a day out at Henley Royal Regatta is about so much more as well.

An event that grows from strength to strength each year, hospitality for The Waterfront Enclosure is on sale now. Discover a relaxing location and stylish riverside spot to entertain your guests, positioned overlooking the iconic starting line.

Offering a premium but casual base for your visit to the Regatta, relaxation and attention to detail are the order of the day along with stunning dishes to savour whilst watching the best boat racing in the world.

Our creative four course menu is beautifully presented and inspired by the best of local seasonal flavours to fit perfectly with the summer setting.

2 8 M AY 2 0 1 9

Tender Stem Broccoli, Anchovy Dressing

Finish Chocolate, Orange and Cardamom Tart (v) Kalamansi Citrus Meringue Tart (v) Strawberry and Basil Custard Tart

Great British Cheese Board

With thoughtful wine pairing and impeccable service, this is casual dining at its very best and a winning way to entertain friends, colleagues and clients.

The enclosure boasts a well-stocked contemporary pop up bar supported by The Chase Distillery for easy access all day to the best of British drinks.

Escape the crowds in our luxury riverside garden for a game of croquet or outdoor jenga and don’t miss our resident florist’s ever popular flower crown workshops.

Lovers of jazz can look forward to the return of Go with the Flo for smooth sounds throughout the day, perfect to accompany one of life’s simple pleasures – an afternoon tea in the sunshine.

Tickets are selling fast so see booking information and take advantage of an exclusive reader discount of 10% off. Please quote READER OFFER: SAVE WELCOME10 when booking.

10%

‘Our guests had a wonderful time. The staff were great and the hostess was excellent, making everyone feel welcome.

Overall it was a brilliant day.

Thank you very much for your efforts, we are already looking forward to next year!’

– Conveyancing Data Services

Package Details: Wednesday 3rd July £249 + vat Thursday 4th July £289 + vat Friday 5th July £299 + vat Saturday 6th July £249 + vat

All packages include: • Unique Canapés • Arrival Champagne & Breakfast Cocktails • Pop-up Bar • Four Couse Long-Table Banquet • Afternoon Tea with a Modern Twist • Impressive Contemporary Structure • Large Garden area for premium viewing of the Rowing • Relaxed Rattan Lounging Area • Exciting Kitchen Theatre • Live Commentary • TV Screen for Wimbledon • Regatta Programme • Free Parking Please contact the designated hospitality team on 01635 200 200 or email hello@thewildfork.co.uk for more details.

The Wild Fork: The Wild Fork is an Event Bar and Kitchen based in rural West Berkshire.

We specialise in creative, contemporary food and providing a bespoke service for all occasions in locations across the United Kingdom, from treasured Grade 1 listed buildings to historic castles, garden marquee weddings, boardrooms, shoot lodges and pop-up restaurants.

The Wild Fork: unique events delivered with fun and friendly professionalism.

Instagram @thewildfork01. www.thewildfork.co.uk

‘We loved it. Food was great, wasn’t too crowded but most importantly the staff were excellent. Nothing was too much trouble and they were incredibly polite. I thought they were very well dressed unique and even your bouncer was probably the coolest guy there.

The music was also good, but it’s the staff that have client interaction and they were great, so well done.’

–Allenby Capital

The Waterfront Enclosure is undoubtedly the best enclosure on the river. Where else could you get a front row seat to the race’s start while being served the most delicious seasonal menu, gorgeous wines and cocktails.

The ambience is chilled, the vibe is cool, the music sets you up for the day. The team make you feel relaxed from the moment you arrive. There really is no reason you would leave this fabulous enclosure and to top it off, a game of croquet is always a giggle.

Whether you are entertaining clients gathering friends together, we cannot recommend The Waterfront Enclosure highly enough!

–Queenie & Belles Events

M AY 2 0 1 9 2 9

OUT & ABOUT

A WARM WELCOME AT MING

O At the Ming restaurant you can be sure of a warm welcome and fantastic Chinese food.

3 0 M AY 2 0 1 9

“Much thought and appreciation has been given to the art and presentation of the authentic dishes�

ur set menus are specially designed to create a balanced Chinese meal which alternates the fine flavours, sharp, hot, bitter, sugary and salty to the full. The various dishes which constitute the meal follow the organised scheme of colour, flavour and scent.

Much thought and appreciation has been given to the art and presentation of the authentic dishes.

The restaurant has special tables available for your special celebration or business fun and we can cater for groups. The manager on duty at this restaurant will be pleased to assist you with full details.

23 Station Square, Petts Wood, Kent, BR5 1LY Telephone: 01689 820 427 or 01689 828 986 www.mingrestaurant.net

cHinese resTaUranT & TaKeaway peKinG & canTonese cUisine

At the Ming restaurant, you can be sure of a warm welcome and fantastic Chinese food. A perfect environment for a romantic dinner for two, or a place to celebrate or relax with family and friends.

As of 1st June 2019, there will be a small increase in the prices on our menu, this is due to increased costs from our suppliers.

OPEning HOuRS Monday – Thursday: 12pm – 2:30pm & 5:30pm – 11pm Friday & Saturday: 12pm – 2:30pm & 5:30pm – 12pm Sunday: 12pm - 10pm, eat as much as you can 12pm - 4pm (last order 3pm) Sunday dinner evening A-la-carte 5pm-10pm

special offer every Wednesday & Thursday • Whole lobster £15 • (max 2 lobster per group),

• Whole seabass £8 •

UpcoMinG free liVe MUsic: Karen Bizzel 29 MAy

ray lowe 31 July

• half price • Crispy aromatic duck

23 Station Square, Petts Wood, Kent, BR5 1LY Keep up to date with Ming restaurant news and offers via our web site: www.mingrestaurant.net Email: reservation@mingrestaurant.net • Telephone orders welcome: 01689 820 427 or 01689 828 986

FEATURE

Berry Bros & Rudd Extra Ordinary Claret, 2015, by Chateau Villa Bel-Air, Bordeaux, France An iconic own label that’s fondly referred to as ‘EOC’, wine lovers don’t have to worry about making an expensive mistake with this International Wine Challenge silver medal-winner. Highly rated, and Berry’s bestselling wine for decades, it’s from a very good vintage, merlot dominant with ample dark, fragrant fruit, a note of dark cherry, and smoothly textured with a velvety long finish. £16.95, Berry Bros & Rudd

WINNING WINES

Polish up your best stemware and pop the cork on something suitably trophy-worthy, says Sam Wylie-Harris Blossom Hill Pale Rose, Spain Californian wine brand Blossom Hill romped home with Product of the Year Award 2019 in the wine category (voted for by the British public) for their Spanish dry rose - showing how our rose romance is far from fickle and we love to sink this holiday pink whatever the season. “As the UK’s number one rose brand, we decided to create a new style of wine for Blossom Hill, tapping into the popularity of less sweet styles of rose wines. With the awards being voted for by consumers, it’s all the more meaningful to see how many people have been enjoying the refreshing taste of our fantastic pale rose,’’ says a spokesperson for the winery. £6, Tesco

Martini Prosecco, Italy Who doesn’t love a prosecco party? You may as well go for gold and pick this star serve, which the judges took a shine to at the International Wine and Spirits Competition 2018 where it won gold. It also scooped a silver at the San Francisco International Wine Competition 2018. Floral, fruity, and fresh. £10, Asda

Waitrose Gruner Veltliner 2017 Niederosterreich, Austria It may be a dark horse on the grapevine, but gruner veltliner is Austria’s most important wine and this big-name gruner veltliner tastes the part. An A-lister from the Weingut Huber estate, award-winning Markus Huber won a Decanter World Wine Awards 2018 gold for this mouth-watering white, with a beam of bright citrus and greengage fruit, hints of white pepper and a fragrant finish. £7.99, Waitrose 3 2 M AY 2 0 1 9

Greyfriars Rose Reserve Brut 2014, England English sparkling wines are still going from strength to strength, and this multi-award-winning Surreybased vineyard boasts some impressive silverware.

Awarded gold by the International Wine & Spirit Competition 2018, this is what Greyfriars owner, Mike Wagstaff, has to say about this pretty pink fizz: “I would like to thank our amazing vineyard and winery team for all their work in producing this wine. Our Rose Reserve was the first wine we ever produced at Greyfriars, and this is the fourth and best vintage of this truly signature wine.” £21, Greyfriars Vineyard

Champagne Delacourt Vintage Brut 2004, France Excitingly, according to a study by the International Wine Challenge (IWC), bottles of wine labelled with one of their foil stickers can sell seven times more than an identical bottle of wine with no sticker. Elizabeth Kelly, wine specialist at M&S said the store had seen a “great uplift on our wines following the IWC award stickering, especially at the gold and silver level”. Kelly added: “It was interesting to see the results across a range of price points and our new house vintage Champagne, Delacourt 2004, which we were delighted to have won a gold medal - sold 300% more than in comparable stores.” Made for M&S by one of the world’s top winemakers - Elisabeth Sarcelet, winner of Champagne Cellar Master of the Year 2017, and Reims-based champagne house, Castelnau - you can always lie it down if your film doesn’t sweep the board. An outstanding champagne for the price, the gold presentation box adds extra pizzazz, and vintage bubbles have the capacity to age further for a number of years. £35, Marks & Spencer

Here at The Star we only serve the food that we love to eat. Being nestled in the heart of the ‘Garden of England’, The Star strives to source from the wonderful selection of local produce. We love our grub. We’re not visionaries, we’re not food snobs, we’re not aiming for Michelin stars, we just simply want to make stuff that tastes good.

That’s our kind of grub, and if you think it might be yours too, give us a call on 01892 725458 to ask about our specials or to book a table.

We’ll be waiting for you with a warm welcome.

RegulaR events

Wednesdays & Thursdays 2 Courses for £12.00 - 12 - 9pm Thursdays Quiz Night Every 2nd and 4th Thursday of the Month - Booking Essential Fridays £7 Fish & Chips - Eat in or takeaway - All day Sundays Roast lunch served 12 - 5pm - Booking is highly recommended Live Music Various Saturdays through the year. Call us to see.

Open Mic Night every 1st Tuesday of the month.

THE STAR, MAIDSTONE ROAD, MATFIELD, TONBRIDGE TN12 7JR Tel: 01892 725458 email: thestarmatfield@outlook.com www.thestarmatfield.com

OUT & ABOUT

Discover Independent Assisted Living at Birchgrove M

any people in later life can feel increasingly burdened by everyday tasks or by a lack of accessible support, affecting both their wellbeing and their quality of life. At Birchgrove, a rental property development for the over 65s in Sidcup, residents are offered onsite care and support on all aspects of day-to-day life – whilst retaining all their independence in the comfort of their own home.

All apartments are built specifically for people in later life to allow residents to live more comfortably, with large doors and corridors for wheelchair access; waist height appliances in the fully fitted kitchens and walk-in showers. The homes are also pet-friendly, and amenities such as car parking spaces and an onsite guest suite for friends and family allow residents to retain their independence.

“What I love is that there will also be iPads in every apartment,” comments Elizabeth Hills, whose mother Rosemary, 90, is about to move to Birchgrove. “Mum will be able to look up what she wants for dinner on the days she doesn’t feel like cooking. It’s the little things like that that mean so much because they take the worry off.”

Residents will receive one hour’s domestic support every week to help with everyday chores such as cleaning, cooking, shopping or doing the ironing. “Mum was starting to find the day-to-day living stuff was taking all her time,” Elizabeth comments. “She had no time doing what she really likes doing, like pottering in the greenhouse, writing letters, watching television, knitting. Her quality of life wasn’t great, and it will be a lot better.”

Birchgrove has teamed up with homecare specialist Alina Homecare Ltd, which was rated ‘Outstanding’ by the Care Quality Commission, to provide tailored onsite care solutions for residents who want a little extra assistance. Each apartment is linked to a 24/7 emergency call service, so those who need it can be offered immediate support.

3 4 M AY 2 0 1 9

“When I visited I suddenly felt a complete relief that somebody would look out for Mum,” comments Elizabeth. “At the moment she is on her own. But if I’ve got a worry, I will be able to share it with somebody at Birchgrove and they will do something about it.”

At Birchgrove, Rosemary will also be living as part of a friendly community with regular events, hobby groups and trip outs to promote a happier lifestyle. She will have access to many onsite facilities including a restaurant and bar, club room, library, wellbeing and fitness centre, hairdressing and beauty salon as well as communal gardens.

Birchgrove’s Queensgate Apartments in Sidcup offers 74 modern apartments with one, two and three-bedrooms. For more information and to arrange a viewing please visit www.birchgrove. life or contact the team on 020 3929 5599. Those interested in moving to Birchgrove are also invited to visit our show suites to get a firsthand feel of the quality of the homes.

“All apartments are built specifically for people in later life to allow residents to live more comfortably”

OUT & ABOUT

COMMUNITY ARTS

IN THE HEART OF

TUNBRIDGE WELLS

T

rinity Theatre was born out of the community. The building was saved by local groups, converted by local fundraising, and run as an organisation by volunteers. Since then, it has remained a community venue and home for many. Trinity is a registered charity, supported by over 200 volunteers. Simon Collins and Roger Norton have been volunteering with Trinity for many years, working across the organisation: “Volunteering at Trinity is a very rewarding experience, and we are so pleased to have discovered this wonderful place.”

Trinity’s Youth & Learning department continues to offer a range of opportunities for children and young people to get involved on stage, and behind the scenes. Their popular weekly drama workshops have now been joined by Youth Theatre Backstage, a unique opportunity to get involved in the creative process that goes into bringing a show from concept to stage. This summer will see Stephen Sondheim’s blockbuster musical thriller Sweeney Todd School Edition come to the Trinity stage, supported by a young orchestra. Plus, they’re bringing two shows to the Edinburgh Fringe, an exciting first for Trinity. As Jason Lower, Head of Youth & Learning emphasises: “Here at Trinity Theatre, we are proud to place development of the creative and personal potential of young people at the heart of what we do.” At the core of this is Trinity’s Speech Bubbles programme, which this year has worked with 116 children aged 5-7 each week in eight local schools, helping to develop their speech, language and communication skills. Trinity Image credit: Linda Moores RTWAS

3 6 M AY 2 0 1 9

Trinity Encore, with choir leader Jade Cuthbert

is pleased to be partnering with Tom Kerridge’s Pub in the Park festival when it comes to Tunbridge Wells in July, helping keep smaller festival-goers entertained with a range of creative workshops.

Trinity is also the perfect place to introduce younger audiences to theatre. This month, children’s favourite The Very Hungry Caterpillar comes to the stage (Wednesday 22nd May), celebrating its 50th anniversary with a show featuring a menagerie of 75 lovable puppets. Plus, from the delightful storybook of The MakeShift Ensemble comes a new adventure through the deep blue, I am Turtle (Sunday 2nd June). Discover the ancient song of the Sea Turtles as they guide us through shipwrecks and seashells, to sing their song anew when the future of their underwater world is in peril from plastics and beasts of the deep!

Alongside all this, Trinity began Senior Cinema in March 2017, helping to reduce loneliness amongst older local residents by creating regular opportunities to come together and make friends, whilst watching classic films on the big screen.

Building on this success, Trinity has recently expanded its community outreach programme with Trinity Encore, a choir open to anyone living with dementia or other age-related illnesses, and their companions and loved ones. Trinity Encore is a welcoming, informal and fun space for everyone to come together and sing the songs they love.

The project has been developed by Jocelyn Cheek, Community & Visual Arts Manager: “Music and the arts have real potential to bring families, friends and strangers together. Not only is singing good for physical wellbeing, but singing inspires people to live in the moment and truly enjoy themselves.

That has been the most rewarding thing to see and experience with Trinity Encore.” Singing and engaging with musical activity has been proven to be beneficial for physical and psychological well-being in older generations. As one carer remarked: “It is the one activity my mum looks forward to and will happily attend. Each week she is more confident and socialises more!”

To support Trinity’s community arts programme, visit trinitytheatre.net to donate.

“Music and the arts have real potential to bring families, friends and strangers together. Not only is singing good for physical wellbeing, but singing inspires people to live in the moment and truly enjoy themselves.

That has been the most rewarding thing to see and experience with Trinity Encore”

fashion, HEALTH

& beauty

– Fashion, health and beauty news to keep you looking and feeling your best – image : S A N TO R U S

FASHION, HEALTH & BEAUTY

[NEWS]

BEAUTY & FASHION

SUMMER SCENES sent from paradise This statement cross body bag is made from luxuriously soft printed velvet, fastened with a chunky metallic gold branded zip and a detachable metal chain strap to match. All Santorus velvet accessories will arrive in a beautifully presented box that’s perfect for gifting. A re-imagined azure bird of paradise prettifies this petite velvet cross body bag. The compact shape will fit your phone, cardholder and lipstick. Wear it cross body and showcase the detachable signature tassel! www.santorus.com

Treat yourself to a touch of genuine luxury with this beautiful pure silk scarf featuring Sorolla’s Strolling Along The Seashore.

Constructed from smooth silk, this scarf feels fantastic on and makes the perfect accompaniment to any outfit, whatever the occasion. www.nationalgallery.co.uk

WE LOVE This lovely Byako Folded Clutch Bag by Beaumonde. It features a tiger and butterfly design with black zipper and scratch clothing, iridescent black coated lining. www.beaumonde.co.uk

clapham calling

TO THE BEACH This starfish necklace is hand-crafted in fine quality 925 sterling silver with a contemporary brushed finish, adding a tactile element to this design. This nautical inspired necklace would make a perfect gift for the beach lover in your life. www.annabeljames.co.uk 4 0 M AY 2 0 1 9

Cocorose’s new chic metallic pewter ‘Clapham’ loafers are formed from soft, hand-woven, leather strands, delivering a textured feel to the shoes.

These loafers, which come in many different colours, have the zonal comfort for which Cocorose London shoes are renowned and which is found in all the places from which foot agony can emanate – the balls of the feet, the arch of the foot, the heel and the areas on the bridge of the foot where the shoe’s fabric comes into contact with tender skin. www.cocoroselondon.com

BURBERRY BLUSH Subtly enhance your complexion with this lightweight powder blush that adds instant life to cheeks. The fine, ultra-blendable powder is easy to apply and can be built up to create a more intense level of radiance.

Burberry Light Glow 7g, £29, www.lookfantastic.com

FASHION, HEALTH & BEAUTY

New fragrances for Summer Katie Wright

sniffs out this season’s most delicious launches

If you like... lush musks • Chanel Les Exclusifs de Chanel 1957 Eau de Parfum, £155 for 75ml No less than eight white musks are brought together in 1957, named after the year when Gabrielle ‘Coco’ Chanel was at the height of her powers.

Bergamot and neroli add a citrus freshness to the powdery musks, while iris brings a subtle sweetness.

• Jimmy Choo Floral Eau de Toilette, £49 for 60ml, The Perfume Shop (available May 20) Simultaneously floral, fruity and musky, this seductive blend brings together magnolia, nectarine, mandarin oil and apricot flower, floating on a bed of soft amber and wood notes.

• Armani Prive Musc Shamal, £225 for 100ml Inspired by the sand dunes of Arabia, this oriental fragrance brings rose and jasmine into the desert musk mix, warming the floral notes with rich amber and cedar wood.

If you like... rich blooms • Viktor & Rolf Flowerbomb Midnight, £61 (was £71) for 50ml, Debenhams Viktor & Rolf ’s much-loved Flowerbomb gets a nocturnal makeover with this darkly decadent new edition, which marries nightblooming jasmine with patchouli, a pinch of pepper and a squeeze of blackcurrant.

• Jo Malone London Frangipani Flower Cologne, £98 for 100ml As bright and sunny as its yellow bottle suggests, this luscious cologne brings the tropical flower to life with ylang ylang, jasmine and a zingy hit of lemon.

• Diptyque Eau Rose Eau de Toilette, £50 for 30ml The Queen of Flowers reigns supreme in this sumptuous concoction, which teams two of the most fragrant varieties, centifolia and damascena, resulting in a ravishing rose explosion.

If you like... fruity freshness • YSL Mon Paris Parfum Floral, £75 for 50ml Ever heard of the datura plant? Neither had we until we encountered this scent. Centred around this poisonous, nightblooming white flower, Mon Paris Floral adds peach flesh, raspberry and pear into the mix, creating a juicy, fruity floral cocktail.

• Coach Floral Blush Eau de Parfum, £69 for 90ml, FeelUnique Zesty grapefruit and sweet peach leap out from this sprightly scent, while delicate peony and a musky finish round out the composition.

“Mon Paris Floral adds peach flesh, raspberry and pear into the mix”

4 2 M AY 2 0 1 9

If you like... clean and green • Malin and Goetz Stem Eau de Parfum, £75 for 50ml One of two new launches that focus on foliage rather than petals, this green-fingered fragrance gathers together the fresh scents of leaves, stalks and stems, bolstering the verdant elements with earthy musks and woods. If you’re happiest in a greenhouse or potting shed, this perfume will surely appeal.

• L’Occitane Herbae Eau de Parfum, £60 for 50ml Likewise, if you love nothing more than to inhale the crisp aroma of tomato or raspberry leaves, L’Occitane’s Herbae will be right up your street. Based on the wild grasses of Provence, it also includes nettle and bramble, plus a dash of wild rose to balance the botanical notes.

OUT & ABOUT FASHION, HEALTH & BEAUTY

Water

Workouts

Overhaul your fitness and get a nature fix. With warmer weather on the way, Liz Connor reveals how to get in shape while making a splash

W

hen it comes to total-body toning, the beach is your best friend - or the lake or river, for that matter.

As well as being fun, water sports boast a host of health and fitness benefits, and water-based workouts are crazy-good for improving balance, stamina and building muscle.

We don’t need to remind you that getting outdoors during the warmer months summer also means you can get a hit of all-important vitamin D too, which helps to maintain healthy bones, regulate insulin levels and keep your immune system ticking over.

So, while you might usually spend a trip to the seaside building sandcastles or lying on a towel with a good book - why not add in an hour or two of adrenaline-pumping activity? The UK is surrounded by water and has hundreds of inland lakes and rivers, so we really have no excuse not to make the most of our local scenery.

Whether it’s swimming in wild ponds or boarding through the waves, here are just a few calorieblitzing water sports and activities to consider...

Stand-up paddle boarding Also known as SUP, stand-up paddle boarding has quickly become the trendiest summer sport of choice for toned celebs - Katy Perry, Jennifer Aniston and Abbey Clancy are all big fans. SUP is basically a variation on surfing that involves balancing on a board while using a paddle to drive yourself through the water.

It might sound easy, but 20 minutes of driving your paddle against the water’s natural resistance is enough to set your arms, shoulders and back on fire.

4 4 M AY 2 0 1 9

Almost every muscle in the body is utilised in the effort to stay balanced on the board too, engaging your leg and core muscles alongside the upper body.

As it’s relatively low-impact and gentle though, SUP is a great alternative for runners suffering from ongoing shin splints or athletes recovering from injury, as it provides a full-body workout without putting extra strain on the joints.

Kayaking Anyone who’s spent an afternoon in a kayak will know that it’s a pretty killer workout for whittling your abs. Specifically, repetitively paddling from left to right forces the abdomen to twist, creating

“The UK is surrounded by water and has hundreds of inland lakes and rivers, so we really have no excuse not to make the most of our local scenery”

FASHION, HEALTH & BEAUTY

Windsurfing There aren’t many outdoor sports that will be as demanding on your core as windsurfing. As you cut through the waves, you need to use your entire body to steer yourself in the right direction without toppling over into the water (Expect to feel sore and achy after a day of manoeuvring the mast).

The great thing about windsurfing, though, is that it’s much easier to learn than many other watersports - you can usually get up and running on a large beginner’s board with a small sail in your first lesson.

Wild swimming

a similar effect to the brutal Russian Twists you might normally do at the gym.

Kayaking is also a great strength-builder for your arms. Whether you’re an advanced kayaker who’s pounding rapids, or taking it easy on a calm lake, the water’s resistance is a tough workout for the biceps, triceps, shoulders and lats.

Surfing There’s a reason why the surfers you often see riding the waves in Cornwall and Devon all have strong and lean physiques. Not only is the adrenalinepumping sport a really exhilarating way to wash away stress, but surfing provides an intense upper body and core workout that shreds fat fast - as the sport relies on your ability to paddle against the current and jump up onto the board while you’re in motion.

It’s also a mean cardiovascular workout that pushes your heart into its target zone (65%-85%), which enhances your body’s ability to supply oxygen-rich blood to the working muscles.

Wakeboarding A hybrid of surfing and water-skiing, wakeboarding isn’t for the faint-hearted. The daredevil sport involves trying to stay upright on a short, wide board while being towed along the water by a motorboat. Rubber bindings keep your feet firmly planted on the board, and advanced wakeboarders will throw in some aerial tricks and moves too.

It might sound like the boat is doing all the hard work, but you need a decent level of fitness plus strength to be able to master the skill. A huge amount of physical demand is placed on the body, engaging your core and stabiliser muscles as you work to bend and balance on the board. While you’re riding, you twist your trunk to chop and change direction with your legs - helping to build mean abdominal strength that will serve you well in other types of sport too.

4 6 M AY 2 0 1 9

“There aren’t many outdoor sports that will be as demanding on your core as windsurfing”

There’s something seriously addictive about wild swimming; from splashing into a lake on a hot summer’s day to front-crawling alongside bird life, flora and fauna, it can be a great way to wash away stress. As well as being a natural deterrent for stress and anxiety, swimming is a really great total-body workout that can help to build endurance, strength and maintain a healthy weight. Going for dip is also one of the best forms of cardiovascular exercise going.

Wild swimming is very different to swimming in a pool though - it’s absolutely vital to be aware of potential dangers like hidden currents, temperature changes and deep areas that may not be noticeable from the surface. It goes without saying that you should be a strong swimmer, and it’s advisable to take a lesson with a trained instructor, and always take a buddy along before getting into any open body of water.

If you’re not sure how to get started, the Outdoor Swimming Society has an interactive map on its website (wildswim.com) that can help you find a safe local area to swim.

ErnEsto DE La Cruz VaLDEs registered osteopath

Ken Tait

BA (Hons) DHP(NC) MNSHP MNRHP CNHC(reg)

Helping you to solve your problems and issues Bromley and Central London based qualified Psychotherapist Hypnotherapist and Executive Coach, helping people with: arthritic pain • Cramp • Fibromyalgia • Cervicogenic Headaches Joint pains (hip, knee, ankle, shoulder, elbow, wrist) General, acute & chronic backache, back pain Minor sports injuries and tensions • Muscle spasms neuralgia • rheumatic pain • sciatica • neck pain the Medical Centre, sundridge: 173 Main road, sundridge, sevenoaks, Kent, tn14 6EH

07909 397202 www.cruzosteopathy.co.uk

strawberry House Clinic, 12 station approach, Hayes, Bromley, Kent, Br2 7EH

• Stress • Anxiety • Phobias • Quitting Smoking • Self confidence and much more Email: kftait@btinternet.com Tel: 07967 807654 www.kentait.co.uk

FASHION, HEALTH & BEAUTY

Retirement Village Makes Moving Simple T

he Cinnamon Care Collection are introducing stress free moving for new apartment purchasers at Emerson Park, Retirement Village in Hextable, Kent We all know that moving home can be a stressful at any time, but if you’ve lived in your property for a long time and are planning on downsizing to a retirement village, this can increase the stress for not only the purchasers, but the family and friends that are assisting them. In a 2015 survey by Which?

70% of respondents said selling a house and 69% said buying a house were the most stressful life events, only topped by getting divorced at 78%! At Emerson Park we want the move to be as stress free as possible.

We talked to the Residents Services Advisers at Emerson Park to find out what we could do to make the experience easier. They told us that there is often a concern on paying fees and who to contact regarding Estate Agency and Solicitors services. The solution seemed obvious, why not create a simple package to remove these concerns.

Move made Simple* comprises your stamp duty paid, money towards legal fees and removal costs and we will fix your service charge at the rate it is when you move in, so no service charge rises, during the period of your ownership. The Resident Services Advisers can also advise on local estate agents, removal firms and solicitors should you require this.

The team at Emerson Park are dedicated to making the move as smooth and easy as possible from reservation through to completion and your

4 8 M AY 2 0 1 9

“The team at Emerson Park are dedicated to making the move as smooth and easy as possible�

moving in day.

To find out more about Emerson Park Retirement Village and Care Home, why not come along to our open day on Saturday 18th May 2019 from 10am to 4pm.

For further information on Emerson Park Retirement Village and Care Home, please call 01322 515415 or visit www.cinnamoncc.com/ emersonpark *terms and conditions apply

FASHION, HEALTH & BEAUTY

HYDRATE IN STYLE: The LIFE Collection has Landed

A

dding luxe style to eco-friendly, stainless steel drinking bottles, the new LIFE range from onegreenbottle has landed on our website. These cool, vacuum insulated, multilayered, isothermal water bottles include a striking black gloss marble design, aptly named ‘Nero’ and ‘Mid Century Teak’, a bottle with a delectably realistic, matt wood effect finish.

Stunning essentials that are BPA BPS free, durable, tactile, great to drink from, look fabulous and ensure beverages are kept cold for 24 hours or hot for 12. With names such as Libertine, Stormbringer and Copper Cobra, these reusable bottles are a perfect addition to the arsenal of any climate conscious fashionista.

Onegreenbottle is a brand based on a solid ethos, originally created by parent, Heather Nicholson, out of a need to find a drinking bottle for her son to take to school each day that kept water clean, safe and pure. With a background as a research chemist and knowledge of the chemical composition of plastics, she identified 304-grade stainless steel as the most inert, safe and toxin free material around.

From its inception the company has organically grown to offer a wide variety of extremely functional, eye catching, design-led products. In just 3 years it became the foremost supplier of stainless steel bottles into the UK and Europe, offering a product that is durable, practical and honourable to the core. Suppliers are regularly audited for social 5 0 M AY 2 0 1 9

“In this day and age we are all more health conscious and environmentally aware, concerned about chemicals from plastic bottles leaching into our drinking water, worried about the eternal problem of disposing of huge amounts of plastics and plastic debris in the environment”

and environmental compliance and product quality and only the best 304-grade stainless steel is used, ensuring ultimate performance.

In this day and age we are all more health conscious and environmentally aware, concerned about chemicals from plastic bottles leaching into our drinking water, worried about the eternal problem of disposing of huge amounts of plastics and plastic debris in the environment. The Independent reported recently that the average person uses 150 plastic water bottles a year. It is estimated that in the UK 38.5 million plastic bottles are used every day and of these 15 million are not recycled.

“At Onegreenbottle we are not only dedicated to providing toxin free, non-leaching, odour and taste free recyclable stainless steel bottles, but also bottles that you want to be seen with. Available in many styles and for many uses our bottles are vibrant, robust, fashion forward and urban. With some amazing new designs in production they are set to become the sassy water bottle of choice for the health conscious,” says Heather.

There is no doubt that recyclable water bottles as an alternative to single use plastics are not only helping to save the planet, but also saving money in the long run, whilst ensuring that the recommended 2 litres of water a day is consumed and that that water is clean and toxin free. www.onegreenbottle.com

MULTI KENT AWARD WINNING SPECIALIST IN SKIN LESION REMOVALS & REDUCTIONS • Skin tags and age spots • Clear and brown moles • Red veins and blood spots • Milia, syringomas and xanthelasma • Pigmentation and lentigo • MCA - treatment for fine lines and wrinkles • Seborrheic Keratosis Warts

OTHER PROFESSIONAL TREATMENTS • Introducing skin smoothing injections • Semi-permanent makeup - eyebrows and eyeliner • Scar relaxation - improvement to trauma scars • Scalp hair stimulation tattooing for men and women 2019 finalist kent women in business

Gillian has been in the industry for over 30 years and has trained in the UK, Middle East, USA and Europe.

BIAE, ITEC, BABTAC, SPCP, C&G, CIBTAC, MGBT, IDI, IIAA.

APPEARANCES AESTHETICS PROFESSIONAL 07711 067 789

gillian@appearancesaesthetics.co.uk www.appearancesaesthetics.co.uk

Follow Gillian at:

Beauty and elegance Beauty and elegance time after time... time after time…

ROLEX APPROVED WATCHMAKER ROlex Qualified WatchmakeR

We use only genuine Rolex parts in our second Our fully trained with over 50 years hand Rolex watches.

Ourwatchmaker two fully accredited Watchexperience, Makers will will fullyrepair restoreand your Rolexyour WatchRolex restore to its original condition in only two weeks. watch to its original condition in only 1 week.

Pilkington PilkingtonJewellers Jewellers Ltd Ltd.

Established 1970

Established 1970

We repair and service all of these brands and more

39-41 Bexley High Street, Bexley, Kent, DA5 1AB | T: 01322 521664 | W: www.pilkingtons.uk.com

39-41 Bexley High Street, Kent, DA5 1AB | T: 01322 521664 | W: www.pilkingtonsuk.com | Instagram@pilkingtonsbexley

THE LUXURY HOME

RENOVATION & INTERIORS GUIDE

Are you looking to modernise your kitchen, rip out the old bathroom or add a conservatory to create your dream home?

From a small home improvement to a full scale renovation, our Guide features the best local Interior Designers, Builders & Tradesmen to create the perfect home.

INTERIORS

KITCHENS

BATHROOMS

BEDROOMS

CONSERVATORIES

LOFTS

BASEMENTS

WINDOWS

DOORS

FLOORING

RENOVATION & INTERIORS

beautiful garden rooms E

stablished since 1960, Johnsons Garden Buildings prides itself on being one of the largest suppliers of beautiful garden rooms in the UK. We have become a name that people associate with a top quality product, reliably installed by experts and backed up with excellent customer service.

Offering an extensive range of timber buildings to suit all budgets and requirements, Johnsons are also able to offer a bespoke service, meaning that you can design your own building, made to measure.

Our Garden rooms can be used as Summer Houses, Home Offices, Hobby Rooms, Playrooms, Man Caves, She Sheds, Storage solution and Home Gyms, to name just a few!

Whether it’s an extra room to work, play or chill out in, or just a desire for some much needed extra space, then we can provide the ideal solution!

With our carefully selected Garden Room Packages, you can choose the one to suit your

5 4 M AY 2 0 1 9

requirements and with over 30 buildings in many sizes, Johnsons are sure you will find the perfect building.

Double glazing, insulation, electrics and even air conditioning options will ensure your garden building can be used all year round and all available with interest free finance.

Our Free home site visits can put your mind at rest so why not let one of our experienced representatives guide you through the whole process.

We encourage everyone to come and see our fantastic display of timber buildings, fully furnished and lovingly finished.

So come and let your imagination run riot and see how a quality garden room from Johnsons can enrich your wellbeing!

Find your nearest display village at needextraspace.co.uk and let us help make a difference. www.needextraspace.co.uk

“Our Garden rooms can be used as Summer Houses, Home Offices, Hobby Rooms, Playrooms, Man Caves, She Sheds, Storage solution and Home Gyms, to name just a few!”

RENOVATION & INTERIORS

BR FLOORING:

90 Years of Outstanding Quality and Service

B

R Flooring is a family-owned business with branches in Petts Wood and Eltham.

Covering Sidcup, Chislehurst, Blackheath, Bromley and all surrounding locations in South East London, we understand how important it is that you select the right kind of carpets or flooring for your home, office space or business property.

If you want luxury carpets, hardwood flooring or laminate flooring that not only looks good but that also delivers on practicality and your lifestyle choices, you’ve definitely come to the right place.

We also specialise in premium quality vinyl flooring by offering a full range of Karndean products to customers in the local area.

Other solutions include laminate flooring and hardwood flooring in the Van Gogh, Da Vinci, Opus and Tile ranges. With such prestigious names, it’s only right that you would expect these products to be truly special. Everything we do is built around the supply of beautifully-designed flooring of the highest standard.

Karndean offers a state-of-the-art virtual flooring design service that helps you choose the perfect product for your home or office. We also sell carpets and other flooring materials from Westex, Axminster, Amtico, Quick Step, Crucial Trading and Real Wood.

“If you want luxury carpets, hardwood flooring or laminate flooring that not only looks good but that also delivers on practicality and your lifestyle choices, you’ve definitely come to the right place”

90 Years of Outstanding Quality and Service Following a rebrand in 2014, we have extended our reach by supplying carpets, hardwood flooring and laminate flooring for many valued customers in the surrounding Chislehurst, Sidcup, Bromley and Blackheath areas.

With over 90 years of providing great service and value, we have the knowledge and the experience to bring you flooring that truly reflects individual taste and personality.

BR Flooring offer you a desirable range of carpets made from either natural or manmade fibres. There is almost no limit to our vast number of options and we can supply patterned or plain fabrics covering everything from the dazzlingly funky to the more neutral and understated style.

Our showrooms in Petts Wood and Eltham also supply high-end hardwood flooring and easy-to-fit laminate flooring. Both outlets provide you with exceptional choice, honest advice and outstanding customer service. We also offer free estimates and measuring. www.br-flooring.co.uk 5 6 M AY 2 0 1 9

SPRING OFFER up to

15% OFF Karndean

1/2

price Carpets*

plus FREE fitting ** on all carpets

2b/2c, Fairway Station Square, Petts Wood, Kent BR5 1EG Telephone: 01689 822100

216-218 High Street, Eltham, SE9 1BA Telephone: 020 8294 2660

www.brflooring.co.uk *on selected items **Free fitting on minimum order of 10sq metres

RENOVATION & INTERIORS

Beautiful Bespoke Furniture I

f you’re looking for bespoke furniture designed by a team of dedicated experts then look no further.

Ian Dunn Woodwork and Design are bespoke cabinet makers based in the heart of East Dulwich with over 30 years experience working alongside interior designers and architects to create your perfect living space.

Every project is a unique design hand crafted in our workshop and tailored to the clients specification with regular consultations through out the project ensuring the client is happy from start to end.

Sustainability is a top priority at Ian Dunn Woodwork & Design, all our Kitchens and bespoke furniture items are made from our workshop in SE London using wood certified by the forestry council.

With our appliance partners Miele & Bora our design team can help you choose from the latest range making your home more energy efficient boosting your Eco credentials for the future.

“Every project is a unique design hand crafted in our workshop and tailored to the clients specification” Ian Dunn Woodwork & Design also have a superb selection of worktop samples from Cosentino to complete the look of your new bespoke kitchen all available to view in the Showroom where our dedicated team are at hand to offer the best advice.

If it’s not a kitchen your looking for, one off bespoke furniture pieces such as media units and 5 8 M AY 2 0 1 9

drinks cabinets are fast becoming iconic pieces that can move with you to your next home.

Ian Dunn Woodwork and design will be taking part in the Dulwich Festival over 2 weekends in May 11th & 12th 18th & 19th where the very latest Miele Bora and Quooker appliances can be seen in the East Dulwich Showroom along with viewing the work of local artists’ why not come and discuss your project with the design team and book in a consultation.

Voted best in houzz and runners up in K and B designer awards 2018 Members of the Guild of master craftsmen.

Why not visit our website to see some of the latest offers or simply call us to book a consultation to help create Your very own bespoke dream. www.iandunn.com

RENOVATION & INTERIORS

CREATE A WORLD BENEATH YOUR FEET however, some older houses may have shallow foundations, so in order to create a safe living space below, you may need to underpin your property first. If this is the case for your property, then the easiest thing to do is to talk to an underpinning firm or specialist builder who can advise you on feasibility and cost of the job. Remember – while a basement conversion may seem like a dream come true, always make sure that a cellar conversion is a realistic venture for your property before forking out any cash.

H

omeowners don’t always realise that their dusty cellar or basement is actually an extra room worth thousands of pounds, as well as one which can dramatically enhance you and your family’s lifestyle.

This cost-effective craze has been big news in London for a while, where homeowners are keen to use every square foot of space. The main reason basement conversions are really growing in popularity is because basements are normally closer to other communal areas and can be more versatile living spaces that suit modern lifestyles, not just extra bedrooms, bathrooms or studies.

Let your imagination roam free Perhaps the most exciting reason to ‘extend’ underground is that you can really enhance your family’s lifestyle. In the US, basements have long been used as play and utility rooms, but it’s only in recent years that British householders have started making good use of the same space..Your kids can have a giant playroom all to themselves – or you can treat yourselves to a home cinema, a recording studio, or a state-ofthe-art wine cellar to really indulge your passion.

If you own a commercial property it’s also worth remembering your basement could earn you thousands as extra storage, retail space, a car park or even a bar or nightclub.

Are there any financial benefits?

Apart from the extra space for you or your family, a basement conversion can earn you a packet in additional rental income. Most simply, you could rent the converted basement, who would then share the kitchen and bathroom with the family.

Or, alternatively, you could convert the basement into a self-contained studio apartment, with its own front door if so desired. If that sounds appealing, however, you should be aware that you will need planning permission if you plan to create a separate entrance to your home. But even if you decide not to rent out your converted basement, a simple conversion can also add on thousands to the value of your property when selling it on.

Is my basement suitable for a conversion?

Luckily, Victorian houses, and older types of properties which have timber-suspended floors, are ideal for basement conversions, as the work can often be carried out from outside, which means you can easily continue to live in your property while the renovations are taking place. A word of warning,

6 0 M AY 2 0 1 9

Do I need planning permission?

The good news here is that most cellar conversions don’t need planning permission because you are only changing the inside of your property. However, if you choose to add a new entrance or windows at the front of the house, dig an entirely new basement, or need access to dig up parts of the road or pavement outside your home, you will need planning permission from your local council. You may also want to check out the specifics of planning permission for basement conversions in case you want to extend or change your basement structure in the future.

If you live in a listed building, however, then remember that all renovations require permission before you begin any work - even if they are completely out of sight from the outside. This is because the features in listed buildings are protected for historical reasons.

Whether or not you need planning permission, you will need to comply with the current building regulations for extensions - these are simply legal requirements for any new living space, which exist for your own safety.

What are the building regulations?

Any extension that people will use as a living area is covered by building regulations. These regulations are designed to protect the inhabitants from health or safety hazards, and include things like adequate fire escape methods. The most basic regulations for a basement conversion are; ventilation, damp proofing, electrical wiring, safe access, ceiling height and a fire escape route.

Even if you don’t need planning permission, you must get building regulation approval for your basement. These regulations will insist on certain considerations when you are planning your project for example, a door which is at least 30 inches wide is considered fine but a window has to be a certain size, as well as a minimum distance from the floor, in order to be considered safe.

What else do I need to know?

The biggest factors to consider when it comes to converting your basement are underpinning the foundations which we have discussed above, waterproofing or damp-proofing walls, and providing a suitable access point.

RENOVATION & INTERIORS

ONLY THE BEST A

s a small family-run business we aim to provide you with only the best service. Whether you are sprucing up a small downstairs cloakroom or a large en-suite we will help you to visualise your dream bathroom and aim to supply your bathroom on a date that suits you and your installer.

We aim to keep the process as simple as you would like it to be, maybe you want a stress-free design in which case you can email over your pencil drawings to one of my team or myself (email at bottom) and we can turn it into rendered images and a quotation within a couple of days. From there we can change products to either get the quotation to where you want it to be or shuffle the design around to explore how we can make the bathroom more useable. Always keeping our customer’s requirements in the forefront of our minds as we know it’s a bathroom you have to live with for years and we want you to enjoy your bathroom as much as we enjoy creating it with you.

Dealing directly with the highest quality manufacturers, our sales team are in contact with the manufacturers to gain knowledge on their new products and market designs and we are constantly looking through the latest trend bathroom magazines, following what is happening in the

6 2 M AY 2 0 1 9

industry so that we can offer you the best advice.

Our passion is to listen to our clients and help them to choose the products that would both suite them and also make the most out of the space you have. We have years of experience in how to make a smaller bathroom appear larger, also how fitted furniture may convert your space into something more functional for you. We also know about the latest innovative products, basins with Bluetooth speakers, mirror cabinets that can be sunk into a wall, toilets with built in smell extraction.

We take great pride in our displays, and have just completed a major installation of 19 bathroom display settings at our Eltham branch, as well as boasting 12 displays at our Biggin Hill branch, with designs on show for all budgets! The displays at both of the branches are updated every twelve months to make sure we have the latest products on display.

There is nothing more satisfying for me and my team than to be happy in the knowledge that your bathroom is exactly what you wanted even if you didn’t know what you wanted to start with. We are always on hand to answer any questions you may have.

Come and visit us instore or contact us by phone or email. 02088507179 kristjan.lilley@hlilley.co.uk

“Whether you are sprucing up a small downstairs cloakroom or a large en-suite we will help you to visualise your dream bathroom”

MARTIN CLARK BUILDING & LANDSCAPING

Friendly, Professional, Reliable and Tidy.

• Driveways • Patios • Groundwork • Fencing • Decking • Brickwork FAMILY RUN BUSINESS OVER 30 YEARS EXPERIENCE

07411 964597

RENOVATION & INTERIORS

London Road Furniture A new shop in an old location

F

ormerly the Polhill Arms in Halstead for many years the building has been painstakingly restored by the family who own Farningham Oak - long established Kent quality furniture retailers who started their original cottage industry working from an old farm on the edge of the North Yorkshire moors.

“We used to let the customers wander all over our house - except for a couple of rooms and buy anything they wanted and take it away” said Peter one of the Directors - it gave us a great insight into how good furniture is constructed and taught us all about the correct proportions and style which are really important skills and cannot be learned overnight.

This helps us tremendously when customers ask our advice as mistakes can be time consuming and expensive for them. We strive to pass on all our accumulated knowledge to any new members of staff we employ to enhance your shopping experience. It’s always a real pleasure meeting new customers and old who continue to support us.

The restoration project took a long time with

6 4 M AY 2 0 1 9

a very sympathetic and forensic approach being taken – however the results are there to be seen and building is now is a real pleasure to visit and to work in.

Situated on the A225 London Road - access is easy and parking is plentiful in the large car park adjacent to the shop.

The furniture and accessories are carefully selected with both modern and classic tastes catered for. High quality and very competitive pricing has always very important to us and good service comes naturally after over 40 years in the business.

We supply tables, chairs, cabinetry, sofas, bedroom furniture, interesting occasional pieces, custom built pieces and anything else we like the look of. We offer a professional delivery service and over the years have covered the whole of the UK including much shipping overseas.

Visit us! - You will you be very welcome (and not hassled!)

The London Road Furniture Company, London Rd, Halstead, Sevenoaks TN14 7AA; 01959 533433; www.londonroadfurniture.co.uk

01892 886916 07881 532497

RENOVATION & INTERIORS

Is your Conservatory too cold in Winter and too hot in Summer?

BEFORE

AFTER

W

ith over 50 years combined experience in the conservatory business, the directors of iCon Roofs know a thing or two about temperature differences and how to solve the problems many people experience. They pride themselves on carrying out conservatory and building work to the highest standard with all work undertaken by fully trained staff, giving you total peace of mind. They also promise to give potential customers a free, no obligation quotation along with no-nonsense conservatory roofing and insulated ceiling advice.

An iCon replacement conservatory roof is solid, thermally efficient with an outstanding low “U Value”, delivering astonishing results, keeping conservatories much cooler in the summer and much, much warmer in the winter.

The standard polycarbonate or glass roof system found in almost all UK conservatories has virtually no insulating properties, even if roof blinds are installed. This means most of the sun’s heat is conducted in the summer, making the room unpleasantly hot for everyday use. Conversely, in the winter months, it can be impossible to keep most 6 6 M AY 2 0 1 9

conservatories warm, because the same lack of insulation allows most of the heat to quickly escape. iCon Roofs can either install a new highly insulated lightweight complete replacement roof or refurbish your existing that will reduce the level of heat conductance found in an unaltered roof, making it vastly more efficient in matching the temperatures found in the rest of your home.

If you are serious about solving your conservatory temperature blues, then you have just discovered the best solution on the market today! iCon Replacement Conservatory Roofs. An IWA Trusted Installer with a 5 STAR Facebook and Google rating.

Contact info@iconroofs.com or call 0800 00 33 55 today for a free no-nonsense quotation

“An iCon replacement conservatory roof is solid, thermally efficient with an outstanding low “U Value””

Traditional Craftsmanship for Modern Applications

Garages & Outbuildings Glazed Garden Rooms Quality Buildings at Competitive Prices

chartwelloakbuildings.co.uk Call for a quote 01959 447477 Filston Farm, Filston Lane, Sevenoaks, Kent TN14 5JU

RENOVATION & INTERIORS

[NEWS]

INTERIORS find your freedom SLEEK STYLE FOR GUESTS

The Stanley Chesterfield 3 Seater Sofa Bed from Darlings of Chelsea provides comfort with its depth, and class with its stylish appearance. To have guests bursting with envy, place this classic sofa bed in your spare room, your guests will never want to leave. Charming yet contemporary, this sofa bed is an ideal investment for families or for smaller apartments craving that space value. www.darlingsofchelsea.co.uk

feeling fluffy

An installation at Domus Clerkenwell officially launched Eikund to UK audiences and show its never been seen before collection of furniture classics unearthed from Norwegian design archives. A key piece within the new collection is Fluffy designed by Fredrik Kayser in 1954. The Fluffy lounge chair is characterised by its ultra-soft upholstery in Norwegian sheepskin, and its sloping armrests leading you into a welcoming embrace. www.eikund.com

summer loving

New homeware trends are blossoming as we enter the Summer season. Hurn & Hurn have a selection of quirky products that fit in with up and coming trends for Summer 2019. Trends including terrazzo, neon, rattan and maximalism surface the interior world and Hurn & Hurn aren’t short of a few homeware accessories to update any humble abode. www.hurnandhurn.com 6 8 M AY 2 0 1 9

Interior designers are unleashing their inner flower child with boho-chic interiors. This highly eclectic style lets them express their personality freely by creating a lived-in look with their favourite styles and patterns on display. At its core, boho is about freedom.

Freedom to take elements from various sources and blend them together, sometimes with reckless abandon. It’s about finding what works for that particular person and letting the interior ooze a friendly sense of warmth. www.cultfurniture.com

WE LOVE

This quirky Dandy Lion plate from Chase and Wonder – an independent British brand focused on producing only the highest quality designs and products, all of which are made in Britain. www.chaseandwonder.com

PHONE: 020 3247 4328 EMAil: info@maidsin.co.uk WEb: maidsin.co.uk

A MAID SERVICE CREATED BY YOU Maidsin.co.uk was created by the experienced Director of a hotelier cleaning company serving 5***** hotels in the capital for over 35 years.

Our teams of maids have the training and experience to provide the following services, Household cleaning, window cleaning, gardening services and dog walking.

The best thing about maidsin.co.uk is that we know the industry 100%, however this is not enough as we wish to learn what your needs and expectations are. After all, no two houses are the same and so it goes with the owners.

For peace of mind, all of our cleaners are checked by a third party checking company called Onfido and are trained to NVQ level 1 in cleaning and hygiene.

Prices start at only ÂŁ15.00 Per Hour.

fo

rL

ife

M

g

rin

du

rs

de

re a

e

in

ag

az

10

%

ex

cl

us

iv

e

di

M

sc

ay

ne

Ju

&

ou

nt

20

19

LIVING THE DREAM JUST BECAME REALITY

RENOVATION & INTERIORS

Kitchen tours:

the Canham’s Neptune kitchen

W

hat was once a cow shed and haybarn has now been converted into a bright, modern home with an uplifting, classic-meetscontemporary kitchen, designed by Neptune Tonbridge, at its heart.

When you’re about to embark upon a kitchen renovation, one of the biggest set of decisions you’ll face is which company to work with on the design of your kitchen, whether to have it made by them or by a carpenter and joiner, and which builder should install it. But when Jonathan and Suzy Canham moved into their barn conversion home in the Kent parish of Frittenden, they opted for a local brand that specialised in all three areas and would be able to create a kitchen design unique to their home, to make it using natural timber and traditional joinery, and to fit it all too with a reassuring Lifetime Guarantee as a parting gift.

Designing the Canham’s kitchen “The kitchen was very small,” explained Jonathan Canham. “It was split over two levels with a separate utility room. We lived with it for the first year or so, but we were desperate to make it a nicer space to live in.”

Before the Canham’s even started thinking about cabinetry, they decided with the help of their architect friend and Neptune kitchen designer, Vicky, that they should remodel the space, taking down walls to open up the room. Vicky helped them to envisage the bigger picture, advising them at every stage of the project so that not only would their kitchen be aesthetically more pleasing, but it would become a space that was easier and more enjoyable to spend time in every day.

When it came to deciding on how they wanted 7 0 M AY 2 0 1 9

their kitchen to look though, they knew immediately want they wanted. “We walked into Neptune Tonbridge and fell in love straight away with Chichester,” said Suzy. “We also loved Suffolk and the sleekness of Limehouse, but for us, we felt Chichester was the perfect compromise between tradition and today. I was particularly drawn in by the layout and colour of the Chichester kitchen they had on display.”

Everybody has items on their wish list when they decide to get a new kitchen. On Jonathan and Suzy’s was a kitchen island in a different colour to the main cabinetry, a larder, and Neptune’s Cranbrook shiplap panelling for adding texture to their walls. “We got all of that, and I actually got two larders,” said Suzy.

The Canham’s also made the most of Neptune’s bespoke workshop based in their Wiltshire HQ. “There were so many workarounds,” commented Vicky, one of the kitchen designers at Neptune Tonbridge. “I designed bespoke pieces to conceal the fuse box and boiler, and adapted the larders and cooker surrounds too. Jonathan is 6ft 7in tall and does about 90% of the cooking [his statistic not mine!] and so I needed to make sure everything worked with the room but also for them as a family.

We also chose a marble-like quartz work surface so that it was practical and hassle-free to live with, carrying it up behind the hob to act as a splashback.

It has a polished finish so reflects the light beautifully and is a subtle way to make the room feel bigger.”

When asked how to describe their Neptune kitchen renovation, Jonathan used the word ‘perfect’, while Suzy said quietly, “the whole thing has been a bit of a dream actually.”

Book your complimentary 90-minute kitchen design appointment at Neptune Tonbridge. www.neptune.com

“We also loved Suffolk and the sleekness of Limehouse, but for us, we felt Chichester was the perfect compromise between tradition and today”

Get Your branches ✔ Paths ✔ Lopping: Removal of diseased or FREE Quote ✔ Patios problem limbs ✔ Shed Bases Call Today ✔ Indian Sandstone 01322 685685 ✔ Felling: Disease, dangerous or unAs seen in Orpington Connected wanted trees sectioned and removed ✔ All Types Of Concreting ✔ Pollarding: Cut back to main trunk ✔ Cleaning on suitable trees ✔ Re-pointing T&L T & L✔ Trimming: Hedges, Conifers and ✔ Re-sealing LANDSCAPES ✔ Pruning: To reduce removedServices shrubs lowered, trimmed, shaped, Treesize, & LANDSCAPES Garden crossed, diseased and Tree &shaded Garden Services tidied etc.

Over 200 satisfied customers Over 200 satisfied customers in Kent in Kent

Call NOW Office 01322 685685 or Amos Direct 07799 275348

info@tandllandscapes • www.tandllandscapes.co.uk • 16 Northview, Swanley, Kent BR8 7BQ Public liability insurance up to £2,000.000 (RSAP7586699200) Waste Carriers (CBDU250306) Waste disposal at South Darenth Farms, St Margarets Road, DA14 9LB OURLicence SERVICES All Work Carried Out To Your Complete Satisfaction.You are entitled to a 14 day cooling off period. ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓

Paths Patios Shed Bases Indian Sandstone All Types Of Concreting Cleaning Re-pointing Re-sealing Pruning: To reduce size, removed crossed, diseased and shaded branches

✓ ✓ ✓ ✓

Lopping: Removal of diseased or problem limbs Felling: Disease, dangerous or unwanted trees sectioned and removed Pollarding: Cut back to main trunk on suitable trees Trimming: Hedges, Conifers and shrubs lowered, trimmed, shaped, tidied etc.

Call NOW Office 01322 685685 or Amos Direct 07799 275348 info@tandllandscapes • www.tandllandscapes.co.uk 16 Northview, Swanley, Kent BR8 7BQ

Q UA L I T Y B U I L D S S I N C E 197 5

020 8328 3393

info@montila.com

www.montila.com

Free bespoke Interior Design with every build DESIGN I BUILD I FURNISH SpecialiSing in luxury buildS offering a full turnkey Service

RENOVATION & INTERIORS

Twentieth Century Splendour Restored BEFORE

S

et back from the north Kent coast in Birchington-on-Sea, you’ll find Twentieth Century B&B. Over the last year locals have watched its transformation from a tired vestige of a bygone era into a beacon of Art Deco splendour.

Built in 1935 by local builder Chas Hawkes, part of the house was originally his wife Kathleen’s estate agent’s office for housing projects. From the 1960s to 1986 it was owned by screenwriter and playwright Tudor Gates – Hammer Horror; Vampire Lovers; Barbarella – who famously used to hold rehearsals in the drawing room.

The last owner ran it as a B&B and it was during a stay in 2016 that Kat Webb and Spencer Dean Stedman learned it was for sale and decided to buy it. Kat already had a clear vision of how she wanted the house to look, inspired by a dolls house from her childhood.

The building has been extended in sympathy with the original design and completely renovated inside and out. According to Spencer, “We wanted to give it back that authentic look and one of the most important parts, especially for an Art Deco house, are the windows – that distinctive 30s style.”

The original steel windows had been replaced with uPVC in the 1980s which never looked quite right. Choosing Benenden® Conservation slimline aluminium windows from The Heritage Window Company, Spencer explains “The profiling was crucial for us, to get the slim lines and proportions right. I had seen Heritage on C4’s Grand Designs and George Clarke’s Old House New Home. Also we needed an authentic curved bay, an ‘A’ energy

7 2 M AY 2 0 1 9

www.twentieth

centurybandb

.com 01843 84 8632

AFTER

“We wanted to give it back that authentic look and one of the most important parts, especially for an Art Deco house, are the windows – that distinctive 30s style”

rating and dual colouring with turquoise blue outside and white inside.”

Kat adds, “We had a tight time frame. It was all hinging on the windows - they had to go in before we could render and Heritage were flexible on timing. Their fitters were excellent, very hard working and cleaned up after themselves.”

“Everyone loves the turquoise blue windows and the house has been the talk of the village. People come up and congratulate us on what we’ve done.

Passers-by are always looking in. People even stop their cars and get out to have a look.”

For those looking for a 30s themed B&B experience with authentic Deco furniture and bags of history, the house is now back in business. With four bedrooms, themed after notable characters with connections to the house or local area, there’s sure to be something for everyone. www.theheritagewindowcompany.co.uk 0800 840 1508

LS EA T D OU E L IA GH UN EC U J SP HRO Y & T MA

Brand new 19 Inspirational bathroom displays

66-70 Footscray Road, Eltham, London, SE9 2SU | 0208 850 7179 | www. lilleysbathrooms.co.uk

RENOVATION & INTERIORS

HTheomeleigh complete building, gardening and DIY Group

Trading for Over 50 Years

project wherever and whenever you need it. From all types of bricks, varying density blocks and damp proofing through to bulk orders of aggregates, sand, cement and other building consumables we can supply what you need for any size or type of construction project.

DIY and Gardening products Homeleigh will make sure that you get the right tools and quality products to make a success of your home or garden project because they have built a solid reputation across Kent as the place to come to for a superb range of DIY and gardening supplies, they offer excellent value, low cost options for those on a budget to a complete stock of famous brands and market leading products.

Fencing and landscaping Homeleigh can help you to create the garden of your dreams with an amazing selection of fencing & landscaping products. Make your garden bloom with their superb range of fencing and landscaping supplies from attractive block paving to stunning natural slabs, an impressive stock of flag and kerb stones which will fit strikingly into a lovely path snaking across the lawn or choose from a range of colourful rockery stones.

Homeleigh stock a massive, comprehensive range of building supplies including Timber, Bricks, Blocks, Fencing, Tools, Fixings, Landscaping, Aggregates, Plumbing, Drainage, Ironmongery, Decorating and everything you will need for your home and garden.

H

omeleigh’s have been in business since 1966 and have become the go-to builders merchants in Kent with branches in Staplehurst, Cross-at-hand, Aylesford near Maidstone and a new depot in High Halden.

Homeleigh offers a comprehensive range of building materials for the trade and DIY customers.

Because Homeleigh are experts in their field you can trust them to provide the very best in quality and service at competitive prices.

7 4 M AY 2 0 1 9

Aggregates If you need large quantities of aggregates for professional building needs or an attractive selection of gravels, stone chips or decorative shingle, Homeleigh stock a wide variety of materials at highly competitive prices and for the building trade they have everything builders need for any size of project, including high quality building sand, cement and sharp washed sand, they also stock a range of specialist materials with more and more emphasis being placed on using environmentally friendly materials.

Bricks and Blocks Homeleigh stock a wide range of bricks and blocks for building and construction in a range of styles, densities and finishes, they also include reclaimed.

Whatever you’re building Homeleigh quality bricks and blocks will stand the test of time, so whether you need standard or specialist bricks for external, internal, cavity walls, foundations or floors they have a huge range of stock to match your exact requirements. Homeleigh can help you choose the type of brick to match your needs or budget.

Building Materials Homeleigh pride themselves on their fast supply of high quality, building materials of all types, for any

Painting and decorating Homeleigh are the first stop for high quality paints, varnishes, woodstains and painting supplies for all your decorating needs. They will give you all the help you will need with expert advice and highly competitive prices to give you the perfect finish to any painting project.

Plumbing and drainage Homeleigh say that they are the first people to come to for all your plumbing & drainage needs and it’s hard to disagree because they provide a watertight solution to your plumbing or drainage needs and have an unbeatable selection of plumbing and drainage solutions at competitive prices. If you are looking for sanitary ware, tools, spares or sundries and everything you could need for your heating, drainage or plumbing.

Timber and sheet materials Hardwood, softwood, plywood, MDF, C16/ C24 carcassing, doors, mouldings, Homeleigh are there to help. Because they have the complete solution to all your timber, wood and sheet material requirements.

Homeleigh are the leading stockists in Kent of a wide selection of timber, wood and sheet materials for use in the building trade, construction and DIY. For more information visit www.homeleighgroup.co.uk

RENOVATION & INTERIORS

SBI Veranda

Patio Roof Make the most of your patio, terrace, court yard or walkway all year round by enjoying a new Veranda from SBI Ltd.

T

hese stand alone patio roofs have high grade aluminium frames with a choice of clear, opal polycarbonate or glass roofs and they can be designed as ‘lean to’ structures or completely free standing.

Verandas enable you to continue with your party whatever the weather.

SBI also offer a wide range of wind stable, fixed frame retractable awnings that are the latest offerings in design direct from Germany. They can also provide you with traditional awnings, canopies, giant umbrellas, sail shades, screens and all types of internal and external blinds and shutters.

Some of the advantages of owning a Veranda are protection to your expensive garden furniture.

Keep your patio free from frost, snow and ice.

A safe place for you and your children to relax or play as the glazing in the roof helps to stop harmful UV rays. More space to entertain your friends and family and no need to come in doors when the rain clouds gather.

When the sun goes in, you don’t have to, with a touch of a button you have instant heat and lighting that can be turned up or down to suit your requirements. Your Veranda can shelter you from the rain with the addition of horizontal and vertical screens. Screens can be made from double glazed glass units, electrically or manually operated roller screens or simple clip on screens.

What ever you require to cover your patio or terrace we can provide you with a wide choice of contemporary or traditional styles to suit your property and budget.

SBI have been supplying and installing top quality products to both home owners and commercial customers alike since 1998.

We offer a full design and installation service throughout the South East and have a network of dealers that will be happy to serve you through out UK.

7 6 M AY 2 0 1 9

“When the sun goes in, you don’t have to, with a touch of a button you have instant heat and lighting that can be turned up or down to suit your requirements”

THE DETAILS Call SBI for more information: Freephone 0800 0742 721 email sbi.install@btinternet.com or visit the website at www.sbiproductsltd.co.uk to view our gallery of domestic installations or for commercial installations please visit www.shopblindslondon.co.uk

WOOD & FURNITURE SOLUTIONS LTD HIGH QUALITY BESPOKE CABINET MAKING & JOINERY

ALCOVE CABINET, BATHROOM, BESPOKE FURNITURE, LIBRARY, STAIRCASE, TRADITIONAL KITCHEN, STUDY, WARDROBE www.woodandfurniture.co.uk | 07546988592 | Call for free site visit and quote

InterIor DesIgn servIces, Procurement & onlIne shoP contact: faye@hilowinterior.com Website: www.hilowinterior.com

RENOVATION & INTERIORS

Fitzpatrick Roofing Contractors

H

aving been associated within the roofing industry for 40 years, my knowledge and experience covers all aspects of roofing: tiled, slated, asphalte, roof replacements and repairs.

We undertake all work in a tradition manner, using qualified trades people maintaining a high standard of workmanship, complying with british safety standards. We ensure the utmost care and total consideration of the client and neighbouring homeowners/occupiers, whilst works are in progress. Site is always left safe and tidy at the end of each working day.

We have, over the years built up an excellent reputation, due to the high level of workmanship and professional manner in which the works are undertaken.

We do not request any monetary payment before work commences, but do ask for payment in full, on completion of works .

All start dates are adhered to and we guarantee to be on site every working day until works are completed. Adverse weather conditions can sometimes cause inevitable changes to be made.

7 8 M AY 2 0 1 9

“We have, over the years built up an excellent reputation, due to the high level of workmanship and professional manner in which the works are undertaken�

We give professional advice and a fully itemised, free of charge quotation within 72 hours.

References are available from satisfied customers who have had roofing works undertaken by our company.

Tel: 01689 822470 or 07759 225283

Local References Available Payment On Completion

Fitzpatrick

Roofing Contractors Family Run Business

New Roof > Roof Repairs Roof Overhauls > Tile, Slate Asphalt > Felt > Exterior painting 40 Years Experience Within The Petts Wood And Surrounding Areas Friendly Reliable Company

Tel: 01689 822470 • Mob: 07759 225283

• 24 Hour Locksmith • Established over 30 years • Specialising in lock-outs and UPVC door locks • All lock supplied and fitted to British Standard

07702 423 162 OR 01689 831733

RENOVATION & INTERIORS

Introducing Nick from

Plumleys Plumbing Merchant

“M

y name is Nick Plumley and I decided to open my own independent plumbing merchant 16th of July 2018.

Called Plumleys Plumbing Merchant.

I started in the industry over 30 years ago as a fresh faced sales assistant for a national merchant.

With my positive work ethic and enthusiasm I quickly progressed through the company to become branch manager.

It was here that I learned the relevant skills and experience, and gained the desire to open my own merchant.

For several years I postponed my plans due to concerns about it being the right time to enter such a competitive market and being able to fund the initial investment.

Sadly, my mother passed away September 2017.

This made me realise and appreciate that life is too short and spurred me on to reignite my plans for opening a shop.

With a little help from my friends and family I was able to fund my dream and began looking for premises for my new venture.

I have now been trading successfully for 6 months in the heart of Petts Wood. The local community have made me feel very welcome and have given me great feedback complementing the look of the shop and the service provided.

Customer care, quality service and friendly advice are what we strive to achieve on a daily basis.

We also work closely with local trades with the same philosophy, who are able to offer installation services, as well as friendly technical advice.

On display we have a selection of high quality bathroom products, to suit any upcoming projects from large to small.

8 0 M AY 2 0 1 9

We also have a vast stock of plumbing and heating materials to service both Trade and DIY customers. So whether you are a heating engineer looking for a boiler, a plumber looking for float valve or a member of the public looking for bathroom furniture, please feel to pop in for a chat and a coffee any time.

I look forward to welcoming you soon.”

Kind regards Nick Plumley

“I have now been trading successfully for 6 months in the heart of Petts Wood”

www.plumleysonline.co.uk

20% off

of all bathrooms for the whole of May

We are a local Plumbing Merchant based in Petts Wood, Kent and opened our doors to the public in 2018

fiveways fires & stoves

743-745 sidcup rd, new elthaM, se9 3sa (located along sidcup Bypass)

Stay warm with our stunning range of fires and stoves experienced, friendly & family run showroom. hetas and gas safe engineers.

Multi fuel stoves all defra approved, gas fires and Mantles, the new optimist range of electric fires and stoves. open 6 days a week: 10 until 6.

0208 127 4747

www.fivewaysfires. co.uk

www.schmidt-sevenoaks.com