London Life Magazine March 2015

FROM THE

EDITOR

The Chelsea Art Fair will bring some of the best UK galleries to the heart of Chelsea to exhibit at the Chelsea Old Town Hall. Fair director Ben Cooper has selected around 40 of the most respected modern and contemporary art galleries from around the country to show their highlights of original Contemporary works of art.

Sporting history will be made on Saturday April 11th 2015 when The BNY Mellon Boat Race is joined on the Tideway for the first time

by The Newton Women’s Boat Race. First raced in 1829 and 1927 respectively, The BNY Mellon Boat Races are amongst the oldest sporting events in the world.

Gavin Gardiner’s April sale at Sotheby’s will include a major private collection of Royal and Noble owned Victorian Sporting Guns and rifles. The collection comprises 15 guns built for the best known and finest shots of the Victorian age.

This exotic and fascinating souk-like event offers the perfect opportunity to choose a wonderful rug for your home, from the widest selection you are ever likely to find. LARTA is the UK’s only premier specialist fair for rugs and textiles.

Back by public demand Cabbages and Frocks lifestyle market in Marylebone village is putting on another special Dog Day Afternoon.

There will be masses of stalls for you to choose accessories for your pet, and lots of like-minded two and four legged friends to talk to.

This gives you just a small taste of exciting events & articles featured in this month’s issue...

Faye Manning Editor

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SENIOR BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MANAGER Vanessa Lane ACCOUNT MANAGERS Anita Hill, Nicola Drew SALES James Marshall DIRECTORS Rory Smith Patrick Smith

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CONTENTS EDITORS LETTER 3 CONTENTS 11 LOCAL LIFE, ARTS & EVENTS 12 The London Antique Rug and Textile Art Fair 12 Gavin Gardiner Limited In association with Sotheby’s 14 The Bny Mellon 2015 Boat Race 16 ‘Selective Memories’ 18 Art exhibition John Myatt 20 The Chelsea Art Fair 22 The Ivy 24 Shaun the Sheep Festival for Spring at K-ewe Gardens 26 Cadbury teams up with the National Trust 28 Fifty Shades of Thermographic Grey 32 Polo Anyone?

34 Classical Spectacular 36 Daisy Ball Twenty-One 38 Dog Day Afternoon 40 The World’s Greatest Driving Event 42 Chelsea Pensioners agree to open historic Royal Hospital 44 FASHION 46 The Vogue Festival 46 London Fashion Week Highlights 47 Reimagine Cinderella’s Glass Slipper 50 Spring is in the air......to Propose or Not? 52 Spring into Summer 54 The Langham, London Announces Major Investment 56 Bonhams launches its first restaurant 58 From Couture to Perfumery to Mixology 60 The Art of Dining presents...Abigail’s Party!

62 It’s not always black and white 64 NEW HOMES 67 The Property Investor and Homebuyer Show 70 Sting and Trudie Styler Purchase an Apartment 72 in the Battersea Power Station Development Apartments at the world’s tallest residential building 74 EDUCATION 83 Initiative encourages girls to fly not flop to their future 84 The Gold Standard 90 HEALTH & BEAUTY 93 Dr Ariel Haus Introduces Ultherapy 94 Cutting Edge Hairdressing 98 Positively Hungry 101 The Laboratory 102 Bored of the gym? Want more?

106 What’s in the technology?

108 Harley Street Comes to Greenwich with Quinn Clinics 110 HOUSE & GARDEN 113 Are You Sleeping On The Right Bed? 114 First Ever National Open Gardens Day Launched 120 Castle Howard with John Bly 122 Designed For Living Built For Life 124 cornucopia of ideas awaits you at Chelsea Fabrics 128 LOFTS & BASEMENTS GUIDE 135 Extending your home 136 For the latest trend in conversions... look down 138 Why Move? Unlock inspired living spaces beneath your home 140 Dive Down Into A Basement Pool 142 The Cinema Effect 144 Intelligent Design for Basements 146 Going up in the World 148 Simply Loft Making Lofty Ambitions A Reality 150 The NextPhase of development 152 From concept to creation 154 Onwards & Upwards...

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EVENTS

16th-19th April 2015 The Show room Marylebon , e NW8

THE LONDON ANTIQUE RUG AND TEXTILE ART FAIR

T

his exotic and fascinating souk-like event offers the perfect opportunity to choose a wonderful rug for your home, from the widest selection you are ever likely to find. LARTA is the UK’s only premier specialist fair for rugs and textiles A celebration of colour and design in antique rug and textile art, LARTA Fair will open its fifth annual event at The Showroom, off Church Street, Marylebone London NW8.

LARTA is the one occasion every year that UK collectors and aficionados know they can see the widest and best selection of rare and beautiful antique and vintage rugs, carpets and textiles available on the market.

Decorators and the international trade also visit to source items originating from Anatolia and Turkey, the Caucasus, Persia, Central Asia, India and China as well as Europe and Africa. Works are of all periods up to the early 20th century.

A boutique event with twelve specialist exhibitors, LARTA is presented in a souk-like atmosphere, with rugs, runners, embroideries, tapestries, kilims, decorative

12 MARCH2015

textiles and a selection of tribal artefacts such as woven baskets and bead-work.

At no other UK event can you discover more about the skills of woven art and tribal design traditions stretching back centuries. LARTA offers exceptional works, rare collectors’ items and a fine quality array of pieces perfect for decoration, each created in timeless style by artists in the deserts of the Middle East or the peaks of Tibet.

Opening night, April 16th, is the Fair’s Collectors’ Preview from 6pm-9pm (invitation only: apply online to join the Fair’s mailing list).

Following the success of their online initiative in 2014, LARTA Fair opens a virtual viewing system on its website from 6pm the same evening.

The very best items offered at the Fair by exhibitors will be fully illustrated with high resolution images and descriptions together with direct contact details for each exhibitor.

THE DETAILS For more information visit www.larta.net

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EVENTS

Wednesday, April 15th, 20 15,

Sotheby’s

New Bond Str eet, W1A 2AA

Gavin Gardiner Limited

G

In association with Sotheby’s

avin Gardiner’s April sale at Sotheby’s will include a major private collection of Royal and Noble owned Victorian Sporting Guns and rifles. The collection comprises 15 guns built for the best known and finest shots of the Victorian age.

A J. Purdey & Sons 12-bore hammer gun, built in 1871 for HRH Prince George, the Duke of Cambridge – the grandson of King George III and a cousin of Queen Victoria is estimated at £5,000-£6,000, while another example by J. Purdey & Sons - 12-bore bar-in wood hammer gun, built for Lord Walsingham in 1882, one of the greatest shots of his age is expected to fetch £6,000-£8,000.

Two guns by J. Purdey & Sons built for Lord Ripon, renowned as the greatest gameshot of all time include a 20-bore lever-cocking bar-inwood hammer gun, built in 1880 (Est: £10,000-£15,000) and a 12-bore top-lever hammer gun, built in 1868 which is estimated at £6,000-£8,000.

Other Royal guns include a 12-bore bar-in wood patent hammer gun, built by Westley Richards for Queen Victoria in 1869 as a present for her son, HRH the Prince of Wales, later King Edward VII, that carries an estimate of £10,000-£15,000 and a pair of 12-bore percussion hammer guns by Charles Lancaster, built for Prince Albert, Prince Consort and ordered by Queen Victoria as a present.

The estimate is upon request.

14 MARCH2015

Also included is a rare 8-bore hammer gun by John Dickson & Sons ordered by the eccentric Victorian collector Charles Gordon in 1886, and remaining in it’s case with all original tools and accessories,which is estimated at £15,000-£20,000.

Gavin Gardiner says: “I am delighted to be selling this collection, which has been amassed over a lifetime’s collecting, and includes examples owned by some of the most renowned and famous shots of the golden era of game shooting. The names Ripon, Walsingham and Edward, Prince of Wales conjure up images of the legendary shooting parties of Victorian England, these shots were well known to each other, and were responsible for some of the best shooting ever seen. I am honoured to be selling such an important part of our shooting heritage.”

The auction of more than 200 lots of vintage sporting guns, rifles and shooting accessories, is the only sale of Sporting Guns to be held in the heart of London’s Mayfair and will have a strong section of 12-bore Sporting Guns by England and Scotland’s finest makers as well as a good selection of accessories and more curious items.

THE DETAILS For further information, please visit www.gavingardiner.com or call 01798 875300

You can follow Gavin Gardiner on Twitter @GavinGardiner

ANDREI PROTSOUK EXHIBITION

THURSDAY 7TH MAY 7PM 9PM

EVENTS

SATURD AY 11TH APR IL 2015, 4.50pm & 5.50pm

THE BNY MELLON 2015 BOAT RACE S porting history will be made on Saturday April 11th 2015 when The BNY Mellon Boat Race is joined on the Tideway for the first time by The Newton Women’s Boat Race. First raced in 1829 and 1927 respectively, The BNY Mellon Boat Races are amongst the oldest sporting events in the world.

Watched by thousands along the banks of the Tideway, between Putney and Mortlake in London, and by millions more on TV around the world, The BNY Mellon Boat Races are a unique sporting event. With four very strong squads of athletes, expect to see great Races this year.

The Boat Race is an annual contest between two rowing crews from Oxford and Cambridge universities, the first ever race took place in 1829 in Henley on Thames following a challenge between old school friends. Since the second race in 1836 the contest has taken place in London.

The 2015 BNY Mellon Boat Race will be the 161st contest; Cambridge lead the series with 81 victories to Oxford’s 79, with one dead-heat in 1877.

The atmosphere will be building up along the course all day and your riverside walk, lingering lunch or extended session in the pub will be crowned by a sighting of one of

16 MARCH2015

the capital’s great sporting events.

The start of the race is marked by the University stone, a few hundred yards upstream from Putney Road Bridge and for the first quarter of a mile, as the crews pass the historic boathouses of Putney Embankment.

The Finish Line is just a few yards downstream from Chiswick Road bridge and here the crowds on Race Day are as densely packed as those near the Start. What those crowds witness as the crews cross the Line is the ecstasy of the victors and the despair of the losing crew.

On Race Day up to 250,000 spectators crowd the banks of the Thames to witness the action. Remember, all the riverside pubs will be heaving, with the crowds spilling out onto the towpaths. If you’re planning to watch from a pub, arrive early!

There are large screens at Bishops Park, Fulham and Furnival Gardens, Hammersmith which mean you will be able to watch the whole Race before and after the crews have passed. The parks will also feature food outlets, beer stands and merchandising stalls.

BBC1 will be showing the Boat Race live.

For more information: www. theboatrace.org

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EVENTS

Griffin Gallery 21 Ev

esham Street,W11 19th March - 17th April 2015

NATASHA LACROIX & BETTY ROSE MANZETTI

Griffin Gallery brings new generation of French contemporary artists to London with

‘Selective Memories’ S

elective Memories brings together a collection of talented students and graduates from the distinguished l’École Nationale Supérieure des Beaux-Arts de Paris (ENSBA). This exciting new exhibition at West London’s Griffin Gallery investigates the role of art materials within contemporary art practice.

This cultural exchange between London and Paris is made possible by Winsor & Newton, Liquitex, Conté à Paris and Lefranc & Bourgeois, who have been working with students from three ateliers (studios) over the past year. Provided with materials from the supporting brands, the students have developed original work in response to their personal experience of using the materials. The paint, sketching tools and printing inks become catalysts for the individual artists’ unique creative approach, and their works in dialogue with one another form a compelling example of the limitless possibilities of materials and creative imagination.

L’École Nationale Supérieure des Beaux-Arts de Paris is a historic landmark of prestigious grounds, dedicated to the study of all artistic endeavours. Students experience an intensive five-year education; learning from the Masters programmes in their respective fields to better express themselves as budding artists and as individuals. Each year brings new challenges and deepens the students’ understanding of the developing artistic world.

The opportunity to introduce and explore tools and technologies from the latest research in the field of fine art

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materials forms part of the Griffin Gallery’s commitment to developing the careers of the next generation of contemporary artists. The students were introduced to innovative products from water-mixable oils and printing inks, to solvent-free acrylic spray paints, mixable with more traditional acrylic paint. These developing technologies expand the potential of each artist to approach their work with greater freedom and enhance their practice.

Curated by Griffin Gallery Director, Becca Pelly-Fry, the exhibition is centred on the artists’ shared interest in breaking apart traditional modes of creating artworks.

Though their approach is a dynamic mix of abstract, figurative and graphic work, the exhibiting artists are united in their respect for the importance of a foundation in art history. Taking their lead from those artists who pushed the boundaries of their time, each of the artists from ESNBA has developed a clear, independent voice and line of thinking within their practice.

Rebecca Pelly-Fry, Director of Griffin Gallery and Global Manager of The Fine Art Collective comments: ‘This is an exhibition shimmering with energy and potential, it shows the future of contemporary art in Europe with each artist taking selective inspiration from the past to create a new visual language for today.’

THE DETAILS For further information visit www.griffingallery.co.uk GalleryGriffin griffingalleryuk GriffinGalleryUK

EVENTS

John Myatt

Exhibition Can

JOHN MYATT WITH A PAINTING IN THE STYLE OF VAN GOGH

ART EXHIBITION

vas Gallery 14th to 29th March

JOHN MYATT M

yatt gave up his job as a teacher in 1985 to work as a professional artist and attempted to make a living by painting original works in the style of well known artists. He placed an advertisement in Private Eye magazine which read “Genuine fakes. Nineteenth and twentieth century paintings from £150”. He was initially honest about the nature of his paintings, but John Drewe, a regular customer, was able to resell some of his paintings as genuine works.

When he later told Myatt that Christie’s had accepted his “Albert Gleizes” painting as genuine and paid £25,000,

detectives. He quickly confessed, stating that he had created the paintings using emulsion paint and K-Y Jelly, a mixture that dried quickly but was hardly reminiscent of the original pigments. He estimated that he had earned around £275,000 and offered to return £275,000 and to help to convict Drewe.

He had come to dislike the deception and Drewe.

The trial of Myatt and Drewe began in September 1998.

On February 13, 1999, John Myatt was sentenced to one year in prison for a conspiracy to defraud and was released the following June after serving four months of his sentence.

Drewe was sentenced to six years for conspiracy and served two. After his release, Myatt has continued to paint

John Myatt is a British artist and convicted forger who, with John Drewe, perpetrated what has been described as “the biggest art fraud of the 20th century” Myatt became a willing accomplice to Drewe’s fraud, and began to paint more pictures in the style of masters like Roger Bissiere, Marc Chagall, Le Corbusier, Jean Dubuffet, Alberto Giacometti, Matisse, Ben Nicholson, Nicolas de Staël and Graham Sutherland.

According to the police estimates, Myatt painted about 200 forgeries in a regular schedule and delivered them to Drewe in London. Police later recovered only sixty of them.

Drewe sold them to the auction houses of Christie’s, Phillips and Sotheby’s and to dealers in London, Paris and New York.

In September 1995, Myatt was arrested by Scotland Yard

‘RIDING ON THE BEACH’ IN THE STYLE OF ANTON MAUVE

20 MARCH2015

commissioned portraits and clear copies, and has held many sell out exhibitions of his work.

John will be at the gallery on Saturday 28th March to talk about his life and work. Prices from £4950 for original artwork and £995 for signed prints.

THE DETAILS Canvas Gallery 3 Golden Court, Richmond upon Thames TW9 1EU +44 (0)20 8226 5566 www.canvasgallery.com

‘STUDY FOR THE HOUSES OF PARLIAMENT’ IN THE STYLE OF MONET

‘STARRY NIGHT’ IN THE STYLE OF VAN GOGH

KENNETH WEBB A selection of over 30 fabulous new works from this exciting Modern British Artist

17 - 30 April 2015

View the Collection Online www.gladwellpatterson.com

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EVENTS

JONATHAN POCOCK ROSES IONA HOUSE GALLERY

THE

CHELSEA ART FAIR Thursday 16th - Sunday, 19th April 2015, Chelsea Old Town Hall SW3

STEVEN LINDSAY PERSONAL REVOLUTION LIME TREE GALLERY

DAWN STACEY GOLDEN REFLECTION DAVID STACEY FINE ART

SIMEON STAFFORD PICADILLY IN SUMMER CORNWALL CONTEMPORARY

T

he Chelsea Art Fair will bring some of the best UK galleries to the heart of Chelsea to exhibit at the Chelsea Old Town Hall again from Thursday, April 16 to Sunday, April 19, 2015. Fair director Ben Cooper has selected around 40 of the most respected modern and contemporary art galleries from around the country to show their highlights of original Contemporary works of art – many of which will be shown for the first time.

The chic boutique Fair offers a wide selection of well-known artists and some new discoveries and includes flat as well as threedimensional works with prices up to £50,000.

Popular with collectors due to its rigorous selection process, the Fair is also ideal for those visitors starting to buy art as it encourages to take their time to look around and talk to dealers in a relaxing, contemporary atmosphere.

Galleries exhibiting include Cornwall Contemporary, Lighthouse Gallery, Art World Gallery and White Space Art from the South West and Bristol-based Lime Tree Gallery and Muse Sculpture Gallery from Gloucestershire. Brighton’s Cameron Contemporary Art is exhibiting as well as London and Home Counties’ galleries including Carina Haslam, Neville Contemporary, John Iddon, Sheridan Russell Gallery, Wren Gallery and Putney’s Russell Gallery.

Artists include Simeon Stafford, who was taught to paint at the age of nine and encouraged by Lowry who was a family friend. His paintings are in private collections of HRH The Queen, Tony Blair and many other high profile names and he will be represented by Cornwall Contemporary at the Fair. Scottish artist Steven Lindsay, who can claim a few hit singles in the 80’s with his band ‘The Big Dish’ returned to his roots as Glasgow Art School graduate and is now both a painter and singer/songwriter.

Ben Cooper, the Fair’s director, says: “ Since our revamp three years ago, the Fair has gone from strength to strength and we have very much established ourselves as the London Fair which offers Londoners a fantastic selection of galleries with a variety of works which appeal to a wide range of art lovers.”

There will be some exciting talks on various aspects of modern and contemporary art to give visitors the opportunity to engage more with the art on view.

The Chelsea Art Fair will support the local charity, Children’s Hospital Trust Fund this year and a percentage of specific works of art will go directly to the charity.

THE DETAILS

Open Thursday, 11am-9pm, Friday and Saturday 11am-6pm, Sunday 11am-5pm Cost £6 Up-to-date information and E-Tickets can be found on www.chelseaartfair.org or on Twitter and Facebook.

Tours:There will be several tours around the fair, at a cost of £10, including entry and 50% of which will be going to the charities.

22 MARCH2015

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EVENTS

25th March 2015 at Sotheby’s

THE FAMOUS FRONT DOORS OF THE IVY DESIGNED BY THE ARCHITECTURAL PRACTICE OF M. J. LONG CIRCA 1990 EST. £1,000-£1,500

BRIDGET RILEY THE IVY PAINTING, 1998 OIL ON CANVAS, 114cm BY 72.5cm EST. £120,000-£180,000

JOE TILSON DIONYSUS THE IVY AND THE VINE 1990 EST £30,000-£50,000

An opportunity to acquire a piece of history from world renowned restaurant

Sotheby’s to auction iconic items of legendary significance from The Ivy to benefit Child Bereavement UK

F

rom Harold Pinter to the Beckhams, from Kate Moss to Tom Cruise, internationally renowned London restaurant The Ivy has witnessed countless celebrity moments. Now, Sotheby’s London is delighted to announce the auction of the contents of The Ivy on 25th March 2015 as part of its Made in Britain sale. Items from each of the dining rooms and VIP areas of the restaurant, which have acquired legendary status thanks to the famous diners who have frequented the restaurant, will be sold to benefit the charity Child Bereavement UK. With The Ivy temporarily closing from January until May 2015 for a major refurbishment, owner Richard Caring wishes to share some of the iconic art and memorabilia from the restaurant with those who have been part of its history.

SALE HIGHLIGHTS RANGING FROM Cocktail shakers used to mix drinks for the great and good Bar stools & the mirrored bar itself The restaurant’s ‘top table’, including a complete dinner service and table linen Works of art by some of Britain’s most celebrated artists that have adorned the restaurant’s walls

The auction will feature items ranging from the famous front doors and doormat to the cutlery and glass cocktail shakers, from the iconic stained-glass windows to the napkins that have been draped across many a celebrity’s lap.

Richard Caring commented: “I want the legend of The Ivy to live on, and now that we are making some contemporary amendments I thought it would be a good opportunity to offer people the chance to own some of its history. I’ve often had people tell me that they wish they could buy some of our pieces and furniture and now they can.”

TEN IVY NAPKINS EST. £60-£80

24 MARCH2015

Julia Samuel, Trustee and Founder Patron of Child Bereavement UK, said: “We at Child Bereavement UK are absolutely thrilled to be the beneficiary of this incredibly generous offer from Richard Caring. It will enable us to continue to give the much needed support to families when a child dies or when a child is bereaved and will make a very real difference to many people’s lives.”

THE IVY The Ivy is one of the world’s most in-demand restaurants, a uniquely British institution known throughout the world.

An acclaimed refurbishment in 1990, with oak panelling, stained glass and site-specific commissions from leading contemporary artists, recast it as the grand restaurant of its early-20th century heyday. As then, it is a favourite with the pre- and post-theatre crowd, as well as attracting a devoted clientele from the arts and media and beyond. They come for its unmatchable service, the atmosphere of intimacy and privacy fostered by its Director, Fernando Peire, and for its large and unique brasserie-style menu. www.the-ivy.co.uk CHILD BEREAVEMENT UK Child Bereavement UK supports families and educates professionals when a baby or child of any age dies or is dying, or when a child is facing bereavement. Every year we train c.6000 professionals, helping them to better understand and meet the needs of grieving families. www.childbereavementuk.org THE DETAILS All catalogues are available online at www.sothebys.com or through Sotheby’s Catalogue iPad App

EVENTS

28th March 12th April 2015

Shaun the Sheep Festival for Spring at K-ewe Gardens

C

elebrate spring at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew with Shaun the Sheep - Aardman’s much loved, world famous sheep is flocking to Kew Gardens with an exciting range of family fun for all ages. Shaun will be bringing a host of friends to revel in the Gardens this growing season, celebrating the beauty of nature, encouraging everyone to value and celebrate the British countryside and its wonderful array of wildflowers. On Sunday 29 March 2015 join Shaun and his friends for Kew’s annual Easter egg hunt.

THE SPRING LAMB SPRINGTIME TRAIL Timmy, the little lamb of the flock, is also bouncing around the Gardens! Spend a morning working out who Timmy has been bouncing around with among the spring bulbs and discover what is waiting for you at the end of the trail. This active trail is enjoyable for kids and adults alike – see how many spring flowers you can identify along the way!

THE VEGETABLE ORCHESTRA Come and listen to the beats, drums and seed rattles of a vegetable orchestra in the Princess of Wales Conservatory film room. Musicians from The Vegetable Orchestra will play comedy veggie instruments in a celebration of edible plants. And if spring vegetables are your passion, take the time to visit chef Raymond Blanc’s veggie patch in the Order Beds, which will be filled with the season’s delights.

THE FARMER’S GREENHOUSE The Farmer will be growing his own delights, take a wander around his greenhouse of agricultural goodies and pick up top tips for what to grow at home. Learn more about cacao farming and pop in to visit Shirley the sheep, a fellow chocoholic, who will be manning the cacao tree in the Princess of Wales Conservatory.

26 MARCH2015

SHAUN’S MADCAP MEADOW A springtime meadow of British wildflowers, seasonal bulbs and grasses await you. Dive into an assortment of family activities including: wellie wanging, which involves throwing baby wellies at scarecrow farmers to knock off their heads, the Sheep Hopper Maze, where kids can bounce around a maze of hay. Bitzer’s Sheepdog Trials where you will assist Bitzer‘s buddies herd, bounce and roll Shirley back into her pen. Pop-up stores give you the opportunity to create your own Shaun the Sheep with a Shaun the Sheep toolkit.

FROM BEAN TO CHOCOLATE BAA Make and take home your very own Shaun the Sheep embossed chocolate baa. You can learn about the importance of the cacao tree, and the chocolate making process. Please note that additional costs will apply to this activity.

SPRING AT KEW GARDENS:THE BIGGEST DISPLAY OF SPRING COLOUR IN THE COUNTRY April sees Kew Gardens in full spring bloom, enjoy the stunning beauty of over five million bulbs. The swathes of snowdrops, crocuses, and daffodils provide a riot of colour sure to melt away the winter blues.

The snowdrop collection on the Rock Garden is always worth looking forward to. At Victoria Gate you will be greeted with a sea of over two million blue, white, and mauve crocuses (Crocus vernus), which stretch beyond the Temple of Bellona and towards King William’s Temple.

Daffodils can be seen around the Temple of Aeolus (from March).

The 250 magnificent magnolias across the Gardens are a sight to behold in early April. The trees are grouped together at Elizabeth Gate, with their large pink and white flowers standing out as a special highlight of your visit.

THE DETAILS Keep up to date with Kew’s spring flowering and plan your visit on www.kew.org

New

ALL D R A O AB h

arc M 8 2 g openin

at London Transport Museum

Covent Garden WC2E 7BB

Kids go free

BUS ST OP

Park towards London Transport Museum

11

4

91

23

Coach Stop

nutty squirrels?

Supported by DCMS/Wolfson Fund Luke Rees-Pulley Charitable Trust Optare

EVENTS

3rd- 6th April 2015

Cadbury teams up with the National Trust to offer families a cracking Easter weekend It’s almost that time of the year again when Cadbury teams up with the National Trust to offer families the ultimate day out with their popular Easter Egg Trails.

T

his year, the Cadbury Eggsplorers Easter Egg Trail will be inviting families to unleash their inner explorer with adventurous trails taking place in some of the most beautiful, historic and unspoilt places across the country. The National Trust looks after so many special places, from spring gardens and countryside to historic houses, so the Cadbury Easter trails are a great way for families to enjoy a traditional fun day out in surroundings that are second to none. What’s more, all Eggsplorers will receive a delicious Cadbury chocolaty treat at the end of each completed trail, and every single Cadbury Easter Egg Trail will help support special places looked after by the National Trust for future generations to explore.

To join in with the fun, visit www.eastereggtrail.com

Easter activities in London include FENTON HOUSE, HAMPSTEAD Daily from Friday 3rd April to Monday 6th April, 11am-4.30pm

Escape the London crowds and get lost in the garden. To complete the trail you’ll explore the magical spaces of the rose garden and orchard, both hidden within its walls. If successful in your hunt, you’ll be rewarded with a Cadbury chocolate Egghead.

Normal admission charges apply, each trail costs £3

HAM HOUSE AND GARDEN, RICHMOND Daily from Friday 3rd April to Monday 6th April, 10am-4:30pm

Eggsplore our spring gardens as you hunt for a Cadbury chocolate egghead prize at Ham. On the way, you’ll discover the cherry garden’s archway tunnels, the maze-like Wilderness, a very large fruit and vegetable plot and a place where you can build your very own den. Ham House and Garden is located along the beautiful rural River Thames close to Richmond, so why not

28 MARCH2015

escape from the city over the Easter weekend?

Normal admission charges apply, each trail costs £3

MORDEN HALL PARK, NR WIMBLEDON Daily from Friday 3rd April to Monday 6th April, 11am-4pm (open until 4:15pm on 4th)

From tree-lined trails to huge riverside lawns, there’s loads to see and do at Morden Hall Park this Easter. But you’ll need your special eggsplorer skills to follow the clues around the Cadbury Easter Egg Trail and discover your prize: a yummy Cadbury chocolate Egghead.

Normal admission charges apply, each trail costs £4

OSTERLEY PARK, ISLEWORTH Daily from Friday 3rd April to Monday 6th April, 11am-4pm

200 years ago there were eggs-a-plenty surrounding the grand Robert Adam designed mansion house at Osterley as the farmland stretched for miles around. Today the park and gardens remain a green retreat a short bunny hop from urban London, and the eggs have returned, but this time they’re Cadbury chocolate Eggheads!

Explore our glorious gardens where you can spot flowers and wildlife, or have fun on rope swings and build a den at our play trail as you try and crack the clues on your own Easter adventure.

Normal admission charges apply, each trail costs £3

THE DETAILS Admission charge: Where there is a charge for entry, normal admission prices apply. Entry for National Trust members is free, and all income generated goes towards the upkeep and care of our special places for you and future generations to enjoy.

For more information on National Trust events, please visit our website at www.nationaltrust.org.uk/events

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We’re easy to get to by Tube, train or bus and we’ve ample parking. And because we’re open 10am – 8pm Mon – Sat, and 11am – 5pm Sun*, you can visit when you want to.

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FEATURE feature

before

after

Tiffin Tiffincan canconvert convertaasad sadand andweathered weatheredproperty propertyinto intoaaluxurious luxuriousand andwell-maintained well-maintainedhome home

fifty ShadeS of TheRmogRaphIc grey

M

ost of us enjoy a good relationship with those we live with such as family or friends but we often ignore the important attention, love and care required by our homes.

Properties are there to protect us, our family and our possessions. Understanding how your home can be damaged by the onslaught of varying weather conditions is essential as part of a property’s maintenance, especially the interaction with hot, cold, wet and especially stormy conditions.

So how ‘grey’ iS your hoMe? More than fifty ShadeS?

A simple thermographic test with colour or grey pallet scales can help expose the hidden problems, embedded deep in your properties’

The story always begins with an idea for a much-loved dream home and resulting lifestyle. But along the way, it’s important to keep on side, the respected professionals such as Tiffin – who can turn dreams into long-standing realities…

Tiffin is a specialist building company who have been helping home and property owners since 1695, well before any shades of thermographic grey were discovered. eir clients have ranged from locals to royalty!

Today Robert Tiffin, quantity surveyor, thermographer and building specialist (plus being a Tiffin descendant) together with his son who is a planning consultant, maintain the company’s highly respected reputation both in the UK

The value of Robert’s experience and knowledge can equate to thousands of pounds and I highly recommend him to anyone involved in building or property. construction or materials. ermography (cutting edge, infra-red scanning technology) scans properties for the often hidden, mysterious and unseen defects such as building and damp problems, heat-loss and other anomalies. underStanding the reSultS can enhance the relationShip with your hoMe

Looking after properties and homes is vital, if wanting to avoid expensive repair bills and damage. We all tend to focus on the cosmetic and aesthetics of our homes like fantastic kitchens and bathrooms but sadly, examples like condensation, leaking pipes, damp and rot, will affect our pockets and our health: it is always preferable to take action before having a problem.

AcRhC2H 0 1250 1 5 3382 mM ar

and also with their international clients.

Together with the rest of the Tiffin Team (which includes architects and master builders), Robert Tiffin ensures that properties are accurately assessed for potential problems and ensures there are no grey areas. Tiffin can also offer the full range of building skills necessary to either repair a home, modernise a property or for any other general building requirements from a simple extension, make-over or retrofit to a complex construction project.

Because in any relationship – Whether personal or for your home or property – Everybody wants a happy ending.

Property and home owners can look forward to maximising their comfort and lifestyle in a warm, cosy and cost-effective, healthier environment for themselves, their families or tenants. ■

// refurbiSh // ModerniSe // iMprove

Improve your home with warmth and comfort, whilst adding significant value to your property.

We have highly trained and experienced staff using modern technology to help achieve the most cosiest and cost effective home, using thermography. // Building refurbishment and modernisation // Damp, decay, condensation and waterproofing treatments // Planning, design and costings // Maintenance, repair and redecoration For more information, please call us on

01923 840820

or go to www.tiffingroup.co.uk Proud members of

Proud members of Federation of Master Builders; CoRE, The Guild of Master Craftsmen; BSRIA; Approved M AmRaCrHc 2h0 21051 53 33 9

FEATURE

Polo anyone?

The new Polo is filled with features designed to make your time behind the wheel easier and safer.

A

lan day Volkswagen are known for their classic design appeal, quality finish and impressive use of space. Volkswagen always make sure there is inventive styles in every model made, making sure we have a car for everyone.

The DAB digital radio lets you listen to digital stations in crystal clear digital sound quality.

With the Multi device interface on the new polo, you can choose a personal soundtrack to your drive. Tucked away neatly and securely, it offers you a fast and easy link to files on your MP3 player, IPod and USB memory stick.

The Discover Navigation provides the best of both entertainment and driver assistance. The impressive 2D/2.5D map navigation feature provides 3 calculated routes, a driver can always choose between the fastest, the shortest or the most eco-friendly way. With a 6.5” colour touch-screen control and traffic sign display.

The Adaptive cruise control has been introduced as a feature on the new Polo. It helps busy drivers maintain distance and speed automatically, making for a safer and stress-free driving experience.

34 MARCH2015

Another feature on the new Polo is the driver alert system. The Polo tracks how long you have been driving without a break. If it detects that you have been driving for too long an alert will show on the dashboard advising you to take a break. Volkswagen never get tired of keeping you awake The city emergency braking feature brakes automatically in case you don’t.

The rear view camera on the new Polo is there when parking or making manoeuvres. Reminding you that you don’t always have eyes in the back of your head, unlike the polo.

THE DETAILS Alan Day City 60 The Highway, London, El W 2BF 0203 553 5617

Alan Day New Southgate Pinkham Way, North Circular Road, New Southgate, London, Nll 3UT 0203 553 5618

Alan Day Hampstead 277 Finchley Road, Hampstead, London, NW3 6LT 0203 553 5619

www.alandayvw.co.uk AlanDayVW

@AlanDayVW

Hampstead 277 Finchley Road Hampstead, London NW3 6LT 0203 553 5618

New Southgate Pinkham Way North Circular Road, London N11 3UT 0203 553 5619

City 60 The Highway London E1W 2BF 0203 553 5617

www.alandayvw.co.uk *

Servicing is for customers who purchase via Volkswagen Finance. Terms and conditions apply.

EVENTS

Roy Albert aHl all

Thursda th Sundayy 19nd – March 222 015

Classical Spectacular C

lassical Spectacular - the UK’s most popular classical music show returns to the Royal Albert Hall for a very special season of concerts between 19 – 22 March. Classical Spectacular celebrated its 25th anniversary in 2013 and has established a loyal audience of people who enjoy the concerts so much they return again and again! Building on this success, Classical Spectacular has now been performed in concert halls and stadiums all across the world, including Berlin, Hamburg and Munich in Germany, Switzerland, Norway, Sweden, France, Australia, Belgium, Austria, Ireland and Holland!

From the very best classical music and state of the art technology to electrifying multi-coloured laser displays and our famous thundering finale to the music of the 1812 Overture complete with spectacular fireworks and explosive cannons – the March 2015 season promises to be bigger and more thrilling than ever.

The concert is packed with classical favourites that we all know and love including Verdi’s Grand March from Aida and Chorus of the Hebrew Slaves from Nabucco as well as his much loved Brindisi and Sempre Libera from La traviata, Intermezzo from Mascagni’s Cavalleria rusticana, the Prelude to Act III from Wagner’s Lohengrin, Monti’s Csardas, Vaughan Williams’ The Lark Ascending, Strauss’s Radetzky March, Fucik’s Entry of the Gladiators, Saint Saen’s The Dying Swan, O fortuna from Orff’s extremely dramatic Carmina Burana, Denza’s Funiculi Funicula, Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lake Finale and the sublime O soave fanciulla from La boheme.

Classical Spectacular concludes with a rousing flag waving finale of Proms favourites such as Nessun Dorma,

36 MARCH2015

Jerusalem, Rule, Britannia, Land of Hope and Glory and the magnificent 1812 Overture complete with thundering cannons and indoor fireworks.

Completing the line-up of over 200 musicians are the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra – arguably one of the most acclaimed orchestras in the United Kingdom , the Royal Choral Society (Thurs & Sat), the London Philharmonic Choir (Fri & Sun), the Band of the Coldstream Guards (Thurs & Sun), Band of the Royal Logistical Corps (Fri & Sun), star soloists Sarah Redgwick and James Edwards, the Classical Spectacular Dancers and Prima Ballerina Elena Glurdjidze.

Overseeing all these performers is conductor John Rigby who has led the orchestra on many leading West End shows, including The Phantom of the Opera. Furthermore, no performance of Classical Spectacular would be complete without the thundering indoor firework finale, complete with muskets and cannons that provides a truly explosive climax to the 1812 Overture. The stunning lighting design is by Durham Marenghi. He brings a wealth of experience to the show, as he has previously been responsible for the lighting of Her Majesty the Queen’s Diamond and also Golden Jubilee concerts as well as Olympic Games opening and closing ceremonies.

THE DETAILS Classical Spectacular is performed at the Royal Albert Hall on Thursday 19th and Friday 20th March at 7.30pm and Saturday 21st and Sunday 22nd March at 3.00pm & 7.30pm.

To book tickets, call the Royal Albert Hall Box Office on 020 7838 3109 or visit royalalberthall.com

Pop into Putney’s friendliest gallery to see affordable art from £40 – £4,000 180 Lower Richmond Rd Putney Common London SW15 1LY T: 020 8246 4840 E: info@wills-art.com W: wills-art.com Open 7 days 10.30 – 6pm

EVENTS

Saturday 16th May 2 Grosvenor 015 H Hotel, Park ouse Lane, London

Daisy Ball Twenty-One A spectacular charity ball is to be held at a Park Lane hotel to raise vital funds for blood cancer charity Anthony Nolan.

G

uests who attend Anthony Nolan’s 21st annual black-tie event, the Daisy Ball, will be celebrating the charity’s lifesaving work at the prestigious Great Room at the Grosvenor House Hotel, on Saturday 16th May 2015.

Anthony Nolan saves the lives of people with blood cancers such as leukaemia and lymphoma, by matching remarkable individuals willing to donate their bone marrow to the people who desperately need lifesaving transplants.

To help a patient in need, a donor must be found who has a matching tissue type, and there are millions of variations. It can be like looking for a needle in a haystack.

As it costs £100 to recruit each new person to their existing register of potential donors, it’s essential for Anthony Nolan to raise valuable funds and find more lifesaving matches.

Last year, Daisy Ball Twenty raised over £240,000 – which helped to add more potential lifesavers to the register and conduct vital research to help people with blood cancer have the best possible chance of life.

This spectacular, entertaining, and lifesaving event regularly attracts over 750 guests. The night includes a scrumptious three-course meal, inspiring real-life stories and world-class cabaret entertainment. There is also a surprise headline act, and previous performers have included The Three Degrees, The Osmonds, Kid Creole and the Coconuts, Heather Small and the cast of The Jersey Boys.

38 MARCH2015

Guests will have the opportunity to win fabulous prizes in the raffle and to bid on incredible experiences throughout a live auction. Past prizes have included luxurious holidays to South Africa and Canada, a private screening at Everyman Cinemas, once-in-a-lifetime cooking experiences with celebrity chefs Brian Turner and Angela Hartnett and unique sporting memorabilia.

Anthony Nolan is seeking donations of exciting raffle prizes to raise as much as possible from the event.

Guests who support Anthony Nolan’s lifesaving work by taking a table at the Daisy Ball will enjoy delightful champagne reception A A delicious three-course dinner A superb live band An opportunity to take home fabulous, unique auction & raffle items A star-studded cabaret and surprise headline act Individual tickets are priced at £245 or £2,940 for a table of 12 THE DETAILS For more information on booking tickets, or to donate a luxury prize, please contact the Anthony Nolan Special Events Team on 020 7424 6686 or daisyball@anthonynolan.org

CS NOV'15 140x215_Layout 1 06/02/2015 15:05 Page 1 RAYMOND GUBBAY presents

CLASSIC . . . AFTER CLASSIC . . . AFTER CLASSIC VAUGHAN WILLIAMS The Lark Ascending SAINT-SAENS The Dying Swan HANDEL Hallelujah Chorus VERDI Grand March from Aida MONTI Csárdás NESSUN DORMA RULE, BRITANNIA! LAND OF HOPE AND GLORY JERUSALEM

1812 OVERTURE WITH

THUNDERING CANNONS AND INDOOR FIREWORKS

ROYAL PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA

ROYAL CHORAL SOCIETY (Thurs & Sat) CITY OF LONDON CHOIR (Fri & Sun) ELENA GLURDJIDZE Prima Ballerina SARAH REDGWICK soprano BAND OF THE COLDSTREAM GUARDS (Thurs & Sat) MUSKETS AND CANNONS OF THE MOSCOW MILITIA

JOHN RIGBY conductor ALEXANDER SITKOVETSKY violin JAMES EDWARDS tenor CLASSICAL SPECTACULAR DANCERS BAND OF THE ROYAL LOGISTICS CORPS (Fri & Sun) DURHAM MARENGHI lighting designer

LIMITED SPECIAL OFFER – SAVE £10.00 on selected ticket prices if you book before 20 March

Valid on: Thursday 19 March 7.30pm, Saturday 21 March 3.00pm, Sunday 22 March 3.00pm, Sunday 22 March 7.30pm Call the Box Office on 020 7838 3109 quoting ‘Grand March Offer’ for full details or book online royalalberthall.com and enter 18737 when prompted.

Conditions: This offer is subject to availability, does not apply to tickets already purchased and cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer or discount. Offer applies to selected performances 19, 21 & 22 March 2015 as featured above in selected areas only. A transaction processing fee (£2.50 per ticket) and card handling fee (2% of total transaction) on all telephone or online bookings. Offer closes 20 March 2015.

Thurs 19, Fri 20 March 7.30pm - Sat 21, Sun 22 March 3.00pm & 7.30pm

Box Office 020 7838 3109

ROYAL ALBERT HALL

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EVENTS

Dog Day Afternoon CABBAGES & FROCKS MARKET St Marylebone Parish Church grounds Marylebone High Street W1U 5BA, (opposite Conran Shop)

SATURDAY

B

ack by public demand Cabbages 25th APRIL and Frocks lifestyle market in Marylebone village is putting on another special DOG DAY 11am-5pm AFTERNOON. One of the highlights of the day will be the Good Boy Dog School headed

by Dima, who will be presenting the same dog display as on Britain’s Got talent at 12 noon and 2pm.

2015

COMPETITION TIMES

From 2.30pm running order below, each takes approx 10 mins...

“A bit of ruff ” for mixed breeds Best dog trick Waggy tail Miniatures and toy breeds Matching pairs New kid on the Block - Best Puppy Lookalike (dog and owner) Best in show

This year’s competition judges are Chamois RoseWood of the Independent and Rob Alleyne of Dog Owners club and seen on BBC3 “Dog Borstal” There will be masses of stalls for you to choose accessories for your pet, and lots of like-minded two and four legged friends to talk to. On the doggy side, look out for Emily Burrowes who will be selling commissioned Dog Portraits and limited edition prints and Dog inspired homewares by the Enlightened hound.

Visit both the Mayhew Animal Home and No To Dog Meat stall. By purchasing their gifts on offer it will help improve animal welfare. No To Dog Meat is the official campaigning body of the UK of the World Protection for Dogs and Cats in the Meat Trade.

The Weeping chef will be making a delicious stew for the pouches and a free range burger for you.

Sample Wharf road Bakery’s macaroons with flavors such as pistachio, green tea and rose.

Fashion and food stalls will also be there in abundance on 25th of April, including the vintage stall with used Hermes, Gucci handbags and accessories.

Don’t miss out, you may go home with a rosette and purchases for you and your pet. Either way a fun filled day is guaranteed, with free admission!

THE DETAILS Cabbages & Frocks is open every Saturday 11am-5pm Call 0207 794 1636 or email info@cabbagesandfrocks.co.uk www.cabbagesandfrocks.co.uk

40 MARCH2015

viewings every Sunday & Monday bid in person or online

Sale of Books, Manuscripts & Maps Wednesday 25th March at 1pm

Free valuations, consignments welcome all year, from single items to complete libraries 1 Colville Road (off Bollo Lane) London W3 8BL 020 8992 4442 chiswickauctions.co.uk

auction day

free valuations

bring this ad with you for a free catalogue

appointments not necessary

General sale every Tuesday from 12 noon

Monday to Friday 10am – 6pm

FEATURE

The World’s

Greatest Driving Event T

he Bucket List, the movie starring Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman, was such a box office hit because its theme was simple but inspirational – live your life by drawing-up a wish list of the things you’d like to do before you “kick the bucket,” then go do them! The exhilarating driving activity we’re going to introduce you to here is definitely one for that list.

Most of us have dreamed, at one point or another (even if only in the optimism of childhood), of driving a racing car fast around a track. It might be surprising. But this is one of those dreams you can turn to reality. There is an easy way of getting yourself into a racing car, in fact several types of racing car, and driving around a circuit safely but quickly. Very, very quickly, as hard and as fast as you like.

The place where these dreams come true is PalmerSport at Bedford Autodrome, within easy reach of London. A corporate hospitality driving event, PalmerSport is also open to private individuals. Created in 1991 by someone who lived the dream, ex-F1 driver Jonathan Palmer, it is widely acknowledged as the best experience of its kind in the world.

Palmer had four separate circuits built at Bedford Autodrome so that they can be used concurrently, ensuring that PalmerSport guests get plenty of track time with very little waiting. There are six miles of track in all, some parts tight and twisting, other sections fast and flowing, with spacious ‘run-off’ areas to ensure the safety of drivers who over-cook it. Guests get plenty of seat-time in an unrivalled variety of driving machines, from humble karts and growling highperformance road cars through to thoroughbred racing cars.

A brief look at these cars explains why the event is so

42 MARCH2015

highly rated. The bare-essentials Aerial Atom combines a skeletal tube-frame chassis (no roof, doors or windows) with a screaming Honda engine. The agile Caterham 7 Superlight is the perfect car for mastering the art of drifting. The new BMW M4GTP, stripped of interior luxuries, is powered by a 3-litre twin-turbo straight-six engine tuned by BMW’s Motorsport division. The Formula 3000 single-seater racing car is powered by a stonking 3-litre V6 developed by legendary F1 enginemakers Cosworth. The Palmer Jaguar JP-LM, also Cosworthpowered, is an open-top Le Mans-style two-seat racing car in which guests have a race instructor sitting alongside them.

And the Land Rover Defender, in contrast, is meant to be driven slowly – but on an extreme off-road course with steep slopes, rock-strewn paths, and deep rivers.

The eight-activity programme at PalmerSport features friendly instruction from experienced racing drivers, live timing boards, scoring, team and individual awards, firstclass hospitality, and in-car videos on USB sticks for guests to take home.

It is telling that the majority of PalmerSport’s customers, corporate and private, are people making a repeat visit.

That’s how enjoyable the experience is. Visit www. palmersport.com to find out more about a driving experience so exhilarating that you’ll remember it until that fateful day when your accelerator foot finally makes contact with the proverbial bucket.

THE DETAILS For more information call 01403 733999 or visit www.palmersport.com

AT BEDFORD AUTODROME

DRIVE THE WORLD’S GREATEST DRIVING EVENT, AVAILABLE FOR 1 TO 72 GUESTS, SIX DAYS A WEEK.

BMW M4 GTP NEW FOR 2015

PalmerSport is a corporate hospitality driving event created by former F1 driver Jonathan Palmer, based centrally in the UK. It is recognised as the best of its type in the world.

Every guest drives every car in one amazing day

Onboard footage of you driving to take home on a USB stick

8-activity programme with live timing and prizes

Superb instructors encourage you to push to the limit

Centrally located at the purpose-built Bedford Autodrome

Smart trackside hospitality suites with excellent catering

Over 5 miles of track and 4 circuits, with huge run-off areas

Free WiFi and mobile phone charging in every hospitality suite

THE 2015 PALMERSPORT LINE-UP:

FORMULA 3000 NEW FOR 2015

PALMER JAGUAR JP-LM

CATERHAM 7 SUPERLIGHT

LAND ROVER DEFENDER

ARIEL ATOM

To discuss your requirements call 01403 733999 or visit www.palmersport.com

FEATURE

Chelsea Pensioners agree to open historic

Royal Hospital as live music venue

T

he Chelsea Pensioners are opening their historic Royal Hospital for use as a music venue for the first time in its history. Shows will take place in the historic central courtyard at the Royal Hospital Chelsea, where a fully seated auditorium will be set up for the concerts in June. Three concerts have been announced for this summer, featuring Alison Moyet, Rufus Wainwright and Damien Rice.

The Hospital, founded by King Charles II for former soldiers in 1682, houses 300 ex-Army servicemen and women. It has partnered with promoter Kilimanjaro to receive a portion of all ticket sales.

Music-loving Chelsea Pensioners who want to go to the gigs will be given free tickets, while their families will be given preferential bookings in the 4,000 capacity venue.

Alternatively, residents can watch from the windows of the Long Ward Corridors – their living accommodation

44 MARCH2015

surrounding the courtyard. Major General David McDowell, chief executive of the Royal Hospital, said part of the proceeds would go towards the care costs for the pensioners as well as the ongoing maintenance of the Grade I listed site. He said: “We’re very much looking forward to welcoming music fans here, especially those who’ve not visited this historical home before.”

Kilimanjaro said it would be Alison Moyet’s only UK show and Irish singer songwriter Damien Rice’s sole London gig this summer.

The acts have agreed to have the pensioners’ home clear by 10.30pm, a Royal Hospital spokesman said.

THE DETAILS Royal Hospital Chelsea Royal Hospital Road,SW3 4SR For more details visit www.chelsea-pensioners.co.uk/news/live-chelsea

NOW OPEN FREE ADMISSION The Royal Air Force Museum London, Grahame Park Way, Colindale, London NW9 5LL

Tel: 020 8205 2266 Web: www.rafmuseum.org SATNAV: NW9 5QW Colindale

FASHION

25th & 26th April 2015 Royal College of Art SW7

The Vogue Festival returns in partnership with Harrods

The Vogue Festival returns for the fourth consecutive year with British Vogue hosting the event and in partnership with Harrods for the second time.

T

he Vogue Festival will once again offer attendees the chance to see and hear from leading international designers, photographers, models, and writers in the industry. Last year, the two-day extravaganza included Alexa Chung, Grayson Perry, Luella Bartley, Nick Knight, Phoebe Philo, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, Sarah Burton and Valentino Garavani.

Festival goers will also have the opportunity to get involved in discussions on some of the fashion industry’s most interesting and timely issues, as well as enjoying a range of workshops, makeovers, performances, and other activities.

One of several new additions to the programme in 2015 will be career masterclasses. With very limited places, these classes will include the opportunity for one on one face time with leaders in their respective fields of the fashion industry. There will also be an experiential Beauty Hall, together with interactive styling events.

Alexandra Shulman, Editor of British Vogue commented, “We’re looking forward to welcoming our readers again, giving them the chance to see, hear and

46 MARCH2015

meet some of those whose work is seen in the pages of Vogue, and take part in fashion and beauty experiences, as well as engage with the Vogue team. The support of Harrods for a second year is helping us make this event bigger and better than ever before.”

Chiara Varese, Director of Harrods CRM & Personal Shopping Services remarked, “We’re delighted to be partnering with Vogue in 2015, for the second time. The Vogue Festival has become a key event in our customer’s fashion calendar and this year promises to be even more exciting. There is a natural affinity between our two brands, and we’re looking forward to working with Vogue to deliver a unique, innovative experience.”

This year the Festival will be held at the Royal College of Art, with additional activities taking place at the Royal Geographical Society, located two minutes walkaway in Kensington, SW7.

THE DETAILS Details regarding speakers can be found at www.vogue.co.uk/voguefestival or follow @BritishVogue and the #VogueFestival hashtag on Twitter

h ous e &FASHION ga r d e n

burberry prorsum

London Fashion Week

autumn/Winter 2015 highLights

a world of catwalks, celebrities, and fashion glitz London Fashion Week is always exciting and inspirational and 2015 sees the event’s 61st year, during which more than 250 designers showcased their collections for autumn and winter to a global audience.

t

he magic of London Fashion Week is not merely thanks to the fashion designers’ and fashion stylists ’cutting-edge collections but the media excitement that accompanies them. The allure of the show is exceptional and continues to be the top fashion

event pulling visitors from every corner of the globe.

While most of us are thinking about our summer wardrobes, designers were showcasing their Autumn/ Winter 2015 Collections, and it was one of the event’s biggest line-ups yet.

FASHION

a round-up of some the designers and their amazing collections…

BURBERRY PRORSUM

Burberry showed its Womenswear Autumn/Winter 2015 collection, entitled “Patchwork, Pattern & Prints”. British Burberry models and current faces of the brand’s campaigns Kate Moss, Cara Delevingne, Naomi Campbell and Jourdan Dunn, came together to see the new collection in Kensington Gardens. Other guests included musicians Sam Smith and Paloma Faith. Previewing a womenswear collection of paisley and floral bohemian prints inspired by Durham quilts, patchwork prints and animal and camouflage printed lace. Introducing The Bucket Bag, The Long Fringe Scarf in check cashmere, the Ponytail boot and The Burberry Round Shades collection of sunglasses.

TEMPERLEY LONDON

Winter ’15 weaves a tale bursting with modern bohemianism and optimism - setting the mood for today’s Temperley London woman. Relaxed and decadent, with tribal and nomadic inspiration –the collection combines elongated and layered silhouettes with languid tailoring capturing the opulent mood of 1920’s Paul Poiret. Colours and fabrics are rich and warm – camel, teal, jet black, turmeric, and hibiscus juxtaposed with shimmering metallics, topaz blue and acidic pops of orange. Textured feather and crocodile jacquards mix with soft, fluid pale silks and sequins for the evening. Knitwear is key with layered knit jacquards and printed knits in tribal and feather inspired artworks.

Oversized luxurious coats, relaxed velvet tuxedo jackets, wrap-front trousers and circle legged jumpsuits bring a fresh, confident direction. “This season is both effortless and confident, one collection for all the women of Temperley London” – Alice Temperley MBE

MULBERRY

xander zhou

jasper conran

Mulberry presented its Autumn Winter 2015 Catwalk Collection from its Kensington showroom on Sunday 22 & Monday 23 February. The collection was inspired by “the enticing world of Georgian interiors, known for their elegance, lightness and stylised flair epitomised in the Rococo and neo-classical design elements of architects such as Robert Adam and John Soames.” To showcase the collection, Mulberry commissioned British artist Tom Price to create an ethereal installation based on the theme and inspiration. The resulting five large scale arches with their over spilling ‘blossom’ formed a dramatic backdrop to the showroom. Tom has a background in sculpture and design and much of the work he produces seeks to explore the untapped potential of familiar, everyday materials and their ability to turn into beautiful sculptures. Highlights from the collection include the Dixter Coat and Short Hatton Dress, both hand-painted with a bespoke Filigree design, sporty 48 MARCH2015

jacquard knits, a contemporary and super-luxe Anorak in the softest leather, a dramatic cape in Mulberry heritage check, and a cool, sexy jumpsuit woven in a bespoke satin jacquard design. The Jamie and Roxette bags play to the two sides of Mulberry: the Jamie with its casual-cool bucket shape, created in miniature for the Catwalk Collection, and the smart uptown Roxette finished in luxurious haircalf.

JASPER CONRAN: AW15 WOMENSWEAR

• Opaque in dark navy • Cashmere and wool head to toe • Glossy shoots of herbaceous green • Punctuate a strict geometry • The tunic dress flutters over a high-necked knit • Blocked pattern and colour in suede and silk • Appliqued, printed, scalloped and pleated in violet, rose madder and moss • Textured velvet and skin in pigment rich tones of yellow and plum • A tumble of petals climb from waist to shoulder

PRINGLE OF SCOTLAND

This collection marks the brand’s 200 year celebrations at the Serpentine galleries. A luxury heritage that is never far from view with inspirations for the collection being drawn from the brand’s birth place. Stunning images capturing the raw nature of the isle of skye , the work produced by Albert Watson are references using colour and organic textures throughout the collection. Nicosia integrally knits beads that would traditionally have been embroidered to mirror the landscape, particularly the mineral grain and rock. Elements of flora and fauna are reflected throughout using a fil coupe with thistle motif, while a

fabrics, slivers of exposed skin, and attitude with which she stalks the runway, make this a polished rather than bohemian interpretation of the sauvage.

Print inspiration came from aerial views of the graphic patterns in the desert made by the Bahrain race track; interpretations of these patterns weave through the collection in diverse fabrications and techniques; prints in black, white and red are patch-worked against animal print on an embroidered shift dress, woven and knitted on jacquard coats and separates, and embroidered on hemlines and stone encrusted dresses. Subtle black, white, navy and blue base colours are enlivened with bright red, topaz and chartreuse. The mixing of contrasting prints and patterns is prevalent throughout; a crocodile effect jacquard coat is worn with abstract leopard print trousers, whilst a race track inspired knitted blanket coat is belted over a leopard print top.

Patterns are also juxtaposed on the brand’s signature

julien macdonald

Challenging the boundaries of what can be created with knitwear and truly showcasing Pringle of Scotland as an innovative luxury brand

raised wavy jacquard is used to give multiple layers creating a leaf stitch. Prestonfield House Flemish tapestry fades into a floral motif inspired by Gibbons’ woodcarving; this translates through raised macramé and embossed leather. Textured fur almost resembles a silk moiré bark while other pieces are ordained with carved mink argyle, once again giving a nod to tradition. ‘This collection happens at a time not many brands have the privilege of celebrating. Challenging the boundaries of what can be created with knitwear and truly showcasing Pringle of Scotland as an innovative luxury brand’ Technical boundaries are being pushed with 3d printing on complete garments, reinventing traditional techniques by cutting a skirt on the bias and embroidering 3d chain mail with cashmere yarn. Heat formed knitwear is moulded to achieve memory formed shape and rounded silhouettes.

The colour palette consists of liquorice, nightshade, regal purple with blasts of ruby red that are calmed by moments of ebony. Blush camel, slates and whites neutralise the collection bringing it back to elements of nature.

HOUSE OF HOLLAND: UPTOWN URCHINS - AUTUMN / WINTER 2015

• Tough Uptown Women.

• Trustafarian Street Urchins.

• Tough. Kinky. Put Together.

• Rubber Applique. Chevron Mongolian sheepskin.

• Updated signature tartans. Hazard stripes.

• Loose. Oversized. Co-Ordinated.

• Ultra-modern Created World.

pieces; a knitted dress features contrasting print panels in leopard and paisley, and a roll neck jersey wrap dress features varying floral prints pieced together to create stepped hems.

Differing jersey fabrications are combined to progress the brand’s signature draping; sheer, opaque and shine jersey panels combine in wrap dresses and tops constructed from asymmetric panels that lend a modern fluidity to the silhouette.

We can now look forward to the designer trends that will be hitting the high streets for Autumn/Winter 2015, and re-create the look so stylishly presented on the catwalk. “Although you may not wear the exact look that you see coming down the runway on a model, you will pick up little things. There’s always something reflected in the High Street that comes through from London Fashion Week,” says fashion journalist Hilary Alexander. www.londonfashionweek.co.uk

david koma

ISSA LONDON

Issa presented their Autumn/Winter at One Great George Street, London. The brand’s first Collection under the Creative Direction of Jamie O’Hare explores the confidence and sensuality of the Issa woman. Animal prints and fringing allude to her wild side, but the fluid MARCH2015 49

FASHION

Disney enlists nine global luxury shoe designers to

Reimagine Cinderella’s Glass Slipper

PAUL ANDREW EXCLUSIVE TO HARRODS

JIMMY CHOO EXCLUSIVE TO HARRODS

I

n celebration of Disney’s live action film inspired by the classic fairytale, “Cinderella,” Disney has collaborated with nine luxury designer shoe brands across the globe to assemble an enchanting collection of shoes that reimagine Cinderella’s iconic glass slipper.

The distinguished designers, in alphabetical order, are: Paul Andrew, Alexandre Birman, Rene Caovilla, Jimmy Choo, Salvatore Ferragamo, Nicholas Kirkwood, Charlotte Olympia, Jerome Rousseau, and Stuart Weitzman. Each brand has created their own interpretation of the famed glass slipper Cinderella accidentally leaves behind when the clock strikes midnight.

“Cinderella’s glass slipper has become a magical symbol of transformation,” said David Lee, Footwear Director, Disney EMEA. “Each pair of shoes in this exciting global collection captures Cinderella’s elegance and grace through the lens of celebrated designers, making this shoe collection truly fit for a princess.”

Swarovski, which produced the iconic glass slipper under the direction of Academy-Award winning costume designer Sandy Powell, provided the crystals featured in the designer’s shoes.

The shoes will be available for order in Harrods as well as in some of the designer brand’s own stores.

Please contact the stores and/or designer brands for specific availability: The re-imagining of this iconic story told in spectacular live action is directed by Sir Kenneth Branagh, and includes a stellar cast of Cate Blanchett, Lily James, Richard Madden, Helena Bonham Carter and more. The Walt Disney Studios film, “Cinderella” is in theatres across the UK from 27th March.

THE DETAILS Harrods 87-135 Brompton Road, Knightsbridge, SW1X 7XL www.harrods.com

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STUART WEITZMAN EXCLUSIVE TO HARRODS

CHARLOTTE OLYMPIA EXCLUSIVE TO HARRODS

NICOLAS KIRKWOOD EXCLUSIVE TO HARRODS

FEATURE

Spring is in the air...

...to Propose or Not?

Is this the right time to make it happen for you and your partner? Only you can know the true answer, but......if you’re reading this, there’s a good chance YES is the right answer!

Spring signifies a fresh new beginning and a great time to ‘pop’ the question.

P

roposing should be one of Life’s most unforgettable romantic moments; make it special; intimate and private just the two of you or public - all singing and dancing as Kim and Kanye. Not everyone can hire out a stadium with a 50 piece orchestra or afford a 15ct Diamond Engagement Ring but each proposal can be memorable for the chosen time and place and sealed with a kiss and a gorgeous Engagement Ring.

So where to start when it comes to the ring: gemstone or diamond? what shape? modern or traditional? single or multi stones? simple or intricate? gold or platinum? So many decisions to make, it can be quite bewildering. At Michael Platt, we realise that buying an engagement ring can be an exciting but daunting experience. Firstly set your budget, be realistic and comfortable about what you can afford. Whatever the budget, we like nothing better than a romantic surprise proposal and the joy of finding the perfect ring for every couple. Take note of your partner’s style and current jewellery. We listen closely to our customers’ ideas and work with them ensuring that the very best choices are made and excellent value is achieved. The staff at Michael Platt are always happy to show a range of Engagement Rings and explain all options that affect the price of gemstones and diamonds. Michael Platt will guide customers through the maze of information on diamonds; giving an understanding of the four ‘C’s; Cut, Carat, Clarity and Colour. With a little background information, effective decisions can be made to achieve that dream ring for the budget set. Although diamond size (carat), clarity and colour are equally important and determined by nature, it is the skill of the Diamond Cutter that will bring a diamond to ‘life’. Michael Platt places enormous emphasis on the importance of cut and polish; if a diamond is not cut or polished to the highest of standards, no matter what the colour or carat, it just will not sparkle.

The usual choice of metal for the setting is gold or platinum, either is fine. White gold and platinum, when brand new, look almost identical, but will wear very differently. Gold rings will

52 MARCH2015

wear down over time and usually need more maintenance whilst platinum is stronger and more durable but commands a higher price. Whilst setting the wedding date may not be a priority at this stage, some thought should be given to the wedding band that will not only fit well against the engagement ring but look good together on the finger. Wedding rings, whether plain or diamond set, should complement the engagement ring and not over whelm.

If a unique unusual ring is what’s desired or there’s an inherited gemstone or diamond to pass on in a dated or worn setting or help is needed to find exactly what you’re looking for, Michael Platt specialise in Bespoke Jewellery, made on site in their own Workshop.

An experienced in-house designer and working Goldsmith will be hands on in designing and making the ring.

Customers are invited to participate as much as they wish to, seeing their ring develop stage by stage. If guidance is needed to begin the bespoke process, help is on hand from the experienced team. Alternatively the talented team will interpret a customer’s ideas, sketches or doodles into workable ring designs. Commissioning an exclusive unique ring is an exciting romantic journey that does not need to be complex or necessarily expensive.

However, if choosing that finished ring is far too risky or complicated, why not opt for a loose gemstone or diamond for your proposal? It’s a very touching, thoughtful and romantic gesture; then have all the fun of choosing exactly the right ring setting together as a couple.

With a little help from Michael Platt, make all the right decisions about getting engaged and it will be a truly memorable magical occasion. Good Luck!!

THE DETAILS Michael Platt Goldsmith & Jewellers No 1 Church Road, Wimbledon, London SW19 5DW 020 8947 4772 info@michaelplatt.co.uk www.michaelplatt.co.uk

Branch on the park is a beautiful jewellery shop set in the heart of vibrant East London's Victoria Park. A treasure trove packed with all that glistens and sparkles.

Owner and Goldsmith Julia Cook has created a well thought out environment for you to spend time looking at jewellery. The shop has a collection of twinkly lit vintage cabinets filled with precious and semi precious gemstone, gold and silver jewellery.

Julia also makes private commissions.

If you are getting married or engaged and need a ring or just want something unique, Julia will very happily design and make you whatever you wish.Clients really enjoy the process of having a piece made, talking through the design, choosing from a selection of gemstones and coming to see the piece whilst its being made.

Everyone is always delighted with the outcome!

Behind the shop counter is a compact yet perfectly formed workshop, with two workbenches, rows of hammers and all the tools of the trade. Julia loves to use colour so there are strings of different gemstones hanging by her bench ready to be made into something gorgeous.

227 Victoria Park Road, London, E9 7HD +44 (0)20 8533 7977 www.branchonthepark.co.uk julia@branchonthepark.co.uk The jewellery is available to buy from our online shop: www.blossomingbranch.co.uk Wednesday to Saturday: 10am - 6pm Sunday: 11am - 5pm

HEALTH, BEAUTY & fAsH ion FASHION

Spring into

Summer!

The impending arrival of Spring always causes a frisson in the fashion world as we all emerge from our winter hibernation and thoughts turn to sun, heat and colour! And this season does not disappoint

B

akou in West Wimbledon is a specialist independent boutique catering for stylish ladies size 14-30. With striking collections predominantly made in Europe and designed to flatter the fuller figure, we provide an array of colour and choice not seen anywhere else on the high street. Over 10 years’ experience in this field means that each season’s collections are full of beautiful designs for ‘real women’.

This season, vibrant oranges, pinks and greens can be teamed with denim blue, the key trend of the moment. A range of stunning prints create unique and stylish looks for every occasion and a good selection of pieces

in more muted tones, along with perennial classic monochrome separates mean that there is something to suit all tastes.

With holidays in mind at this time of year, whether you are preparing for a staycation or off to more exotic locations, there are plenty of eye catching pieces to ensure you look and feel sensational wherever you may be. Whether you’re searching for a bit of beach glamour, planning a city break or off to cruise the ocean waves,

With striking collections predominantly made in Europe and designed to flatter the fuller figure, we provide an array of colour and choice not seen anywhere else on the high street Bakou has something to add a touch of class and sophistication to your wardrobe.

A dazzling range of distinctive jewellery, handbags and scarves will complete your look and attract much positive attention!

To find us, please visit our website www. bakou.co.uk. A small sample of what is on offer can be seen on the website with a vast choice of diverse styles available in the newly refurbished and rebranded store.

Good transport links, easy, free parking and provision of refreshments all serve to enhance the whole relaxed and comfortable Bakou shopping experience!

THE DETAILS Bakou, 267-269 Coombe Lane London SW20 0RH ••••• info@bakou.co.uk Tel: 020 8947 9797 www.bakou.co.uk

54 MARCH2015 LIFE MAGS SURREY MAR15.indd 34

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6

award winning boutique

267-269 Coombe Lane London SW20 0RH 020 8947 9797 open Mon - Sat 9.30 - 5.30 FREE local parking

Fabulous Fashion Sizes 14-30 www.bakou.co.uk

senti the home of home fragrances To fragrance your wedding or to purchase the perfect gift for the happy couple.

Visit Senti www.senti.co.uk

39b High Street, Wimbledon Village, SW19 5BY

Tel: 0208 947 5179

FEATURE

THE LANGHAM, LONDON ANNOUNCES MAJOR INVESTMENT WITH

The Regent Wing,The Langham Club Lounge & The Sterling Suite

T

he investment will be the most extensive since 2009 when the hotel was officially reopened

by Mayor Boris Johnson after an £80 million refurbishment.

As explained by Duncan Palmer, Managing Director and Regional Vice President Europe: “this renovation will be key in elevating The Langham, London to the next echelon of luxury. The Regent Wing will be a sanctuary for guests who prefer the feeling of a private and discrete residence whilst The Langham Club Lounge and Sterling Suite will provide the ultimate in luxury amenities and service

56 MARCH2015

aimed at the most discerning clientele”.

REGENT WING 43 rooms and suites in the hotel’s former Club wing will be renovated in phase one and renamed The Regent Wing. Renowned hospitality design company Richmond have captivated the essence of the Regency period with guestrooms reflecting individual styling influenced by historic detailing and accessories, while an eclectic mix of artwork will evoke a strong sense of place.

Perfect for couples on leisure stays, the spacious Regent Rooms will

THE REGENT ROOM

The Langham, London has announced a further major investment of over £7.5m with three new areas due to launch in time for the hotel’s 150th anniversary this year: The Regent Wing, The Langham Club Lounge and The Sterling Suite, slated to be London’s top suite with up to six bedrooms. average over 33 square metres with modernised and discrete technology, Nespresso coffee machines as well as upgraded bathroom products.

A private apartment occupying an entire floor of up to 4 bedrooms with a sitting room and kitchen will be perfect for longer stay guests, or larger family gatherings and celebrations, in addition to new family studios that will provide flexible accommodation for parents travelling with children.

All rooms in the Regent Wing will benefit from direct access to the hotel fitness centre and swimming pool and - for the ultimate shopaholic’s convenience - a private door will provide direct street access to the top of Regent Street.

THE LANGHAM CLUB LOUNGE Work has also commenced on creating the new Langham Club Lounge, set to redefine the club concept. At 345 sqm, The Langham Club Lounge will feature private check-in/check-out and personal concierge, an adult only Drawing Room and a Library with a Writers’ Corner. The spacious and exquisitely appointed Langham Club guestrooms and suites will evoke a warm, residential feel.

Complimentary services will include premium broadband internet access, the pressing of three items of clothing upon check-in, two hours use of the ‘The Loft’ (private events space), full daily breakfast, all-day refreshments, afternoon tea, early evening cocktails and hors d’oeuvres.

THE STERLING SUITE The much anticipated Sterling Suite will elevate the definition of indulgence with the most luxurious amenities and services. Due to be unveiled in May 2015, the suite will comprise 450 sqm with up to six bedrooms featuring contemporary design with bespoke furnishings commissioned from British craftsmen. A personal butler service will discretely anticipate every aspect of the guests stay while innovative touches such as a private media lounge and special security features will ensure the suite offers ‘The New Hallmark for Refined Living’.

THE DETAILS The Langham 1c Portland Place, Regent Street, W1B 1JA Telephone 0207 636 1000 www.langhamhotels.com/en/the-langham/london

MARCH2015 57

FEATURE

Bonhams launches its first restaurant B at London headquarters with chef Tom Kemble onhams, the renowned international auctioneer on New Bond Street in Mayfair, will launch its first restaurant this month, with young, talented head chef Tom Kemble.

Tom Kemble’s pared back, modern European menu will be served alongside a well- crafted wine list which, for the first time in London, will have two Masters of Wine consulting on it.

Having worked in such eponymous restaurants as Hedone in West London and Faviken in northern Sweden, Tom takes a natural approach to dishes, cooking instinctively and sensitively with exceptional produce in peak condition.

The constantly changing menu will allow ultimate flexibility, enabling Tom and his small kitchen team to work closely with their producers to serve elegant, naturally plated dishes using a blend of French technique with British, Italian and Scandinavian produce.

Bonhams will be buying wines from sales taking place at the auction house and will have an active en primeur buying policy, making use of their own extensive cellar. Regular tastings will be hosted with fine wine producers, for which Tom will write specific tasting menus to serve alongside the wine.

The restaurant is located in Bonhams London headquarters, to reach the restaurant, guests will pass by two of Bonhams salerooms and may even witness a live auction taking place.

The restaurant, which at first will only be open for breakfast

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and lunch is split over two floors, with a wine bar on the ground floor and an intimate dining room on the first.

The sleek and minimal interiors with prints of Old Masters adorning the walls allow the food and wine to be the main focus for diners at this new hidden gem of a restaurant in Mayfair.

Example dishes will include Jerusalem artichoke veloute with black truffle and quail’s egg Buratta with Prosciutto, spiky Italian artichoke, pomegranate and basil Haunch of Sika Deer with chestnut and juniper puree, baby turnips and Crapaudine beetroot Pollack with celeriac puree, Cevennes onion, parsley, and lemon confit Charred Radicchio tardive with caramelised polenta, Gorgonzola and balsamic vinegar Floating island, citrus anglaise and chocolate sorbet Cox apple ‘dauphinoise’, arlettes and cinnamon ice cream Diners at Bonhams will be given the opportunity to sample some of the world’s finest wines by the glass. With the wine list overseen by Master of Wine and Head of Bonhams Wine Department, Richard Harvey, and sommelier and Vintners Cup winner, Charlotte Edgecombe. The restaurants’ two Enomatic machines will dispense up to 16 wines by the glass ensuring they stay in perfect condition.

Such sought after wines to be served will include Domaine de la Romanée, Conti Richebourg 1995; Château Cheval Blanc 1982 and Screaming Eagle 2011

THE DETAILS Bonhams, 101 New Bond Street, W1S1SR Tel: 020 7468 5868 www.bonhams.com

MOUNTVIEW SUMMER COURSES FOR ADULTS AND YOUNG PEOPLE ONE AND THREE-WEEK COURSES FOR YOUNG PEOPLE IN ACTING AND MUSICAL THEATRE AMATEUR DIRECTORS’ WEEKEND SUMMER EXPERIENCE FOR AMATEUR ACTORS WARDROBE WEEKEND STAGE MANAGEMENT WEEKEND

MOUNTVIEW.ORG.UK/SHORTCOURSES · 020 8826 9217

FEATURE

From Couture to Perfumery to Mixology Hotel Café Royal’s new Atelier Collection of cocktails in collaboration with Parfums Givenchy Hotel Café Royal have launched an exclusive Atelier Collection of Cocktails in collaboration with Parfums Givenchy, celebrating L’Atelier de Givenchy fine fragrances. The exclusive cocktail collection is available in the hotel’s vibrant Green Bar, until 31 March 2015, priced at £13 per cocktail.

D

eveloped by Tiziano Tasso, The Club at Café Royal’s talented mixologist, the seven cocktails have been designed to mirror the seven fragrances of L’Atelier de Givenchy fragrance collection. Marrying the world of fragrance and flavour, each of the cocktails has a distinct colour and unique personality and taste, reflecting the key perfume notes which are unique, universal and distinguished. The quintessence of the Givenchy style has been conveyed by the seven fragrances of the Atelier de Givenchy collection, combining Couture and fragrance, each reflecting a different look and personality, and now by the new limited-edition cocktail collection.

Each fragrance has been structured by the richest raw materials (including rare flowers, precious woods, dazzling fruits and vibrant leathers) and each fragrance name reflects the symbiosis of perfume and fashion, pairing an olfactory raw material with a Couture reference. Hotel Café Royal’s mixologists have masterfully mirrored this with an emphasis on detail and finish to create the cocktail collection.

Located on one of London’s finest shopping streets, bridging the elegance of Mayfair and the creativity of Soho, Café Royal has been at the heart of London since its original opening in 1865, welcoming a variety of guests from royalty and celebrity to rock stars, models and muses. Today, Hotel Café Royal has returned to the centre of London’s social scene as the place to see and be seen, following its recent renovation. The hotel’s Green Bar is a vibrant cocktail destination evocative of 1920s Paris and is open daily from 12noon until midnight.

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L’ATELIER DE GIVENCHY SEVEN FRAGRANCE AND COCKTAIL COLLECTION INCLUDES CHYPRE CARESSE a delicate and timeless fresh chypre. Developed with the elegant aromas of gin, jasmine, lemon citrus and the subtle, yet rich, notes of honey.

YLANG AUSTRAL an ethno-chic and graphic woody floral. Featuring an unusual combination of flavours including Rum, sour apple sherbet, orange Curacao and mandarin oils, to add balance and depth.

NÉROLI ORIGINEL an oriental green for the elegance of an icon.

Made using the most traditional of French spirit, Cognac, combined with vanilla, lemon and essential oils from bitter orange.

CUIR BLANC a radical carnal neo-leathery. This martini style cocktail is created using Siberian pine needle extract, to give the palate a woody and fresh taste.

BOIS MARTIAL a noble and legendary gourmand woody. An ultra-structured cocktail created using Jamaican rum, pineapple and sage leaves.

AMBRE TIGRÉ a mysterious and feline ambery. Featuring rye American vodka unusually combined with Dutch honey whisky and English amber beer.

OUD FLAMBOYANT a bold and magnetic smoky woody. Featuring an unusual combination of flavours including Japanese whisky and mandarin juice, to add balance and depth.

THE DETAILS For further information, visit www.hotelcaferoyal.com and follow @caferoyalhotel on Twitter and Hotel Café Royal on Facebook and Instagram.

FEATURE

The Art of Dining presents

...Abigail’s Party!

T

he Art of Dining is delighted to present Abigail’s Party - a 70s themed, five course pop-up dining experience, combining food, theatre, music and set design. Inspired by legendary director Mike Leigh’s hugely popular play of the same name. Abigail’s Party will see set designer Alice Hodge take you back in time and transform the iconic Rose Lipman Centre into a 70s living room; complete with lava lamps, hostess trolleys, shag-pile rugs, loud wallpaper, jazzy sofas, retro drinks cabinets and every shade of beige.

Moro-trained chef Ellen Parr will present food classics from the era, with a twist. Her Abigail’s Party menu includes a take on a prawn cocktail may look like it has come straight from Fanny Craddock’s fridge, but will tingle the taste buds with its subtle, infused Thai flavours. As you toy with a Twiglet while gazing at your companion over a half grapefruit spiked with cheese and pineapple chunks, prepare to re-discover the magic of mousse and the fun of fondue.

Although the food may look retro, you can expect bold, zesty flavours and truly innovative cooking from Ellen.

So, shake out that dralon dress with the plunging neckline, slap on the eyeliner and cerise lipstick, press those flares, unbutton your shirt to the navel and head to the Rose Lipman Building (located between Shoreditch and Dalston,

62 MARCH2015

just a few minutes’ walk from Haggerston Overground station) to be transported back to the 70s.

As you trill to the soaring tenor of Demis Roussos (RIP) and other throw-back classics, you will experience some excruciating hosting and a theatrical awkward moment or two in a nod to Leigh’s screenplay; while a good, strong gin and tonic will get you in the mood for the 70s dinner party of your life!

THE DETAILS Wednesday 11th – Saturday 14th March 2015 Wednesday 18th – Saturday 21st March 2015 Wednesday 25th – Saturday 28th March 2015 Wednesday 1st – Saturday 4th April 2015 Time - 7.30pm -11.00pm The Art of Dining - pop-up dinner experience experts, Ellen Parr (chef) and Alice Hodge (set designer) Abigail’s Party dining ticket: £55 per person Ticket price includes five 70s dinner party themed courses, welcome drink and Abigail’s Party-themed entertainment Tickets on sale now at www.theartofdining.co.uk/buy-tickets The Rose Lipman Building 43 De Beauvoir Rd, London N1 5SQ www.themillcoproject.co.uk/spaces/the-rose-lipman-building

PROPERTY

It’s not always black and white Is Your Home Insurance Safe?

Leasehold Property Experts

Homecare is an extended service offered by Michael Tims and Company’s highly successful management department.

Under UK property law, tenants of individual flats or houses, and those in blocks of flats have the right to purchase a lease extension of 90 years over their existing lease or the freehold of their houses or blocks.

I

f your property is left unattended for more than 30 consecutive days, you could be invalidating your insurance policy. Homecare can provide the security of regular visits and maintenance to safeguard clients properties. Aimed at providing a solution to property owners who occupy their houses/flats for limited periods of time; Homecare can help prevent security problems with insurance companies. The tailor made 3 tier service ensures the individual requirements of all clients are met:

3

SERVICE isit’s to the property once a month and the preparation of an V inspection report for the clients Forwarding of mail to previously agreed addresses Supervising cleaning prior to the clients arrival at the property Attending to emergency works

4

SERVICE

isit’s to the property every 3 weeks and the preparation of an V inspection report for the clients Forwarding of mail to previously agreed addresses Checking and payment of agreed bills i.e. utility bills, ground rent, service charge accounts, council tax, insurance etc...

Supervising cleaning prior to the clients arrival at the property and on departure Attending to emergency works Providing a welcome pack on the clients arrival

5

SERVICE

isit’s to the property every 2 weeks and the preparation of an V inspection report for the clients Forwarding of mail to previously agreed addresses Checking and payment of agreed bills i.e. utility bills, ground rent, service charge accounts, council tax, insurance etc...

Supervising cleaning every month, prior to the client’s arrival to the property and on departure. By arrangement; during the clients stay at the property Attending to emergency works Arranging chauffer driven limousine to and from the airport Providing a welcome pack on the clients arrival Advise on any maintenance and refurbishment work required Garden and indoor plant maintenance

For more information contact Hazal Baybasin on 020 7409 2233 or email management@michaeltims.co.uk

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Q

ualification is relatively straightforward, but professional advice needs to be sought. The amount that is paid for the lease extension or freehold is subject to complex valuation procedures, which may vary considerably depending on the terms of the existing lease, the lease covenants and the location of the property concerned. Other factors may also apply.

The benefits to flat owners are new lease of 90 years over the unexpired term A of their existing lease.

Dispensing with the need to pay ground rent.

A considerable improvement in value arising from completing the procedure.

The same would apply in circumstances of extending the lease of a house, but in most cases tenants of houses prefer to acquire their freehold.

Collective enfranchisement of the freehold of a block of flats will see the following benefits: Tenants taking control of the blocks including the right to grant themselves longer leases.

Dispensing with the need to pay ground rent.

Undertaking the future management of the blocks and all that entails.

For more information contact Michael Tims on 020 7409 2233 or email property@michaeltims.co.uk

YOUR HOME COULD BE

UNDER THREAT

NEW BESPOKE HOMECARE SERVICE AVAILABLE Research shows that in recent years more than 60% of properties bought in prime areas of Central London were by people and companies from overseas. Many of these purchasers only occupy their homes for limited periods and in some cases not at all.

Did you know that in circumstances of your leaving your property unattended for more than 30 days consecutively that there is every likelihood that you will invalidate your insurance in circumstances of there being damage caused to the property by floods, fire or break-ins etc.

However, help is at hand with the launch of our new “Homecare Service”, complimenting our existing highly regarded full property management service.

Why leave your property empty and unsupervised when “Homecare” will address all of the issues:

Depending on your requirements there are three levels of service: 3 4 5

With over 25 years of providing a professional service in prime Central London we are one of the market leaders in dealing with quality property management.

We look forward to being of service to you.

All provide regular inspections of the property including the forwarding of mail etc with the 5 service providing everything including arranging chauffeur driven limousines to the airport together with checking and paying agreed bills, supervising cleaning on arrival and departure and regular maintenance. Homecare will deal with any emergency work and even provide a welcoming pack on arrival.

From £750 per annum plus VAT A small price for “PEACE OF MIND” Our management service covers blocks of flats and individual properties both houses and flats.

CONSULTANT SURVEYORS VALUERS & ESTATE AGENTS 8 0 D U K E S T R E E T MAYFAIR, LONDON W1K 6JG Tel : 020 7409 2233 Fax: 020 7409 2223 Email: property@michaeltims.co.uk Web: www.michaeltims.co.uk

VAN GOGH WOULD HAVE GIVEN HIS RIGHT EAR FOR A GALLERY LIKE THIS. Battersea’s brightest new contemporary art gallery is at 61 Queenstown Road London SW8 3RG

020 7501 4049 07973 692 494 info@art-movement.com

www.art-movement.com

NEWHOMES THE LUXURY NEW HOMES & DEVELOPMENTS SUPPLEMENT WWW.THELIFEMAGAZINES.COM

IMAGE SUPPLIED BY WWW.ICONICAD.COM

MARCH 2015

ST A M PA P D ID U * TY

OCTAGON 68 RORY

View from rooftop terrace

LONG WALK VILLAS WINDSOR

Windsor’s Finest.

An elegant terrace of 9 classical townhouses in an enviable position, overlooking The Long Walk and Windsor Great Park.

These traditional style properties are built to the highest specifications with 4/5 bedrooms, numerous reception and entertaining areas, and private landscaped gardens.

With picturesque views towards the iconic Castle and ideally placed for the town centre, each property also benefits from its own rooftop terrace and secure private parking.

OCTAGON 69 Central London is easily accessible whilst Heathrow Airport RORY is less than 10 miles. Windsor and Eton train station provides a 29 minute train service to London Paddington and London Waterloo can be accessed in less than 1 hour.

Price £2.75 million

Show house in Kings Road, SL4 2AH Open daily 10am – 4pm Octagon: 020 3137 8226 longwalkvillas@octagon.co.uk Selling agents: Hamptons Windsor, 01753 855 555 www.octagon.co.uk * Stamp Duty paid subject to Terms and Conditions please speak to a member of the sales team for more details.

NEW HOMES

17th & 18th April 2015 ExCeL London

The Property Investor and Homebuyer Show In a nutshell, the UK’s premier property expo is the “MUST ATTEND” event for anyone serious about making money from property investment.

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t is the ideal place for networking, obtaining reliable and up to date property market information and, of course, investment property to buy. Equally it is designed to cater for all levels of property experience – everyone from the novice to the seasoned investor will find an answer to their questions. With 100+ exhibitors expected and over 70 seminars & presentations scheduled, you can identify the expertise and advice you need to make the right decisions on your specific area of investment interest.

Approximately 40% of the event will be dedicated to International property and provides the opportunity to compare established overseas markets such as USA, Spain, France, Italy & Turkey with emerging/newer locations e.g.

South East Asia & Africa. International agents and developers will be present alongside specialists who can advise you on the process of buying, selling, and even moving overseas.

As always the show is FREE to enter.

Thousands of visitors - comprising private buyers of UK/international property, portfolio landlords plus a broad spectrum of industry professionals (including Estate Agents & Developers) - will gather to profit fro m this unique sales and business generation event.

Some of the leading names in UK & International residential property will take part. In addition to ‘traditional Bricks & Mortar’, categories including Property Finance, Luxury International Resorts, Furnishings and Franchises will be represented in the hall.

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A broad selection of landlord and investor services will be displayed – along with a variety of great value “show only” exclusives. Doors open at 10.00 am each day. Visitors are required to register to secure free entry SHOW HIGHLIGHTS WILL INCLUDE L uxury Real Estate is a sector that embraces a broad spectrum of property types; including mature rural estates, modern alpine chalets, city penthouses and waterfront villas – plus a multitude of other UK and international options. one are the days when the UK investor looked no further than G Florida.Today many US states and cities offer a range of passive buyto-let deals bearing very attractive net rental yields This year the show features US property deals in a broad range of locations that include Atlanta, Detroit, Florida, Memphis, New York State, North Dakota & Philadelphia - a list set to grow as opening day approaches. growing trend among the property investors visiting the show in A recent years has been a demand to acquire different assets to add to their portfolios. Reflecting investor demand, this year’s visitors will be able to review the investment potential of a range of both property and non-property alternatives, e.g. Hotel Developments, Holiday Homes and Vehicles.

THE DETAILS For more details and to register for free entry, visit www.propertyinvestor.co.uk

NEW HOMES

Sting and Trudie Styler Purchase an Apartment in the Battersea Power Station Development

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attersea Power Station Development Company (BPSDC), on behalf of the shareholders of Battersea Power Station, confirms that Sting and Trudie Styler have purchased an apartment in the Battersea Power Station development as their new home in London.

The news was confirmed at a launch party held by Battersea Power Station at Canoe Studios in Manhattan, New York where Sting performed for 300 guests. The party showcased the development, ahead of a global tour to exhibit the current commercial leasing and residential sales opportunities.

Trudie Styler commented, “The exciting development plans for the whole site are a great solution for the regeneration of an iconic London landmark which has been in decay for the last 30 years. “We are both very pleased to be part of this new community and really look forward to making our London home at the Battersea Power Station.”

Rob Tincknell, CEO of BPSDC, who was hosting the party, commented, “I am thrilled that Trudie and Sting have chosen Battersea Power Station as their London home and really hope they enjoy being part of this exciting development. “The entire 42-acre Battersea Power Station site is now being transformed into a world-class destination, which will gather the best in class operators across the globe to create a unique place of which we can all be proud. We are now launching Phase 3 of the development, being stunning apartments designed by Gehry Partners and Foster + Partners.” No further information regarding this purchase is available.

Sting performed songs from his new musical, The Last Ship, which recently opened on Broadway at the Neil Simon Theatre, and he also played classic hits such as Englishman in New York, Every Little Thing She Does is Magic, Fields of Gold, Message in a Bottle and Every Breath You Take.

Battersea Power Station is at the heart of one of London’s largest, most visionary and eagerly anticipated new developments, which will see this vast 42 acre former industrial brownfield site become home to a community of homes, shops, cafes, offices and 18 acres of public space.

The £8bn project will see the creation of a vibrant, mixed-use development, a new town centre for London serviced by an extension to the Northern Line and the restoration of the Grade II* listed Power Station. Battersea Power Station is contributing up to £211m to the NLE, which was guaranteed by the Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne in the Autumn Statement of November 2012. According to Prime Minister David Cameron, it is the ‘jewel in the crown’ of central London’s significant regeneration area, Nine Elms on London’s South Bank.

The overall project is divided into seven phases, with each designed by a range of specialist architects.

Construction work officially began with Phase 1 on July 4th, 2013 - the 80th anniversary of this historic building. The overall development is anticipated to be completed in 2025, with The Power Station itself expected to be open to the public for the first time in over 30 years in 2019.

THE DETAILS For more detail on residential and commercial opportunities, please visit www.batterseapowerstation.co.uk

Astons Road, Moor Park Exquisite design. Pre-eminent location.

Price on application +44 (0) 203 332 0794 enquiries@moeniapartners.com

NEW HOMES

APARTMENTS AT THE WORLD’S TALLEST RESIDENTIAL BUILDING

GO ON SALE IN LONDON World One is a supertall residential skyscraper under construction in Mumbai, India. On completion in 2016, it will claim the title of the world’s tallest residential tower, delivering 300 homes.

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hough bookings for residences at World One closed in Mumbai in December 2014, the world’s tallest residential tower is opening up the sale for its luxury apartments in London.

Developed by Lodha Group, India’s largest real estate developer, the lavish apartments and penthouses will start at £1.4 million. Boasting of interiors designed by fashion brand, Giorgio Armani and spreading over 117 floors, the three and four-bedroom apartments on the upper floors will offer panoramic views of Mumbai and the Arabian Sea. The residences will be dotted with other features like comfort cooling, state-of-the-art home entertainment and security and electronic windows, curtains and blinds. Apart from the gym and spa, World One Tower also includes a cricket pitch with pavilion and club house for leisure and entertainment. The penthouses at the top of the 1,450ft sky scraper is devised by architects Pei Cobb Freed and Partners.

The World One Tower is the tallest tower of three in the scheme with completion in 2016.

It appears that the developers are now targeting elite Indian Mayfair

74 MARCH2015

residents and it has been reported that prestigious London estate agent, Wetherell Estates, have been appointed to sell the homes. Peter Wetherell, managing director of Wetherell Estates said that he plans to “tap into” the wealthy Indian community in Mayfair and channel wealth back into Mumbai.

Mumbai-based Lodha announced its arrival in London in 2013 with the purchase of the former Canadian High Commission building in Mayfair for £306m. It has since acquired a second property in central London for £90m.

Indian high net worth individuals are the largest group of overseas buyers in Mayfair, accounting for one in four sales…and far more active in the borough than Far Eastern, European, Middle Eastern or Russian property owners.

In fact, Indian investors purchased more than £1bn of luxury homes in London over the last 18 months, and include the likes of property investors, Lakshmi Mittal and Shashi Ruia.

Before the recession, the sale of international luxury development schemes, especially Middle Eastern projects, were often launched in London. Over the last few years, this practice has started to creep back in, and in 2014 Beauchamp Estates launched the Meier Tower in Tel Aviv in London.

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                                             

                                                  

                                                                                          

                                                                

 

 

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            

 

                                                  

                                   

   

www.iconicad.com 01932 379307

Stunning new 1, 2 and 3 bedroom apartments with balconies in the heart of vibrant SW18 with London on your doorstep

SELLING FAST. Don’t miss out. To book a viewing at our marketing suite call 0844 406 9288 or visit www.theschoolyardsw18.com

NEW HOMES

An exclusive development of just eleven 1, 2, & 3 bedroom apartments designed by the world renowned LINLEY Interior Design. Nineteen Buckingham Street is an imposing Grade II* listed Georgian property, positioned in a quiet street within the Adelphi Conservation Area, nestled between The Strand and Victoria Embankment Gardens.

The apartments feature voluminous entertaining spaces, benefiting from the high ceilings and grandly proportioned sash windows of the Georgian era. Where possible, original cornicing, decorative joinery and fireplaces have been restored and retained or reinstated with sympathetic pieces, whilst bespoke LINLEY walnut cabinetry completes the signature look. Each kitchen has been individually designed and built by LINLEY’s master craftsmen featuring a range of Miele appliances.

Prices from: ÂŁ2,850,000

78 MARCH2015

T: 020 7664 6649 E: newhomes@jackson-stops.com

55 Conduit Street is a striking period property, centrally located on this highly coveted Mayfair address. Just one of five apartments remains in this boutique development and has been finished to Artesian’s exemplary standards, reflecting their many years of experience in creating some of the Capital’s most exclusive residences.

The spacious reception rooms are located to the front of the building featuring a pretty arched window which gives the room unique character and charm. Both bedrooms are located to the rear of the building, with the master bedroom benefiting from an extensive allocation of wardrobes by Poliform of Chelsea and a sumptuous en-suite shower room.The second bedroom has use of a separate shower room which doubles as a guest cloakroom. Each apartment also features a well-equipped separate kitchen with Miele and Gaggenau appliances.

Asking Price: £1,895,000

T: 020 7664 6649 E: newhomes@jackson-stops.com

MARCH2015 79

LAST FEW HOMES REMAINING FOR SALE IN MILL HILL’S FINEST NEW COMMUNITY MILL HILL’S LEADING DEVELOPMENT, MILL HILL PLACE, A PRESTIGIOUS COLLECTION OF 38 TWO AND THREE-BEDROOM LUXURY APARTMENTS AND PENTHOUSES, IS NOW COMPLETE WITH RESIDENTS LIVING IN THEIR NEW HOMES AND ONLY THE LAST FEW APARTMENTS REMAINING FOR SALE.

Built by leading Hertfordshire developer Heronslea Group, Mill Hill Place is 90 per cent sold and to mark the special occasion of its completion a cocktail party was held for all the residents. This once redundant brownfield site has been totally transformed into a wonderful place to live with a great community and the added benefit of exceptional onsite facilities.

Jason Rishover CEO of Heronslea Group comments: “We have set a higher benchmark in the area creating homes that surpass anything else on the market.

We have now sold all but four of these fabulous new homes, and would urge any aspiring homeowners to act fast to be in with a chance of securing one of the last remaining properties at this in-demand development.”

Set within gated landscaped grounds, in the heart of Mill Hill Village Conservation Area, Mill Hill Place comprises eight individual houses with lateral apartments within and benefits from an elevated position providing views over the surrounding area.

Close to a range of excellent schools, shops, parks and transport links, Mill Hill Place provides both privacy and high security with a gated entrance, under-ground parking, 24-hour concierge, video entry system, CCTV throughout and private resident’s gym.

No expense has been spared

by Heronslea Group who has created a selection of stunning homes that offer exclusivity, security and luxury lateral living on a grand scale. Prices for the remaining homes start at £995,000 for a two-bedroom apartment.

Featuring traditional exteriors which are in keeping with the period homes of the local area, internally each home has been crafted to an extremely high standard, with high specification, high quality finishes and the latest technology, normally only associated with Central London properties, and not yet seen in this part of the capital.

The landscaped gardens have seating areas and a stunning water feature with each home benefiting from a balcony or terrace facing into the gardens.

Offering the very best in London living, Mill Hill Place is located in the super suburb of Mill Hill, renowned for its stylish shopping, amenities and green open spaces. The development is within walking distance to Mill Hill Broadway providing excellent links into the capital, as well as being close to a range leisure facilities including; Mill Hill Park, Mill Hill Country Club, Mill Hill Golf Course and South Herts Golf Club. The neighbouring areas of Golders Green, Finchley, Hampstead, Highgate Village and Brent Cross Shopping Centre provide endless entertainment options.

For further information please contact the joint selling agents Preston Bennett New Homes on 020 8954 8626, newhomes@prestonbennett.co.uk or visit www.prestonbennett.co.uk Or Glentree New Homes on 0208 731 9500, newhomes@glentree.com or visit www.millhillplace.com

LAST OPPORTUNITY, ONLY FOUR APARTMENTS REMAINING WELCOME HOME Set behind a gated entrance and arranged around beautifully landscaped gardens, Mill Hill Place is a collection of stunning penthouses and contemporary apartments.

Each apartment benefits from its own private terrace/balcony, an outstanding level of specification, concierge service, secure underground parking and on-site gym.

Contact us 020 8421 9139 sales@millhillplace.com

Visit our show apartments 10am – 5pm, 7 days a week Hammers Lane, Mill Hill, London NW7 4AQ

90% SOLD

FINAL PHASE NOW RELEASED

millhillplace.com

Development by:

Joint Sole Agents:

newhomes@prestonbennett.co.uk 020 8954 8626

Prices from ÂŁ995,000

newhomes@glentree.com 020 8731 9500

heronslea-group.co.uk

Elegant living in restored splendour.

With the Elmbridge Wing at an advanced stage in the restoration process and 30% of homes sold off-plan, now is the time to book your personal appointment to view our Information Centre and Showhome.

Set within seven acres on a glorious tree-lined hill overlooking London, St Joseph's Gate comprises a selection of fabulously spacious 2, 3 and 4 bedroom refurbished and new build apartments. Concierge services, CCTV and gated access ensure privacy and security, while the lovingly restored historic features lend an air of opulence and individuality. St Joseph's Gate is located just 10 miles from central London, with Mill Hill East and Mill Hill Broadway tube stations providing services to Oxford Circus and the City with travel times of 28 and 35 minutes respectively†.

With a number of apartments in the Elmbridge Wing ready to move into in Spring 2015, do not miss the opportunity to reserve one of these beautiful homes.

RECOMMEND A FRIEND If you successfully recommend a friend to us and they purchase a home at St Joseph's Gate, you will receive a cheque for £5000.* Please ask for further details.

To fully appreciate this exceptional collection of homes a visit to our Information Centre and Showhome is recommended, open daily from 10am to 5pm. Telephone 01753 257125 or email sales.oxford@berkeleyhomes.co.uk to book your personal appointment.

Prices from £899,995 – £2,500,000 Information Centre and Showhome, Lawrence Street, Mill Hill, London NW7 4JX

www.stjosephsgate.co.uk Proud to be a member of the Berkeley Group of companies

†Source: www.tfl.gov.uk *Subject to terms and conditions. Computer generated illustrations of St Joseph’s Gate are indicative only. Prices correct at time of going to press.

An Award-winning Sixth-Form College In the Heart of Central London

Principals James Eytle and Beverley Mellon receiving the award for Best London Independent Sixth-Form College 2014 from Les Webb of sixth-form.com.

• Small group sizes – max class size of 8.

• Excellent location – in the heart of Mayfair in central London close to Hyde Park and Oxford Street.

• Excellent results

– 89.4% of A-level students gained A*, A, B grades in June 2014.

Wide Subject Choice

A-level & GCSE courses covering a wide range of subjects across Sciences, Humanities, Social Sciences, Arts and Languages.

Specialist Programmes for University Entry

Specialist programmes for university entry onto competitive degree courses including Medicine, Dentistry, Law, Economics, Psychology, Architecture and Engineering.

For enrolment enquiries please contact the College Administrator, Julia Millar on 020 7409 7273 or by email admin@albemarle.org.uk

www.albemarle.org.uk

EDUCATION

Initiative encourages girls to

fly not flop to their future Sydenham High GDST is showing its youngest pupils how to flourish and fly, rather than flip and flop, to the challenges of the future with its most ambitious co-curricular initiative yet.

B

uilding on an already strong reputation for developing student resilience and whole-girl centred learning, Sydenham High’s Flourish and Fly is an extensive programme of activities and challenges designed to ensure girls are equipped to reach their full potential. It is being embedded into all aspects of Junior School life and complements the highly developed PSHE curriculum already in operation throughout the whole school, all the way from Early Years to Sixth Form.

The initiative works across subjects and year groups to stretch ability, to build confidence and to develop collaborative working. Each half term will take on one of the four Girls’ Day School Trust values – Be Bold; Girls First; Be Principled and Networked – as its theme, culminating in a week of activities and challenges to bring that particular value to life.

Last half term students from Reception to Year 6 explored

Didn’t get the state school place you wanted?

A few additional places available for September 2015 From scientific exploration to personal discovery, our outstanding education goes way beyond exams Open events Junior: Wednesday 6 May

9.30 - 11am

Senior: Thursday 7 May 9.30 - 11am Wednesday 24 June 6.30 - 8pm (including our D’Art Exhibition)

020 8557 7004 admissions@syd.gdst.net www.sydenhamhighschool.gdst.net 15 & 19 Westwood Hill, London, SE26 6BL

what it means to ‘be bold’, starting with girls rising to the challenge of being the best role model they could be for their peers and delivering random acts of kindness around school.

The final week’s activities gave students ample opportunity to challenge themselves. Highlights included a collaborative art project to create giant Mosaic installation; a playground Speaker’s Corner; master classes with Senior School scholars, forensic science detective workshops and an assault course challenge. Parents also joined staff and girls for a ‘Wake and Shake’ workout.

Head of Junior School, Claire Boyd said: “This is an exciting and bold initiative which has true Sydenham Spirit at its heart.

We want every girl to find her spark, challenge herself and soar ahead knowing that she has the ability to see around obstacles when they arise. All our girls need to be able to truly flourish and fly, not flip and flop, when it comes to facing the future.”

Fish Media October 2014 ad_Alleyn's 04/11/2014 14:08 Page 1

CE 4213 Fulham Life Advertisement:Layout 1 2/6/15 11:13 AM Page 1

Co-educational, academic excellence is closer than you think.

Alleyn’s School, Dulwich: 14 minutes from London Bridge; 12 minutes from Victoria.

Westminster 3 miles

Surrey Quays 4 miles

Notting Hill 6 miles

Marble Arch 5 miles

Knightsbridge 6 miles

Greenwich 4 miles

Fulham 6 miles

Clapham 3 miles

The City 5 miles

Chelsea 6 miles

Borough 5 Miles

Battersea 5 Miles

Balham 3 Miles

Independent day school for boys and girls aged 4–18.

Dedicated daily coaches serving inner and outer London.

For more information visit our website alleyns.org.uk Tel: 020 8557 1478

Fulham Prep School

Alleyn’s School

Is your child passionate about music, or in tune with a wide curriculum of subjects?

Find out how your child can reach their full potential by calling 020 7371 9911 (reception to year 2) or 020 7386 2444 (years 3 to 8). www.fulhamprep.co.uk

Fulham Pre-Prep Open Day Thursday 19th March, 2015 between 09:30 and 11:00am.

47A Fulham High Street.

Walk in anytime, no need to register.

All prospective parents welcome.

F

S

Motivation • Inspiration • Excellence

EARLY YEARS ‘‘This is a big, bold, very brilliant school.’’

Tatler School Guide 2015

www.dulwichpreplondon.org registrar@dulwichpreplondon.org

Located in the heart of Belsize Park in Hampstead, Sarum Hall is a modern and successful school in which pupils are motivated to learn, inspired to fulfil their potential and encouraged to achieve excellence.

Natural talents and enquiring minds are nurtured, allowing girls to explore new horizons with confidence. We are proud of our academic, scholarship and examination success; the foundations laid at Sarum Hall last a lifetime.

Means-tested bursaries are available for a limited number of pupils.

Please contact the school for further information.

Headmistress: Mrs C Smith 15 Eton Avenue London NW3 3EL Tel: 020 7794 2261 Email: admissions@sarumhallschool.co.uk www.sarumhallschool.co.uk Charity number: 312721 Company Registration number: 0666444

Preparatory School for Girls aged 3 to 11 years

ASHBOURNE COLLEGE A Level Scholarships Music and Performing Arts

• One of London’s best private colleges • Outstanding facilities for music, drama and art including state-of-the-art composing and recording software • Emphasis on study skills, independent thinking and individual attention has produced excellent exam results and university destinations • Informal, university-style approach and wide range of cultural activities • Opportunities for full and partial scholarships for students with exceptional talent and academic ability.

Contact admissions on: 020 7937 3858 admissions@ashbournecollege.co.uk

college.co.uk

Ashbourne Independent Sixth Form Kensington, London W8 4PL

Find the best tutors in your area |

Maths

|

English

020 3322 4748

|

Science

& more!

tutorfair.com

ST. JOHN’S WOOD PRE - PREPARATORY SCHOOL

Over 30 Years of Happiness & Success in Education

Now enrolling

Limited places available

Congratulations to the Year 2 class of 2013/2014 for receiving offers from schools including:

For a school tour please contact Miss Ollie o.baskett@ghs.gemsedu.co.uk

The Hampshire School C H E L S E A

Building confidence & character since 1928

EARLY YEARS, PRE-PREPARATORY & PREPARATORY

15 Manresa Road, London. SW3 6NB

Tel: 020 7352 7077 fishmedia ad march 2015:Layout 1

26/2/15

www.ths.westminster.sch.uk

15:33

Independent Co-educational 3-11 years. Founded 1942. ISA & IAPS

Inspiring Brilliant Futures We have a few places remaining in Nursery and Reception for September 2015 entry

Open Mornings Tuesday 17th March 9.30 - 11.00 Tuesday 9th June 9.30 - 11.00 Tours of the school are held on Tuesday mornings Bursaries available

020-8670 5865 email: admissions@rosemeadprepschool.org.uk www.rosemeadprepschool.org.uk

Page 1

City Of London School For Girls, Colet Court, Haberdashers’ Aske’s Boys’, Highgate School, Latymer Prep School, Lyndhurst House School North Bridge House, Southbank International, South Hampstead High School and University College School Visit our brand new website and book for a tour of this small happy and successful school 020 7722 7149 info@sjwpre-prep.org.uk www.sjwpre-prep.org.uk

Developing independent thinkers and learners Junior School Open Day Tuesday 5 May 9.00 am - 10.45 am Register for Open Days at www.schs.gdst.net or contact us for an individual visit Streatham & Clapham High School Nursery & Junior School Wavertree Road SW2 3SR 020 8674 6912 junior@schs.gdst.net

AMDG

DONHEAD

33 Edge Hill Wimbledon London SW19 4NP T: 020 8946 7000 www.donhead.org.uk

PREPARATORY SCHOOL

A Jesuit School Preparatory Day School for Boys 4 to 11 years Outstanding Inspection Report available to view at www.donhead.org.uk       

Our 10 year £7.7m development scheduled for completion in December 2015 Catholic Ethos Children of all denominations welcome Entry and scholarships achieved to top state and independent schools Outstanding Sporting and Musical tradition Extensive extra-curricular provision Wrap-Around Care from 8.00am to 6.00pm

Full admissions details available via the website.

To arrange a personal tour please contact: Mrs June Smith, PA to the Headmaster, at headmasterpa@donhead.org.uk or telephone 020 8946 7000 (extension 1)

EDUCATION

THE GOLD STANDARD

F

airley House School, described by the Sunday Times as the ‘Gold Standard’, is London’s leading day school for children with specific learning difficulties.

Offering a unique education with Educational Psychologists, Speech, Language and Occupational Therapists integrated into the school curriculum, the school enjoys a central London location with excellent facilities.

Addressing the needs of children from the age of five, who require assistance due to dyslexia and dyspraxia, the school has a staff/pupil ratio of 1:3.5 and the average stay at the school is between two to three years. Children then return to mainstream schooling with a new ‘can do’ attitude.

0899 FH LIFE 125mm(h) x 185mm(w).indd 1

Following a great deal of encouragement from our parental body, Fairley House has decided, from September 2015, to continue its educational provision until the completion of Key Stage 4.

This will enable pupils to carry on their education in an environment that ensures that their needs are fully met.

While our intention is to enable your child to rejoin mainstream education as quickly as possible, our provision will now offer the possibility of remaining in our school to undertake the first major examinations that a pupil will face. Many of our alumni have enjoyed great success at GCSE and A-Level and they have progressed to top universities and have successful careers in a range of professions. We are certain that this new development will enhance the provision that Fairley House can offer.

24/01/2015 09:47

Stop saying

pardon

It’s easier than you think to get great hearing Customer testimonial Audéo V

So you’ve noticed the TV getting louder and people mumble all the time but what have you done about it?

Accepted it?

Started to lip read?

Said pardon alot which is now driving other people mad?

The reality of it is there are more than 100 million people in the UK (1 in 6) you can’t hear as well as they used to - it’s not the end of the world, it’s treatable in so many different ways.

The new state of the art hearing aid technology is powered by new chip technology and marks the beginning of the next generation of hearing aids.

NEW

Phonak Venture Audéo V Running on the new AutoSense OS, Audéo V hearing aids recognize and automatically adapt to more listening situations than ever before. AutoSense OS accurately captures and analyzes the sound environment and then more precisely than ever before blends feature elements in real time to provide a seamless listening experience.

Phonak Lyric Only 12 mm long, Lyric sits completely out of sight deep inside the ear canal and can be worn untouched for months-at-a-time. 94 %* of Lyric users would specifically recommend a Lyric hearing aid to a friend or loved one. Lyric is just one of many ingenious solutions from Phonak.

Jayne Leadbeater age 47, Otley West Yorkshire I am a musician and music teacher, working in the Yorkshire Region. My Phonak hearing aids have been absolutely amazing So many aspects of my life have been changed and enhanced as a result and I would now be lost without them.

When I came home after having had them fitted my husband’s immediate response was “wow you’re not shouting anymore!” Both my children also commented that ‘mum was speaking much quieter’.

I can watch films now without subtitles I can hear the phone ring I can hear birds singing I can wear my hair short as the aids are very discreet and incredibly light and comfortable I can go to parties and not spend all night asking people to repeat themselves only to give up in the end and just nod Hearing loss is a strange thing. Unlike loss of sight you don’t always realise what you are missing and what lengths you go to to accommodatefor the loss until someone and something gives you that hearing back again.

We are offering 50 Calibre readers a free 30 day trial of either Lyric or Venture (normally £300).

This is a limited offer for 50 people only.

So, don’t delay call Pindrop Hearing on 0207 487 2660 to book your appointment, quoting ‘calibre Lyric and venture offer’.

Discover the latest technology.

Book your appointment with us

0207 487 2660

107 Harley Street, London W1G 6AL

YUMMY MUMMY CLUB

HEALTH & BEAUTY

www.theparkclub.co.uk MARCH2015 93

HEALTH & BEAUTY

COSMETIC DERMATOLOGIST, DR ARIEL HAUS INTRODUCES

Ultherapy: an Uplift not a Facelift!

Being able to offer my patients the ultimate skin technology that Ultherapy offers, allows them the opportunity to walk away with skin that they only remembered from their youth.

It gives me great pleasure to see the difference in not just their outer appearance but their inner confidence too; they step out of my clinic with a bounce in their step

BEFORE TREATMENT

AFTER TREATMENT

T

he new non-invasive lifting and toning procedure that reaches the same tissue targeted in a facelift but without disrupting the surface of the skin.

No downtime. Visible improvement usually seen after just one treatment.

Brazilian Dermatologist, Dr Haus is proud to offer the acclaimed non-surgical lifting procedure Ultherapy, which is the only FDA-approved non-invasive treatment for lifting the skin on the neck, chin and brow and to improve lines and wrinkles on the dĂŠcolletage.

Ultherapy uses focused ultrasound technology to stimulate collagen deep within the skin, but without cutting the surface and without any downtime. The result? Tighter and firmer skin...even on the neck!

WHAT IS UNIQUE ABOUT THIS PROCEDURE? Ultherapy is the only non-invasive treatment that can specifically target the deep foundation below the skin, that which is typically addressed in cosmetic surgery, but without cutting or disrupting the surface of the skin. It is also the only procedure to use ultrasound imaging, which allows Dr Haus to actually see the layers of tissue to target during treatment and ensure the energy is directed to precisely where it will be most effective.

WHO CAN HAVE THE TREATMENT? Ultherapy is safe and effective for all skin types and colours.

94 MARCH2015

BEFORE TREATMENT

AFTER TREATMENT

HOW LONG WILL THE TREATMENT TAKE? In just one hour - and without any downtime - you will be well on your way to tighter and firmer skin.

HOW MANY SESSIONS WOULD I NEED? Only one treatment is required; however, some patients may benefit from more than one treatment depending on how much laxity they have, and their body’s own biological response to the ultrasound and collagen-building process.

HOW LONG DO RESULTS LAST? Improvement following treatment is cumulative, and most patients treated with Ultherapy still have fresh young collagen a year following the procedure.

HOW LONG UNTIL I SEE RESULTS? Patients may enjoy some initial effect but the ultimate lifting and toning will take place over 2-3 months, as tired collagen is replaced with new, more elastic collagen. As this collagen-building process continues, further improvements can appear up to 6 months following a procedure.

Ultherapy lifts and tones your skin in one transforming treatment, minus the downtime!

THE DETAILS For Appointments Telephone 020 7323 6559 10 Harley Street, London W1G 9PF www.drhausdermatology.com

HEALTH & BEAUTY

Cutting Edge Hairdressing Hairdressing is perhaps one of the few industries left that can’t be overtaken by the internet and it’ll never go out of fashion. It’s a highly skilled creative sector where individual character and talent defines success. Hundreds of entrepreneurs have opened their own salons in the UK in recent years but there’s still a shortage of new entrants.

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stablished in 2011, the London Hairdressing Apprenticeship Academy is a dynamic and innovative vocational training organisation that specialises in high quality hairdressing training for adults and young people seeking a career in hairdressing. The LHAA caters for those wanting a new direction in their professional lives or those just starting out in the world of work.

Its adult trainees come from a diverse range of sectors including cabin crew, driving instructors and even former accountants.

The Academy has three state of the art hairdressing training salons, based in Borehamwood (Hertfordshire), Camden (London) and Loughton (Essex) and supports the skills requirements for more than 350 salons across the South East. Francine Luker, Founder and Managing Director, said: “Our training is designed to deliver a real work based experience and the Academy employs professionally qualified teaching staff, all from the hairdressing industry, to ensure that the course content meets the needs of the modern salon environment.”

Walking in to any of the three LHAA academies is just like entering a vibrant, cutting edge, high street salon. Each one features bespoke Italian designed salon furniture, fixtures and fittings. Students have access to the very latest hairdressing and barbering equipment and the training courses have been carefully

designed to ensure that aspiring hairdressers are motivated, coached and encouraged to be the best that they can be.

Included in the LHAA’s programme are complementary areas such as commercial salon awareness and product retailing training.

By attending the academy one day a week and one evening a week, the private training course can be completed in six months. This extends to a year if candidates can only attend one day per week, so training is flexible.

All learners study towards their NVQ Diploma in Hairdressing Level 2 and having achieved this, can then progress to a Level 3 Diploma.

LHAA’s course costs are highly competitive and the Academy offers discounts to those who continue training towards a Level 3 Diploma.

Kiri Constantinou, owner of The Fabulous Hair Company in Palmers Green, North London, said: “You are training in the very best environment for hairdressing education. The LHAA trainers are excellent. I’ve been a salon owner for 20 years and it’s at a different level to any other training out there.”

THE DETAILS For more information about training with LHAA, visit www.lhaa.co.uk or call 0208 953 9344.

Enrolling Now for Private Adult Hairdressing Courses

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Gastrointestinal and General Surgery Services Get back to being you faster, at Highgate Private Hospital Whether you need major surgery, hernia repair, varicose vein treatment or a more simple investigation of a health concern, we can care for you from diagnosis through to treatment.

We offer: • E xpert Consultant General Surgeons • E ndoscopic examination to help identify the causes of any problems • O nsite Diagnostic Services for any scans or further investigations • Private Medical Insurance? Highgate Private Hospital is approved by all major medical insurers • P aying for your treatment? Highly competitive, all inclusive and transparent prices Our Consultants specialise in: • Hernias • Gallstones • Endoscopy • Varicose veins • Colorectal problems • IBS and Constipation • Biliary and liver disease • Ulcers and digestive issues • General and Vascular Surgery • Minimally Invasive (laparoscopic) Surgery If you are worried about a recurring problem, we can help…

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MARCH2015 101

HEALTH & BEAUTY

THE LABORATORY Winner of the UK Health club of the Year Award in 2012 & again in 2014!

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uxury, style, space and elegance create the perfect environment to escape the many pressures of a hectic London life. Relaxation is essential to both the body and mind and the Laboratory Spa and Health Club provides a gateway to undisputed tranquillity. The Laboratory boasts an effortless and peaceful ambience in drawing you in and leaving you wanting more. Winner of the UK Health Club of the Year award 2012/13 (National Fitness Awards) and Voted Best Private Health Club and Spa in London by Time Out; ‘the Club exudes an air of sophistication that strikes you the minute you walk through the feng-shui lobby. The Lab offers a unique atmosphere rarely enjoyed in other clubs’.

Innovative, motivational and led by some of the UK’s finest and most-respected fitness professionals, the Lab offers an unrivalled and envied timetable of group exercise classes to cater for every age, interest, and schedule. Schwinn cycling, BodyPump, salsa, aquatics, yoga, pilates, qi gong and so much more! Regular courses are also held, from meditation to Zumba and hula hooping workouts, pole-dancing and motivational talks.

The Juice Bar is the ideal place to enjoy fresh and healthy snacks, and catch up with other members of the Club. Freshly made juices, home-made light meals and refreshments made from the highest quality ingredients make for a scrumptious menu.

In each Club there is a spectacular 25 metre swimming pool. These beautiful award winning pools are cleansed with the latest UV light technology, ensuring the highest possible standards of hygiene with minimal levels of chlorine. This enables members to bathe in comfort in the finest water possible. Whether it’s a few gentle lengths

before a steam or serious lane swimming as part of your cardio-vascular workout, it’s heaven for anyone who enjoys a swim.Each pool area incorporates twin spa baths, a wonderful relaxation area, marble steam rooms and Scandinavian saunas to help completely unwind.

The newly-refurbished treatment rooms are the perfect backdrop for the exceptional team of highly-qualified spa therapists and holistic therapists to deliver a broad range of exceptional treatments including facials, massage, body care therapies , hot stone and reflexology, to name but a few.

The Laboratory Spa & Health Clubs are one of the few remaining independent, privately owned Clubs in London. The original flag-ship site opened in 1995 with the impressive backdrop of Alexandra Palace in Muswell Hill. The Club is surrounded by its own luscious and secluded gardens where you can sun-bathe or chill out in private.

At The Laboratory, unlike most other clubs, there is no annual contract. Vas Hava, Director says “Our members stay with us because they value what we offer and love what we do. We provide an oasis of calm in a busy life. We aim to help you achieve your goals and increase your individual wellbeing. At the Lab you will be transported to a world of serenity, where muscle tension and the mind›s concerns simply melt away allowing you to emerge refreshed, balanced and energised.”

Lab members have full use of all facilities. Non members are welcome to use our Day Spa. THE DETAILS For further information contact us on: 020 8457 3300 (Mill Hill) or 020 8482 3000 (Muswell Hill) Mill Hill: 1a Hall Lane, NW4 4TJ Muswell Hill: The Avenue N10 2QE www.labspa.co.uk

The Lab’s philosophy is to not just treat the body on its own, but the mind and soul as well. The Day Spa at The Lab is a haven of peace and calm that provides a chance to escape the stresses of daily life.

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PROUD WINNERS OF THE UK’S FINEST HEALTH CLUB OF THE YEAR 2012 & 2014 JOIN & CELEBRATE 20 YEARS OF EXCELLENCE MUSWELL HILL THE AVENUE N10 2QE CALL 020 8482 3000 MILL HILL HALL LANE NW4 4TJ CALL 020 8457 3300 LABSPA.CO.UK

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Putney Leisure Centre 020 8785 0388 Tooting Leisure Centre 020 8333 7555

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Managed by Places for People Leisure Ltd on behalf Wandsworth Council. Offer Ends 31st March 2015

THE PARK CLUB feel the difference...

Call 0203 740 4323 or visit theparkclub.co.uk The Park Club East Acton Lane West London W3 7HB.

GYM AWARDS 2014 WINNER OF

BEST FOR FAMILIES

HEALTH & BEAUTY

BORED OF THE GYM? WANT MORE? Welcome to The Park Club Lifestyle...

The Park Club is a family owned private members’ Club, set in 27 acres of mature grounds, in West London. It’s a safe haven where children experience new activities and learn their independence.

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t’s where parents and our adult only members get time and space to themselves – whether that be getting into shape or simply relaxing. And it’s the place where families come together, share time and meet new and old friends alike.

BEST EQUIPMENT The Park Club team are here to enhance your quality of your life by encouraging regular physical activity, a healthy diet and a positive approach to life.

Throughout the Club we are investing in your future.

Having spent £1 million in our gymnasiums, members can be assured of the very best equipment available.

Whether you want comfort, smoothness, efficiency, technology or entertainment our Technogym excite cardiovascular equipment in the gymnasium provides it all. Stay connected with your personal trainer (anywhere you go) via the Technogym Wellness cloud; keep in touch friends or work via Facebook, Twitter and email from your

106 MARCH2015

bike; choose to watch one of 32 TV channels, listen to the radio, surf the internet, play online games from each cardio machine – the choice is yours!

For those who like a little nostalgia, then we are also incredibly proud to have the weight training machines from the Olympic 2012 London Olympics!

PERSONAL SERVICE Whilst great equipment is important, our most important asset is our team of personal trainers and the expert knowledge and time they have to assist you. New members enjoy 5 one-to-one personal training sessions ­in their first month with one of our friendly, qualified personal trainers.

Every one-hour session is tailored around each member’s personal goals and preferences.

We help those who have never set foot in a gym before, as well as those that train hard for competitive sport. Our expert staff will help you, whatever your fitness level.

After you’ve settled in, we carry on giving you one-hour sessions with a personal trainer every month of your membership. This helps to keep you motivated and allows your trainer to adjust your fitness plan as you continue making progress.

If group exercise is your preferred activity, we have highly

experienced class instructors to motivate and stimulate you with over 100 classes a week included in your membership.

For the sporty, we’ve amazing coaches ready to share their knowledge and enthusiasm in triathlon, tennis, football, karate, cricket and more!

RESULTS With expert help and motivation included in your membership, you’re more likely to get the results you want. Especially, using the very latest Technogym Excite + Cardio equipment. Experience a gym where there is no queuing for equipment and discover studio classes where there is no need to book your class, just turn up.

FREEDOM For busy parents we have our superb Ark in the Park crèche and day care nursery. Set in its’ very own 1.5 acres, The Ark is dedicated to the indoor and outdoor play and development for our youngest members! For those with older children there is coaching and development of all the activities available to adults!

The Park club won’t tie you into an annual contract; we rely on the quality of our facilities and the results you will attain to keep you as a member.

You can enjoy our luxury fitness experience for less than you may have thought, especially with our off peak membership which covers many traditional Clubs’ peak times.

The Park Club delivers an incredible range of flexible classes with professional staff and coaches for adults and children. With extended indoor areas and wide-open spaces we’ll ensure that no time is wasted in the pursuit of your fun and relaxation.

CHOICE Activity is the key to health and wellness. The Park Club complements its gymnasium and studios with the widest variety of opportunities for sport and relaxation. Members (young and old) are invited to participate in tennis, football, gymnastics, cricket, swimming, ballet and martial arts at a level they choose to pursue. We will serve as an inspiration to help you and your family make beneficial changes to your lifestyle, and increase your fitness in your own time.

At The Park Club you can enjoy spending time relaxing in the family or adult bar or go al fresco on the terrace.

Indulge yourself with a pampering treatment in The Park Club MediSpa where expert help is also on hand from our team led by Consultant Dermatologist, Dr Bela. Or experience an unrivalled calendar of social events where you’ll have time to meet new friends. There’s so much to do all the time.

THE DETAILS For further membership information, please contact Marcus, Pippa or Alex on 020 8740 4599, email: marcus@theparklub.co.uk or visit theparkclub.co.uk

MARCH2015 107

HEALTH & BEAUTY

What’s

in the technology?

WORDS BY MELANIE PICKARD

How much do you really know about hearing aids? Are you under the assumption they are still the same bulky banana-shaped items that once sat heavily on your ears and had a mind of their own, whistling and buzzing at the most inconvenient times?

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earing aids and their technology have moved on significantly over the last few years.

Cosmetically they are much more discreet and comfortable to wear, some models are even advertised as “invisible” because they are so tiny they sit concealed inside the ear canal itself. The average size of a hearing aid is now similar in size to a coffee bean!

As for the technology there have been some impressive recent developments, made all the more remarkable by the fact it all fits carefully inside the small shell, whilst offering so much more in terms of benefits. For example, many hearing aids can now sync up to other technical devices, you can listen to the television, a mobile phone call or your MP3 player directly through your hearing aid.

If you look at Oticon, one of the world’s leading hearing aid manufacturers, you can start to get an idea on just how advanced the technology in these small items really is. One feature offered on the majority of their products is Speech Guard, which enables the sound of the voice you are listening to be clearly projected into your ear without it sounding artificial, allowing background noise to be dialled down.

Another feature, Spatial Sound, allows you to tune in to what you wish within your surroundings, just like your brain would naturally try to do for you.

These hearing aids are so advanced that they can be adapted to your own

108 MARCH2015

preferences, so if background noise has caused you a problem with hearing someone right in front of you in the past, these instruments can be set to make the direct speech coming from this individual a priority for you. Not only does this make all life situations easier but it takes away the added strain to your brain, eliminating the need to work hard on listening. Trying to determine what may have just been said after the second or third time of asking someone to repeat themselves can become increasingly tiring. Your brain has to keep up and work extra hard and the stress of hearing loss can take its toll, potentially leaving you feeling isolated, frustrated and depressed.

With the help of these hearing aids and their features life is simply made clearer and calmer. Even the outer shell of a hearing aid that sits inside the ear canal is custom made for pure comfort. Discretion is everything, how many people do you know who wear hearing aids? You may be surprised to learn it’s actually more than you realise…

For more information on hearing aids and advice on living with hearing loss pop into your local Hidden Hearing centre. With trained Hearing Aid Dispensers and dedicated hearing aids fitters based in branch there’s no better time to call in and have a FREE hearing test.

A new store has just opened on Maddox Street, which is a stone’s throw away from London’s Regent Street.

THE DETAILS To see the latest technology in hearing testing and hearing accessories visit Hidden Hearing 33 Maddox Street, London W1S 2PB or call 0207 0466066. www.hiddenhearing.co.uk

NOW YOUR FRIENDS

CAN’T TALK BEHIND YOUR BACK

WITH THESE MODERN HEARING AIDS. FOR A FREE HEARING HEALTH CHECK CALL IN NOW AT:

33 Maddox Street, W1S 2PB 0207 046 6066 248-250 Kensington High Street, W8 6ND

0207 348 9810

www.hiddenhearing.co.uk

HEALTH & BEAUTY

DR JOHN QUINN MD

Harley Street Comes to Greenwich with Quinn Clinics Cosmetic treatments are on the rise in the UK with more and more adults opting for professional skin treatments to improve the appearance of their skin.

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ith greater demand comes greater competition, so in an expanding market which is still as yet unregulated in terms of who can carry out procedures, how does the discrening client choose a safe and reliable provider?

Quinn Clinics is a private, independent practice, founded in 2006 by Dr John Quinn and dedicated to providing high quality skincare treatments. Despite rapid expansion of the non-surgical treatments market over the last decade, Quinn Clinics remains a doctor-led company with high standards of clinical care at the heart of the business. The business is registered with Care Quality Commission (CQC) – a voluntary, independent accreditation assuring high clinical standards throughout.

PROFESSIONAL SKIN TREATMENTS The company offers an extensive range of professional skin treatments and, thanks to investment in the latest equipment and ongoing training, can boast choices of treatment and standards of service that would rival most Harley Street practices.

All anti-ageing injections are carried out personally be Dr John Quinn who is so expert and admired that he even trains other medical professionals in his techniques. The clinic has invested in the latest skin technology including IPL, CO2 fractional laser and radiofrequency treatments.

While the clinic enjoys an excellent reputation for naturallooking yet effective anti-ageing procedures, they also treat a number of medical skin conditions, including acne, acne scarring, excessive sweating (hyperhidrosis), pigmentation, rosacea and thread veins. Friendly beauty therapists are trained to a high standard in laser hair removal and microdermabrasion.

CUSTOMER SERVICE SURVEYS AND RATINGS The company has won a series of awards for its high

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levels of customer satisfaction including the WhatClinic Customer Service Award in 2012, 2013 and 2014 plus a 5-star treatment award. This commendation is based on excellent independent patient feedback.

Dr John Quinn, founder and medical director of Quinn Clinics explains: “From day one we started with a genuine desire to please our patients. Everything in the business is designed around that number one goal.”

“The first way that patients measure their experience is in the aesthetic results, so we are continually expanding our range of services, introducing the latest technology to offer an exceptionally broad choice. Every patient is an individual with very different needs, so just offering the popular cosmetic injections is not enough to give the best possible advice and result.”

“We spend time a lot of time with each patient understanding their issues so that we can provide the best possible advice before agreeing on a treatment plan.”

“Yet quite apart from the treatment itself, it is often the little things that people appreciate about Quinn Clinics.

Our friendly yet knowledgeable reception staff, who have an incredible memory for names and faces so that our patients feel completely at home whenever they visit.”

This strategy is clearly effective. In an independent survey, 100% of patients said that they would be happy to recommend Quinn Clinics to a friend or family member.

THE DETAILS Quinn Clinics 54 Woodlands Park Road, Blackheath, Greenwich, London SE10 9XD Telephone 0208 858 0575 Email info@quinnclinics.co.uk www.quinnclinics.co.uk www.facebook.com/QuinnClinics www.facebook.com/quinnclinicsgreenwich www.twitter.com/quinnclinics

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HOUSE &

GARDEN

John Bly - www.johnbly.com MARCH2015 113

HOUSE & GARDEN

National Bed Month March 201 5

Are You Sleeping On The Right Bed? The right bed is extremely important to our health and wellbeing because our sleeping environment will affect the quality of our sleep – which in turn has a big effect on how well we feel, both physically and psychologically.

A

bed with the correct support, comfort and space will ensure you wake less, move about less, are less disturbed by your partner and are less likely to wake up feeling tired or aching.

So, what is the right bed? It’s not easy to make specific recommendations. There’s such a huge choice on the market place and the key deciding factor – is it comfortable – is such a subjective measure. “All we can do is give people an overview of the different types of bed available and tips on how to go about the process of choosing the right bed for them,” explains Sleep Council spokesperson Jessica Alexander.

The Sleep Council was set up to provide an independent source of advice on bed buying – as well as to raise awareness of the importance of getting a good night’s sleep to health and wellbeing.

According to The Sleep Council, Goldilocks had the right idea: the right bed’s neither too soft nor too hard – but it suits everyone’s very individual needs. First and foremost it must give you correct support and comfort – but individuals might also have to consider factors such as back pain, allergies, breathing problems, available budget, whether a type of mattress makes you too hot, storage or space requirements: not to mention style preferences.

Size is important. The most common British double bed size of 4ft 6in x 6ft 3in (135cm x 190cm) really isn’t big enough for two to sleep well without disturbing each other: studies have shown that more space – even a slight move up to a 5ft x 6ft 6in (150cm x 200cm) King size bed – can make a lot of difference to night-time comfort.

Always consider both the mattress and its support, whether divan base or bedstead. They work together to create the overall feel and performance of a bed, with

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different combinations producing differing results. If you are not buying a base and mattress from the same supplier, make sure the mattress is suitable for use with the type of support you are considering: if you don’t, lack of durability could be a problem, with no comeback to the supplier.

There are many types – and prices of beds – from which to choose, each offering their own features and benefits.

Mattresses come with various types of internal spring unit – open coil, pocket sprung or continuous springing – in ordinary foam, visco-elastic or latex foam, filled with cotton or other fibres (futons!).

You should spend as much as you can afford on a new bed – it’s probably one of the most important investments you’ll make, not just for your home but also for your own wellbeing! Remember, every £100 you spend represents just 2.7p a night over 10 years.

Once you’ve got your new bed, do remember that it won’t stay wonderful forever – beds get a lot of wear and tear! Over time, your comfort and support needs change, too.

Do the Bed MOT test once a year – National Bed Month, which runs throughout March, is a good time to consider the state of your bed and your sleep and comfort quality.

Visit www.sleepcouncil.com to take the Bed MOT, New Bed Profile, reach bed-buying and sleep tips, and watch videos that help people sleep better or select the right bed for them.

The Sleep Council is a generic organisation which seeks to promote the importance of a good night’s sleep to health and wellbeing and the advantages associated with a comfortable bed, regularly replaced.

In addition to advice on how to get a good night’s sleep, the Sleep Council provides tips on choosing the right bed.

The Sleep Council is funded by the bed industry.

Request your brochure & free sample. quercusbeds.co.uk 01777 869 669

TREEHOUSE HARDWOOD FLOORING

QUALITY ENVIRONMENT FOR QUALITY OF LIFE Specialists in high quality solid and sustainable hardwood flooring We carry a huge range of woods from around the world, displayed at our Notting Hill showroom in large sample boards to assist clients, designers and architects, in planning interiors.

Board and strip flooring wood block and decking, bespoke floor production.

Other services, special project installation, wall panelling, staircases, doors, worktops, cabinetry, natural stone & many other interior related products.

Exceptional value, experienced craftsmen, quality installation.

Showroom : 116 Talbot Rd, Notting Hill, London, W11 1JR E-mail sales@treehouseflooring.co.uk Tel: 020 7460 0376 www.treehouseflooring.co.uk

HOUSE & GARDEN

First Ever National Open Gardens Day Launched Many gardens to open for FREE on Friday of National Gardening Week

A

s part of this year’s National Gardening Week (13–19 April), gardens all over Britain that normally charge for entry or are closed to the public will be opening their doors for free on Friday 17 April in a unified effort to engage more people with the UK’s great gardens.

The aim of National Open Gardens Day is to raise awareness of the diversity, richness and cultural value of the UK’s gardens and encourage new segments of the public to experience and value them. The four RHS Gardens are leading the campaign with many RHS Partner Gardens, some National Gardens Scheme gardens and many more joining the campaign and opening on the day. Please check www.nationalgardeningweek.org.uk for details of events before confirming your plans.

Colin Crosbie, Curator at RHS Garden Wisley, said: “The UK’s gardens are as valuable, beautiful and important as our museums and national parks and should be just as cherished. They provide people with enjoyment, relaxation and delight, and give urban dwellers green spaces. Gardens educate people about biodiversity and food security, and preserve our great plant collections. British gardens, in particular, attract tourists to our shores and provide employment to thousands. “We are extremely lucky to have so many beautiful and diverse gardens in the UK and would like as many people as possible – particularly those who are new to garden visiting – to enjoy and value gardens and join the celebrations on National Open Gardens Day.”

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National Open Gardens Day is taking place during National Gardening Week, which was launched by the RHS four years ago and has grown into one of the UK’s largest celebrations of gardening. Last year more than 240 events were held during the week at gardens, museums, community groups and parks across the UK. The success of National Gardening Week is set continue this year with the RHS, National Trust, RSPB, NGS and hundreds of gardens, retailers, gardeners and charities planning activities, events, giveaways and openings.

National Gardening Week and National Open Gardens Day are supported by a collaboration with upcoming gardening-themed period drama A Little Chaos, which is directed by Alan Rickman and stars Kate Winslet as a 17thcentury landscape gardener. Visitors to selected gardens on National Open Gardens Day will get a chance to win tickets to the film, which premieres on 13 April and opens in UK cinemas on 17 April.

THE DETAILS For more information about National Gardening Week or National Open Gardens Day visit www.nationalgardeningweek.org.uk.

RHS membership is for anyone with an interest in gardening.

Support the RHS and secure a healthy future for gardening. For more information call: 0845 130 4646, or visit www.rhs.org.uk/join RHS Registered Charity No. 222879/SC038262

neptunefulham.com Neptune Fulham 87-93 Wandsworth Bridge Road, London SW6 2TD 0207 371 99 97 info@neptunefulham.com

DINING

KITCHEN

BEDROOM

B AT H R O O M

GARDEN

LIVING

HOUSE & GARDEN

PICTURE BY PETE GRIFFITH @ ALL PEOPLE PHOTOGRAPHY

Castle Howard B

rideshead Revisited is a novel by English writer Evelyn Waugh, first published in 1945. It was brought to the screen in 1981 in and a film version of the book was released in July 2008.

The location chosen was a magnificent 18th century mansion in the heart of North Yorkshire, Castle Howard, home to the Howard family for over 300 years.

George Howard, 6th Earl of Carlisle (1773 –1848), styled Viscount Morpeth until 1825, was a British statesman. He served as Lord Privy Seal 1827 - 1828 and in 1834 was a member of Lord Grey’s Whig government as Minister without Portfolio between 1830 and 1834.

Thus he was a man of importance and very much in the know of political goings on, and the piece of furniture illustrated was his personal Estate Cabinet at Castle Howard.

The upper part has a frieze carved and inlaid with classical swags and tails, over doors framed in satinwood enclosing 24 lettered and numbered compartments. The lower doors, with a large circular panel of satinwood within quartered mahogany veneers, open to reveal four sliding

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folio and map trays each of which bears a label referring to rooms and sections of Castle Howard.

It is attributed to the prestigious London cabinet maker John Linnell (1729 – 1796) through its style, quality and combination of exotic timbers and its architectural proportions, further supported by records showing Linnell supplied several high-end pieces to the Earl and his predecessor.

A cabinet of similar design and known to have been by Linnell is in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum. Early in the 20th century it was stored by the removals company Jas. Bowman & Son of York and their label along with the house inventory number 862 can be seen on the back of the cabinet.

There is no question that this is one of those pieces of antique English furniture with provenance of considerable significance and it is surely a pleasure to ponder what secrets it still holds behind its closed doors.

THE DETAILS John Bly, 533 Kings Road, Chelsea john@johnbly.com

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HOUSE & GARDEN

DESIGNED FOR LIVING

BUILT FOR LIFE Why choose the Design & Build approach to create your dream home

T

he refurbishment or remodeling of your home can be a complex undertaking. There are many different aspects to the process, all of which require detailed consideration and specialist skill.

Traditionally, the approach has been to appoint numerous individual professionals to complete the project. These include architects, interior designers, structural engineers, project managers and building contractors amongst others. This design-tender-build approach demands a high level of involvement from the client as they have to manage all of these individual providers whilst overseeing the project as a whole. This can turn what should be the realisation of a dream into a very stressful experience.

In recent years a new approach has been available which offers a much more cohesive and stress free experience. Also referred to as design led construction, design and build is a method of delivering a project where both the design and the build services are contracted to a single company for a fixed price.

This keeps the entire process ‘in house’, from initial survey and planning, right through to the completion of the build.

Red Square has been pioneering the design and build approach to residential refurbishment for 15 years. They believe that in order to achieve the best possible end result for the client, the project should be built and finished by the team who designed it. Ideal for those without the time or knowledge to project manage, design and build offers a significant number of advantages to the client.

Product costs are discussed and reviewed throughout the design process, ensuring there are no surprises once the project is priced for the build phase. At all times the client’s overall budget is being considered.

Work can commence on site whilst the detail design is being finalised, enabling early discovery of potential issues with the property (i.e. hidden instability in the existing structure, requirement to level sub floors.) This allows the detail design to be amended to take into account such issues and thereby potentially reduce their cost impact.

Removes the cost and time required to tender the construction phase and also avoids the frustration and difficulties in trying to compare submissions from various contractors.

The client has certainty over costs as a guaranteed contract price is

124 MARCH2015

given at commencement of the build phase, inclusive of on-going design support, project management and full project liability.

There is a single point of accountability. The same team is responsible for all of the work, which eliminates any problems that traditionally occur once responsibility is divided amongst individual professionals and contractors. When issues arise, the project is not delayed whilst designers and contractors determine who is responsible.

A single point of contact simplifies the process, allowing a pro-active relationship to develop between the client and their principal contact, supported by a team with considerable experience of working together. This ensures any issues are overcome in a positive and efficient manner.

The process allows for design and product specification changes during the construction phase. This is a huge advantage for longerterm projects where specified products can cease to be available and in areas such as home automation where they are constantly being updated. The team are able to review the market just before orders are placed to ensure the latest products are incorporated.

The design team are fully responsible for the overall project, from initial concept design to build completion. This means they have full control over quality of construction and can ensure the build actually completes as it was designed.

For these reasons design & build is now considered the best choice for the client. It is a low risk, low stress option that is time efficient, cost effective and ensures quality and continuity of workmanship throughout, resulting in a home you can be proud of for years to come.

Red Square offers a complete service including; obtaining planning approvals, interior design & architecture, structural engineering, project management, construction, bespoke joinery, home automation and landscaping.

THE DETAILS Contact Red Square for further information and to arrange a free no obligation consultation please call 020 7385 8500 or email enquiries@redsquaredb.com To learn more about how design & build can help you create your dream home, please visit www.redsquaredb.com

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HOUSE & GARDEN

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narrow shop entrance about half way down the North End Road, Fulham, somewhat like a Tardis, opens up into a vast space packed full of rolls of curtain & upholstery fabrics, curtain tracks & poles, roller blinds, Venetian blinds, Roman blinds and anything else that one could imagine to make windows look fantastic.

This is the famous and original Curtain Fabric Factory established nearly 20 years ago as the retail department of Chelsea Fabrics wholesale company.

Together with expertise second to none the selection of top quality fabrics is probably one of the largest in London, but at prices substantially lower then places like Kings Road or Chelsea Harbour.

The company offers a complete and comprehensive service from visiting clients homes or

offices ,measuring up (free estimates) advising and installing the most suitable curtain tracks or poles and making up the curtains or blinds (Roman blinds are a particular speciality) and then fitting the finished article. Rush jobs are another speciality!

Easy to get to, just 5 minutes walk from West Kensington, West Brompton Road or Fulham Broadway tube stations, pay & display parking in adjacent side roads, or public car park in Lillie Road, 5 minutes away.

If you’re thinking of new curtains or blinds, Chelsea Fabrics Curtain Fabric Factory is more than worth a visit.

THE DETAILS For more information about Chelsea Fabrics, 230/6 North End Road, Fulham W14 9NU call 0207 386 0008 or email cfpolytrad@aol.com www.curtainfabricfactory.co.uk

Chelsea Fabrics was established twenty years ago as producers and wholesale suppliers of Curtain and Upholstery fabrics.

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Cranbrook Basements - www.cranbrook.co.uk MARCH2015 135

LOFTS & BASEMENTS GUIDE

Extending your home Forget moving - make the most of what you have by extending your house up, out or down.

A

n extension can radically improve a property. Bigger, better space and extra rooms can add value, and make a house more attractive to buyers.

If you are making structural changes with the purpose of adding value, you should first find out the current market price of your property, as well as its potential value once the changes have been made. Otherwise, your hard work and cash may not reap rewards.

Also be area aware - before you plan that extravagant extension or costly conversion, it’s crucial to talk to a local estate agent to find out what renovations are popular in your area. Every street has a ceiling value so don’t over develop if you want to see a good return on your investment.

Additionally, think about less radical changes that can be made - partitioning walls can be knocked down or put up, and bigger windows can make a house appear more spacious. However, in order to really boost what you have, an extension may be the best option.

Rising property prices with a premium being put on space can make extensions a wise investment.

HOWEVER,THIS IS A MAJOR PROJECT AND SHOULDN’T BE UNDERTAKEN LIGHTLY: Call in professionals to get the job done properly, as there are important planning restrictions and regulations which need to be followed.

136 MARCH2015

sk friends if they can recommend an architect and A builders. It is really important that you locate the best people, as a botched extension can devalue a property.

The National Federation of Builders (NFB) can provide you with a list of registered builders in your area. A builder that belongs to a respected trade organisation will have to comply with membership standards.

The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) provides a list of registered architects.

Although a modern extension can look good on an old house, when it comes to selling on it is important to appeal to the average buyer’s taste. Therefore it is more advisable for an extension to match the architectural style of the existing house.

Be strategic: Extra bathrooms and large kitchens are usually good investments in family-sized homes, and a garage in a busy, urban area will also add value.

The room that usually benefits the most from enlarging is the kitchen. Adding a kitchen/diner creates the farmhouse kitchen most people want and provides extra space. The old dining room can become an office, playroom, or an extra sitting room. Kitchen extensions also provide the opportunity to extend upwards - an additional bedroom can be built on top at the same time.

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LOFTS & BASEMENTS GUIDE

For the latest trend in conversions

LOOK DOWN

Homeowners 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.

T

his 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-of-the-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 selfcontained 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, 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

138 MARCH2015

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.

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.

c B Cranbrook Basements

26-28 Hammersmith Grove London W6 7BA Swimming pool 6 Wine cellar 6 Family room 6 Gymnasium 6 Guest suite 6 Spa 6 Cinema 6 Kitchen

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LOFTS & BASEMENTS GUIDE

Why Move?

Unlock inspired living spaces beneath your home.

According to figures from the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors the UK’s total housing stock is growing but there are fewer existing houses being traded. Those already on the housing ladder are staying in their homes longer.

RICS reckons that we now move - on average - once every 14 ½ years; far less frequently than even a few years ago.

140 MARCH2015

W

hy? One reason is house price inflation.

With many moving costs being houseprice-related adding together legal costs, agent’s fees, stamp duty, furnishing and redecoration costs, results in a number large enough to make you think twice. As well as cost, there’s disruption.

Finding friends in the new neighbourhood (and leaving behind old ones), finding schools for your children, building a network of shops, services and suppliers, struggling with a new garden – it takes its toll.

If your reason for moving is to find more space then maybe the money lost on moving could be better invested under your feet. If you like where you live, if your children enjoy their school, if you’ve got good neighbours, then it makes sense to invest those ‘moving costs’ in creating a basement, custom designed to meet your exact need for more space. The upheaval of extending down is, according to Cranbrook Basement’s clients, less than that of moving home, and it’s less stressful too.

The benefits of creating a basement are many. You can replicate the area of your existing ground floor or even increase it, by extending under garden space. A modern basement is well insulated, carefully channels daylight, boasts smooth straight walls and can have ceiling heights the same as, or taller than those above ground.

Cranbrook Basements doesn’t dig holes, it creates beautiful, functional spaces and its interior design and finishing skills are exceptional. Its in-house architectural team designs every basement to meet the client’s exact requirements.

Planning permission is a concern for those considering adding basement space. Cranbrook has extensive experience of handling planning for basements in Central London. It has good knowledge about what local planning officers will and won’t find acceptable. It submits robust

planning applications to Local Authorities and fully manages them through to Approval.

Cranbrook has a directly employed workforce – many have been with the company for years – which undertakes all excavation and construction. This lets it guarantee work in a way that wouldn’t be possible if it sub-contracted the most critical parts of the programme. All its schemes have a working foreman on-site and a project manager who visits frequently. Both are fully contactable throughout the project.

If you’re worried about the effect constructing a basement might have on your neighbours it’s worth knowing that in November 2014 Cranbrook Basements was Runner Up Most Considerate Constructor under the Considerate Constructor Scheme judged out of more than 20,000 companies nationwide. The award is a huge credit to the company’s construction teams and came after months of independent assessment by the Scheme Monitors.

Consequently the company’s clients can rest assured that their tranquillity, and that of their neighbours, will hardly be impacted during construction.

Having exactly the extra space you want under your house provides three-quarters of the satisfaction of knowing you made the right decision.

The balance comes from two other factors; fit-out and financial.

Cranbrook Basements provides a full fit-out service, from interior-design and final finishes, from door knobs to daylight lighting. Finally, there’s financial satisfaction. The money you would have spent on fees and stamp duty has not been lost. Instead it’s been invested back into your home, increasing its value, usually by far more than your investment.

THE DETAILS For more information call Cranbrook Basements 26-28 Hammersmith Grove,London W6 7BA on 0800 525 883 or visit www.cranbrook.co.uk

MARCH2015 141

LOFTS & BASEMENTS GUIDE

DIVE DOWN INTO A BASEMENT POOL C helsea Football Club owner Roman Abramovich, Formula 1 heiress Tamara Ecclestone, and steel tycoon Lakshmi Mittal are among those that have dabbled with basement extensions in recent years.

If you have dreamt of having a home swimming pool and don’t fancy the idea of going for an outdoor swim in the middle of winter, then a basement pool is your answer.

Of course, there is no upper limit on what can be spent and some pools are the absolute height of luxury and sophistication.

There are very few places in your property that are suitable for pool installations, other than basements.

Most basements provide the perfect setting, with concrete floors and being at the bottom of the property you do not have to worry about the weight a pool would put on the ceiling of the room below. Some build an extension to house their swimming pool, but there is nothing more luxurious with that extra wow factor than a basement pool.

The design of basement pools can be equally indulgent, extravagant and indeed, delightful. Depending on your taste, you might have an underground grotto with cave-like stonewalls and a waterfall running into a spa beside the pool. You might be attracted by the idea of marble columns and arched ceilings in the style of the Basilica Cistern in Istanbul or you might go for a modern, graphic approach.

You need to make sure you don’t cut corners when it

comes to damp proofing your basement pool, as this will be your biggest challenge. Many people have problems with damp after they have installed a swimming pool, but don’t be put off by horror stories you may hear - ensure you employ an accredited builder to fit your swimming pool and that they have had experience in converting basements for swimming pools in the past.

A basement is the perfect place for a pool, whether it’s a five-metre training pool or a 25-metre high-spec infinity pool.

Professional designers can create a swimming pool of any shape and size to fit your space and your needs; with a specialist team who will then install your pool, and include any finishing touches such as tiling, wet rooms, and lighting.

Working below ground is a specialist area and there are some specific regulations that apply.

All floors and walls that are below ground level need to be waterproofed, or ‘tanked’ as it is sometimes called. Existing walls may have to be underpinned and additional joists and steelwork might need to be installed in order to support your property above.

You will almost certainly have to ensure that there is a suitable fire escape from the basement, an adequate ventilation system and insulation to comply with building regulations.

Different councils can ask different things of you when it comes to a basement conversion, so it is important that you speak to them before you plan or start any work.

Building a pool into your basement is very en vogue, extremely popular amongst the rich and famous.

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LOFTS & BASEMENTS GUIDE

The Cinema Effect T

he best way to enjoy a feature film is in a cinema, but that doesn’t mean you have to leave the house.

Having a dedicated cinema room is the ideal scenario for many movie fans, whilst increasing the value and demand of your property, and of course major status and assets for you, the homeowner.

How you go about achieving this depends on the space you have available, and how much you are willing to invest.

If you are really serious about getting a home cinema, it can be a good idea to seek out a specialist company. Acoustics, surround sound systems, matching the screen’s size to the size of the room, home cinema seating and lighting are all areas that need specific attention. Here is our guide to creating your own home cinema.

ROOM CHOICE Ideally you want your home cinema installation to be in a room that is isolated from the rest of the activity in the house.

Soundproofing is important of course, and it can also help to choose a room that does not need to be used for any other purpose, and is not a through-way to somewhere else. For these reasons a house extension, loft or basement conversion can be the perfect home cinema choice.

TYPE OF SCREEN Your screen size needs to be in proportion with the size of the room. This is very important, as many people make the mistake of simply going for the largest screen available on the assumption that this alone will provide the perfect cinema look and feel. Most people choose not to sit on the front row at the cinema; because it can be uncomfortable looking at too large a screen for a long time. There is also an optimum distance between a projected image and the human eye for those grainy pixels to not be visible. For the real cinema experience, a flat screen with a projector is unbeatable. Most dedicated film fans agree that plasma TVs provide a more cinematic viewing experience than LCD, which is backlit and so performs better in rooms that have plenty of natural light.

HOME CINEMA SYSTEMS The potential and sophistication of home entertainment

144 MARCH2015

systems is almost limitless. Whether you are looking for a HD projector or a wireless home cinema that also includes a centralised hi-fi system, this is an area that is worth investigating in detail, particularly if you have the funds to really go to town. The Custom Electronic Design and Installation Association is an ideal first port of call for information and advice. Their membership includes thousands of installers and designers of home entertainment systems, who can advise you on the best options for your requirements.

SURROUND SOUND SPEAKERS When it comes to home entertainment, the image isn’t everything; sound plays just as much an important role.

Subwoofers, sound bars and speakers arranged perfectly so as to get the very best from the room’s acoustics are all part of the audio element. Again, when it comes to acoustics, a professional’s advice can make all the difference.

CINEMA ROOM SEATING If you really want the authentic cinema experience, then some rows of tiered movie seats is certainly one way to go. Add popcorn holders in the armrests and the look is complete. If you want something even more relaxing, however, there are plenty of options available. Luxury furniture that is both comfortable and stylish, with built-in storage, drinks holders and iPod speakers is perfectly tailored to suit the movie-watching experience.

LIGHTING If your room is really going to have that authentic cinema ambience, it is essential that the lighting is right.

Make sure the room you use has either no windows, or windows that can be completely blacked out, and think carefully about how much light the room will need.

Dimmer switches, floor lights and sidelights are all part of the mix in creating that night at the movies. If you really want to make it as realistic as possible, you might also consider curtains that can be drawn back from the screen. Ideally, these and the lighting will be adjustable via remote control.

QA &

PHOTO COURTSEY OF REALFOCUS.CO.UK

S

LOFTS & BASEMENTS CONVERSIONS

with Sue Gilbert

ue Gilbert Property Associates are a bespoke project management company specialising in high end property refurbishments - Sue has seen many changes within the industry over the last ten years and knows how to add value to your project: Q. Sue with so many property programs and newspaper articles on the subject are you finding people keen to undertake larger and more challenging projects.

A. Absolutely - and whilst all these shows and publicity certainly help to spark interest and give people inspiration it’s important to meet with clients and help them to realize what is achievable within their own home and budget.

Q. Most people are keen to know what would add the most value to a property A. This really depends on the location of the home - if it’s a central London address I would certainly look at the feasibility of adding a basement - with space being at such a premium in the capital and the expense of moving this

PHOTO COURTSEY OF REALFOCUS.CO.UK

is a very practical way of adding a further floor to a house, my second choice would be a conventional one storey extension - and finally the addition of a loft conversion Q. H ow would you suggest they set their budget?

A. I t depends if its an investment or a home - but they should look at the value of their property and as a guide allow approx. 15-20% of this figure.

Q. W hat are common pitfalls people experience during a renovation A. M ost people underestimate the time that a large project can take, and also the amount of general disruption, it pays dividends to work to a precise timeline and employ the services of professionals to keep everything on track.

THE DETAILS Need an experienced and enthusiastic professional to help you avoid the pitfalls? Contact Sue Gilbert on 020 882 2795 www.suegilbertproperty.com for a free initial consultation

LOFTS & BASEMENTS GUIDE

Intelligent Design for Basements As the cost of moving house increases, basement conversions are becoming a real viable alternative.They’re an excellent way to extend the living area of your home but what do you do with that additional space and how can you make it work for you and your family?

B

arry Sawyer of Brayer Design has seen an increasing trend towards basement conversions in recent years. He says “Cinema rooms are particularly popular. The absence of natural light or street noise in a basement makes it a great environment for enjoying films or the latest box set, however, with some clever planning it is easy to create a cinema room that’s not just for watching movies. With flat screen TV’s and speakers integrated into the walls and ceiling it is very easy to create a multifunction space that can also be used as a children’s playroom or an additional sitting room.”

An additional bedroom, bathroom or an extra large laundry room are incredibly useful but very utilitarian so how can you create that wow factor?

“A wine room is a perfect solution”, says Barry. “They’re ideally suited to the basement environment. Wine has proven to be an excellent investment in recent years and it is important that the room is correctly ventilated and humidity controlled for long term storage. A well-stocked cellar also looks stylish and luxurious. Frameless glass panels and clever ambient lighting will definitely give your basement that wow factor it needs.”

Surbiton based Brayer Design manufacture hand built wine rooms to suit an individual’s needs from the casual drinker to dedicated oenophiles. Wine rooms designs range from the cost effective simple shelved racking to more complex arrangements involving a combination of bins, cradles and display space for the more extensive wine collection.

THE DETAILS Visit the website for more information or call to arrange a showroom appointment.

0208 397 1111 www.brayerdesign.co.uk

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LOFTS & BASEMENTS GUIDE

GOING UP IN THE WORLD The Benefits of Having A Loft Conversion

The most obvious benefit of having a loft conversion is adding space to your home.

In fact there are many reasons why people choose to have their loft converted.

L

oft conversions have been shown to add around 20% on top of your property’s value, according to the latest Housing Market Research. This can add up to somewhere in the range of £15,000 - £35,000. The value of your property will increase no matter what you use the converted space for. This can be useful as the loft is often out of the way of the rest of the house. In order to get the most benefit from your loft conversion, carefully work out the costs to make sure that these do not add up to more than the conversion will be adding to the value of your property.

IDEAS FOR YOUR CONVERTED LOFT Loft conversions are created for many different purposes...

Home Office... a loft conversion can be perfect for creating that home office. It is important to have a quiet space when working, and a loft will provide this.

A Loft Bedroom... Perhaps the most common use of a loft conversion, also popular in creating a unique master bedroom away from the rest of the house. Loft bedrooms are one of the easiest conversions, and will require electricity though not much else.

Bathroom... When creating a master bedroom you may choose to add in an luxury en-suite bathroom. This is also popular, though requires more work due to the plumbing involved and installation.

A Play Room... If you have children, this is an excellent use of the space. Just make sure the access to the loft is safe for your children to use. This shouldn’t be too difficult, as there are many great stairway options now available for converted lofts.

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STAGES OF YOUR LOFT CONVERSION You may be thinking of a DIY loft conversion, though it is a lot easier and safer to call in the experts.

An architect or surveyor will be required in order to determine the loads that will be placed in the building to make sure that your property is still structurally sounds.

This is extremely important in all building and planning regulations, so will be required on top of your builder.

Not all loft conversions will need planning permission, but you will always need to check this for sure before going ahead. Even if you do not need planning permission, you will still need to comply with building regulations which will include inspections. It is much easier to check regulations before starting work – which will also save you money by avoiding problems down the line.

The best thing is to shop around before going ahead with the conversion, as this will help you find the best quote and service in a loft conversion company, get them to give you a cost agreement, as well as an agreement of certain dates that points of work will be completed.

You will need to be able to reach your loft easily once it has been converted, and your loft conversion company will help you determine your options when it comes to stairs. They should comply with fire regulations, and may need to be altered if used by small children.

Most loft conversions take a few months to complete, and the planning stages can be even longer if you need planning permission. Inspections may need to be carried out, and you may need to get an agreement if the work disrupts your neighbours. The building work itself should take around 1 or 2 months to complete, but get an agreement on certain building stages from your loft conversion company.

Interior Design & Architecture

refresh Architecture Chartered Architects Design and planning Building specification and regulation Construction project management Interior Design Kitchens Bathrooms Livings Rooms Dining rooms Studies

revive

Bedrooms

invent Inspired architecture and outstanding interior design.

Our designs are an expression of both contemporary and classical style; we offer architecture and interior design from a single room to a house extension or a complete house refurbishment.

Whatever you wish for in terms of style, we have the experience and expertise to create it for you, combined with first class design and project management skills, which ensures that your project is a complete success. A turnkey solution for today’s discerning client.

Our team of Chartered Architects & Interior Designers will inspire you with individually tailored and refreshing designs that will add value as well as style to your home.

If we sound like a company you would like to work with please call for an initial consultation, it is free and without obligation, or visit our website to view our recent projects.

T: 01372 221800 E: design@bicknell-interiors.co.uk www.bicknell-interiors.co.uk

LOFTS & BASEMENTS GUIDE

SIMPLY LOFT

Making lofty ambitions a reality

I

ntroducing a construction revolution; a loft conversion specialist offering home-improvement without the hassle.

A design and build service dedicated to outstanding customer service guaranteeing quality and careful project management heralding an end to escalating building budgets and extended deadlines. Simply Loft; it’s the simple choice for your beautiful bespoke abode.

With the cost of moving home in the capital skyrocketing, for many people the only way to increase their living space is ‘upwards’ with a loft conversion. Simply Loft is the leading builder of loft conversions in London. Developments are surprisingly affordable and are completed in a few weeks.

With Simply Loft’s unique project management service your home is transformed with a minimum of fuss and a maximum of satisfaction.

A loft conversion from Simply Loft is 100% bespoke.

Whether it’s a Dormer, Mansard or a simple skylight loft conversion , designs are tailor made by Simply’s experienced in-house team of architects to meet individual specifications and bring a vision to life. A Simply Loft allows you the control to personalise your home to suit you. From kidsonly play zones, home offices and family cinema suites to spacious spa bathrooms, luxury bedrooms and relaxing spaces to escape the stresses of the everyday - a Simply Loft will transform your home and your lifestyle.

Simply don’t just create beautiful spaces, being a husband and wife team with a young family, they understand the impact the intrusion of building work can have on family life as well as the family pocket. Customer communication

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and satisfaction is paramount and support is offered at every stage. Simply don’t sub-contract, so their standards and timescales are guaranteed, whilst fixed price quotations ensure complete peace of mind. Simply clients benefit from the reassurance of a dedicated Project Manager and the unique, fully automated Simply Dashboard; an online project management tool, which allows clients to monitor every aspect of their build from timing, to cost and design.

“Having had a bad experience with builders in the past, Simply Loft were a revelation. We were impressed by the endless patience shown, the excellent communication, which meant we knew what to expect every step of the way and the fact that the agreed works did not go over budget given the various complications.

Simply Loft has changed what was a standard mansion flat into a highly functional and unusual duplex with a real wow factor.

We love it – as do [our] many friends, family and neighbours.”

THE TYRELL FAMILY, WESTMINSTER

“We would definitely recommend Simply Loft to the rest of the neighbours on out street” THE GILBERT FAMILY, MORTLAKE.

THE DETAILS For more information, past projects or to book a free no obligation quote visit www.simplyloft.co.uk, call Freephone 0800 917 7571 or follow us on Facebook /simplyloft.

Simply Loft Is part of The Simply Construction Group; which includes Simply Extend and coming soon – Simply Basement. www.simplyconstructiongroup.co.uk

Simply stylish

London’s Leading Loft Conversion Specialist A professional and dedicated building company turning people’s homes into beautiful spaces.

_ Full design & build service _ Loft conversions _ Kitchen extensions & refurbishments through our sister company www.simplyextend.co.uk _ 10 year guarantee Put your project into our hands and watch us create something truly amazing.

Freephone

0800 917 7571

SIMPLY LOFT

www.simplyloft.co.uk

LOFTS & BASEMENTS GUIDE

The NextPhase of development

N

extPhase Development Ltd is a multifaceted Chartered Planning & Development Surveyors specialising in providing residential and commercial land and property expertise for individual home owners through to large scale developers.

We offer a one stop planning and design service offering expert support and management to help secure planning permissions. From loft conversions up to more complex programmes such as large scale housing developments or marinas.

Whether a brand new development or a household extension our philosophy is clear, no more hourly rate charges or hidden extras. Our professional service is delivered with a fixed budget in place so no surprises to the balance sheet.

We are based centrally in Staffordshire, ideally situated to provide nationwide coverage to our growing base of satisfied client’s from Portsmouth to Inverness.

We run a series of Planning Doctor clinics throughout the year at the Homebuilding & Renovating Shows. A perfect opportunity to get some free advice and have your planning questions answered. Chris Whitehouse, our Managing Director, also presents a popular masterclass on ‘gaining planning consent to build in the Green Belt, Open Countryside and other protected areas’. For more information on when we will be in your area please call us on 01543 571718.

If you are about to start the planning application process, have had an application refused, are frustrated at dealing with your local authority or fed up of trawling through local and national planning policies give our planning team a call.

We have a vast and varied list of satisfied customers in the

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South of England where we have established a position in getting the most out of limited, valuable space in urban and city developments.

To ensure a one stop service we have an experienced in house design team who are able to produce everything you need to get through planning. They can also put your ideas to paper or come up with a design tailored to your specific needs.

To name a few, NextPhase Development also provide the following supplementary services to bring success to your proposals: Planning Appeals and Expert Witness Service, Building Regulations and Marina & Waterside Development.

To cope with demand and increase the services we offer we have recently undergone an expansion, increasing employee numbers and moving into larger premises.

For your peace of mind the company is governed by the quality and professional standards of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS). The RICS, a professional body committed to setting and upholding the highest standards of excellence and integrity, recently presented our MD with the RICS Matrics Young Surveyor of the Year 2014 award in Planning & Development. Chris was seen as an “outstanding nomination” by the judging panel, fighting off stiff competition from across the UK to be crowned winner and an exceptional ambassador for the industry.

Any questions? Give us a call and speak with our team or email your enquiry and we will be happy to help.

THE DETAILS For more information about NextPhase Development call 01543 571718 or email info@nextphasedevelopment.co.uk www.nextphasedevelopment.co.uk

LOFTS & BASEMENTS GUIDE

From concept to creation 3K Builders - Design & Build 3 K Builders is London-based building company with a wealth of experience in completing house extension, loft conversion and refurbishment projects to the very highest standards. We have built a reputation on the basis of providing clients with the quality service that is combined with professional and creative approach to work.

3K London Builders also provide kitchen and bathroom installation, carpentry and joinery, tiling and flooring, plumbing and heating, plastering, painting and decorating, roofing and electrical service.

We aim to deliver bespoke and comprehensive building solutions, covering all needs from start to finish, no matter how complex is the project.

With our extremely organized approach, experience, dedication and commitment to polite and respectful service, all our Clients can be assured that each project lives up to the their expectations.

We have expertise in design, planning, technical knowledge and construction. Therefore we are able to offer whole package - Design, Work and Project Management.

Our creative and experienced architects provide design service, architectural drawings, structural calculations, submit all plans on your behalf to the local council, liaise with the planning officers on your behalf to give you the best chance possible of achieving success with your planning application.

Whether you select to use our architect or you provide your own plans we can deliver the results you want. We can assist in planning advice and liaise continually with local authorities to ensure a smooth and efficient project.

As a reputable building company we bring an exceptional level of care and attention to every commission.

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With our experience and expertise we will help you to create a unique living environment suited to your individual needs and requirements. A stress free way to create the home you have always aspired to own.

We give our undivided attention to every single detail of our clients requirements. Our Company always takes great care to ensure it delivers the level of service and craftsmanship that customers expect.

3K London Builders are always in close communication with our clients, even before any project has begun.

We will also enquire into your refurbishment preferences and which suppliers and materials you wish to use.

With 3K Builders construction and renovation company you will be able to rest assured that your property is in good hands. Our dedicated planning and project management team who will ensure that all our skilled tradesmen keep to the agreed schedule we have agreed beforehand and make sure that you are completely satisfied with our work and the progress we are making on your project.

When you appoint 3K Builders, you can make sure that your building project will be managed on time and to budget. Work is carried out by our team of experts, with everything taken care of, including insurance and guarantees.

THE DETAILS For more information about 3k Builders 25a Station Road, West Drayton UB7 7BT Call 020 8819 3533 or 07821 110330 / 07414 938523 3kbuilders@googlemail.com www.3kbuilders.co.uk

3K Builders specialise in rchitectural and A structural engineer services Single/Double House Extension Loft Conversion Refurbishment Renovation Kitchen design and installation Bathroom design and installation Electrical Plumbing/Heating/ Under floor heating Plastering/Rendering Carpentry/Joinery Flooring Painting and decorating Double glazing windows, doors, conservatories

“We are delighted with the house extension that has been carried out by 3K Builders. Their workmanship is excellent and they have been polite, timely, professional and helpful in all our dealings with them. We would recommend Mark and his team to prospective clients without reservation. Thank You” Sandra and Jens Christiansen House extension, Ealing

“3K Builders have been fantastic in building my loft conversion. They have been efficient, reasonably priced and on time in completing the project. They have extensive professional knowledge in what they do and I found them very good at communicating with either by phone or emails, which I preferred.

These guys are highly recommended by me to anyone wishing to have a loft conversion carried out.”

Mr. John Kerry

Loft conversion, Putney

25a Station Road West Drayton UB7 7BT Tel/Fax: 020 8819 3533 Mob. 07821 110330 Mob. 07414 938523

3kbuilders@googlemail.com www.3kbuilders.co.uk

LOFTS & BASEMENTS GUIDE

Onwards & Upwards...

Moving on up... converting our lofts... judging by the number of skips on the roads, and scaffolding on houses, we all seem to be doing it these days! Our kids were growing bigger it was clear our house was too small. So we took the plunge, got our finances organised and we were... ready, steady, pause...!

P

ause? Well yes, because that’s when the real headaches & questions began! ‘How do we start this process?’, ‘How do we avoid the usual horror stories?’, ‘How do we ensure that the price quoted would not increase?’ and most important of all ‘WHO can we trust to work on our home’ These were the real questions that kept us up at night.

In fairness it was probably me who had more of the sleepless nights, tossing & turning going over everything in my mind. After all as I told darling husband (DH), I would be the one at home all day with the workmen, balancing children, life and the mess of building works ~ it was pretty daunting.

So we dipped our toes in the water by inviting a few contractors to provide quotations. But we received so much conflicting advice we were left feeling more confused than when we had started.

Thankfully, we have a great local network of friends, so I raised the subject at one PTA coffee morning.

The subject of loft conversions raised surprisingly strong opinions ~ both good and bad. These opinions were further reinforced on our local neighbourhood Facebook page & also other online discussion forums like Mumsnet It soon became clear that one company stood head and shoulders above the rest ~ SMA Lofts. Further research revealed a long trading history ~ tick … and no sub-

156 MARCH2015

contracted work … big tick. Our request for a quotation resulted in a meeting with David, who clearly knew his stuff.

We never had the feeling that we were being ‘sold’ to. It was an easy relaxed conversation, the sort you may have over dinner with friends. There was certainly no pressure, just good old fashioned service, a really easy to read quotation and a feeling of being secure.

The price was not the cheapest we had received but every aspect had been covered. However, in the end we realised it represented reality in terms of what was actually required. We both felt we had found the right contractor but David would not let us sign a contract until we had visited other clients in the area whose lofts had been built by SMA. Again and again, we heard the same comments ~ honesty, integrity, great service, lovely guys on site!

We’re now most of the way through our own conversion and yes, SMA has turned out to be everything we were promised and more. Everyone involved has been so helpful. DH rolls his eyes when I tell him I’ll miss the guys when they’re gone … but can’t wait to move into our new fab space!

THE DETAILS For more information about SMA Lofts call 0844 822 2821 or visit the website www.smalofts.co.uk

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