EXCLUSIVE JO JOYNER ON ACHIEVING HER CHILDHOOD DREAMS, THE IMPORTANCE OF FAMILY SUPPORT, AND THE JOY IN MAKING LASTING FRIENDSHIPS
PLUS BLURRING THE LINES HOW TO CREATE A SEAMLESS INDOOR/ OUTDOOR
BREATHING SPACE REVIEWED: HOLIDAYS TO HELP YOU COME BACK TO YOURSELF
It seems no time ago I was writing my January letter, thinking about setting good intentions for the year ahead. Now, almost halfway through the year, unsurprisingly, not much has changed (other than the temperature!). If you’re feeling similarly stuck in a rut, now might be the time to think about having a proper reset. Our travel section this month contains reviews of three holidays that will help you to press the pause button and reflect. Or, maybe you’re after a more permanent gear shift? We’re feeling inspired by cabinetmaker Søren Hvalsøe Garde, who has embraced a slower pace of life, choosing to live aboard a beautiful houseboat in Copenhagen; he shows us around. For coverstar Jo Joyner, the antidote to a manic schedule is to get out into her garden and tend to her vegetables, which frankly sounds like heaven… Whatever your situation, I hope that you find ways to bring balance to your life. And, if, like many of our readers, you’re in the middle of a house move, I know that stress levels will be even higher. Might I suggest that you make life a little easier by handing responsibility for the actual move to the experts at Pickfords? Our new sponsors are so much more than simply a removal company – you can read about their brilliant Gold Service on page 61. Don’t even think about relocating without a helping hand from their expert team…
Liz Skone James liz@hattoncollective.com
Take a tour of Søren Hvalsøe Garde’s stylish houseboat
FOLLOW US ON @londonfabricmag @londonfabricproperty
ON THE COVER
Read our exclusive interview on page 30
Editorial Director Liz Skone James Creative Director Penny Clements Interiors Editor Ali Howard Schools Editor Claire Atherton Lifestyle Editor-at-Large Martine Montgomery Client Services Director Becky Pomfret Production Heidi Pomfret Publisher Katie Hutley
Advertising Debbie Russell debbie@fabricmagazine.co.uk +44 7811 347299
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Editorial and publishing enquiries 020 8242 6222
FABRIC MAGAZINE IS PUBLISHED 12 TIMES A YEAR on behalf of REAP Magazines Ltd by Hatton Collective Ltd, 27 Mortimer Street, London, W1T 3BL fabricmagazine.co.uk
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Glentree Estates Trevor Abrahmsohn Goldschmidt & Howland Philip Green Savills Jonathan Hewlett and Liza-Jane Kelly Aston Chase Mark Pollack
OUR AGENTS
Aston Chase astonchase.com
Benham & Reeves benhams.com
Dexters dexters.co.uk
Glentree glentree.co.uk
Godfrey & Barr godfreyandbarr.com
Goldschmidt & Howland g-h.co.uk
Hamptons hamptons.co.uk
Heathgate heathgate.com
Jeremy James & Company jeremy-james.co.uk
Knight Frank knightfrank.co.uk
Savills savills.co.uk
TK International t-k.co.uk
Winkworth West End winkworth.co.uk
25 SHOPPING
Time to celebrate the main man in your life with our edit of the very best Father’s Day gifts
26 CULTURE
Your guide to what to do in London this month
29 THE LUST LIST
Jump into June in style with a few tips from our lifestyle editor-at-large Martine
30 EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: JO JOYNER
We chat family, friends, and fulfilling the dreams of her five-year old self with the star of new Paramount+ thriller, Little Disasters
41 STYLE
Children’s fashion designer Rachel Riley introduces us to her eponymous brand, plus news of spas and stylish summer fashions
44 FOOD & DRINK
Summer sipping inspiration from Hepple Gin, plus foodie news from across the Capital and our review of a Holland Park institution
48 SPOTLIGHT ON
Make like an A-lister at our pick of the best waterfront hotels on Lake Como
50 TRAVEL REVIEWS
We discover slow-living in southern Italy, an offgrid Scottish hideaway, a luxury wellness retreat in the Spanish hills and a chic Mykonian escape
59 INTERIORS NEWS
The latest launches and luxurious new lines
60 OBJECT OF DESIRE
Lee Broom’s exciting new wallcovering collection
62 INTERIORS TRENDS
Embrace indoor-outdoor living this summer with expert ideas to make the transition between house and garden seamless
66 AT HOME WITH
An idyllic houseboat in Copenhagen is the epitome of quiet luxury – Garde Hvalsøe founder Søren Hvalsøe Garde shows us around his home
70 DESIGNER PROFILE
Interior designer Franky Rousell introduces her design studio, Jolie
73 A CAPITAL EDUCATION
Meet Bridget Ward, head at St Helen’s School, and discover the role that music plays in a well-rounded education
77 TALKING POINTS
Our agents explore why London property is in such demand with American buyers
80 HOT PROPERTY
The best homes on the market this month 64 50
Hollycroft Avenue, Hampstead NW3
Hampstead Underground Station: 1.0 miles
This majestic family home, steeped in history and timeless elegance, seamlessly blends the romantic charm of Arts and Crafts architecture with the comforts of modern living. Designed by the renowned architect Sir Guy Dawber in circa 1907, the residence is nestled on the prestigious Hollycroft Avenue. 4 reception rooms, 6 bedrooms, 5 bathrooms, south-west facing garden, and off-street parking for two cars. Freehold | Council Tax Band = H | EPC Rating = D
L/H 172 YEARS UNEXPIRED
JOINT SOLE SELLING AGENTS
ASKING PRICE £3,900,000
ST JOHN’S WOOD, NW8
£7,750,000
A spectacular low built detached house, offered in excellent condition and set back from the road behind electronic gates. This lateral home boasts excellent ground floor entertaining space by way of a 28' reception room with vaulted ceiling, separate dining area and a kitchen/breakfast room which leads to the family room with access to the beautiful and well maintained garden. In addition, the ground floor also enjoys a large double bedroom, study/bedroom 4, separate bathroom, guest WC and second courtyard garden. The first floor provides the principal bedroom with en-suite bathroom and dressing room, plus there is the third bedroom with en-suite bathroom and a galleried library area overlooking the main reception room.
This wonderful house also enjoys a home gym, cinema room and plenty of storage on the lower ground floor, as well a single lock up garage and additional secure parking for 3-4 cars on the drive.
Conveniently situated within less than a mile’s walk to both Hampstead Village and Golders Green and the wide choices of shops, cafés, transport facilities (Northern Line) and the huge open expanses of both Hampstead Heath and Golders Hill Park.
The leading estate agent for Hampstead and the surrounding areas
WELLGARTH ROAD, NW11
£5,850,000
This beautifully restored and extended Arts and Crafts-style townhouse offers a rare opportunity to live in a spacious, luxury home in a highly sought-after turning Originally developed 15 years ago by the acclaimed developer Harrison Varma, the property offers nearly 5,000 sqft of versatile living space, featuring 5 bedrooms and 5 bathrooms across three floors. The ground floor offers a large lounge and dining room that opens to a south-facing patio garden via bi-folding doors. The luxury kitchen, complete with Gaggenau appliances, is complemented by a family dining area, a utility room, cinema/games room, a bedroom with an
an en-suite shower, and a housekeeper’s room with its own entrance and en-suite bathroom.On the first floor, the expansive principal suite spans the entire level and features dual dressing rooms, an en-suite bathroom, and a separate shower room. The second floor features two additional double bedrooms, each with its own en-suite bathroom, offering comfort and privacy for family or guests.Modern luxury touches throughout the home include a sound system, cinema room, and top-of-theline appliances.
BYRON DRIVE, N2
£9,495,000
Located off the internationally renowned, The Bishops Avenue, in a discreet cul de sac turning, is this magnificent, detached family home, spanning over 8,400 sq ft (783 sq m).
This fine home is set behind electronically operated gates with a carriage driveway, off street parking for many cars, a security guard hut and a double garage. As you enter this glorious home, you’re welcomed by a spectacular, double vaulted grand entrance hallway with 2 adjoining sweeping staircases.The ground floor accommodation includes a stylish double reception room, a family room and a well fitted kitchen/breakfast room, all with French doors leading on to the garden.
Furthermore, there is a dining room, a prep kitchen, a guest WC and stairs leading down to a self-contained guest apartment , which could also be used for staff, as well as a utility room.On the upper floors there are 6 bedrooms (5 ensuite) including an indulgent principal suite with an ensuite bathroom and walk in wardrobe. In addition, there is a large games room and reception hallway on the second floor.Externally, the garden to the rear is well landscaped and faces south. In addition, the house has underfloor heating throughout, air conditioning & CCTV.
Langdon Park Road, N6
£2,100,000
Positioned within an exclusive Highgate postcode, this four bedroom Victorian house has been extensively renovated, combining period features with contemporary interior design. The expansive open plan reception room has a pitched double-height ceiling and asymmetrical Crittall doors overlooking the impressive garden. The property is also located within walking distance of Highgate Village, energy rating c.
Dexters Highgate. 35 Highgate High Street, London, N6 5JT T: 020 8545 8584 E: highgatesales@dexters.co.uk
dexters.co.uk
Woodland Gardens, N10
£4,000,000
In a sought after north London neighbourhood and close to Alexandra Park, an extraordinary Edwardian home with five bedrooms and four bathrooms. Offering plenty of space over four storeys, the house offers the perfect blend of characterful charm and modern elegance. Moments from the area's excellent amenities and transport connections, navigating the rest of city has never been easier, energy rating e.
Dexters Muswell Hill. 418 Muswell Hill Broadway, London, N10 1DJ
T: 020 8444 2388 E: muswellhillsales@dexters.co.uk
A striking, semi-detached, Victorian family home located in an idyllic position overlooking the Hampstead Ponds and the Heath beyond.
An exceptionally wide family home situated just moments from Regent’s Park. The home is beautifully interior designed and offers rare lateral accommodation in a sought-after location.
5-6 bedrooms | 4 bathrooms | 3-4 reception rooms | Communal gardens | EPC D
Leasehold: Approximately 146 years remaining | Service charge: £1,650 per annum | Ground rent: Peppercorn | Council Tax band G
Guide price £3,950,000
Declan Selbo 020 3627 8698
declan.selbo@knightfrank.com
knightfrank.co.uk
The
Step into Melek Zeynep Bulut’s mind-bending new installation at Somerset House, where physics, philosophy, and playful imagination collide. The Recursion Project centres around a striking floating cube, handmade from Turkish terracotta and mirrored surfaces – think reflective kaleidoscopes meeting surreal sculpture. Inspired by the brain-twisting concept of the tesseract (a 4D hypercube), Melek transforms the room into a mesmerising, dreamlike space, echoing Ka a’s Metamorphosis with a dash of whimsy. As shapes repeat infinitely and reflections bounce around, visitors become part of the installation itself – turning observers into the observed. 6-29 June, Somerset House, Strand, WC2R (020 7845 4600; somersethouse.org.uk)
Malorie Blackman’s brilliant Young Adult series is getting the Open Air Theatre treatment this summer, and we’re here for it. Directed by Tinuke Craig and adapted by Dominic Cooke, it follows Callum and Sephy – two childhood friends thrown together, and pulled apart, by a world that’s stacked against them. Noah Valentine and Corinna Brown lead the charge in a production packed with big feelings, bold ideas and serious heart. Expect an electric mix of love, loyalty, and social tension, all played out under the stars. Perfect! 28 June-26 July, Inner Circle, NW1 (0333 400 3562; openairtheatre.com)
West End star Hadley Fraser heads to Cadogan Hall this June for a special live concert to launch his upcoming album, Things That Come and Go. He’ll be joined by Rosalie Craig, Natalie May Paris and Maiya Quansah-Breed for an evening that promises fresh material – and a few musical theatre favourites thrown in for good measure. Known for standout performances on the London stage and beyond, Fraser’s latest project feels quietly ambitious – expect a mix of sharp songwriting and serious vocal talent, for one night only. 15 June, 5 Sloane Terrace, SW1X (020 7730 4500; cadoganhall.com)
Jacksons Lane 50th anniversary
Highgate’s Jacksons Lane is throwing a party – and everyone’s invited. Celebrating 50 years to the day since its first-ever public performance, the much-loved arts venue is marking the milestone with a full day of free circus popups, live music and hands-on workshops across the building. Expect jugglers, stilt-walkers, clowns, and a few surprises tucked into unexpected corners, plus a terrace barbecue to keep you going. In the evening, the vibe shifts for a special ticketed cabaret packed with circus, stand-up and a touch of drag king brilliance. With its community roots and creative spirit stronger than ever, we’re there.
28 June, 269a Archway Road, N6 (020 8340 5226; jacksonslane.org.uk)
Returning to Chelsea Harbour this summer is the interiors spectacle we’ve all been waiting for. Transforming Design Centre into the ultimate show home, this year’s edition sees twenty globally acclaimed designers and
architects teaming up with luxury brands to craft a series of irresistible, full-sized rooms and dreamy outdoor spaces.
From Ben Pentreath’s inviting kitchen to Kelly Hoppen’s sophisticated sitting room, every corner is created to inspire.
Even better, proceeds support United in Design’s initiative to diversify the interiors industry. Stylish, immersive, and genuinely inspiring: make space in your diary immediately.
3 June-3 July, Lots Road, SW10 (020 7225 9166; dcch.co.uk)
Embrace the sensual warmth of Promenade Sous Les Étoiles. Exotic, smoky opulence awaits.
Discover our latest fragrance at Harrods.
In June the light shifts, moods lift, and everything starts to feel a little more possible… even Wimbledon tickets!
We’re staying put this month, so I’ll be seizing the opportunity to host friends. We love entertaining, especially over the summer. Ahead of that, I’ll be treating myself to some pieces from Pencil Porcelain by Jenny Dyson. She transforms traditional blue and white tableware into striking, hand painted works of art – when the conversation lulls, expect your guests to lean in and trade theories about the illustrations. You can also order any print on a plate; it’s a brilliant way to make your table truly personal. pencilporcelain.com
Of course, there’ll be tea on the menu –anyone who knows me knows I LOVEtea. I was delighted to discover The Tea Group’s Ladies Tea Collection: a collaboration with eight distinguished tea brands, with 50 per cent of profits going towards funding women’s health and education in tea-growing communities. This is a small ritual with big energy. theteagroup.com
Whenever we host, I feel the urge to spruce up the house, and what better way than to let the front door do the talking? I’m really tempted by some new hardware from Beardmore They’ve been in the business for 160 years and are the experts when it comes to door furniture. Whether you want polished minimalism, or bold and oversized, the staff in store are brilliantly knowledgeable at guiding your choices, and oh-so welcoming, too. beardmore.co.uk
Why should the house get all the love? It goes without saying that summertime means a wardrobe update… With a wonderful selection of one-off pieces including dresses, kaftans, and heavily embroidered shirts, I love anything from Lufal Studio. Lufal stands for ‘Love us for a lifetime’ because every piece is made to
treasure and wear forever. Founder Sarah lovingly reworks vintage and antique fabrics, giving them a much deserved second life. Handsewn in London, these are very special pieces that have been designed to be passed down through generations. @lufalstudiomode
I’m not usually one to wish time away, but I must admit, I can’t wait for 25 June, when F1 will finally hit cinemas. I’ll be racing to see Brad Pitt’s new adrenaline-filled film about Formula One; from what I’ve read, it promises to be lust at first lap – a future cult favourite in the making.
And, while I’m thinking ahead, now’s the time to try to get tickets for Inter Alia next month. Theatre that lingers long after the lights come up, the new play from the Prima Facie team will be Rosamund Pike’s National Theatre debut and, by all accounts, is not to be missed. nationaltheatre.org.uk/productions/inter-alia
Speaking of tickets, will you be going to see Oasis at Wembley next month? I missed out, but I’ll be channelling Noel Gallagher instead through his new collaboration with British eyewear label Finlay. He’s been wearing the brand for over a decade and has now co-designed his favourite Chilterns in three colourways – with 25 per cent of profits going to Teenage Cancer Trust. These are rock star shades with real heart. finlayandco.com
Finally, my must have this month: my brilliant goddaughter has just launched Daisy Face. The five products in this plant-powered skincare collection feature daisy stem cells and daisy oil. This potent plant enhances hydration, refining skin tone and texture to reveal a dewy, glowy complexion whilst also helping to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Ecofriendly, sustainable, and beautifully presented in award-winning biodegradable packaging, this is your new favourite shelf staple. daisyface.co
After a busy year of back-to-back jobs, Jo Joyner tells us about making childhood dreams a reality, and gives us the lowdown on her latest projects
Words by Liz Skone James
Jo Joyner can currently be seen playing the part of a doctor in the Paramount+ thriller Little Disasters, which is interesting, because she says that had she not made it as an actor, she could see herself doing something in the world of medicine.
“My friends joke that I’m their doctor; they’ll often come to me with ailments, and ask for my advice… We used to live in a block of flats in London, and there was an eye surgeon who lived upstairs, and he moved out, but he used to have the British Medical Journal delivered still, and he wasn’t having it, and it wasn’t forwarded, so I’m afraid I did steal it every time it came, because it’s fascinating, and I genuinely enjoyed it!” she laughs.
Medical research’s loss is our gain. After getting her big break over two decades ago as Beth in Channel 4’s comedy drama
No Angels, Jo went on to become a household name as Tanya Branning in EastEnders, before making the notoriously difficult jump from soaps to serious drama. Now, with a CV that includes iconic shows such as BBC’s Doctor Who and Channel 5’s The Wives, she is very much a staple on British screens.
And that is not a surprise, because, for Jo, it was only ever really about acting. “It’s funny, because my kids are both 15 now, my twins, so it’s all about options, and what their next move might be. And I’m realising that I was so lucky, because I just knew I wanted to be an actor,” she tells me. “I remember when I was five years old, there was a programme on called Let’s Pretend. These people would open up a trunk and they’d get out a couple of props – maybe a top hat and a feather boa – and they would make up a story with the props and just tell the story. And I remember thinking, I want to do that; I want do Let’s Pretend And luckily, I was from a family who are supportive and positive and open minded, and didn’t laugh, and just went ‘OK, if that’s what you want to do, then I’m sure that’s what will happen, I’m sure you will’. And they encouraged me every step of the way.”
With their encouragement, that did indeed happen, and that breakout role in No Angels will always hold a special place in Jo’s heart. “I think I will always have a real soft spot for Beth,” she admits, “because that was the role that took me from jobbing actor to working, at least for three years, consistently, and kind of getting a bit more of a name for myself, and getting my teeth properly stuck into a series, and a character. And I have, for sure made lifelong friends from that – Sunetra Sarker, Kaye Wragg and Lou Delamere, we’re all still extremely close after all
these years. You know we were young; I was 25, living in Leeds, working hard and playing hard and forming these friendships that would take us through births, deaths, marriages, divorces…”
In the light of building real-life friendships, her latest role is not dissimilar. Adapted from the novel of the same name by Sarah Vaughan (author of Anatomy of a Scandal), Little Disasters centres on a decade-long friendship between four women (played by Jo, Diane Kruger, Shelley Conn and Emily Taaffe) who, despite having been thrown together in antenatal classes with little in common apart from their due dates, have been there for one another throughout motherhood. “It’s very rare that you get a cast where you are all of a similar age,” Jo tells me when we talk about the show. “There was something really bonding about that – we all have very similar things to talk about. And we were living away from home, so rather than being out drinking every night, we were all doing crosswords on set! It was what you’d expect from a load of 40-something-year-olds – fine wine, really good food, and good conversation and crosswords – it wasn’t that rock’n’roll really, I’m afraid, but it was a real pleasure! And they are honestly such a hugely talented, brilliant cast, and so it was a real pleasure to get to know them. I think one of the best things that ever comes from a really great job is that you make friendships that you weren’t expecting, friendships that will continue after the job, which is really special.”
While Jo and the cast might have been forging friendships, the relationship between their fictional counterparts was fracturing. “It’s about a group of women who met in an NCT class, so they’re bonded by the fact that they all became parents at the same time,” Jo explains. “And they’re all very different parents, and characters, and we meet them when my character, Liz, is put in a very difficult position, when one of her best friends from that group – Jess, played by Diane Kruger – comes into A&E with her baby, who has a very suspicious injury, an injury that doesn’t quite make sense. Liz, who is on duty in A&E, has to make a really difficult call about her very close friend, who is also a model mum – the kind of mum that Liz has always wanted to be. And she has to follow her work protocol, which is to flag her concerns to social services. And from that point on, things very much spiral, and the whole group is torn apart.”
When Jo was first sent the script, it was the opening scene, depicting the antenatal class where the women first met, that sold it to her. “They all went through their birthing plans, and every one of them was so individual. You know, some of them wanted water births with music, and one wanted it to fit in with work, and my character, the doctor, just wanted all the drugs
and knew there was no point in making a plan,” she recalls. “I thought what a great way to describe so many different characters and show how different people can be – and yet they can still become friends, even though they have got such different views and ideas… If they hadn’t all given birth at the same time, would they actually be friends? And what really bonds you after all this time? All these things are explored.”
What the series does very well, Jo thinks, is building depth in each character. “In the novel, each chapter gives the first-person viewpoint of a different character. So, you’re in the head of Liz for a chapter, and then you’re in the head of Jess for a chapter,” she explains. “And I think we’ve kept that quality, we’ve used a device where we’re actually being interviewed by social services, but as a consequence we get to break the fourth wall and talk to the audience. And what’s interesting about those pieces is that you actually get a real sense of the characters outside and away from the group. You know, they’re able to say things to the audience that they might not actually be able to say to each other.” All in all, it is, she promises, “a fascinating watch.”
Illustrating the incredible breadth of her work, next up for Jo, later this year, is a fifth series of Shakespeare & Hathaway The BBC’s quirky, crime-fighting romp first came to screens in 2018, and is all corpses, comedy and cracking mysteries. Jo and co-star Mark Benton play Luella Shakespeare and Frank Hathaway, a mismatched private detective duo. “I went straight into filming that,” she recalls. “I got back from filming Little Disasters, and then I had a week off, and went straight into Shakespeare & Hathaway, and I’d had one week off after The Wives in Malta before Little Disasters, so it was a really hectic year and a half. I’ve just gone from one thing to the next, which you cannot complain about! But at one point I was kind of doing the press for The Wives on the phone, whilst having a wig fitting for Shakespeare & Hathaway on set at Little Disasters I remember thinking, this is definitely spinning plates!”
Though being busy with work is undoubtedly amazing, being away from home can be tough. “It can often be lonely,” Jo admits. “But I’ve got very well-travelled children… My husband is fantastic, they come out and visit whenever they can, and I come home as much as I can. My daughter and I were joking, because some evenings I’ll FaceTime her and I’ll just put her on in the flat with me, wherever I’m filming, and she’ll have it on in her bedroom, and she’ll be chatting away while she’s doing a facial or whatever, and I said to her, ‘I think we talk more when I’m away, because if I was home, I’d be cooking the dinner downstairs, you’d be upstairs FaceTiming your friends instead!’. Thank God for the modern world – it
“I THINK THERE’S A KIND OF LIGHTNESS THAT YOU CARRY WITH YOU ONTO SET WHEN YOU’RE WORKING WITH COMEDY, THAT YOU DON’T NECESSARILY HAVE WHEN YOU’RE FILMING A THRILLER, OR A SERIOUS DRAMA”
does make it easier. And actually, Shakespeare & Hathaway is filmed from home, so that’s wonderful.”
Out of all her work, it is this show that people most want to talk to her about, she reveals, and that is, she believes, because of its broad appeal. “You know, you can have a seven-year-old watching it, and a 70-year-old, and then my brother in between, and they all know they’re going to get a good mystery to solve, but it’s not going to depress them,” she explains. “It is going to cheer you up, and you’re going to be with people who you consider good friends now. I think a lot of people consider Sebastian and Frank and Lu as really good friends of theirs, and they can’t wait to see what they’re up to next!”
So, what will they be getting up to next? “One of my favourites this year is a shopping channel we have to investigate, and obviously Frank ends up live on air, and it’s just really good fun,” Jo laughs. “We laughed so much making it! This series has real heart to it. I think the world needs this sometimes; it’s two extremes for me, having come from this thriller, and having done quite a few thrillers lately.”
It is clear that Jo has a soft spot for comedy. “Looking back, my highlights are always comedy,” she admits. “I think there’s a kind of lightness that you carry with you onto set when you’re working with comedy, that you don’t necessarily have when you’re filming a thriller, or a serious drama. A highlight for me would absolutely be winning the Rose d’Or,” she tells me, recalling the award she received for Best Female Comedy Performance in sketch show Swinging, in 2006. “That year I was up against some fabulous people, Catherine Tate not least of all.”
It was receiving this award that really brought home to Jo that she had achieved her dreams. “I would sit in make up every morning, and we’d look at the sketches that we had to do, and we would go, ‘Oh so we’ve got this person and that person, what do we want them to look like?’,” she explains. And I remember that make up artist, she was a wonderful make up artist, and she was doing me one day, and I thought, oh my goodness, if my five-year-old self could see me now, she would say: ‘yes that’s it, you’re doing Let’s Pretend, you did it!’ You know, I’m making a living from it – how amazing, how lucky!”
Lucky, yes, but also, the result of decades of hard work. What does she think is the secret to her success? “A thick skin?” she laughs. “I didn’t get a job today that I really would have liked, and, you know, it hurts. But at the same time, I know that I was at least in the running for the job, and taken seriously for the job, and that there will be other factors that might mean that I couldn’t have done it, and so I can’t take it personally. You just put it behind you and move on… And it’s easier said than done, and I think the reason I can do that, is because if it all failed, and fell apart tomorrow, I have got such a great family behind me, that the worst-case scenario would be that I would just be with them, and that’s not bad! It’s very lucky.” She is so right. Little Disasters is streaming on Paramount+ now
Set in a Grade II listed building, the Meliá White House cuts a striking figure on the northern edge of Marylebone. Art deco fans will love the symmetrical placing of the Crittall windows and the angular lines of the building’s star-shaped exterior – it is truly a London landmark.
The White House first opened in the 1930s as an apartment complex offering luxury city centre homes, and boasting facilities that included a restaurant and bar, swimming pool and squash courts, shops and a roof garden; it was one of the most exclusive addresses in London. The transformation to a hotel began in the 1950s, and it was purchased by Spanish hotel group Meliá Hotels in 1999.
The iconic building recently underwent a significant renovation, overseen by the celebrated team at ASAH Architecture Studio; the new aesthetic incorporates décor inspired by the Meliá’s Mediterranean heritage, while preserving the building’s art deco style.
The extensive project took five years to complete and saw all areas of the hotel transformed, bringing the main social and dining spaces to the front of the hotel, and in doing so, creating multi-purpose spaces that lead naturally from one to another. These new spaces include Arado, the hotel’s main restaurant – a bright and welcoming space where a menu of modern, Mediterranean-inspired dishes is served throughout the day; ’35 Bar & Lounge, where guests can enjoy everything from morning coffee, to light lunches, pre dinner drinks and exotic nightcaps; and a state-of-the-art gym, featuring the latest Technogym equipment.
The work also saw the introduction of The Level, a new premium area of the hotel offering elevated service levels and the ultimate comfort. Discerning guests choosing to stay in The Level’s premium rooms, family rooms and suites enjoy their own private entrance at the rear of the hotel, on Longford Street, and are granted access to a private members’ club style lounge area. Promising impeccable service, The Level is designed to exceed the highest expectations, with expert staff ensuring that residents feel entirely at home throughout their stay.
Stylish yet contemporary, with a bright and modern interior and inviting velvet sofas to relax on, The Level lounge offers the ideal spot to spend time socialising with family and friends, or to unwind after a day spent exploring the sights of London. Better yet, free food and drink are served here all day, from continental breakfasts and teas and coffees during the day, to free-flowing wine, beer and Cava, alongside delicious light bites and Spanish tapas during the evening.
With such luxury and VIP treatment, a break to remember is on the cards, but for a truly unforgettable break, why not take your four-legged companion along with you? The hotel’s petfriendly rooms include comfy beds, toys, organic dog food and snacks, and your furry friend can even join you at breakfast the next morning, too. Enough to get tails and tongues wagging! To find out more, see melia.com/en/hotels/united-kingdom/london/ melia-white-house
ON LOCATION
Glorious art deco architecture, impeccable facilities, delectable dining options and an enviable location on the edge of Regent’s Park make this the perfect spot for a city escape
GP Nutrition brings effortless, science-led support with its metabolism-boosting hero, MetaboliseMe
When former model turned nutritionist
Gabriela Peacock launched GP Nutrition, her goal was simple: to cut through the noise of fad diets and overly complicated wellness routines with science-led supplements that fit effortlessly into modern life.
Her no-nonsense approach, honed through years of clinical experience and a little black book of high-profile clients (think royalty, celebrities and busy professionals alike), is rooted in real-life results – not restriction.
GP Nutrition is built around the belief that wellness should feel good, not punishing. Whether it’s supporting immunity, sleep, or skin health, the product range is all about smart, sustainable support. And for anyone looking to ramp up their metabolism and improve energy levels without resorting to jittery quick fixes, MetaboliseMe might just be the star of the show.
Designed to support a healthy metabolism and sustained energy release throughout the day, MetaboliseMe is one of GP Nutrition’s most popular products – and it’s easy to see why.
The supplement is packed with glucomannan, a highly absorbent soluble fibre derived from the konjac plant, known to support healthy weight management by promoting an extended feeling of satiation.
At the core of the formula is chromium picolinate, known for its role in supporting normal blood sugar levels and helping to reduce cravings, and Reducose® mulberry leaf extract, which has been clinically studied for its ability to reduce post-meal blood sugar spikes.
Together with inulin – a natural prebiotic fibre – these ingredients work to support metabolism, appetite regulation and digestive health, offering a more balanced way to manage energy throughout the day.
What we love about MetaboliseMe is how effortlessly it fits into the morning routine. Just take the daily sachet with water before breakfast and you’re good to go – no measuring,
USE THE CODE MM25 FOR 25% OFF ONLINE
no mixing, no faff. The product is vegan-friendly, free from artificial colours and preservatives, and the sachets come in a recyclable box, making it perfect for the conscious consumer.
Gabriela’s ethos is all about making nutrition accessible and sustainable. There’s no moralising here – just practical, easyto-follow advice and products that work with your lifestyle, not against it. It’s the same thinking that underpins the entire GP Nutrition line-up.
MetaboliseMe is an ideal supplement if weight management is your goal. Taken before meals with water, it gently expands in the stomach to help you feel fuller, naturally encouraging portion control without the uncomfortable side effects often associated with fibre supplements. You get a smart, sciencebacked routine that supports energy, metabolism and satiety –all without overhauling your diet.
With wellness trends constantly shifting, GP Nutrition offers a refreshingly grounded alternative. The formulations are based on clinical insight, not celebrity hype, and each product is designed to work with the body’s natural rhythms rather than against them. For Gabriela, it’s not about restriction or extremes, but finding balance, and helping others do the same. gpnutrition.com
HOW TO CLAIM YOUR DISCOUNT
GP Nutrition is offering Fabric readers an exclusive 25% off MetaboliseMe (priced £24.50, usually £35).*
Visit gpnutrition.com and use the code MM25 at checkout.
Alternatively, contact the customer care team on 0808 502 0505 to claim your discount.
*Offer valid for single use only until 31st December 2025. Not to be combined with any other offers/discounts, or used against existing subscriptions. Full terms and conditions available at gpnutrition. com/terms
LOCATED IN LONDON AND MILTON KEYNES ZENTAL OFFERS AN UNPARALLELED DENTAL EXPERIENCE
RATED 5* BY THOUSANDS OF PATIENTS
Tscents, spa-like serenity — and the chance to escape into a virtual world of your choice, far from any feeling of stress. Does this this sound like a trip to a dentist? Well, it is at Zental.
Up to 53% of the UK population are scared of visiting their dentist, according to a survey. It is within that context that founders and friends Arif Al-Suwaidi and Ihsaan Al-Hadad were guided by an innovative spirit and a deep desire to evolve dentistry.
“Whether you’re coming in for dental implants, teeth whitening or composite bonding, we’re here to make sure wellness and relaxation are
built into every step of your journey.”
Six years later and that vision is an actuality at their 6 practices in London and Milton Keynes, rated 5* by 1000s of people.
At Zental, patients are welcomed into a calming, multi-sensory environment where handpicked scent therapies enhance air quality and support mind-body wellness — a clear contrast to the cold, clinical feel of traditional practices. Even hi-tech virtual reality plays a role in transforming anxious visits into calm, positive experiences.
Special offers on treatments can save you thousands
You can save up to £2,500 with your implant treatment including a free 45-minute consultation; a free 3D CBCT scan; free surgical planning pictures; free digital impression and free comfort sedation.
Exciting news: wellness retreat YĀTRĀ – meaning ‘journey’ in Sanskrit – debuted at Montcalm Mayfair last month, and it’s seriously special. Promoting relaxation, mindfulness, and personal growth, with an emphasis on balance, self-discovery, and harmony, the new spa goes beyond traditional treatments, offering immersive journeys that promise to leave you feeling refreshed, rejuvenated, and connected to your inner self.
The retreat, designed by Studio Est, features four luxurious treatment rooms, including a couples room; a space for yoga, meditation, movement and reflection; infrared and traditional wood saunas and heat experiences; a hydro pool and jacuzzi; a gym fitted with the latest TechnoGym equipment; and a cocooning relaxation space offering tea rituals in partnership with Camellia’s Tea House.
Decorated in soothing pastel tones, with a bespoke scent featuring notes of eucalyptus, raspberry, and clove, with a heart of pine and a woody base of cedarwood, sandalwood, musk and earthy nuances; and a signature soundscape curated by London studio MindFidelity to reflect sounds of British woodlands and forests, the subterranean space feels gloriously sophisticated and tranquil.
It goes without saying that the treatments are top level; bespoke Ayurvedic therapies blending timehonoured rituals with sustainable, natural products, have been developed in collaboration with QMS Medicosmetics and Mauli Rituals. We love the sound of the Savasana Muscle Warming Polti massage, which includes guided breathwork, ritualistic sound healing, yogic twists, and mindfulness meditation. Bliss. 2 Wallenberg Place, W1H (montcalmcollection.com)
A rejuvenating break
Riviera glamour
Channel St. Tropez style with a gorgeous collection from resortwear brand Paper London. Designer and founder Philippa Thackeray has collaborated with newly opened boutique hotel AREV St Tropez this season. The meticulously curated collection captures the essence of Riviera glamour while celebrating both brands’ commitment to timeless elegance with a modern, playful twist.
1. Blondie cotton shirt, £250
2. Graphic scoop swimsuit, £175
3. Scallop jumpsuit orange, £425
4. Ruffle bikini top, £100 and Maldives bikini pants, £100
Three distinct capsules capture the AREV experience: from energetic matches on the padel court to sun-drenched afternoons by the pool, and sophisticated evenings on the outdoor terrace of Q’s Bar. By the Court is a collection of high-performance pieces, while Sun on the Skin features luxurious swimwear in signature AREV orange and Mediterranean-inspired blues and mints, and An Evening to Remember captures the magical transition from day to night with flowing silk eveningwear. And the best bit? Everything is available online and at Liberty, as well as at the hotel’s boutique, so you don’t need to be in the South of France to treat yourself to some Riviera style this summer. paperlondon.com
Planning a spa weekend? Then you need to know about Novara Aesthetics Clinic at Seaham Hall, on the coast of County Durham… Long one of the north-east’s most desirable destinations, Seaham Hall (part of the Pride of Britain hotel group) has recently opened the impressive Novara, offering aesthetic treatments (and tweakments) as advanced as any you’d find in W1.
The medically-led team start all appointments with a skin analysis using the OBSERV 520X diagnostic device, allowing for a treatment plan truly tailored to even the invisible needs underneath the surface of your skin. The range on offer is comprehensive, with a focus on results that is underpinned by an ethos of nurturing long-term skin health, rather than quick fixes.
And, of course, the setting only adds to the experience… historic Seaham Hall (Lord Byron once married the daughter of the house here, history buffs!) makes a perfect getaway; you can combine your skincare with total relaxation at the Serenity Spa, a choice of dining options (from health-focused to straight up indulgence), and bracing walks along the coastline, the sea air replenishing mind, body and soul. It’s popular, especially at the weekends, so do book now. For details, see seaham-hall.co.uk/novara/
Rachel Riley’s eponymous childrenswear collections have won multiple awards and her clothing has been worn by royalty; she introduces us to the brand
Tell us a little about your background and how you came to launch your label I began my fashion career working as a model in London, Tokyo and Paris. During this time, I met my husband Daniel, a photographer. We have three children together, and when they were young, I realised there was a gap in the market for well-made, comfortable, stylish clothes for babies and children. And so, Rachel Riley was born in 1998. It quickly grew from a mail-order business, to the globally recognised, multi-awardwinning brand that it is today. It is still very much a family business, though – Daniel and I work together on the creative direction, and collaborate on all of the Rachel Riley brand shoots, and my daughter Rose helps me to design the clothes.
What’s your brand philosophy?
We are committed to maintaining the tradition of using artisan techniques to create the finest and most comfortable clothes for babies and children. Many of our prints are designed in-house and the footwear is made by hand by local shoemakers in our atelier in the Loire Valley, France.
What inspires your collections?
I grew up in London and have had a lifelong passion for the classic designs and style of the 1950s and ’60s. I have loved collecting vintage pieces, including childrenswear, for decades. These precious pieces have helped define the brand’s aesthetic: making heirloom keepsakes to be passed down to future generations.
What do you see as being the big trends in childrenswear this year?
As a classic brand with a focus on traditional style, we tend not to follow trends, however it is always fun for us to see looks and design features that we embrace each season become trends. For example, I have always loved gingham, and it is a big focus this summer in kids’ fashion (it is associated with St. Tropez in the ’50s!). Butter yellow is another big colour trend. I always love whimsical design and conversational prints, and I can see really fun oversize prints like lobsters and sailboats, florals and fruit motifs proving a hit this season.
I love to feel empowered when I get dressed, and children are the same
Fashion goes through many changes, with sustainability a key factor, and we feel traditional well-made designs can be worn again and again by many children. We are aware the popularity of traditional styles is ever-present across the fashion sector. As we say: ‘timeless elegance never goes out of fashion!’.
What can we expect from your latest clothing collection?
We had such fun creating our SS25 collection and designed prints such as lobsters, tennis motifs, and sailboats for summer adventures. We also designed a larger special occasion capsule with plenty of flower girl and page boy options for summer weddings.
How do you want children wearing your clothing to feel?
We want children to look and feel their best, and as most parents know, children will be the first to tell you when something isn’t comfy! So, comfort and ease of movement in kids’ clothing are key for me, something to adapt to each level of childhood, too. Practicality is very important, so we design our collection accordingly; bloomers under dresses for babies in nappies, dungarees for crawlers, and cute partywear/jumpsuits and smart chinos and shirts for older kids who are off to all those birthday parties. I love to feel empowered when I get dressed in the morning, and children are the same, so an ABC print for a toddler off to pre-school, or a blouse and pinafore for school
that’s the perfect colour and has matching hair accessories works the same for kids.
Is there anyone you’d really love to see wearing one of your designs?
Yes, of course! I have always admired self-made business owners in the creative field; designers like Paul Smith, Agnès B, Tory Burch and others who have built their own brands in their working life. I would love to meet home and interior designer Shea McGee and dress her daughters. On one of our recent photoshoots, our daughter was staying with us and she introduced us to Shea’s Netflix series, Dream Home Makeover. Every evening, we were glued to the TV screen. I love her creative flair and the fact that she works with her husband, and that they include their kids in their working life. I also admire all that she has achieved since starting her business only 10 years ago, and how she has embraced social media to build her brand. I can see she is a great mom, and her daughters can see how hard-working and talented she is. I would be delighted to chat through a ‘girlpower’ business breakfast or lunch with her!
Can you tell us about the role of sustainability in your business?
At Rachel Riley, we make clothing not fashion. Living a sustainable lifestyle means ‘Reduce, Reuse, Repair’. Our designs are all made with care, from natural premium fabrics, and are designed to be re-worn and loved by many children.
We are dedicated to creating timeless, highquality clothing that is long-lasting, so the pieces can be passed from one sibling to another, or down from one generation to the next.
The polybags we use to protect our garments are made from biodegradable materials. The card and tissue paper we use is either recyclable or made from recycled materials. Our lilac giftboxes are created to be treasured as keepsake boxes, and our hamper baskets have been designed to re-use as storage for toys in playrooms and nurseries. rachelriley.co.uk
Revisiting an old favourite can be fraught with disappointment, but a celebratory meal at this iconic Holland Park restaurant is pitch perfect in every way
Words by Becky Pomfret
There are few London restaurants quite as storied – or as beloved –as Julie’s in Holland Park. Opened in 1969 by the charismatic interior designer Julie Hodgess, the restaurant quickly became a favourite with the Capital’s glitterati, with a client list that famously included Diana Ross and Mick Jagger. After a lengthy closure and an extensive refurbishment, Julie’s reopened its doors just over a year ago, to great anticipation, bringing a refreshed elegance that feels both timeless and contemporary.
We have the joy of celebrating my mum’s 80th birthday here, and it proves the perfect setting. The new interiors nod affectionately to the restaurant’s decadent past: stained glass, carved wood, and velvet banquettes create a sense of intimate, slightly bohemian glamour. It’s theatrical without being overwhelming – a rare balance. The lamp-lit ground floor has maximalist bistro-chic nailed, with comfy velvet seating, retro patterned wallpaper and café curtains.
We are warmly welcomed by the staff, and shown downstairs to the basement, past a group of friends celebrating a birthday of their own, to our table in a wonderfully private alcove. The arched ceiling here is covered in cork, not only nodding to the restaurant’s 1970s heyday, but also creating a very cosy effect, not to mention ensuring our rowdy family doesn’t have to worry about noise (a particular bugbear of mine is restaurants with no soft furnishings to soak up the sound!). The comfortable curved seating makes it easy for us to talk to each other, and we relax into the plush velvet cushions to enjoy our meal. Service is warm, attentive and utterly professional, setting exactly the right celebratory tone. Our waiter tells us he is part of a large family himself, so understands the sibling dynamics (and banter) at the table. The menu offers a concise, confident, modern European selection. We decide to share some starters: bread with an incredible roasted onion and garlic butter, some gooey, smoky raclette croquettes with a piquillo pepper aioli, salt-baked beetroot
with goats’ cheese and hazelnut salad, and a generous portion of tuna tartare. For mains, everybody is drawn to the same classic: the steak haché. It arrives perfectly pink, with a buttery, peppered jus pooling around it. Paired with crisp, golden pommes frites and a sharply dressed green salad, it is simple, unshowy, and thoroughly delicious. There’s something about such a simple, well executed dish, that feels like the truest luxury.
Puddings are rightly taken seriously, too: a blood orange cheesecake and an excellent chocolate mousse (with nostalgic echoes of a Cadbury Pot of Joy, in the best possible way) round off the evening with a flourish.
Julie’s is more than a restaurant; it’s part of London’s cultural fabric. Its rebirth is a triumph, marrying a palpable sense of history with a lively, welcoming spirit. For milestone celebrations, or simply a memorable night out, Julie’s feels once again like the only place to be. We’ll be back for mum’s 90th, not to mention every celebration between now and then… 135 Portland Rd, W11 (020 7229 8331; juliesrestaurant.com)
Tuck into the latest foodie news from across the Capital
Have you heard about Heard? Chef Jordan Bailey is bringing the same skill, precision, and obsession with flavour and high-quality ingredients that saw him awarded two Michelin stars at his critically acclaimed restaurant Aimsir to a brand-new smashed burger concept.
Jordan always craved a good burger after a busy night at work. So, he set about using his skills and connections to create incredible burgers at an approachable price – deceptively simple, yet crafted with the same care as a Michelin-starred dish. After a year perfecting his recipes and touring the UK in the Heard food truck, Jordan has brought his concept to a new pop-up in Borough, and a flagship site will follow on Foubert’s Place imminently.
Renowned butcher, HG Walters has helped the team to source regenerative meat from a cooperative of UK farmers; beautifully aged for a minimum of 35 days, its texture and flavour is perfect for a smash burger. Cheese has been sourced from prime UK producers, with the British Ogleshield raclette style being the perfect tangy, creamy topping for the signature burger. For vegetarians, The Umami is made with black bean, wild mushrooms and kimchi. And Heard’s fries feature a beef salt topping, inspired by Australian chicken salt, which lends the perfect savoury kick. Dessert is an organic yoghurt ice cream sandwich, made in-house with single origin chocolate.
Everything on the menu is paired with a different low-intervention wine or craft beer from a local independent brewery, each carefully selected by Jordan’s sommelier wife Majken Bech-Bailey to perfectly complement the different flavours. This is one that’s not to be missed. For details, see heardburger.co.uk
On the hunt for the ultimate summer sip? If you’re a fan of fizz, we think you’ll love ThinK. Made from the finest Pinot Grigio and Glera grapes from the heart of Treviso, north-east Italy, their awardwinning organic, vegan friendly prosecco and sparkling rosé are low calorie, low sugar, with zero carbs, and minimal sulphites. Deliciously smooth and refreshing, both blends are dry with the perfect level of sweetness, and promise to leave you with a clearer head the morning after. And, honouring their commitment to sustainability, the team have been awarded B-Corp certification, meaning this tipple is virtually guilt-free, however you look at it. Perfect for picnic season, we love the new cans of semi sparkling wine. Founder Kath Jones tells us: “We know our customers don’t always want a full bottle. And where our minis are great for indoors, adding a can to our range means that ThinK Wine can now be enjoyed anywhere. You’ll find the exact same drink inside with all the benefits and the same great taste, just portable and perfect for any outdoor occasion, be that a camping or glamping trip, a festival, an outdoor party or marquee wedding.” We’ll drink to that. From £30 for a case of 6 (thinkwinegroup.co.uk)
Tickets are now available for Le Cordon Bleu London’s Summer Festival, taking place on Saturday 21 June at the Bloomsbury Square campus. Marking the institute’s 130th anniversary, the 2025 festival promises an extra special day of immersive culinary experiences including live demonstrations from world class chefs, and practical workshops. Look out for demos by Antonio Milla and Francisco ‘Paco’ Jose Torrico, the duo behind Barrafina; Nicolas Houchet, executive pastry chef at The Savoy; and, of course, Le Cordon Bleu’s own Karl O’Dell, executive chef at CORD – all included in the price of general admission. Meanwhile, focusing on different disciplines, including pâtisserie, boulangerie, and cuisine, workshops will be hosted in the culinary school’s state-of-the-art teaching kitchens, and themed around its 130-year heritage. And the fun doesn’t end there, interactive tastings will be hosted in the Salon Gourmet area, where there will be the opportunity to purchase amazing global produce. Salon highlights include the Maison Louis Latour wine bar, offering a taste of exquisite French vintages; Brindisa, bringing the bold flavours of Spanish charcuterie and tapas; Julienne Bruno, known for its innovative plant-based creations; and the Pisco Embassy Bar, serving cocktails that celebrate Peru’s iconic spirit. Whether you’re an aspiring chef, a passionate home cook or a connoisseur of fine food, it promises to be an unforgettable day. Le Cordon Bleu London, 15 Bloomsbury Square, WC1A. General admission tickets are priced at £15, with workshop tickets priced at £50, to purchase, see cordonbleu.edu/london/summer-festival
Ingredients
• 40ml Hepple Gin
• 20ml Lillet Rosé
• 20ml fresh lemon juice
• 20ml blackcurrant
cordial* • 60ml chilled
Earl Grey tea • 50ml soda or tonic water
*Blackcurrant
cordial
Ingredients
• 60ml Hepple Gin
• 25ml nettle cordial*
• 7.5ml lime juice
*Nettle cordial
• 60g washed nettle tips • 300ml boiling water • 300g sugar
• 10g citric acid
• 100g frozen blackcurrants • 100g caster sugar • 100ml boiling water
Method
1. Place blackcurrants on top of the sugar in a bowl. When defrosted add 100ml boiling water and stir. Strain through a fine sieve.
2. Mix all ingredients in a large glass with ice and garnish with freshly sliced summer fruit. SUMMER CUP
Method
1. Pour boiling water over nettle tips, infuse for 15 mintes, then add sugar and citric acid.
2. Stir until dissolved and strain through a muslin.
3. Shake all ingredients on ice and strain into glass.
If you’re a gin lover and you haven’t yet sampled Hepple, you’re missing a treat. A project between chef and author Valentine Warner, renowned barman Nick Strangeway, countryman Walter Riddell, and master distiller Chris Garden, this is gin with a truly distinctive flavour profile. It’s crafted from handpicked wild juniper berries, Douglas fir from British woodland, fresh herbs like lovage, foraged bog myrtle and home-grown blackcurrants, and it’s distilled using a revolutionary triple-technique. Perfect with tonic, it’s also oh so flexible as the base of a sensational summer cocktail. Here are some of the team’s favourites. hepplespirits.com
WORD
Ingredients
• 20ml Hepple Gin
• 20ml green
Chartreuse • 20ml
cherry liqueur
• 20ml
fresh lime juice
Method
1. Shake all ingredients on ice and strain into glass.
2. Garnish with cherry, fresh mint or edible flowers.
Ingredients
• 50ml Hepple Gin • 3tsp honey with water (3:1)
• 25ml lemon juice
Method
1. Shake on ice and strain into a chilled glass.
2. Garnish with an edible flower or a strip of lemon peel.
Ingredients
• 25 ml Hepple Sloe & Hawthorn Gin • 25 ml Fino sherry • 150 ml Indian tonic water
• Olive to garnish
Method
1. Fill a large wine glass with ice.
2. Add the gin and sherry.
3. Top with tonic and stir.
4. Add an olive and a bit of the brine to garnish.
Enjoy expertly crafted cocktails and elevated bar food in an intimate, design-led setting. Kensington’s hidden gem is yours to discover at Stables Bar.
The fabulous gardens lining the shores of this iconic lake are in full bloom this month, and the temperatures are balmy, too, making it the perfect time to explore before the peak season crowds arrive
Celebrating its 152nd anniversary this season, this luxury hotel has been in the same family for four generations, and prides itself on authentic Italian hospitality and service: it’s beloved by some of the great names of the twentieth and twenty-first centuries.
Oozing old school opulence, the interiors feature marble staircases, Murano glass chandeliers, frescoed ceilings and antique furniture.
The five-star facilities include two fabulous restaurants, Mistral and La Goletta, led by Michelin-starred chef Ettore Bocchia, and the stunning spa, Luce del Lago, which has been extended this season, incorporating a Hammam and a new, multifunctional spa suite. Outside, the beautiful Italianate gardens boast tennis courts and a lakeside pool. This season also saw the launch of Baci da Bellagio Beach Club, the hotel’s brand-new Riviera-inspired beach club boasting a menu that features fresh seafood, signature cocktails, and Italian delicacies, all enjoyed with unparalleled views over the water. La dolce vita. villaserbelloni.com
A Grand Dame of the lake, built in 1568, Villa d’Este was once home to princesses, marquises, sultans and tsars. And since 1873, it has been an elegant five-star resort; one of the most celebrated in the world. Spread across 25 acres of manicured grounds along the waterfront at Cernobbio it is simply vast, but the service is never anything but personal and professional.
Classically decorated rooms feature period furnishings, silk-brocade drapes, linen sheets, and Renaissance oil paintings. And, for those seeking something extra special, four ultraluxurious villas are dotted throughout the grounds, offering the ultimate blend of privacy with the best of the hotel’s unmatched hospitality and service.
Facilities here are first class, from the legendary floating swimming pool that sits directly on the lake to the indoor Sporting Club.
The hotel is also known for its impressive culinary offering by executive chef Michele Zambanini, which includes, amongst other tempting options, fine dining at the Veranda, and a more relaxed take on Mediterranean cuisine at the Grill. There’s truly something for everyone at this very special hotel. villadeste.com
Recognised as one of the top ten ‘Best Hotels in Italy’ in the Condé Nast Traveller Readers’ Choice Awards 2024 and awarded 2 Michelin Keys by the Michelin Hotel Keys Guide, Il Sereno opened to great fanfare in 2016. Located in the little town of Torno on the lake’s south-eastern shore, the all-suite hotel is set in a striking, modern building hewn from stone, wood, bronze, and copper. Designed by Particia Urquiola, the contemporary aesthetic set it apart from its neo classical neighbours. Combining timeless elegance with modern sophistication, Il Sereno sought to redefine Lake Como’s luxury landscape –and it continues to stand out from the crowd nearly a decade on. Each of the chic suites features floor-to-ceiling windows and furnished terraces, boasting uninterrupted waterfront views. Interiors incorporate a palette of greens, blues and neutrals that reflect the colours of the lake, and the furnishings include some of Urquiola’s best-selling designs, including Flos lamps and B&B Italia chairs. Outside, a 60-foot-long freshwater infinity pool is suspended dramatically over the lake, while Ernesto Riva boats offer a stylish way to explore. And after a day on the lake, guests can unwind at the serene spa, where treatments from Swiss brand Valmont provide a restorative escape.
Equally special is the hotel’s Michelin-starred restaurant, Il Sereno Al Lago. One of the area’s premier dining destinations, it is overseen by executive chef Raffaele Lenzi, who is renowned for his innovative and award-winning menus. serenohotels.com/property/il-sereno
Words by Ali Howard
Bleary-eyed and balancing takeaway coffees, we meet at Stansted before sunrise – it’s an early start that only makes sense when Puglia’s waiting on the other side. By the time we land in Bari and make the 55-minute drive to Masseria Petrarolo, the Adriatic light is already working its magic. There’s something about this part of Italy – the olive groves, the dry-stone walls, the way time seems to stretch and soften – that tells us, immediately, we’re in for something special.
From the outside, the 17th-century masseria rises like a fortress, flanked by fields of lavender. Inside, it opens up like a storybook – all vaulted ceilings, cool stone walls and carefully mismatched antiques. British-Swiss entrepreneur Constant Tedder and interior designer James Thurstan Waterworth (formerly of Soho House) have created something that feels less like a holiday rental and more like the country home we wish we had. Here, sun hats hang from hooks and linen cushions fall just-so.
After a light lunch with our hosts, we explore the house more closely. There are nine bedrooms in total – each one different but sharing the same tactile, lived-in aesthetic. We drop our bags, open shutters onto verdant views, and wander barefoot across stone floors, letting the heat settle in our bones.
The afternoon unfolds gently, as is the way here. A leisurely stroll through the gardens, a splash in the curving beach-entry pool – as perfect for paddling as it is for lengths – and later, a rooftop soak in the adults-only spa pool with its panoramic views. It’s a place that invites slowness. There are hidden corners everywhere: a hammock here, a courtyard there, all designed for impromptu chats or solo escapes with a book and a glass of something local.
As the sun dips low, we regroup for drinks in the courtyard, golden hour casting long shadows across the limestone walls, it is a heady mix. Dinner follows – course after course of Puglian goodness, courtesy of chef Rita, who cooks like she’s feeding the family. Handmade orecchiette, local fish, vegetables pulled from the garden hours earlier – it’s all served with a motherly warmth that would be seriously hard to fake.
The next morning brings tennis for the brave (or at least the caffeinated), followed by a hysterical – given our poor efforts – pasta-making class that leaves us dusted in flour and full of pride. But there’s something deeply satisfying about eating a lunch we’ve just rolled out ourselves, especially when the setting includes olive trees, linen-draped tables, and a breeze that carries the scent of lemon blossom. That afternoon’s extended tour of the grounds – including the delightfully retro Airstream Petrarolo – gives us a deeper sense of how much love and thought has gone into this place. From the sustainable touches (on-site well, solar panels, kitchen garden) to the antiques sourced from across Europe, it is all meticulously considered.
After an afternoon of Hammam bliss and quiet time by the pool, we reassemble for another long, laughter-filled dinner under the stars. By now, a rhythm has emerged – early risers, late loungers, pool-dwellers, terrace readers, each carving out their own perfect stay.
The next day takes us beyond the masseria. We lunch at Terrazze Monachile – all cliffside views and just-caught seafood
– then meander through Monopoli and Polignano a Mare with a local guide, stopping for espressos and snapshots along the way. Back at Petrarolo, there’s time for a last dip and a final feast before we wrap ourselves in blankets for stargazing on the roof terrace. The sky is cloudless, the wine is flowing, and we even spot Saturn through the telescope, its iconic rings clearly visible. We lie, heads tilted to the sky, and lose ourselves in the magic. After breakfast the next day – always a beautiful, al fresco spread laid out by the team – it’s time to bid farewell to Petrarolo. Not goodbye exactly, more of a “see you soon”, we promise. We transfer to sister property Masseria Pistola, just half an hour away, but occupying its own pocket of paradise.
properties invite you to remember what good living really looks like
If Petrarolo feels like a grand but gentle estate, Pistola leans more contemporary – still grounded in its agricultural past, but with a sharper architectural edge. It sits high in the Canale Di Pirro valley, and the views here are extraordinary: wide, rolling and utterly cinematic. The ten-bedroom house is a masterclass in contrast – rough-hewn stone next to jeweltoned glassware, rustic beams above sleek tiled floors. The work of Thurstan Waterworth and the design team continues here, but the vibe is subtly different. More modern family home, less crumbling romance.
We arrive just in time for a garden tour of the Giardini Pistola – all native planting, wild herbs and Chelsea Flower Showworthy landscaping. The garden spans nine hectares if you include the estate, but it never feels overwhelming. Instead, it invites you to wander, to pause, and to breathe a little deeper.
Lunch is at nearby Il Cortiletto – rustic and rambling, with food that reminds us why we’ve flown across Europe. Back at Pistola, we’re greeted by Giuseppe for a tour of the house: from the Mangatore dining room to the poolside kitchen, every space is made for gatherings. But there’s intimacy too – quiet corners in the gardens, secret spots for a sundown spritz or a morning yoga stretch.
That evening’s wine tasting, hosted at Tenuta Pistola, is a highlight. Think delicious local wines, thoughtfully paired bites, and spirited conversation. Dinner follows – a triumph from chef Antonio D’Errico, who champions seasonal ingredients and a big-hearted approach to hospitality.
On our final morning, we ease into the day with a restorative yoga and sound healing session, then gather for a long, lazy brunch (there’s definitely a theme here when it comes to the art of eating). There’s time to quiz the team on the restoration, the sustainable ethos, the plans for future retreats – and we leave inspired by the blend of design, nature and soul that both of these impressive masserias embody.
By the time we reach Brindisi Airport, sun-kissed and slightly sleepy, we’re already plotting a return. Because that’s the thing about Puglia – and especially these two extraordinary properties: they invite you to slow down, to tune in, and to remember what good living really looks like.
Masseria Pistola comes with chef, and full housekeeping staff, and starts from €13,500 per week in low season or in peak season from €36,750 per week; Masseria Petrarolo comes with chef, and full housekeeping staff, and starts from €14,500 per week in low season or in peak season from €37,500 per week. (enquiries@ masseriapistola.com; masseriapetrarolo.com; masseriapistola.com)
Offering the perfect blend of relaxed days and sociable nights, ananea’s newest Greek hotel leans into the unique rhythm of Mykonos
Words by Katie Hutley
You know those holidays that are SO MUCH FUN you all joke about needing another holiday to get over it? But then… you do actually regret it when the reality of home sinks in, so end up booking another break (yoga retreat, anyone?) to recover? Just me? I’d wager not… so listen up, fellow balance-seekers, because I think I’ve found the place. If it’s the magical midpoint between full-throttle fun and restorative calm you’re after, then ananea Mykonos is your new best friend. It’s the kind of place where you can do absolutely nothing except lounge stylishly beside your private pool, cocktail in hand, and still feel like you’re making the most of every minute of your holiday. Or equally, to ward off the threat of FOMO, it’s also perfectly placed for dipping a well-pedicured toe into the island’s much-mythologised party scene.
Part of the chic ananea collection, the hotel is all cleanlined, low-slung architecture, neutral tones, earthy textures and unfussy luxury. A cluster of typically Aegean buildings, arranged around the central hub of pool, bar and preposterously good restaurant. Think crisp white walls, woven pendant lighting, and the kind of calming aesthetic that makes you want to completely rethink your living room. The staff, as is central to the ananea ethos, strike that rare balance of being endlessly accommodating without ever being obsequious. It’s a hotel that feels as effortless as its guests look.
Our days began slowly, with iced coffees by the pool and breezy breakfasts on the terrace (shout out to the Greek yoghurt and honey – never bettered). The island breeze, which picks up just as the sun starts to assert itself, is a welcome natural air-con and a small mercy as temperatures rise.
The hotel is all clean-lined, low-slung architecture, neutral tones, earthy textures and unfussy luxury
Of course, being in Mykonos means the call of adventure is strong. One of the highlights of the trip was a boat day spent skimming along the island’s glittering coastline. With a salty breeze in our hair and a cooler full of cold rosé, we stopped at secret coves for swims and cooed over glimpses of some of the most covetable real estate in Europe. Back on dry land, a guided tour of Chora revealed just how much more this island has to offer than its clubbing credentials. From windmills and the labyrinth of whitewashed alleys, home to shops from folk art to – really – Louis Vuitton; to the ruins of an ancient fortress now cleverly repurposed as an art gallery showcasing candid glimpses of Mykonian life throughout the ages, it was a fascinating reminder that Mykonos has soul as well as sparkle.
Of course, no trip would be complete without seeing-and-being-seen at Scorpios. A short hop from ananea, this legendary beach club is everything you’ve heard and more. We arrived in time to see the sun dip below the horizon to a soundtrack of deep house and clinking glasses, and by midnight the whole place was moving to it in unison. It’s part open-air temple, part catwalk, part spiritual experience – and an absolute must. Back at ananea, the rhythm slows again. Dinners are taken al fresco under the stars, the food rooted in Greek tradition but with a modern, clean twist. Their take on grilled octopus with black garlic was a particular revelation. The rooms feel like private sanctuaries, each with their own pool or veranda, making it easy to slip between sociable and serene; the pared-back palette of muted colours, natural fibres and traditional touches is perfect for recharging those batteries. ananea Mykonos is for the globally curious, the aesthetically minded, the lovers of beauty in all its forms. If you like your party scene wrapped in linen and your pool loungers perfectly aligned with the sunset, this is your place. And if you want to retreat entirely from the dancefloor? There’s nowhere better to do it.
DETAILS
7 nights in June, staying in a double terrace room on a bed and breakfast rate, priced from £2,789.20 for two adults. For details and to book, see ananea.com
Touching down in Glasgow after a brief hop from London Stansted, I was greeted by the familiar excitement of a journey into the unknown. Ahead lay three and a half hours of cinematic Scottish scenery – a drive along winding roads edged with lochs and glens.
The journey concluded with a charming ferry crossing that set the tone for what lay ahead. The Luing ferry, a tiny vessel accommodating just three cars at a time, is a humble yet endearing gateway to the island, as if deliberately slowing your pace. My destination: the Isle of Luing (pronounced “Ling”), a secluded treasure in the Inner Hebrides, just 15 miles south of Oban. With a population of only 275, Luing is a place where nature takes centre stage and its wild and beautiful landscapes are matched only by an equally spirited community.
The island greets visitors with windswept coastlines, clusters of slate-roofed cottages, and a painter’s palette of colours. The acidic soil lends itself to a canvas of hydrangeas in deep pinks, burnt oranges and fiery reds that pop against a backdrop of frequent rainbows and slate tinted skies. The locals call it “the island that roofed the world”, thanks to its slate mining heritage of yesteryear, but today, Luing leans into its wilder, more serene side. The narrow roads hug cliffs that drop into the Atlantic, and twist and turn through rugged farmland, where the island’s famed rust-coloured cattle wander freely. Life here isn’t just slower; it feels timeless.
For the next few days, I was to call WildLuing home. This secluded retreat feels like an organic extension of the island itself, a project born from the Cadzow family’s deeprooted love for Luing. The family has farmed the island for over 75 years, their legacy tied to both the famous Luing Cattle – a breed they developed to thrive in the island’s challenging conditions – and to their sustainable approach to living. WildLuing is a natural continuation of that philosophy, a place where the raw beauty of Luing is celebrated and preserved.
WildLuing is split into two spaces: The Observatory and eight luxurious WildSuites. The Observatory is the retreat’s social centre, where guests can gather around a large communal dining table offering sweeping views of the coast. Here, chef Kitty, alongside part-time chef Iain, serves up hyper-local, seasonal dishes made with farm-reared meats and fresh seafood from the surrounding waters. For those seeking solitude, pre-prepared meals can be delivered to the suite, ready to be enjoyed fireside under the stars.
The WildSuites are a masterstroke in design, sustainability and comfort. Built by brothers Jack and Archie Cadzow, they rest on reclaimed railway sleepers to minimise their impact on the landscape. Their curved, cedar-clad exteriors blend unobtrusively into the landscape and their low profiles complement the natural and rugged contours of the island.
REVIEW
An off-grid retreat to the Western Isles of Scotland boasts untamed beauty, heartfelt community and a slower pace of life.
Words by Penny Clements
Inside, the suites are the perfect balance of rustic luxury and eco-conscious design. Decorated by Emily Cadzow and her mother-in-law, Tooti, the interiors feel grounding and inviting – soft linens, reclaimed wood, and expansive windows that flood the space with light and frame the dramatic scenery.
My suite, Fladda, named after a nearby isle, felt like the perfect haven. A welcome hamper awaited, brimming with homemade treats and locally sourced goodies, including generous chunks of a neighbour’s speciality: Scottish tablet, perfect for an energy boost after a day outdoors.
That first evening, I sank into a bath infused with artisanal Highland-made products, listening to the rain patter softly on the roof. Later, wrapped up in a cosy blanket on my deck, I warmed myself beside the crackling firepit, watching the beauty of the Milky Way and stars unfold in the clear night sky.
A wild storm raged overnight, but the following morning it had passed, leaving the air crisp and the sky painted with golden light. With a coffee in hand, I stood on the deck of my suite, watching as the hills beyond seemed to glow under the shifting clouds. On Luing, the weather changes often – sometimes dramatically – but it feels like an essential part of the island’s character. Even when the skies are moody, the suites offer a sense of shelter that never severs your connection to nature.
Exploring Luing is best done at a gentle pace. Coastal walking trails hug the coast and offer sweeping views of the Atlantic, and the chance to spot basking seals, cheeky otters, and swooping seabirds. For a different perspective, boat trips circle the island, with stops at Scarba, an uninhabited neighbour, for a hearty lunch at the Cadzow family’s hidden Bothy. After indulging, a brisk walk back to the boat shakes off the post-meal haze before heading to Corryvreckan, home to the world’s third-largest whirlpool,
WildLuing is not just a retreat; it’s a bridge to a simpler way of life
and a reminder of the sheer power of mother nature. For those keen to embrace the elements, fishing trips offer the opportunity to catch mackerel, which can later be cooked over an open flame (or made into sashimi) with nothing but the crackle of the fire and a dram of whisky for company.
Community is at the heart of life on Luing, and WildLuing invites you to join in. The Atlantic Islands Centre, Luing’s communal hub, hosts a variety of activities, from baking sessions to craft workshops. Locals are quick to share stories and smiles, making it easy to feel like a part of island life, even if only for a little while. Sustainability is not just a buzzword here, it’s a way of life. The Cadzows use practices like mob grazing and sward lifting, enriching the soil with seaweed to support biodiversity, while rotating cattle across fields allows the farmland to recover naturally. But it doesn’t stop there. A wind turbine provides renewable energy to parts of the island, rainwater is collected and used for irrigation, and even small touches like composting food waste and using eco-friendly cleaning products ensure that every detail supports the natural balance.
Every moment spent on Luing feels steeped in the island’s history – its wildness, its resilience, its sense of togetherness. WildLuing is not just a retreat; it’s a bridge to a simpler way of life. One where time is stretched and measured by the tides and the ever-changing sky, and where the warmth of the community is as enduring as the island’s slate cliffs. Whether for a weekend or a fortnight, a stay here feels like a return to nature, to stillness, and to the beauty of life unhurried.
WildLuing offers a choice of eight luxury self-catering WildSuites, all sleeping two people and priced from £200 per night in low season. The Observatory is available for event hire and group bookings. Exclusive use of the site, including optional catering and full use of accommodation and the Observatory is also available by prior arrangement. For details, see wildluing.com
A luxury wellness retreat in the hills above Alicante offers the perfect antidote to the all-consuming nature of the modern world
Words by Katie Hutley
By the time I arrived at SHA Wellness Clinic, I had well and truly run out of road. I had ignored every flashing warning light my body had politely (and then increasingly urgently) tried to offer up, until the only logical next step was to surrender completely. That is to say: I finally booked myself onto the burnout recovery programme at this renowned temple to health and wellbeing, nestled in the hills above Alicante.
SHA has a reputation as a kind of Shangri-La for the rundown, the reeling and the readjusting. The clientele is diverse but uniformly motivated in the pursuit of wellness: famous faces seeking respite, fashion editors on silent mode, biohacking CEOs with intimidating abs, and me – mildly terrified, aching in places I didn’t know existed, and hoping that someone was finally going to tell me how to press the reset button.
SHA is all about the science: before your programme even starts, you undergo a battery of diagnostics – blood work, ozone therapy prep, medical consultations, body composition analysis and more. The idea is that your week is tailored to you, and the
attention to detail is genuinely impressive. There are doctors, nutritionists, therapists and instructors all working in quiet, synchronised harmony to recalibrate your system.
I was there on the four-night Recover and Energise programme, with a schedule of treatments, therapies and movement classes, all with the aim of getting me back on my feet. Speaking of which… let’s get one thing out of the way. Physical fitness is not my claim to fame. Yoga? I creak. Aqua gym? I cling to the edge like a stunned cat. Power walk at 7am? Unlikely. (Or so I thought). But when it came to the ice bath, I came into my own. Following a hypnotic session of Wim Hof-style guided breathing, I found myself slowly, deliberately lowering into a bath filled with actual ice. Up to the neck. I was told to try and manage between two and four minutes. But something in me needed to prove my body and I could do something well, and I sat there for over five. It was a euphoric, surreal high – something between a system reboot and a spiritual awakening… if you could bottle it and sell it, well –you’d definitely get turned away from a festival for being in possession of it.
Outside of scheduled treatments, there’s a rhythm that settles in: afternoon walks, herbal teas by the infinity pool, journalling or snoozing in the library. It’s a strange, otherworldly bubble that’s blissfully free of decision-making. Every minute is accounted for, and when your brain is fried, that is the greatest luxury of all.
And then there is the food. I was assigned the Kushi menu –macrobiotic, cleansing, and positively ascetic. Or it would have been, if I’d stuck to it. Which I didn’t. I was devastated to be in Spain and find no tomatoes on the menu – banned, due to high histamine levels – and bore my grief heroically. With quiet collusion from my sympathetic waiter, however, I embarked on a one-woman rebellion and mixed-and-matched dishes here and there… whilst it was impeccably done, it turns out I’m just not a vegetable and tempeh lasagne kinda gal. I even sometimes traded the more austere steamed vegetables for the occasional piece of tuna sashimi, and what can I say – it felt wild.
In all seriousness, the food here is impeccable – plated like fine dining, delicate, fragrant, and refreshingly low on smugness. You’ll spend a lot of time in the restaurant (no room service here, this is a place that encourages you to face your food choices head-on), and it becomes a quiet, ritualistic centrepiece to the day.
By the middle of my stay I appeared to have undergone an entire personality overhaul, for there I was, bright and early – 6.30am early – waiting with my fellow early birds to go on a guided walk through the Sierra Gelada nature reserve to reach the historic Albir lighthouse. It was… glorious. From the honeyed early morning light, and the warm fragrance of herbs in the air, to the breathtaking views, even the chorus of chirruping frogs that greeted us as we passed their pond; it was the perfect reminder of the healing power of reconnecting to nature, the ideal accompaniment to the science and luxury of the clinic.
By the end of the week, my skin was clearer, my sleep deeper, and my nervous system noticeably less spiky. But more than that, I felt as though someone had lifted the lid off the pressure cooker. What SHA may have lacked in tomatoes, it more than made up for in what it did give me. It gave me insight, it gave me tools; but most of all, it gave me permission to stop, to listen, to opt out of the madness and sit in the stillness. Stillness is a rare commodity in our overwhelming lives, but I now know where it can be found and you can be certain that I’ll be back for more.
DETAILS
Rates for the Recover and Energise Programme start from €2,500, and accommodation starts from €450 per night. For more information, see shawellness.com
It gave me permission to stop, to listen, to opt out of the madness
launches, luxurious new lines and eye-catching trends
Henry Holland Studio launches its Gingham Collection – a joyful new series of Nerikomi ceramics that channels nostalgic kitsch with a distinctly grown-up edge. In blue, green and brown clay, the gingham motif is built slice by slice, resulting in bold, playful and tactile pieces that feel like art for your table. Expect scalloped plates, chalice bowls and cake stands – all hand-crafted in the brand’s Hackney studio. Ideal for al fresco summer soirées. From £65 (henryhollandstudio.com)
Smeg’s new soda maker is a game-changer for sparkling water lovers – pairing clever, fuss-free functionality with the brand’s trademark Italian flair. With no need for plugs or batteries, it delivers up to 60 litres of fizz per CO₂ canister, making it as sustainable as it is chic. Available in four matte finishes, it’s a countertop showpiece that earns its place – perfect for garden spritzes, weekday hydration and everything in between. £149.95 (smeguk.com)
summer
Le Creuset brings its signature style to the great outdoors with the launch of its BBQ Outdoor Collection – a hardy yet refined range of enamelled cast iron cookware made for open-flame sizzling. Designed to withstand serious heat (up to 450°C), the collection includes a round skillet, pizza pan and sleek stainless steel tools. With oversized handles and nestable design, it’s as practical as it is polished – camping never looked so chic. Cast iron pieces from £139 (lecreuset.co.uk)
1 1860 Saint Germain De Pres, £88.88 per sq m (bakedtiles.co.uk) 2 Marrakech Ei Hara, £14.81 per tile (hyperiontiles. co.uk) 3 Menara porcelain white star, from £79.20 per sq m (capietra.com)
4 Croft Cotto hexagon tile, £72.45 per sq m (porcelainsuperstore.co.uk)
5 Blueberry Vogue pick ‘n’ mix gloss, £31.95 per sq m (wallsandfloors.co.uk)
OVERTURE BY LEE BROOM FOR CALICO WALLPAPER
Lee Broom makes his wallpaper debut with Overture – a dramatic collection, just launched at NYCxDESIGN. Known for his sculptural lighting and theatrical touch, Broom brings a sense of movement and illusion to the walls, transforming flat surfaces into scenes of soft, sweeping drapery. Available in seven colourways, the collection offers a poetic balance of architecture, storytelling and art – all designed to deceive the eye beautifully. From $30 per sq ft (calicowallpaper.com)
Pickfords Gold opens its new flagship office in Marylebone
It’s a new era for luxury relocations in the Capital, as Pickfords Gold opens the doors to its brand-new flagship office on Baker Street – right in the heart of Marylebone. Surrounded by elegant Georgian townhouses, tucked-away mews homes and manicured garden squares, this pocket of central London is all about quiet prestige – and now it’s home to the UK’s most exclusive moving service.
This new space marks a major moment for Pickfords Gold, the premium arm of Pickfords – long considered the UK’s most trusted name in removals and storage. Created specifically for clients with high-value homes and complex relocation needs, the Gold service is all about detail, care and discretion, raising the bar on what it means to move house in London.
At the heart of the offering is a seriously tailored experience. From the start, clients are matched with a dedicated Move Manager who oversees everything from the logistics of transportation to coordinating specialist services, be it fine art installation, high-value insurance cover or international shipping. Come moving day, a Pickfords Gold Move Executive takes the lead onsite, making sure everything runs like clockwork.
“We’re thrilled to open our new base in Marylebone,” says Darren Storm, Pickfords Gold Manager. “Being in close reach of some of London’s most exclusive properties means we’re perfectly positioned to deliver our signature white-glove service to clients across the Capital.”
And that white-glove service really does live up to the name. It’s not just about careful handling – it’s about having your wardrobe unpacked and rehung with absolute precision. It’s beds made, kitchens set up, and every last detail in place. If you’re moving with kids or pets, the team can also step in with school liaisons, nursery setups, or pet care, making the transition smoother for everyone involved.
So much more than a removals company, this is more like a homemoving concierge. Think calm professionalism, total discretion, and a flexible service that works around your busy life. Every project begins with an in-person consultation and a tailored plan to suit your timeline – whether you’re managing multiple properties, planning a long-haul move, or juggling renovations.
With its new Marylebone HQ, Pickfords Gold is perfectly placed to serve London’s most soughtafter postcodes. Whether you’re moving out of a listed townhouse in Hampstead or into a penthouse in Mayfair, the team is on hand to handle even the trickiest of logistics.
Relocating might never be truly stress-free – but with Pickfords Gold, it comes remarkably close. Contact Pickfords Gold on 020 3188 2544 or gold@pickfords.com (pickfordsgold.co.uk)
From sliding walls to seamless surfaces, architects are crafting homes where inside and out exist as one
Words by Ali Howard
Architect-led indoor-outdoor spaces are reshaping the way we think about home and garden, and it’s a world away from the humble conservatory of yesteryear. Imagine seamlessly drifting from your cosy lounge out to a lush patio, without a break in the rhythm – this is contemporary living at its most fluid. Philippa Thorp, founder of architecture, interior design and landscape studio Thorp, sums it up perfectly: “The most successful indoor-outdoor spaces are those that feel effortless – where the transition is so seamless you’re not quite sure where the house ends and the garden begins.”
Making this vision a reality involves cleverly chosen materials and architectural touches that naturally blend the property’s interior and exterior. “We achieve this by working with materials that echo the landscape,” says Philippa, “using large-format sliding doors or floor-toceiling glazing to draw the eye outward, and continuing flooring finishes or architectural lines between inside and out.” The goal? Spaces that effortlessly encourage your gaze – and your footsteps – to wander outside.
The Holland Park home shown on the opening pages and above was reimagined by Thorp for a long-time client with a flair for entertaining. The brief was to create a space where the garden would become part of the home’s everyday flow. The result is a beautifully balanced layout where inside blends into out, anchored by an outdoor kitchen, a calming water feature, and considered landscaping that softens the scene.
It’s true that today’s savvy homeowners have high expectations – they want style that doesn’t compromise on practicality. Ross Stewart, senior sales manager at Neolith points out: “The allure of outdoor living continues to captivate homeowners who want to make the most of the warmer dry weather when it strikes. Current trends in outdoor living emphasise functionality, aesthetics, and durability. This is driven by a desire for seamless integration between indoor and outdoor spaces, allowing for a cohesive and inviting environment throughout the home.”
Achieving this is all about finding materials robust enough to cope with the unpredictable British weather but still elegant enough to give their indoor counterparts a run for their money. Chic, hard-wearing choices like Neolith’s sintered stone are popular – natural minerals are fused under extreme heat and pressure, creating robust, elegant surfaces that thrive both indoors and out. The Espaço Gourmet project shown above and opposite was designed by Laura Bela and Henrique Freneda, and uses Neolith on the island and worktops to create a cohesive outdoor cooking space. With inspiration from COR-TEN steel, Neolith Iron Corten is known for its orangish tones and metal points, giving the sintered stone its natural charm.
Steve Walley, managing director of London Stone, points to a standout project where clever zoning does all the hard work – turning a garden into something that feels more like a natural extension of the house. “By using clear, delineated areas for entertaining, dining, and relaxation, the project is cohesive and contemporary. The use of differing levels adds to the aesthetic, but also brings a practical feel to the space, with a sunken seating area designed for cosy nights around the fire pit.” That sunken spot (shown opposite), with its laid-back vibe, is made for late-night chats and a bottle of something good.
And this isn’t just a passing trend. As Ross puts it: “Looking to the future, the prevalence of outdoor living in the UK is expected to continue growing, driven by factors such as an increasing focus on wellness, sustainability, and the desire for multifunctional living spaces. As such, outdoor
kitchen areas are predicted to become even more popular, serving as extensions of the home where families can gather, entertain, and unwind amidst the beauty of nature.”
With more of us craving space that works harder – and looks better – architect-driven indoor-outdoor spaces are genuinely reshaping our homes, creating sophisticated yet effortless environments that inspire us to embrace life fully – indoors and out. thorp.co.uk; neolith.com; londonstone.co.uk
Words by Ali Howard Photography by Birgitta Wolfgang
Bobbing gently between Copenhagen’s celebrated opera house and the buzzy redevelopment of Paper Island, Søren’s bespoke houseboat is a masterclass in contemporary Danish design. The founder of the acclaimed cabinetry brand Garde Hvalsøe, has channelled his lifelong affinity with water into this extraordinary floating home, seamlessly blending his passion for craftsmanship, sustainability, and a calm, maritime lifestyle.
The concept of living on water had long captivated Søren. “I come from a family with a strong sailing tradition,” he says. “I know several people who have lived, or still live, on houseboats. The close connection to nature and the sense of calm you experience in a place like this, even though we’re right in the middle of the city, is truly special.” It was, in fact, the Urban Rigger project – a series of carbon-neutral shipping containers reimagined as homes for young people – that really sparked the imagination. After buying one for his son, Søren’s own dream of a floating sanctuary came to life.
But finding a suitable docking space in Copenhagen harbour is notoriously difficult, with limited availability and fierce competition.
“I was incredibly fortunate when a vacant space near Masteskurene on Dokøen, directly overlooking the newly donated Operaparken by AP Møller, turned out to be owned by one of my clients. It was a rare stroke of luck that made it all possible.”
From there, the fun (and the problem-solving) began. Søren teamed up with architect Anders Halsteen to design the houseboat completely from scratch. “I love the process of creating something entirely new,” he says. “Building from scratch meant I could get everything exactly the way I wanted it.” Not that it was all plain sailing: “The first two designs we worked on either looked too much like a submarine or simply didn’t fit in with the surroundings,” he explains. “It wasn’t until the third proposal that Anders came up with a concept that really resonated with me – a design where wooden slats wrap around the back of the house, a bit like the slatted doors you see on closets. The front of the house has only small windows, which adds to the feeling of privacy and calm.”
Realising this ambitious project was far from straightforward. Constructed in Poland, the houseboat had to make a nail-biting journey to Denmark, facing logistical challenges, with stringent insurance and regulatory requirements along the way. “The most challenging factor was the weather,” Søren admits. “The houseboat could only be towed at a speed of 3.5 knots, and conditions needed to be nearly windless. The journey took three days. But the moment the tugboat came into view, towing the floating home across still water on a calm July evening in 2023 – that was unforgettable. A huge emotional release after such a long and intense process!”
Inside, Søren’s unique home is all about warm oak, cool concrete and beautifully lived-in brass. There’s nothing showy or over-styled here – it feels functional, yet quietly refined. The kitchen is where a lot of thought has gone. I wonder how Søren approached designing a space that balances style, function and his love of cooking. “It was a fun challenge to make the absolute most out of the space, especially using all the little corners and nooks that you might otherwise overlook,” he tells me “I like keeping it open, with visible tools and utensils, rather than hiding everything away and wasting valuable space. I also think it’s important that you can actually see that we cook here – the kitchen shouldn’t feel too polished or sterile.”
Here, materials play a significant role in shaping the distinct moods of different spaces. Brass fixtures in the bathroom gracefully patina over time, while oak, selected for its durability and maritime heritage, provides warmth and timeless beauty. Concrete, particularly prominent in the lower level, anchors the floating structure with its raw, tactile quality. “I love the raw, honest texture of concrete; it gives a grounded, solid feeling that contrasts beautifully with the warmth of the oak and the patina of the brass,” Søren explains.
Sustainability is integral to the design, blending these traditional materials with innovative, renewable solutions. “Oak has been cherished for centuries, but its widespread use today also brings concerns about sustainability,” he says. “That made it all the more important for me to design interiors and furniture with longevity at their core. We paired enduring materials like oak, zinc, and steel with renewable solutions like bamboo for exterior cladding. The house also limits its electricity use through a natural energy system, drawing on the stable temperature of sea water to either heat or cool the home.”
Externally, the houseboat’s design thoughtfully balances privacy and openness as it adapts to Copenhagen’s changing weather conditions. “To add privacy, we closed off the front facing the dock – aside from maritime-style windows,” Søren explains. “We opened the side facing the water with slatted wood panels. These panels are essential, especially on sunny days. Sometimes, the heat and light become so intense that we need to close the slats, which glide smoothly along the windows like a conveyor belt.”
Daily life aboard is marked by rituals intimately tied to the water. Søren and his wife Rita begin each morning with a refreshing dip directly off the deck, a protocol that underscores their coexistence with the surrounding elements. “It’s become a cherished ritual,” he shares. “No matter where you are on the boat – whether it’s in the living room, the kitchen, or the bedroom – you always have a view of the water and feel its presence all around you.”
When asked about the single feature of the houseboat that brings him the most joy, Søren doesn’t hesitate: “Without a doubt, it’s the terrace connected to the kitchen and living room. That’s where we spend almost all of our time during the spring and summer months. A close second is the small terrace right outside our bedroom.”
In this thoughtfully crafted home, every detail, from its maritime-inspired exterior to the carefully curated materials inside, reflects Søren’s lifelong passion for exceptional craftsmanship and mindful design. Floating gracefully on Copenhagen’s waters, his home embodies serenity, sustainability – and an innate connection to nature that most homeowners only dream of. gardehvalsoe.dk/en
The close connection to nature and the sense of calm is truly special
The interior designer and Jolie founder talks sensory design, wellbeing, and creating spaces that go beyond the visual
Words by Ali Howard
What is sensory design? It’s about creating spaces that don’t just look good but make you feel something. It’s a design approach that taps into all five senses: sight, sound, smell, taste, and touch, to build environments that people emotionally connect with and instinctively remember. At Jolie, we call this Immersive Aesthetics. It’s where thoughtful design meets human experience. We don’t just choose colours and materials because they’re beautiful, we choose them because they trigger a feeling, shift a mood, or spark a memory. We consider the acoustics of a room, the texture of a surface, the scent in the air, and how they all come together to shape the atmosphere.
How do you put it into practice? We work with researchers in neuroscience, psychology, sound, and scent to understand how the brain responds to its environment. Then we layer in the emotional, intuitive side of design, of how a space makes you feel, how it supports wellbeing, how it tells a story. It’s about designing with intent by using every sense to quietly influence behaviour, stir emotion, and create places that people love to be in. We want to design memorable spaces that go far beyond trends and truly stand the test of time.
Tell us about working with Sarah Wakefield (Jolie’s creative director and former head interior designer at Soho House) Sarah was someone I had my eye on from the very beginning and I just knew I wanted her on the team. And beautifully, she’d been following my work too, so when our
paths finally aligned, it felt incredibly natural, like the timing was just right. She has this boundless, infectious creative energy, and honestly, she’s probably the most creatively free person I’ve ever met. I’m a deeply creative thinker too, but my lens has always been dual: one eye on design, the other firmly on the commercial and operational side of things. That’s where we’re such a strong match. Sarah lives and breathes design for the pure love of it, while I’m always thinking about how to shape creativity into something scalable and strategic.
How has becoming a new mother influenced your approach to interior design? It has completely shifted the way I think about space! There’s a new layer of sensitivity and a real appreciation for how environments can feel both beautiful and truly liveable, even with little ones running around. It’s made me deeply consider the practicalities: hardy, wipe-clean surfaces, materials that can withstand daily life but without ever compromising on that elevated, luxurious feel… I’ve become a lot more intentional with the flow of a space too, creating little anchored zones, with precious pieces placed higher up where they’re actually better celebrated at eyeline, and keeping the lower levels robust and resilient. I love the idea of layering spaces, creating little pockets that are sacred and calm, perhaps even off-limits because it’s important to still have those grown-up sanctuaries.
If you could design your ideal personal retreat, what textures, colours and fragrances would you choose?
Thinking about the chapter I’m in, it would be all about calm, quietude, and gentle creative ignition. A place that lets you completely switch off from the white noise of life –but still feels deeply connected to culture and inspiration. I’m endlessly drawn to that Mediterranean softness; those chalky, sun-washed tones of pale clay, olive, and worn limestone. There’s something deeply comforting in materials that feel lived-in, honest, with layers of history in their essence. I’d lean into textures like matte plaster, soft vegan leather, and artisan-woven linens that almost whisper when you brush past them. And I’d frame it all with those quiet little luxe touches such as Milanese marble edging, handglazed ceramic tiles, maybe even a slightly offbeat Pierre Frey pillow on the bed to give it that little wink of personality. The atmosphere would be scented with warm, grounding notes such as patchouli, sandalwood and amber, cut through with brighter top notes like bergamot and wild rosemary. I love anything herbaceous that reminds you of wandering through an open-air market somewhere coastal. And for sound, I’d curate a barely-there Ibiza chill-out playlist, something from the ’90s, nostalgic and effortless, like the soundtrack to a slow summer afternoon.
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We want to design memorable spaces that go beyond trends and stand the test of time
Tell me about the role of sustainability at Jolie It isn’t just a buzzword for us, it’s in the very DNA of what we do. We take a holistic approach, considering the broader picture of sustainable design. We’re all about supporting ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) and Ecology agendas, while also building ‘social sustainability’ into our work. Our aim is to create spaces that don’t just look good but give back to the community and last for the long haul. And we go the extra mile by choosing suppliers with solid sustainability credentials, while pushing the envelope on social sustainability with smart design choices. It’s not just about the walls and floors, it’s about how the space works for people. Ultimately, we design with community in mind. What’s next for the studio? We’re at a seriously exciting moment in the Jolie journey. This year, we’re gearing up to move into a much bigger London space, which not only gives us more room to grow, but lets us shape an environment that fully reflects our energy, our scale, and the ambition behind where we’re going next. We’re also laying down roots in New York, with plans to officially open our US base in the Meatpacking District later this year. We’ve already started working on a few incredible projects over there, but having our own physical space in the city is going to be a real gamechanger. It marks the beginning of Jolie operating formally out of the States, which feels like a very natural next step for the brand. joliestudio.co.uk
For a school to truly support young people to fulfill their potential, it has to offer more than just academic excellence. By placing equal value on those lessons taught outside the classroom, The King Alfred School delivers a deeper learning experience
At The King Alfred School, north London, what might traditionally be described as ‘extra’ curricula activities are an intrinsic part of the learning experience. Encompassing realworld experiences, outdoor learning, clubs, camps and trips, the school’s programme gives young people the opportunity to develop character and transferable skills, which will help them to make a difference in our ever-changing world.
Friday afternoons are dedicated to personal interests and passions. With options including quilting, blacksmithing, film-making, cooking, basketball, yoga, money matters and Japanese language, these sessions give students a chance to explore something new or get more involved in a hobby they already love. Working with students from different years builds confidence and helps to strengthen bonds within the school community.
Throughout school, camps offer meaningful opportunities to develop confidence, resilience and a sense of responsibility. Students in Lower School go on camp at the end of the school year from Year 3 onwards. In Upper School, Year 7 camp happens at the start of the year, while Year 8 students create a community on school grounds as part of the Village project, sleeping in selfconstructed shelters and cooking over open fires.
Camps in later years require students to do all their own cooking and cleaning whilst taking part in activities like surfing, hiking and mountain biking during the day.
The school provides a huge range of lunchtime, before and after school activities, including music and drama lessons, sports clubs, bands, choirs and performance opportunities.
A wide range of curriculum-linked trips take place every year, both in the UK and abroad, designed to enrich students’ learning experiences.
In Lower School, students venture off-site for visits linked to their Enquiry Topics. Whether walking into Golders Green to look at the influence of migration on their local area, or visiting Verulamium Museum or the Ragged School to immerse more fully in a topic, there are many learning opportunities outside the school gates.
In Upper School, there are history trips to WW2 sites in Belgium and significant Civil Rights locations in America, fieldwork residentials for Biology and Geography students, Modern Language immersions abroad, and trips to galleries and creative exhibitions in destinations like Paris and Eindhoven for the Art, Design and Photography students. Closer to home, subject leaders will often organise trips which enhance understanding of what the students are studying.
Year 11 students are able to take part in the annual trip to Namibia as part of a partnership between The King Alfred School and a local charity. They take part in voluntary work to support local schools and challenge themselves, spending time in the desert learning how to navigate and sleeping under the stars.
For students looking for physical challenges, there is an annual ski trip available to all Upper School students and the Duke of Edinburgh Award programme, which runs from Year 9 onwards.
Social responsibility is one of the school’s guiding principles, with students taking part in fundraising initiatives and volunteering from an early age. From food and clothing collections to musical performances to raise money for a local hospice, the idea of community is ever-present.
Students also benefit from visitors who come in to help them more deeply understand their study topics, offer practical workshops or provide advice and guidance. Lower School visitors have included Holocaust survivors, immigration lawyers, authors, scientists, Shakespearian performers and adventurers. In Upper School the PSHE curriculum is packed with speakers who come in to share advice on everything from managing money to supporting mental health, drugs education and sexual health information.
By embedding co-curricular activities and progression opportunities firmly in the core curriculum, The King Alfred School creates deeper learning experiences that enable children and young people to thrive at school and beyond. By supporting students to be self-reliant, compassionate and endlessly curious, the school helps them reach their goals and build the lives they want to lead.
See the joyful learning in action at one of The King Alfred School’s open days. For details, see kingalfred.org.uk/admissions/open-days/
How long have you been head?
Since September 2024. I was previously head of Merchant Taylors’ Girls’ School in Liverpool.
What attracted you to St Helen’s? The contagious mix of kindness, academic ambition and a real sense of each girl’s unique character. It was immediately clear from my early conversations with teachers and pastoral leads that every child at St Helen’s is known, respected and celebrated for her own individuality. At the interview, it was also apparent that the school was doing excellent work, with potential to do still more. I felt I would have the opportunity to bring some new ideas to the school while maintaining the excellence that already exists.
How would you sum it up in a few sentences? At St Helen’s, we believe in girls and in girls’ education. We do not believe in glass
ceilings, stereotypes or prescriptive pathways, and we do not strive for perfection. Instead, we embrace and encourage mistakes as a powerful tool for learning and personal growth.
What makes it different? The focus on three quotients: emotional intelligence (EQ), academic intelligence (IQ) and digital intelligence (DQ). The key is always that we focus on the individual, and we use data to ensure each pupil receives the correct support for them. The world has changed rapidly, and it’s continuing to do so. It’s our job to make sure our pupils are ready to thrive and succeed in the 21st century. We believe they can only do this if they have developed their EQ, IQ and DQ.
How would you describe the atmosphere? Incredibly kind, personal and forwardthinking. When you walk around the school, you see happy, fun, curious, bright girls and young women.
Every child at St Helen’s is known, respected and celebrated for her own individuality
What about your personal educational ethos? I firmly believe that children need to feel happy, safe and supported before they can start to really thrive in the other spheres of their lives. I also believe that consistent daily habits create our path, and that being busy outside the classroom is just as important as being busy inside it. We learn more about ourselves outside of our comfort zone, and if we can make incremental improvements, we will achieve and thrive.
How do you balance your extra-curricular activities with the academic side? By making sure that pupils have a choice but are also supported in what they do and how they manage their time. We have a full and enriching co-curricular programme which offers clubs before school, at lunchtime and after school. Each pupil has a coach who applies the GROW Coaching Model to help them understand timekeeping and encourages them to take full advantage of the opportunities available. We also have a Year 12 outreach programme, which sees all Year 12 pupils volunteering off-site at local state primary schools for an hour each week. While we want our Sixth Formers to work hard, we also want to teach them the importance of balance and giving back to others.
How do you look after the wellbeing of your pupils? Ensuring the wellbeing and happiness of our pupils is at the heart of everything we do and every decision we make. Our excellent pastoral team works closely with our school nurses, counselling team and wellbeing service. And our ISI school inspection report (September 2024) commended us for our pastoral provision and exemplary safeguarding culture. Eastbury Road, HA6 3AS (01923 843210; sthelens.london)
Pupils: around 320 aged 2 to 18
Opened: September 2023, making it the most recent addition to the Brighton College family Entrance requirements: (2+) a ‘stay and play’ session for you and your child to get to know the school better.
If they’re offered a place, they will be given a phased start to nursery, tailored to their individual needs; (4+) an assessment day for your child and a family meeting with a member of the senior leadership team. It may be possible for your child to join the school in other year
groups if places are available Destination schools: Dulwich College, Francis Holland School, Latymer Upper School, Putney High School, The Royal Masonic School for Girls, St Catherine’s School, Bramley, and St Paul’s School Known for: being “a
community of kind human beings that inspires excellence, is forward-thinking and innovative, and nurtures confidence and curiosity” (head Lois Gaffney); encouraging curiosity and creating a climate where pupils are happy; offering specialist facilities,
a state-of-the-art makerspace and two acres of private, secret garden; making full use of the galleries and museums in the area.
Fees: from £4,292 per term for the prenursery and nursery (mornings only) brightoncollegeprep kensington.co.uk
We asked Tiziana Pozzo, founder of Music Tree, a music school and teacher training project, why music matters and what makes for a good music education
Words by Claire Atherton
Music education in schools has often been marginalised in recent years in favour of a focus on core subjects like maths and English. But the mood music seems to be changing. The current Government is continuing to roll out its predecessor’s national plan, The Power of Music to Change Lives, with a view to making sure ‘all pupils receive a high-quality music education’. It has also announced plans to launch a National Centre for Arts and Music Education in September 2026.
These developments should be music to parents’ ears. “Music is a vital part of a well-rounded education and supports children’s development at all stages of learning,” explains Tiziana Pozzo, founder of Music Tree, a London-based music project that works with children and adults and trains teachers in its child-led approach. “It touches all areas of the brain in a way that other subjects can’t, contributing to a child’s social and emotional development.”
Music
What’s more, Tiziana says that the skills learned in music lessons can cross over to other areas of education. For instance, particular music approaches can support self-regulation, control, attention and planning – all fundamental skills for any type of learning.
Music can be particularly beneficial for engaging SEN and neurodivergent children, helping to improve their language skills, focus and coordination. “When I started working with a five-year-old diagnosed with autism and ADHD, she was so afraid of other people that she couldn’t even put her hands on the piano,” recalls Tiziana. “Gradually, I introduced her to music, then into a musical group, and she formed relationships with the other kids. Now, she plays two instruments, plays in ensembles and has improved her language skills through singing. That’s the transformative power of music.”
Music also offers students the chance to write songs, compose pieces and improvise. Playing with others can help improve teamworking, communication and listening skills, and foster a sense of belonging through shared practice and performances. And studies show that playing music can help reduce anxiety, boost self-confidence and improve emotional wellbeing.
But with school music programmes varying significantly in quality, what defines a good one? Tiziana believes in starting in the early years – not just with nursery rhymes but a variety of music that can stimulate young brains.
“Some schools hand out violins to teenagers who have had little prior music education and, unsurprisingly, they don’t practise and ultimately give up,” she says. It’s important to cater for all students, too – from those aspiring to high standards to those playing for enjoyment. And for Tiziana, class size is key. “I’d say a maximum of 15 students. With class sizes of 30 or more, you can’t give individual attention or focus on developing skills.”
a vital part of a well-rounded education and supports development at
Tiziana also believes that music needs more time in the curriculum, which should be flexible enough to cater for students’ changing needs. Daily lessons should be engaging, fun, active not passive, cover diverse genres, and balance theory and practice, so students can build on their motivation and skills. Opportunities to collaborate and showcase their musical talents are essential too, as is celebrating achievements.
Of course, a good music programme depends on having a headteacher who supports making music central to school life. That’s along with qualified, enthusiastic teachers and adequate funding for instruments and other musical resources. Finally, and crucially for Tiziana, music should be about developing the whole person, not just academic achievement. “Tests and exams have their place, just like in any other subject,” she says. “But they should be something children do when they feel ready – for the joy of it.” musictreeuk.com THOUGHT
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Stars, stripes and smart investments: are US buyers making a comeback in the Capital?
If you’ve noticed more transatlantic accents at open houses lately, you’re not imagining it. From St. John’s Wood to South Kensington, there’s a quiet surge in interest from American buyers – and London’s property market is rolling out the red carpet. With the dollar riding high and global headlines fuelling a search for stability, the Capital is once again emerging as a go-to haven for wealthy international investors.
“As of 2025, London continues to attract high-quality international buyers, with American interest reaching a record 16 per cent of all overseas applicants –up from just six per cent in 2008,” says Nibs Lakhani, director of Goldschmidt & Howland’s Hampstead office. “A strong dollar, global uncertainty, and London’s enduring appeal as a safe, stable investment hub are driving this trend.”
It’s no secret that Prime central London has long served as a financial parachute when other markets wobble. During the global financial crisis, London became the safe haven of choice for overseas investors. And while we’re not likely to see the 68 per cent price growth witnessed between 2009 and 2014,
today’s buyers are facing a different kind of value proposition: prices in Prime postcodes are, on average, 18 per cent lower than they were at their 2015 peak. Add a weaker pound into the mix, and US buyers are looking at a discount of up to 37 per cent compared to 2014. That kind of maths (or indeed, math) hasn’t gone unnoticed.
“Last year saw US investors into the UK increase by seven per cent and represent 11.6 per cent of all overseas buyers in Prime central London,” reveals Declan Selbo, partner, and head of St. John’s Wood sales at Knight Frank. “Each market tells its own story. St. John’s Wood for example always experiences significant demand from the US, with families wanting to base themselves as close to ASL – American School London – as possible.”
The education angle can’t be underestimated. London’s cachet as a global schooling destination
In partnership with
continues to draw American families –particularly to leafy enclaves like St. John’s Wood and Hampstead – where international schools offer a seamless switch from Stateside systems. But it’s not just family life pulling them in. Lifestyle, architecture, and long-term rental prospects are all part of the equation.
Interestingly, it’s the mid-tier market that’s currently showing more buoyancy.
Knight Frank’s latest data reveals a seven per cent increase in UK property exchanges under £5 million in the six months to March, while activity above that level fell by six per cent.
That suggests needs-driven buyers – those relocating for work, schools, or lifestyle – are pressing ahead, while Ultra-Prime buyers are treading more cautiously.
But as Nibs notes, “Prime London remains a top destination for discerning global investors seeking long-term value, exceptional education, and lifestyle opportunities in one of the world’s most resilient markets.”
In other words, if the pound is down and political nerves are up, London’s bricks and mortar are still very much in demand –especially if you’re buying with dollars. g-h.co.uk; knightfrank.co.uk
Think leafy, lively and wellconnected – this brand-new neighbourhood offers a fresh take on modern London living
Brent Cross is on many people’s radar, but no longer solely for its eponymous shopping centre. Just a little south of the famed and familiar North Circular is Brent Cross Town, the new 180 acre parkside town that is bursting into life and set to redefine the area for generations to come.
The vision for Brent Cross Town, being delivered by Related Argent, in partnership with Barnet Council, was to create a pioneering mixed-use neighbourhood of 6,700 new homes, office space for 25,000 workers and a new high street, set alongside 50 acres of open green space, all underpinned by values of physical and social connectivity, environmental sustainability, and health and wellness.
The £8 billion regeneration project, making it one of Europe’s largest, has been underway in an almost stealth-like manner over the last five years, with only regular passers-by and local residents spotting the literal foundations being laid, new transport infrastructure going live, and seeds being sown for a new greener and healthier town.
Before any signs of vertical construction were visible, Related Argent put in place not only many of the things that other developers might provide as finishing touches to schemes, such as open spaces, planting, trees, and shops, but also, through working with TfL and Barnet Council, a new game-changing train station. And all before a single new resident had even moved in!
Steadily, key milestones have been taking place, building a new destination town, ready for residents not simply to move into, but in which to live and thrive. Claremont Park opened in June 2022, directly beside Spruce & Larch Café at the Brent Cross Town Visitor Pavilion, with an awardworthy children’s play space and traditional park kiosk, run by local ice cream legend Gussy; Karma Bakery, Cricklewood Coffee Roasters and Happy Face Pizza were welcomed; Vattenfall completed construction of the heat network centre that will power and heat all of Brent Cross Town efficiently; initial buildings ‘topped out’ reaching their maximum height and in December 2023, Brent Cross Town got a new station – Brent Cross West. The first new mainline station in London in over a decade.
Not only does the new station put St Pancras just 12 minutes away, with up to eight trains an hour and direct connections to Farringdon for the Elizabeth Line, it also allows people to cross the Midland Main Line safely via the footbridge for the first time in 150 years. Bus routes have been added and extended, which, along with Brent Cross Underground station, super road connections (M1 and North Circular), and the new Brent Cross West Station, make the area one of London’s best connected.
With exceptional travel links and expanding amenities, the stage was set for new residents to move into Brent Cross Town, and they did. The very first to touch, taste and feel Brent Cross Town were homeowners at The Delamarre, a building inspired by the Arts and Crafts movement and proudly looking onto Claremont Park and Clitterhouse Playing Fields, followed by residents of Conductor House in February 2025.
The latest phase of The Delamarre, the ‘Garden Collection’, has also now launched. Located on the ground floor and arranged around a private landscaped courtyard, these twoand three-bed residences are unique and offer on average 20 per cent more internal space, and ceiling heights up to almost 3m, making them amongst the largest homes at Brent Cross Town. As well as direct access to the courtyard garden, ‘Garden Collection’ homes each boast their own private terraces.
The eight three-bedroom apartments are each entered via a private street-facing entrance, with its own architecturally impressive, oversized stone-clad portico, with iron balustrade and sensor down-lighting, reminiscent of a contemporary townhouse. Interior design practice, Jigsaw, have worked their magic on one of the three-bed ‘Garden Collection’ homes and created a stunning show apartment, highlighting the very best of features and interpreting the space for flexible, relaxed living. Like all the homes at The Delamarre, these apartments have access to the Claremont Park Club, the residents’ hub, which features a lobby with dedicated concierge service, lounge area, fitness studio and gym, workspaces, meeting rooms, and private dining and screening facilities.
The new 180 acre parkside town is set to redefine the area for generations to come
The trickle of residents moving into Brent Cross Town is set to become a steady and consistent stream from this month. The Ashbee, neighbouring building to The Delamarre, with 107 apartments across seven storeys, 75 per cent of which are already sold, is set to start welcoming new homeowners. While next to The Ashbee is The Maple, Brent Cross Town’s build-torent (BtR) homes, that are also managed by Related Argent. Launching this summer in two phases, these high specification homes offer enviable ‘residents only’ facilities, including a wellness club with pool, spa beds, state-of-the-art gym, and dog washing facilities, all included in the rent. The perfect opportunity for would-be buyers to ‘try before you buy’ and experience the enviable Brent Cross Town lifestyle – not words that most would expect to hear in the same sentence, but unquestionably true, with new homeowners prepared to testify to the fact. It’s no happy coincidence that this destination claimed first place in The Sunday Times’ annual Best Places to Invest feature.
Progress shows no sign of slowing, as Related Argent and Barnet Council continue to work with partners on creating every facet and type home you would expect to find in a fully featured town. This is not a development, but a destination.
Alongside the transformative parks and green spaces, walking and cycling routes, and world-class sports facilities, Brent Cross Town is set to deliver a new high street, workspaces and offices, new and improved schools, and 6,700 new homes. This will comprise not only the types already built and reaching completion – affordable, market sale and BtR – but co-living, student, and retirement. These are not hollow promises, but ones which are already in progress with Related Argent and in conjunction with exceptional and experienced partners.
Sprawling green spaces and sports facilities, a burgeoning high street, elegant homes, and an unrivalled level of pedestrian and public transport connectivity are helping propel Brent Cross Town into the wider consciousness as an exciting new destination, steeped in nature and community, with a dynamic future taking shape.
To find out about living, renting or buying at Brent Cross Town, and about events taking place this summer, see brentcrosstown.co.uk
We take a peek inside some of the finest properties on the market in Prime London this month
Woodland Gardens, N10
This double-fronted Edwardian beauty in Muswell Hill is a lesson in period elegance with a contemporary twist. Spread over nearly 3,900 sq ft, it’s been meticulously restored, featuring a Roundhouse kitchen with Gaggenau appliances, Lutron lighting, and a Sonos sound system. The top-floor principal suite offers panoramic views of Alexandra Palace and a spa-like en suite with a stone bath and rain shower. With five bedrooms, four bathrooms, and multiple terraces, it’s a rare blend of heritage and high-spec living. Set on a leafy street near Highgate Woods and top schools, it’s north London at its finest. £4 million, Dexters (020 8444 2388; dexters.co.uk)
Set on the top floor of a handsome period conversion, this roomy two-bed flat offers a bright, beautifully proportioned space just moments from the heart of Primrose Hill. The open-plan reception and kitchen area is flooded with natural light, while both double bedrooms – one with an en suite – enjoy far-reaching views across the treetops and surrounding rooftops. With a share of freehold and a prime NW3 postcode, this is a rare find that combines period charm with modern ease. Look lively. £1.4 million, Benhams (020 7435 9681; benhams.com)
With its wide frontage, leafy setting and room to grow, this detached Hampstead Garden Suburb home ticks plenty of family-friendly boxes. There’s over 3,100 sq ft to play with (including the loft), plus scope to extend at the rear, subject to the usual consents. Inside, it’s all about light, space and easy flow – from the generous Mark Wilkinson kitchen and breakfast room to the garden-facing reception and elegant dining space. Upstairs, five good-sized bedrooms and two bathrooms keep things practical, while a private driveway, garage and landscaped garden seal the deal. Guide Price £1.75 million, Heathgate (020 7435 3344; heathgate.co.uk)
OF THE MONTH
A refined Georgian townhouse with sleek design details and serious garden square appeal
There’s something quietly cinematic about Canonbury Square – and this grand Georgian townhouse fits the frame perfectly. Spanning five floors and clocking in at just over 4,500 sq ft, it blends old-school elegance with the ease of modern living. Think towering sash windows, working fireplaces and original cornicing – all the period charm you’d expect – but with a slick steel-and-glass extension that brings in light and garden views by the bucketload.
The ground floor reception is full of drama (the good kind), with a double-height ceiling and three classic windows that look out over the Square’s leafy calm. The kitchen downstairs is a masterclass in cool minimalism – Bulthaup cabinetry, Gaggenau appliances and an industrial edge that’s softened by warm oak flooring and garden access via Crittall doors. Also on this level is a guest suite that wouldn’t look out of place in a boutique hotel, plus a generous utility space.
Upstairs, the main suite spans the entire second floor and feels suitably luxurious, with a bespoke walk-through wardrobe and a bathroom that nails the spa brief – think sculptural stone tub, marble-topped double vanity and a rainfall shower. The top floor houses two more double bedrooms, another sleek C.P. Hart bathroom and a walk-in wardrobe (or fourth bedroom, depending on how you roll).
It is rare to find a home of this scale and finish in such a prime spot – Highbury and Islington station is just down the road, Upper Street is on your doorstep, and you get your own private garage, too. Period grandeur meets thoughtful design, with a bit of north London soul thrown in.
£6.5 million, Hamptons (020 3918 1969; hamptons.co.uk)
Euston Road, NW1
Offers in excess of £8,500,000 Leasehold
A rare opportunity to acquire the main penthouse at St. Pancras Station Chambers. This near 6,000 sq ft triplex apartment is accessed via a private lift and offers dynamic living space on a extraordinary scale. Council Tax Band H.
Located in W2, a short stroll from Hyde Park, set in an attractive Grade II stucco fronted period building - an exceptional two double bedroom, two-bathroom, first floor apartment, with high ceilings and a share of freehold. This stylishly modernised, light apartment, benefits from a large, demised terrace, together with, a fabulous utility / workspace area.
Gloucester Terrace, with its white stucco period terraces, is a sought-after central London location in the vicinity of Paddington and Bayswater. Located in the City of Westminster - W2, it runs northwards from Lancaster Terrace and London’s most notable Royal Park - Hyde Park, before curving round to meet Porchester Square.
| Lease, plus Share of Freehold: About 996 Years Remaining | Service Charge About £3,700 per Annum | Ground Rent: Peppercorn | Council Tax Band: E | EPC: C.
HYDE PARK | 020 7467 5770
Email: crosling@winkworth.co.uk, paddington@winkworth.co.uk
www.winkworth.co.uk/paddington-bayswater
£2,495,000
On the market for the first time in 40 years, is this light and airy, wellpresented ‘linked’ home with off-street parking. The 5/6-bedroom, 3 bathroom house has been well-maintained and kept up to date with high-standard upgrades.
Spanning 2,624 sq ft of versatile accommodation over 3 floors, this family home offers larger than average living space, which includes a rare, double-width garden room with large windows and bifold doors leading to the garden, delivering indoor/outdoor living. On the first floor there are four bedrooms, including a principal suite with a recently installed ensuite bathroom with underfloor heating, a ‘Japanese’ toilet and TV.
The second floor is currently arranged as a large bedroom suite however, the room was designed to be easily convertible into 2 bedrooms.
To the rear, the charming, mature, landscaped garden features a pergola, a patio that is ideal for dining and an irrigation system.
Carlyle Close is a quiet cul-de-sac, within a short walk of the Market Place shops, Hampstead Heath Extension and places of worship. The ‘hail and ride’, local H2 bus passes within 80 yards of the front door.
7435 3344
HAMPSTEAD GARDEN SUBURB/GOLDERS HILL BORDERS, NW11 £2,750,000
FREEHOLD PRINCIPAL AGENT
A rare opportunity to purchase this extremely bright and spacious, semi-detached, town house in a highly sought after, gated development adjacent to Golders Hill Park. Offering approx. 3,089 sq ft of accommodation and spanning four floors, the house comprises a large entrance hall, a stunning kitchen/dining room leading to a family area and garden plus a study. The upper floors comprise an elegant reception room, an expansive principal bedroom with en suite bathroom, a second bedroom with en suite bathroom, two further bedrooms, a family bathroom, study/bedroom 5, utility room and guest cloakroom. Further benefits include off street parking for one car, an integral garage, a secluded patio garden, use of communal gardens and a communal gym and 24-hour security. This gated development is conveniently located adjacent to Golders Hill Park and Hampstead Heath Extension and is within easy reach of both Hampstead Village and the extensive shops, cafés and transport links at Golders Green.
4-6 bedrooms | 3 bathrooms | bedroom 5/study | bedroom 6/playroom | reception room | kitchen/dining room | family room | study guest cloakroom | utility room | garden | garage | off-street parking | gated development | use of communal gym and gardens | 24-hour security/porter.
Rare Opportunity to acquire a prime freehold mixed use building in the heart of Marylebone.
A versatile Class E medical/office and residential building in a prestigious location. This freehold property benefits from existing implemented planning permission to extend the building, add a passenger lift, and covert the building into a single luxury home.
FREEHOLD £3,500,000
Magnificent three double bedroom duplex apartment newly renovated to an extremely high specification offering an abundance of storage and outside space over three patios. The accommodation is spread over two floors with the top floor offering an extremely impressive double aspect reception room with air conditioning, the ornate original cornicing and extremely high ceilings. It has the added advantage of two original fireplaces. The separate eat in kitchen features exposed brickwork and a glass wall opening onto a large terrace.
The three large double bedrooms are situated downstairs using the wrought iron staircase with another two terraces and three en-suite bathrooms and separate cloakroom. The floor to ceiling windows and the use of glass results in an abundance of light.
UNFURNISHED
£3,250 PER WEEK
Avenue Road
St John’s Wood, NW8
Unfurnished
Rental Price Range:
£500 - £4,135 per week
Sole Letting Agent
*CGI Images used
67–71 Park Road London NW1 6XU 020 7724 4724 astonchase.com
An outstanding brand new luxury gated development of eight apartments located at the foot of one of London’s most prestigious roads, only moments from Regent’s Park.
The building provides a selection of lateral apartments ranging from 1–3 bedrooms, offering prospective tenants sophisticated accommodation benefitting from private external space and secure off-street parking. The property is ideally situated for the local amenities of St John’s Wood High Street (0.3 miles), Primrose Hill (0.3 miles) and Regent’s Park (0.1 miles) where one can find an abundance of shops, cafés, restaurants and open green spaces.
Accommodation and Amenities
Comfort Cooling, Communal Lift, Private Outdoor Space, Secure Off-Street Gated Parking. EPC: D.
Est.1646
Contact Pickfords Gold:
0203 188 2544
gold@pickfords.com
www.pickfords.co.uk/gold
Pickfords Gold sets a higher standard for both domestic and international moving in and around the heart of London, offering a comprehensive range of services to ensure a seamless transition to your new home.
From meticulous packing of your belongings to specialised handling of antiques, fine art and high-value items, our expertise caters to the unique needs of discerning homeowners.
Our dedicated on-site move executive acts as your personal representative throughout the process, overseeing every detail to provide peace of mind.
Additionally, our white glove home makers service goes beyond the move itself, offering bed-making, kitchen setup and wardrobe organisation to make your new house feel like home.
Fully bespoke and tailored to suit owners of homes of distinction, Pickfords Gold ensures that every aspect of your move is handled with the utmost care and professionalism.
