R E SI DE NTS’ JOUR N A L m ay 2 0 1 8 • I s s u e 7 2
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Proudly published by
from the editor Hello! Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Victoria
R ESI DE N TS’ JOU R NA L
Sviggum, and as some of you may know, I have been
M AY 2 0 1 8 • I s s u e 7 2
writing for the Journal since autumn last year. While Francesca is away with her new bundle of joy, I will be stepping into the shoes of acting editorial lead and, as such, am pleased to bring you my first issue. With London Craft Week taking place from 9 to 13 May, the theme this month is craftsmanship. We get up close and personal with Will Fisher, founder of Jamb, on page 12, put luxury clothier Gio Genco in the hot seat for five minutes on page 11 and talk to aspiring furniture maker Harriet Poppy Speed on page 14. May also brings with it our annual flower festival, Belgravia in Bloom. In COVER: An illustration of Judith Blacklock by Russ Tudor, turn to page 6.
celebration, we interview floristry queen Judith Blacklock as the Belgravian on page 6, present a selection of our favourite floral fashion fancies on page 26 and keep things rosy among our health and beauty picks this month from page 17.
Managing Editor (on maternity) Francesca Lee-Rogers Acting Editorial Lead Victoria Sviggum Editorial Assistant William Monroe
I give you my thoughts on the newest addition to the Belgravia foodie scene on page 25 and, on page 27, Francesca finds out you don’t have to venture far to find the perfect country escape. I have loved getting to know Belgravia over the past few months and look forward to meeting more of you in the future!
Editor-in-Chief Lesley Ellwood Managing Director Eren Ellwood General Manager Fiona Smith
Victoria Sviggum, Acting Editorial Lead
CONTENTS
Publishing Director Giles Ellwood Designer Paris Fielder Production Hugo Wheatley Jamie Steele Alice Ford Distributed to selected homes in Belgravia. The Belgravia Residents’ Journal is published independently by Runwild Media Group, with regular editorial contributions from Belgravia residents. Please do not hesitate to get in contact with your news: email v.sviggum@residentsjournal.co.uk and, Twitter users, make sure you follow us @thebelgravian and on Instagram @thebelgravian1 Members of the Professional Publishers Association
4
notebook Bitesized news from across the neighbourhood
20
RELAX & UNWIND Taking time to reflect in Eccleston Yards
31
8
27
45
Meet The makers Our handy guide to the LCW Pimlico Road Series
BEST OF BRITISH Discovering a country escape just moments from London
WAY BACK WHEN Meeting the man to thank for our bank holidays
ROOM TO GROW Local agents weigh in on extending property in Belgravia
Weekend Re a d i n g
Kids can now enjoy Book & Brunch Sundays at the Lowndes Bar & Kitchen, with an exclusive children’s menu and a book for youngsters carefully selected by local independent bookstore Belgravia Books. It’s a perfect way to keep the tots entertained while adults savour the literature-themed menu and get engrossed in their own specially chosen novel. 21 Lowndes Street, SW1X 9ES, 020 7858 7223, lowndesbarandkitchen.co.uk
Notebook
Pa i n t e d Pat t e rn s
Beulah has opened its new flagship store on Elizabeth Street. The ethical luxury fashion brand, popular with celebrities, has collaborated with Rebecca Hughes Interiors to give the shop a fresh new look, reflecting elements of its latest collection. The exterior features one of the label’s signature prints in white and navy, while inside, a beautiful mural is painted on the back wall. 77 Elizabeth Street, SW1W 9PJ, 020 7259 9699, beulahlondon.com
Bitesized news from across the neighbourhood
FIRST C L ASS
4
Pi c t u re Paw- f e c t
© Photography by Malcolm Menzies
Globe-Trotter and The Goring hotel have collaborated for the third time to bring us a new line to The Goring Special Edition range of luxury luggage. The oxblood cases are all handcrafted and feature ivory leather straps and navy corners. The lining has been given a royal touch with the use of blue damask silk – the same upholstery used in the interior of HM Queen Alexandra’s State Coach. What better way to travel in style? globe-trotter.com
Mungo & Maud has launched a new garment to help your canine friends stay stylish this spring. The BonBon-T is a woven and check T-shirt featuring a mini pocket – perfect for carrying small treats or sweets. It comes in two pastel colourways, lilac and lemon, and we at the Journal find them both adorable. 79 Elizabeth Street, SW1W 9PJ, 020 7022 1207, mungoandmaud.com
LOCAL INTEREST
[Events]
FLOWERS FOR FRIDA
Proud sponsor of the V&A exhibition Frida Kahlo: Making Her Self Up, Grosvenor highlights how Belgravia will honour one of the most influential female artists of the 20th century
G
F ri d a’ s parl o u r
From 19 May to 16 June, step into Frida’s Parlour, a unique interactive
Frida Kahlo on the bench, 1939 © Nickolas Muray Photo Archives
rosvenor has partnered with the V&A to present the highly anticipated exhibition Frida Kahlo: Making Her Self Up. Running from 16 June to 4 November, it will be the first time the artist’s clothes and intimate possessions will be displayed outside of Mexico, reuniting them with key self-portraits and photographs to offer a fresh perspective on her compelling life story. In celebration of this partnership, Grosvenor will honour the Mexican artist and icon across Belgravia, through a number of exciting events, dramatic displays and imaginative installations. installation on the corner of Elizabeth Street. Offering a range of creative workshops such as self-portraiture classes, this social space will be decorated to echo Casa Azul, Frida’s famed residence in Mexico City. Its Wallpaper Room, inspired by the green floral backdrop featured in Nickolas Muray’s iconic photograph of the artist, will also provide the ultimate photo opportunity for Frida-inspired selfies. 141 Ebury Street, SW1W 9QW
F ri d a’ s B e lgravia in B l o o m
Belgravia in Bloom will take Frida as its theme and inspiration this year. The floral festival will run for seven days from 19 to 26 May, with more than 40 retailers across Elizabeth Street, Motcomb Street and Pimlico Road taking part. There will be a range of breathtaking and original floral displays and installations, including a larger-than-life homage to the artist in Eccleston Yards.
ev e n t s & p r o d u c t s
Local businesses will also be getting involved, with specially tailored events and products. Enjoy a floralthemed menu at Amaya, sip on Mexican-inspired cocktails at The Orange, and learn how to make floral headdresses at Judith Blacklock Flower School. Special products include a limited-edition eyemask by Luna Mae, a Frida-inspired collection of jewellery by VICKISARGE and much much more. For more information and a complete list of events, please visit fridasbelgravia.com 5
the belgravian
6
LOCAL INTEREST
late bloomer
Florist, teacher, writer and publisher, Judith Blacklock tells us the story of how her career in flowers blossomed, all after the age of 50 victoria sviggum
Illustration by Russ Tudor
“I
t makes it joyous, makes it happy, makes it sing,” Judith exclaims as she explains why I should add a lime-green flower to my wedding bouquet. “Blue always enhances the other colours,” she continues, referencing famous Dutch paintings. She’s so passionate, it’s impossible not to be entirely captivated. Judith’s love of flowers started from a young age. She grew up in the Lake District and her family always had a big garden, she tells me. Her mother was a keen amateur florist and took part in several flower shows herself. “Still at 97, her most important priority when I visit, is making sure the flowers I bring are in a vase and looking beautiful,” she says fondly. Judith didn’t always work with flowers, however. As a young adult, she moved to Brussels and then Paris, where she
taught English as a second language – at which she laughs, saying she was “absolutely useless.” Upon returning to Britain with her husband and two children, she decided she would do “something she could be good at,” and, already having a strong background knowledge from her mother, started taking City & Guilds floristry classes at Richmond Adult & Community College. Eventually, she was asked to teach at the college herself, and continued to do so for 14 years.
I’m a worker and I’m lucky I’ve got a lot of energy! When Judith got an offer of premises in Belgravia in 2001, she jumped at the chance, and so the Judith Blacklock Flower School
was born. “My premises are fabulous,” she says with enthusiasm. “As a place to work, there’s nowhere better than Belgravia. I get a terrific thrill from watching students walking down the mews to the school. It’s so charming, so quiet and so peaceful – yet only two minutes from Knightsbridge!” Alongside teaching and running her school, Judith has founded her own publishing company The Flower Press, written 16 books, been the editor of the popular magazine The Flower Arranger, organised vast flower shows including Flowers@Oxford, worked as a consultant and created arrangements for private clients. Do you ever sleep, I ask, which makes her chuckle. “I’m a worker and I’m lucky I’ve got a lot of energy!” Despite all that she has accomplished, there isn’t an ounce
of pretentiousness to her. She truly believes everyone can be good at flowers and that “with literally just a few tips,” any reservations someone has will go. “If you’re happy and confident, you can go out there and do anything with flowers and it will work,” she says, explaining the ethos behind her teaching, which now even extends across the globe in the format of video tutorials. So what can we expect next from Judith? “I’ve always got projects on the go,” she says and tells me about two new books she is writing: one on wedding flowers, and the other a surprise. She has a few more tricks up her sleeve, including plans abroad as well, but can’t reveal too much just yet. We at the Journal will definitely be staying tuned. 4-5 Kinnerton Place South, SW1X 8EH, 020 7235 6235, judithblacklock.com 7
[c raf t sman ship]
Meet the
Makers London Craft Week is upon us from 9 to 13 May. Here’s the Journal’s handy guide to the Pimlico Road Series, presented by Grosvenor. victoria sviggum
C OX L O N D O N
A Cox London artisan will lead a demonstration on texturing metal and traditional techniques employed to make the brand’s unique pieces. The latest artwork produced in its London atelier will also be exhibited – a sculptural screen fabricated from cast bronze and forged iron. DETAILS
Exhibition: 9-11 May, 10am-6pm, 12 May, 10am-4pm, free, booking not necessary Demonstration: 9 May, 10.30am12pm and 1pm-7pm, free, booking not necessary 194 Ebury Street, SW1W 8UP, 020 3328 9506, coxlondon.com
FBC LONDON
LU K E IRW IN
Discover more about the awardwinning Mosaic rug collection at Luke Irwin. A selection of ancient artefacts that acted as a source of inspiration for the designs will also be displayed alongside the collection. DETAILS
Exhibition: 9 May, 10am-4pm, free, booking not necessary 20-22 Pimlico Road, SW1W 8LJ, 020 7730 6070, lukeirwin.com 8
Gain an insight into the alchemy of glass at FBC London, where there will be an exhibition and a talk and demonstration given by two rising stars in glass artistry, Rebecca Rowland-Chandler and Marco Tullio Siviglia. DETAILS
Exhibition: 9-12 May, 10am-6pm, free, booking not necessary Demonstration: 9 May, 10am12pm, £15, booking necessary 66 Pimlico Road, SW1W 8LS, 020 7828 6591, fbc-london.co.uk
LOCAL INTEREST
D AY L E SF O RD
S O AN E BRITAIN
As the owner of the only remaining rattan-weaving workshop in the UK, Soane Britain invites you to experience the weaving process yourself with guidance and a demonstration from its skilled craftsmen. Creative director Lulu Lytle will also give a talk about rattan as a transformative and sustainable material. DETAILS
Demonstration: 10 May, 10am-5pm, free, no booking necessary. Talk: 10 May, 12pm, free, no booking necessary 50-52 Pimlico Road, SW1W 8LP, 020 7730 6400, soane.com
H O W E L o n do n
Christopher Howe, and creative director at Plain English, Merlin Wright, have collaborated in creating a Georgian-inspired kitchen installation at the Pimlico Road showroom, where they will host a live discussion on the project. DETAILS
Installation: 9-11 May, 12pm-6pm, 12 May, 12pm-4.30pm, free, booking not necessary. Talk: 10 May, 10.30am, £12, booking necessary 93 Pimlico Road, SW1W 8PH, 020 7493 2231, howelondon.com
Daylesford Farmshop celebrates botanical crafts with a three-part event. Enjoy an installation of vintage herbiers, a pressed-flower workshop with JamJar Flowers and a talk and demonstration by Pia Östlund, design consultant for Oxford University Botanic Garden. DETAILS
Installation: 9-12 May, 8am-8pm, 13 May, 10am-4pm, free, booking not necessary Workshop: 10 May, 6.30pm-8.30pm, £125, booking necessary Talk & Demonstration: 11 May, 6.30pm-8.30pm, £25, booking necessary 44b Pimlico Road, SW1W 8LP, 020 7881 8060, daylesford.com
H O W E at 36 bou rn e st r eet
Lora Avedian has been invited set up her studio in Howe at 36 Bourne Street. As a multidisciplinary artist, Lora specialises in using crafting and textiles to tell a story. Watch her create intricate pieces using the full breadth of Howe’s materials. DETAILS
Exhibition: 9-13 May, 9am-6pm 36 Bourne Street, SW1W 8JA, 020 7730 7991, 36bournestreet.com
R O S E U NIAC K E
Venture to Rose Uniacke and experience the Midas Touch: an exhibition on gold, its applications and the art of gilding, that is sure to leave you fascinated. DETAILS
Exhibition: 9-11 May, 9.30am-6pm, 12 May 10am-4pm, free, booking not necessary 76-84 Pimlico Road, SW1W 8PL, 020 7730 7050, roseuniacke.com 9
LOCAL INTEREST
S i byl Cole fax & J o h n Fowle r
JAM B
Jamb has invited creative consultant and designer Matilda Goad to collaborate on an exciting display of English country-house pieces. Matilda’s handmade beeswax candles will also be available. DETAILS
To celebrate the launch of its new exclusive range of baskets and cachepots, interior-design firm Sibyl Colefax & John Fowler is hosting a special exhibition in partnership with expert basketmaker Annemarie O’Sullivan, with whom the brand collaborated to produce the collection.
Installation: 9-11 May, 9am-6pm, 12 May, 11am-4pm, free, booking not necessary 95-97 Pimlico Road, 020 7730 2122, SW1W 8PH, jamb.co.uk, matildagoad.com
DETAILS
L i n ley
Attend a panel discussion of experts on how luxury brands bring sensory appeal to their clients through sight, smell, taste
Witness first-class crafting skills at a live demonstration by Dotti’s master wood-carver, who has more than 30 years’ worth of experience under his belt. DETAILS
Demonstration: 9-10 May, 12.30pm-6.30pm, free, booking not necessary 85 Pimlico Road, SW1W 8PH, 07554 544 125, dottiinteriors.it 10
Exhibition: 9 and 11 May, 9.30am-5.30pm, 12 May, 10am-3.30pm, free, booking not necessary 89-91 Pimlico Road, SW1W 8PH, 020 7493 2231, sibylcolefax.com and touch. This will be followed by live music to conclude the evening. Workshops on the same theme will also take place on separate days.
For more information, visit londoncraft week.com
do t t i INT E RI O R D E C O RATI O N
DETAILS
Exhibition & Talk: 10 May, 6.30pm8.30pm, £15, booking necessary Workshops: 11 and 12 May, 11am, 2pm and 4pm, free, booking necessary 60 Pimlico Road, SW1W 8LP, 020 7824 7223, davidlinley.com
R O B E RT K IM E
Robert Kime himself will be hosting a talk on why antique furniture is the future and why looking to the past is more important than ever in an age of mass-production and an increasing carbon footprint. DETAILS
Demonstration: 10 May, 10am-6pm, free, booking not necessary Talk & drinks reception: 10 May, 6-8pm, free, booking not necessary 190-192 Ebury Street, SW1W 8UP, 020 7831 6066, robertkime.com
lifestyle
G r o w i n g u p, my s t y l e i c o n wa s …
Th e b e st thing abou t Be l g r av i a i s …
My father! His discerning style, mixed with a spontaneous exuberance, was impeccably carried off in an effortless manner. He had a fabulous wardrobe.
Its classical architecture and white stucco residences within a very discreet and friendly neighbourhood. Its daunting refinement places it in a class of its own, I think.
I k n ew I wa n t e d to work in fa s h i o n w h e n…
I like Motcomb St re et b e c au s e …
I was very young. Growing up in a family where style was paramount, it came very naturally to me, especially having been blessed with an innate ability to sketch, shadowing the skilled artisans in the family workshop after school.
It’s a charming and unique cobbled byway in the heart of Belgravia. I particularly like the mix of exclusive retailers all being original and full of character.
You ’ll often find me…
I would characterise t h e b r a n d’ s a e s t h et i c a s …
Very distinctive – masterfully positioned at the luxurious end of the market, defined by a contemporary classic look.
My i n s pi r at i o n comes from…
My values, which are as intrinsic to the culture of Italy as they are to the nature of my brand. That encompasses looks, craftsmanship, or simply put, timeless elegance.
The mo st imp o rtan t detail in a sui t i s…
The comfort that comes from a perfect fit, the pleasure of owning a piece of supreme craftsmanship and the quiet, inner confidence you gain from knowing that there is nobody in the room better dressed.
[5 minutes with...]
gio genco
The luxury clothier and Belgravia resident takes a few moments to talk to the Journal about style, his inspiration, and some of his favourite spots to grab a bite in the area As told to: victoria sviggum
My fav o u ri t e a s pe c t o f my w o rk i s …
Being able to design and create entire collections of the highest quality for an elite clientele, who settle only for the very best, and seeing the smile on their faces at the end of it.
Wh at I m i s s m o st a b o u t I ta ly i s …
The sunshine, aperitivo and of course “la bella figura”, meaning making a good impression counts by being well groomed and wearing stylish clothes. Italy always wants you to be your best self.
In Ottolenghi. The overall mix of flavours, freshness of ingredients and originality of combinations make for a great lunch. As for dinner, Zafferano and Amaya are my mid-week choices depending on my mood.
My h o b b i e s o u t s i d e o f w o rk i n c lu d e …
Riding my horses in Hampshire on weekends. It relaxes me and is a great way to be closer to nature. I also enjoy country pursuits during the winter months.
My favouri te I talian quote i s...
“L’eleganza non è farsi notare, ma farsi ricordare” – “Elegance is not about being noticed, it’s about being remembered”.
Th e b e st a d v i c e I ’ v e be e n g i v e n…
Time gives good advice!
21 Motcomb Street, SW1X 8LB, 020 7259 6888, giogenco.com 11
[ i n t e rvi ew ]
The Boy Who Loved
ANTIQUES
The Journal ventures to Pimlico Road to find out more about the accomplished antiques dealer who founded Jamb victoria sviggum
W
hile most children look forward to getting a new toy or game, what excited Will Fisher was something entirely different. “I remember I bought this old bedroom fireplace,” he recalls. “I was absolutely thrilled at the time. It seemed like the most exciting thing ever!” As an adult, he is no less unique, as I find out, having the pleasure to sit down and chat to him. “I don’t think it’s something that began,” he says, when I ask where his love of antiques and design started. “It was an innate sort of love that was already there.” Will’s knack for enterprise also began at a young age, I discover, as he tells me how he used to buy old fireplaces, clean them up and sell them through the local paper, as well as flog antiques at Greenwich Market with his friend at only ten years old. “We had been doing lots of street calling and people really
12
Will with wife and business partner Charlotte Freemantle
loved the sentiment of the fact that we were dealing in guineas and old currency; so when we’d run out of inventory, we went on to empty crisp packets,” he recalls with a cheeky grin. “We even sold a few.” The jolly days of street calling and market selling are long gone now, however, and today Will heads up his own company, Jamb, which he founded in 2001 and now runs with his wife Charlotte Freemantle, who he describes as his “aesthetic kindred spirit”.
“She has an extraordinary visual ability and can see very clearly what might work for a client,” he says, singing her praises, and explaining how their individual strengths complement each other well. The business itself is made up of various strands, including antiques dealing, restoration and the reproduction of vintage lighting, chimney pieces and furniture. “There’s a certain joy in the simplicity of early 18thcentury English furniture,” Will says, admitting he is a complete anglophile. “A lot of what we do is English countryhouse furniture,” he says, describing the brand’s aesthetic. “But it’s not constrained to English country houses; it’s the goods that one might expect to find within that context,” he adds, explaining why the designs
You want things to look as if they’ve grown roots on them
lifestyle
portrait images © gisela torres / lifestyle images © simon upton
can work well in more modern city homes as well. “You want things to look as if they’ve grown roots on them, as if they’ve been there for so long and yet they may have only been there for five minutes.” The Hanbury Collection, which is the latest range of reproduction pieces designed by Jamb, is a slight move away from the traditional 18th-century style, Will explains. “We renovated a building in Hanbury Street. It was very much an Edwardian building, but with a sort of classical restraint at its core. So the whole thing was to try and develop a collection of lighting that both worked scale wise but also didn’t look out of context historically.” “The devil is in the detail,” Will continues, pointing at various
pieces in the shop. “That wall light for example, that bit of ware on the bottom left-hand side is so pleasing, and that handle, the way that it catches the light...” The utter joy and excitement he gets from his work is clear and makes it all the more fascinating to learn more. When I ask him if there is anyone in the industry he particularly admires, without hesitation he answers: “The legend – it has to be Christopher Gibbs. He just oozes effortless faded grandeur.” It was
in Christopher’s former premises that Will first opened shop in Belgravia in 2006. After a successful auction at Christies in 2012, Jamb moved to its current double-fronted showroom on Pimlico Road. It’s hard not to be
entranced by the charming array of antiques and multitude of lanterns hanging throughout. “You feel a weight of responsibility in being here,” he tells me, referring to the design district. “There’ve been some amazing people who’ve worked and been involved in this area.” What does the future hold for Jamb, I ask? “We’ve just moved into a new warehouse in Mitcham and we’re in the process of setting up extensive workshops and display areas.” This is where Will tells me he is currently spending most of his time. “For me, the creation of things is the area of the business that I feel most engaged in, most enjoy, really. I try and have one day a week that just revolves around new products.” We, at the Journal, look forward to seeing more of those. 95–97 Pimlico Road, SW1W 8PH, 020 7730 2122, jamb.co.uk 13
local interest
[SPOTLIGHT]
full Speed to the top The Journal sits down with craftswoman Harriet Poppy Speed to talk about her experience at the Linley Summer School, her blog and what’s next for the rising star
Harriet at Linley Summer School © Mark Reeves
victoria sviggum
“I
want people to smile when they look at my work. It’s from the heart and I hope people see that it has integrity and reflects my values,” Harriet Poppy Speed tells me. Although still a student of furniture design, Harriet is already making her mark in the field. Not only does she head a successful initiative ‘This Girl Makes’, empowering women in craft and design, but she was one of only eight students across the UK to be selected for the Linley Summer School last year, which she counts as one of her biggest achievements. “It was an amazing experience,” she says. “The learning never ended and being with other young students and having that little network was great.” Harriet tells me that she is still in contact with her co-students now and greatly values the relationships she formed at the summer school, as well as the knowledge she gained from the full schedule of workshops 14
and masterclasses in various disciplines such as marquetry, jointing, forestry and leather. In her blog, ‘This Girl Makes’, she writes about her own experiences, interviews other craftswomen and shares her general thoughts on the industry. All posts are also accompanied by her own illustrations. “It’s kind of been an organic thing – I’ve done it because I’ve always wanted to do it and luckily, people have responded well.”
I want people to smile when they look at my work Through this initiative, Harriet has run a number of voluntary workshops, teaching groups of children, teens and adults basic skills in craft. “I find it so rewarding,” she says, and commenting particularly on her younger groups, adds: “In such a digital age, I think
it’s important to give children an opportunity to just use their hands and learn about making things, because then they can use those skills in so many ways in the future.” Graduating from Rycotewood College in Oxford this summer, Harriet must have exciting plans for her future. I ask her what they are. She hesitates, but then says: “I’m going to be bold and say I’m going to go freelance straightaway. I’d also like the opportunity to have a residency in a workshop so I can keep doing all the prep for ‘This Girl Makes’ and also work on private commissions.” Harriet is also excited to tell me that she has just received funding to turn ‘This Girl Makes’ into a book by the end of the year, which she hopes will lead to a curated exhibition to accompany the launch. With such enthusiasm and dedication to her craft, I’m sure we can expect great things from her. this-girl-makes.com
ELISABETH DANCEY, FOUNDER OF BIJOUX MEDI-SPA / HEADSHOT © SAREL JANSEN
lifestyle
A h e l pi n g h a n d
F L O R A L FA N TA SIES
Nars has collaborated with designer Erdem Moralioglu to create the Strange Flowers Collection. The range includes eyeshadows, blushes and lip products sporting names such as Carnal Carnation and Voodoo Lily, while the packaging showcases dreamlike floral designs. narscosmetics.com
[new s]
health & beauty Helping you feel and look your best
If you’ve been following my column, then by now you should be well equipped to face the world; skin, eyes, lips and body. But how about your hands? Our hands age too. Brown spots arise due to UV exposure, the skin shrivels with constant washing, dehydration, neglect and age, and the plumpness disappears as our oestrogen levels fall. Yet in the same way that we can treat the face, we can treat the hands – to good effect. IPL, peeling and cryotherapy can remove brown spots. Peeling also improves skin quality, as can hyaluronic acid treatments directly into the skin. Newer injection techniques make this a simple, pain-free solution to soft hands. Volume can be replaced, lasting about a year. Lasers can treat redness in ageing hands. A gentle laser wand gradually improves red veins, lightens the hands and improves skin quality, as does IPL.
Au Nat u re l
Organic skincare brand JK7 uses only natural active ingredients in its products. This Detox Face Mask employs a botanical balance of rose and calendula alongside citrus oils and herbs to cleanse and purify skin. £290 for 50ml, available at gracebelgravia.com
®
EV E RY T HING ’ S R O S Y
Lancôme has released a nourishing cream designed specially for women over 60. Rénergie Multi-Glow promises to re-energise and smooth the skin, leaving a radiant, rosy complexion with a healthy glow. Four weeks is apparently all it takes to see results. £64, lancome.co.uk
Skin can also recover; regular use of sunblock and a rich hydrating cream will achieve benefits. Oil-rich emulsions prevent hands drying out in cold or wet weather, and before outdoor activities and sport. Hands are your most precious asset, so spare them a bit of time and they will reward you. 149 Ebury Street, SW1W 9QN, 020 7730 0765, bijoux-medispa.co.uk
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lifestyle
FLOWER POWER
The French beauty brand By Terry has long been known for its Baume de Rose skincare collection containing rose extracts to nourish and replenish the skin. The line now welcomes three new additions: a lip scrub, body scrub and lip-care stick, which is a re-imagination of the original bestselling jar, making it perfect for on-the-go. From £25, byterry.com
BU T T E RF LY EFFECT
Jo Loves’ new fragrance, Orange Butterflies, is inspired by the South of France and contains notes of orange blossom, petitgrain and naroli. £115 for 100ml, 42 Elizabeth Street, SW1W 9NZ, 020 7730 8611, joloves.com
[review]
A BREATH OF FRESH AIR The Journal discovers a new way to tackle the effects of pollution on the skin VICTORIA SVIGGUM
B
reathe life back into your skin with Skeyndor’s new Power Oxygen range, now available at The Peak Health Club & Spa at Jumeirah Carlton Tower. In a metropolis such as London, pollution is unavoidable. It can lead to unhealthy skin and premature aging by reducing the skin’s natural defence capacities and preventing enough oxygen from reaching the skin cells. Oxygen Power combats this on two fronts; firstly, by acting as a filter and environmental shield 18
and secondly, by increasing the supply and transport of oxygen to the skin using active ingredients such as fluorocarbon and nasturtium extract. The Peak Health Club & Spa is the first hotel-spa to offer this breakthrough anti-pollution skincare range, which is also incorporated into an indulgent hour-long facial at its state-of-theart premises in Belgravia. I had the opportunity to experience the benefits of this treatment first-hand. Aside
from being extremely relaxing (a massage is also included), my skin felt instantly brighter, hydrated and more vibrant. Days later and my skin was still feeling the effects and looking healthier. I highly recommend this treatment to anyone living or working in the city. And if you have time, enjoy a spot of lunch with the breathtaking view of Cadogan Gardens that the club affords. £120 for 60 minutes, Cadogan Place, SW1X 9PY, 020 7858 7300, peakhealthclub.com, jumeirah.com
Grace welcomes men for breakfast before 9:30am or dinner and drinks after 6:30pm.
CLEANSE, REFRESH, RESET
BALANCE NUTRITION WITH INDULGENCE AT ANY TIME, WHEREVER YOU ARE. From our Daily Grace delivery service to the exceptional Grace Restaurant; cleanse, reset and refresh with deliciously healthy cuisine. Grace offers a 360° approach to health and wellbeing, and is committed to providing the best in medical, fitness, wellness therapies, nourishing food and engaging events.
11c West Halkin Street, SW1X 8JL www.gracebelgravia.com
lifestyle
[Review]
relax & unwind
The Journal visits Re:Mind, London’s first drop-in meditation studio, located in Eccleston Yards Victoria Sviggum
all images © anna zandman
F
ounded by Carla von Anhalt and Yulia Kovaleva, Re:Mind Studio offers a range of meditation classes, examples of which include Re:Breathe, focusing on the awareness and use of breath; Re:Store, which calls upon yoga; and Re:Heal, which employs reiki, rahanni and other traditional healing methods. Being completely new to the idea, I book Re:Sound, during which Stephanie Reynolds will play the gong. On arrival, I enter the reception area, which also serves as a shop, selling a selection of eco-friendly lifestyle products. The receptionist speaks to me in a whisper and I follow suit. I am directed to a lounge area where there is complimentary tea and a choice of reading material about mindfulness and wellbeing. The atmosphere is certainly calming, with a fragrance of essential oils in the air and a décor of light natural woods and plants. The studio itself follows the same aesthetic – simple and light with a strong presence of plant life. The room is set up for no more than 15 people. I lie down on my bean-filled
20
left: Co-founders Carla von Anhalt and Yulia Kovaleva
mat and place the cushion provided under my head. Stephanie explains that a bolster can be placed under the knees to take the pressure off the lower back and the blanket supplied will be of use when the body temperature drops during the session. Once we are all settled and have our eye masks on, Stephanie guides us through some deep breathing. And then she begins playing. We are soon immersed in the resonant tones of the gongs. It sounds almost other-worldly, so
much so, that I lift my mask for a sneaky peak at how she is creating this extraordinary music. I see there are two differently sized suspended gongs, and some smaller bowl-like pieces on the floor. Rather, than just hitting the gongs with a drumsticktype-utensil, she also sweeps across them in circular motions. I close my eyes again and allow myself to sink into a relaxed state. I use the time to reflect, while being enveloped in the glorious sounds. After about 50 minutes, Stephanie walks around the room using delicate chimes to signal that the class is coming to an end. She guides us to a seated position and finishes the class with some positive affirmations. A welcome oasis in a city that never rests, Re:Mind Studio is the ideal place for any Londoner to unwind, relax and re-centre.
We are soon immersed in the resonant tones of the gongs
Classes start from £22, 25a Eccleston Place, SW1W 9NF, remindstudio.com
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LUNCH WITH YOUR NEIGHBOUR
Rediscover The Rib Room on the corner of Cadogan Place and Sloane Street. Enjoy our mouth-watering 60 minute express seasonal set lunch menu including two courses for ÂŁ24.50. Available Monday to Friday from 12.30pm until 2.30pm. To reserve your table, call 020 7858 7250 or visit theribroom.co.uk
18-05-04, Belgravia Residents Journal - The Rib Room.indd 1
05/04/2018 16:03:02
lifestyle
Food for the soul
BLO S S O M S BY TH E B A R
Restaurant and bar Zuma has teamed up with Ciroc Vodka to celebrate the bloom of the cherry blossom (or ‘sakura’) season in Japan, with a wonderfully pink floral installation and a limited-edition range of cocktails. Guests can marvel at the floor-to-ceiling installation while sipping on one of six specially designed drinks, with names such as Sakura Martini, Okinawa Cooler and Hanami Sour. Available until 17 June, 5 Raphael Street, SW7 1DL, 020 7584 1010, zumarestaurant.com
[NEW S]
food & drink All the latest to keep you sated from dawn to dusk
Choose Grace for a relaxed dining experience in a beautiful atmosphere. Try irresistible small plates, sharing platters, canapés and cocktails, or sample a myriad of tempting dishes fusing British grown goodness with flavours from around the world. Head Chef, Manish Patel, brings his unique influence to the kitchen, while behind the bar, organic biodynamic wines and aperitifs from the finest estates provide the perfect accompaniment. Nourish the body without compromising on flavour, with a colourful array of locally sourced ingredients, British-farmed meats and sustainably sourced fish. Gluten, dairy and refined sugar-free choices mean all foodies are catered for, with indulgent treats and inspired twists on your favourite dishes waiting to be discovered.
T E A ROYA LT Y
Tea aficionados and avid fans of the royal family will find plenty to enjoy in Newby’s special limitededition tea box, which marks the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in May. The Royal Wedding Silken Pyramid is a large, circular ‘hat box’, with a royal purple interior filled with 36 sachets of traditional and bespoke teas and tisanes. newbyteas.co.uk
With a new seasonal menu, candlelit tables and fresh blooms, Grace Belgravia is a local favourite for botanical cocktails, freshly prepared soul food and weekend brunch.
P R E TT Y PA S TR I E S
The Bunny & Blossom collection at Peggy Porschen is just what we need this spring. With a fantastically floral theme in the brand’s signature pastel colour palette, the range includes cupcakes, chocolates and biscuits, and all taste delicious. From £7, 116 Ebury Steet, SW1W 9QQ, 020 7730 1316, peggyporschen.com
With an eclectic, ever-evolving menu, inspired supper clubs and an ambient evening soundtrack, Grace is the perfect social spot for everything from date-night to dinner with friends, celebrations and after-work drinks in the lounge. 11c West Halkin Street, SW1X 8JL, 020 7235 8900, gracebelgravia.com
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Try our new spring Ă La Carte menu 20 CHESHAM PLACE, BELGRAVIA, LONDON SW1X 8HQ 020 3189 4850 | reservations@ilpampero.com | www.ilpampero.com
may edition.indd 1
4/11/2018 11:46:08 AM
lifestyle
[review]
Feast from the Middle East
The Journal heads to one of Belgravia’s newest restaurants to sample the best of Lebanese cuisine Victoria Sviggum
T
he recently opened Abd el Wahab on Pont Street comes to us all the way from Beirut, where the first of 18 around the world opened in 1999. The décor is simple, sleek and modern, with subtle Middle Eastern influences. Light wooden walls and tables act as a neutral backdrop for grey, black and red design details, which add a pop of colour. A feature wall of foliage also gives an organic and fresh feel to the space. I’m most surprised by how airy it feels, benefiting from large windows and natural light. Soft music allows for easy conversation and creates a pleasant ambience. My fiancé and I order something to drink while we browse the menu. I go for jallab, a traditional beverage made from fruit syrup. It is cool and sweet with a lovely hint of rose water. There are also many Lebanese wines and beers to sample, such as Beirut Beer, a local pilsner, which my partner is keen to try. When it comes to the food, we are spoilt for choice. There is a selection of hot and cold mezes as well as salads, pastries and grilled dishes. As a starter, we decide to share pitta
The portions are generous and each dish is bursting with flavour
and hummus with pine nuts, spicy sausage sautéed in lemon juice and the chef ’s recommended batata kezbra – fried potatoes with garlic, coriander and green chilli. The portions are generous and each dish is bursting with flavour and wonderfully seasoned. The hummus is exceptionally smooth and creamy, the lemon juice beautifully balances out the saltiness of the sausage, and the potatoes are fried to perfection. For the main course I order another of the restaurant’s wellknown dishes – chich taouk – grilled chicken skewers marinated in lemon juice and garlic, served with Abd el Wahab’s own sauce. My fiancé has opted for the ouzzi – slow-cooked lamb’s leg accompanied by oriental rice
and roasted nuts. The chicken is moist and I savour the chargrilled smokiness of the meat in combination with the light, garlic sauce. Across the table, my fiancé’s lamb falls off the bone and I cannot resist asking for a bite. The roasted nuts in the rice give a delicate earthiness to the lamb, which melts in the mouth. Fresh, crunchy and full of texture, a delightfully colourful fattoush salad makes for the ideal side dish. To end the meal, we share a dessert of ashtaliyeh, a milk and cream-based pudding topped with pistachios. It looks delightfully charming as it arrives wobbling on the plate and proves to be the ideal way to cool down the palate after what has been a feast of flavours. 1-3 Pont Street, SW1X 9EJ, 020 7235 1100, ghiaholding.com 25
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s ometh
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Bags o f st yle
[ fa s h i o n ]
BLOOMIN’ FABULOUS In anticipation of Belgravia in Bloom, the Journal rounds up some of our favourite floral pieces Victoria Sviggum
#1 McQ Alexander McQueen print
Fun a
jacket, £395, harrods.com
n
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f l i rt y
#2 Givenchy cardholder, £185, harrods.com #3 Bird of Paradise clutch, £159, prettyballerinas.co.uk #4 Gucci floral bag, £2,690, harveynichols.com #5 Ratna dress, £420, beulahlondon. com #6 Alice + Oliva bomber jacket, £610, harveynichols.com #7 Loafers, £159, prettyballerinas.co.uk #8 Sequin dress, £3,360, jennypackham.com #9 Bandana, £110, donnaida.com #10 Boutique Moschino dress, £570, harveynichols.com #11 Needle & Thread embroidered dress, £355, harrods.com #12 Ballet pumps, £159, prettyballerinas.co.uk #13 Bohemian blouse, £225, donnaida.com #14 Kimono, £245, violetandwren.co.uk
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lifestyle
[ g r e at b r i t i s h e s c a p e ]
Best of
BRITISH
What luck that, just 20 miles from Belgravia, there should be as paradisiacal a place as Beaverbrook? francesca lee-rogers
T
here’s nothing like a long, sweeping driveway to make an entrance. And I challenge you to find a longer one than that leading to the imposing Beaverbrook House. Surrounded by 400 acres of privately owned Surrey countryside, it’s an impressive country mansion that has counted Sir Winston Churchill,
Elizabeth Taylor and Ian Fleming among its esteemed guests. Indeed, the first of these was good friends with media mogul Lord Max Beaverbrook, who acquired the house in 1911 and lived there for 50 years, and after whom the house is named. Having undergone a whopping £90m restoration recently and
reopened last summer, it has become the latest go-to bucolic bolthole, situated less than 20 miles from Belgravia. And it’s no surprise – designed by Fulhambased Susie Atkinson, it’s the epitome of opulence and grandeur, yet maintains a contemporary feel. Sumptuous sofas are paired with antique furnishings beneath 27
lofty ceilings, picture-railed walls are painted in fresh colours, and a Gerhard Richter tapestry dominates the impressive glass-domed hallway, complete with grand piano. Upstairs, my friend and I are led to our suite through a warren of corridors. At one point, I wonder how we’re going to find our way back, but that’s the beauty of
Beaverbrook: it feels oh so grand, yet there are actually only 18 rooms in the main house, all of which have been individually designed and named after famous former guests. Our home-from-home for the night is the Windsor Room, which has a botanical theme that has an outside-in feel, which is especially appropriate given that it has stunning views over the estate. Keeping this inspiration in mind, Sipsmith Sloe Gin provides the ultimate nightcap, while natural Bamford beauty products grace the bathroom, which features a stunning roll-top bath. In the late afternoon, we decide to watch a film in the Grade IIlisted cinema, which still boasts its original wood-panelling and lighting. Not many hotels or country houses can claim they have one of the very first home cinemas, but Beaverbrook can. And, like the house, it has many fascinating stories: we learn it is where Churchill watched the news and discussed the progress of World War II. I can’t help but think to myself that it doesn’t quite seem appropriate to watch a chick
flick here. That aside, we have a very pleasant afternoon, and order snacks and cocktails from the comfort of our sofa seats. That evening, we opt for a Japanese meal in The Dining Room, headed up by Taiji Maruyama, who trained at Kojyu and is ex-Nobu. The menu is extensive, so we ask for recommendations, and much to our delight, they satisfy both our palates and our stomachs. Our favourite dishes include the salmon tacos, yellow-tail tiradito, vegetable tempura and dragon sushi rolls. The quality of the food is exemplary, but that’s no surprise given that the fish is delivered daily and many of the ingredients such as the artichokes, courgettes and salad are grown in Beaverbrook’s own kitchen garden.
It’s the epitome of opulence and grandeur, yet maintains a contemporary feel
28
lifestyle
The following day, after a long and leisurely breakfast, we take a short walk to the Garden House, which, as well as playing host to a further 11 bedrooms and a restaurant, also houses Beaverbrook’s cookery school. With a variety of courses available, from sushi-making to how to prepare
steak or game, it’s impressive. We’re booked on to the chocolatefondant course, run by the estate’s head pastry chef Chris Underwood. He’s clearly very passionate and knowledgeable, and my friend and I, along with four other amateur chefs, follow the stages on the recipe card, with Chris on hand to offer us words of wisdom and encouragement. The proof of the pudding is – literally – in the eating, as all our fondants are a success, with a delectably gooey interior. Mary Berry would be proud. What impressed me most about Beaverbrook was its offer – come rain or shine, there’s plenty to keep one occupied here for a weekend break or even a two-week holiday, for that matter, and with a spa opening soon, what’s not to love? From £330 per night, including breakfast, in a classic room, Reigate Road, Leatherhead, KT22 8QX, 01372 571 300, beaverbrook.co.uk 29
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local interest
[hi sto ry ]
way back when
Over the course of many years, Belgravia has been home to a plethora of notable figures. The spotlight this month is on a man to whom we might not realise we owe our thanks victoria sviggum
portrait image: Scan of woodburytype print by Lock & Whitfield
H
ave you ever wondered where bank holidays came from? In the month of May, we are lucky enough to enjoy two, and although there weren’t always as many as now, their initial conception is thanks to Belgravian-born Sir John Lubbock, 1st Baron Avebury. Lubbock was a man of many faculties and interests. Other than influencing the creation of national holidays as a politician, he was also a successful banker, author, archaeologist, and a keen biologist and counted people like Charles Darwin among his friends. Born on 30 May 1834, Lubbock first lived at 29 Eaton Place. As a child, he attended Eton College and proved to be quite the academic. He left school at the age of 14 to join his father’s bank, being made a partner at the age of 22. In 1865, Lubbock published Pre-Historic Times, one of the most influential archaelogical textboooks of the 19th century. As he got older, he became eager to get into politics. He spent much of his time in Kent, and in 1870, was elected as a Liberal Party Member of Parliament for Maidstone. Lubbock believed that the hardworking classes of society deserved
legally protected holidays, which, at the time, were very much up to the discretion of employers. Consequentially, he drew up the Bank Holidays Act of 1871, which would ensure four holidays, including Easter Monday, Whit Monday, the last Monday in August and Boxing Day. These soon became fondly referred to as ‘St Lubbock’s Days’. Further legislation in the 1970s rejigged some of these days and also added May Day, making up the bank holidays which are familiar fixtures in our calendars today.
Lubbock was a man of many faculties and interests
Outside of his contributions to the law and politics, Lubbock’s interest in science and nature lead to the publication of several books, covering a range of topics, from bees and flowers to natural history, among other things. Throughout his life, Lubbock also held many notable offices, such as president of the London Chambers of Commerce and chairman of the London City Council. In 1882, satirical magazine Punch printed a poem encapsulating him thus: How doth the Banking Busy Bee Improve his shining hours By studying on bank holidays Strange insects and wild flowers Lubbock died on 28 May 1913 in Kent, aged 78, leaving quite the legacy behind him. 31
DIRECTORY
All of the essentials are taken care of in our roundup for harmonious living
E state A gents Sothebys Realty 77-79 Ebury Street 020 7495 9580
Ayrton Wylie 16 Lower Belgrave Street 020 7730 4628
Henry & James 1 Motcomb Street 020 7235 8861
Knight Frank Sales 47 Lower Belgrave Street 020 3811 2473
Best Gapp 81 Elizabeth Street 020 7730 9253
John D Wood 48 Elizabeth Street 020 3151 5724
Marler & Marler 6 Sloane Street 020 7235 9641
Strutt & Parker 66 Sloane Street 020 3553 8393
Chestertons Belgravia 31 Lowndes Street 020 7235 3530 (lettings) 020 7235 8090 (sales)
Knight Frank Lettings 82-83 Chester Square 020 3740 4539
Savills 139 Sloane Street 020 7730 0822
Wellbelove Quested 160 Ebury Street 020 7881 0880
F ood & D rin k [BARS]
Amaya Halkin Arcade Motcomb Street 020 7823 1166
[C AF É S]
The Alfred Tennyson 10 Motcomb Street 020 7730 6074 thealfredtennyson.co.uk
[DELI]
La Bottega 25 Eccleston Street 020 7730 7411
The Thomas Cubitt 44 Elizabeth Street 020 7730 6060 thethomascubitt.co.uk
[PUBLIC HOUSES/ DINING ROOMS]
[ R E S TA U R A N T S ]
Tomtom Coffee House 114 Ebury Street 020 7730 1771
The Garden Room The Lanesborough Hyde Park Corner 020 7259 5599 The Library Bar The Lanesborough Hyde Park Corner 020 7259 5599
The Orange 37 Pimlico Road 020 7881 9844 theorange.co.uk
Motcombs 26 Motcomb Street 020 7235 6382 motcombs.co.uk
H ealth & W ellbeing [DOCTOR]
The Belgrave Medical Centre 13 Pimlico Road 020 7730 5171
[HAIR SALONS]
The Daniel Galvin Jr. Salon 4 West Halkin Street 020 7245 1050
32
[WELLBEING] Bijoux Medi-Spa 149 Ebury Street SW1W 9QN 020 7730 0765 bijoux-medispa.co.uk
Bodydoctor A bespoke personal training and nutrition clinic in Belgravia. Eaton Square 020 7235 2211 bodydoctor.com
Grace Belgravia 11c West Halkin Street 020 7235 8900 gracebelgravia.com
Skinsmiths Chantrey House, 4 Eccleston Street, SW1W 9LN, skinsmiths.com
Tomtom Mess Hall 14 Eccleston Street 020 7730 1845 Enoteca Turi 87 Pimlico Road SW1W 8PH 020 7730 3663 enotecaturi.com Ametsa at COMO The Halkin Halkin Street, SW1X 7DJ 020 7333 1234 comohotels.com
art & C ulture [GALLERIE S] Pullman Editions 94 Pimlico Road 020 7730 0547 pullmaneditions.com Luminaire Arts 19 Grosvenor Place SW1X 7HT 07966 236 969 luminairearts.co.uk
D IREC TO RY
Fashion [BOUTIQUES]
Philip Treacy 69 Elizabeth Street 020 7730 3992
[BESPOKE TA I L O R I N G ]
Stivaleria Cavallin 47 Elizabeth Street 020 3198 3269 stivaleriacavallin.com
Gio Genco 21 Motcomb Street 020 7259 6888 giogenco.com
[BRIDAL]
Le Spose di Gio 81 Ebury Street 020 7901 9020 le-spose-di-gio.it
S ervices [BANKS]
Handelsbanken Belgravia 14-15 Belgrave Square SW1X 8PS 020 7838 9000 handelsbanken.co.uk/ belgravia
[ E X C LU S I V E ]
The Caledonian Club 9 Halkin Street 020 7235 5162 caledonianclub.com
[ M O V I N G S E RV I C E S ] Abels Moving Services UK, EU & International 020 3773 5796 info@abels.co.uk abels.co.uk Pickfords Gold Genesis House, Kings Langley, Hertfordshire, WD4 8LZ 0203 188 2544 pickfords.co.uk/pickfords-gold
[SOLICITORS]
Child & Child 11 Bressenden Place 020 7235 8000 childandchild.co.uk
[PSYCHOTHERAPY]
Suzanne Thomas DHC MRes, Hypnotherapist/ Psychotherapist 07770 378791 suzannethomas@ suzannethomas.co.uk suzannethomas.co.uk
[ T R AV E L & hotels ] Jumeirah Lowndes Hotel 21 Lowndes Street 020 7823 1234 Jumeirah Carlton Tower Cadogan Place 020 7235 1234
Astors Belgravia 106-112 Ebury Street SW1W 9QD, 020 7730 7511 astorsbelgravia.com The Hari 20 Chesham Place 020 7858 0100 thehari.com B+B Belgravia 64-66 Ebury Street SW1W 9QD 020 7259 8570 bb-belgravia.com
S peciality S hops [C I G A R S P E C I A L I S T ]
VICKISARGE 38 Elizabeth Street 020 7259 0202 vickisarge.com
[C O N F E C T I O N E R S ]
Elizabeth Gage 5 West Halkin Street 020 7823 0100 eg@elizabeth-gage.com elizabeth-gage.com
Tomtom Cigars 63 Elizabeth Street 020 7730 1790
Peggy Porschen 116 Ebury Street 020 7730 1316
Pierre HermĂŠ Paris 13 Lowndes Street 020 7245 0317 R Chocolate London 198 Ebury Street 020 7730 5522
[ J EW E L L E R S ]
De Vroomen 59 Elizabeth Street 020 7730 1901
[ P E R F UM E R I E S ] Floris 147 Ebury Street 020 7730 0304 florislondon.com
[BULLION BROKER]
Sharps Pixley Limited 54 St James's Street 020 7871 0532 sharpspixley.com
[SECURITY]
My Local Bobby 07712 228 214 01992 676 270 info@mylocalbobby.co.uk mylocalbobby.co.uk
[ N EW S A G E N T S ]
Mayhew Newsagents
15 Motcomb Street / 020 7235 5770 Mayhew Newsagents is a local Belgravian institution. As well as supplying the area with national and international newspapers and magazines, it provides an extensive range of stationery, computer supplies and postal services. Opening times: Monday to Friday 7am-6pm, Saturday 8am-2pm, Sunday 8am-1pm Local delivery service available
33
N
EW
ORIGINAL, LIMITED-EDITION ART DECO POSTERS
Limited to editions of 280, our newly-commissioned Art Deco posters feature glamorous holiday destinations around the world, ski resorts in the Austrian, French and Swiss Alps, and the world’s greatest historic automobiles. Over 100 designs to choose from, all printed on 100% cotton fine art paper, measuring 97 x 65 cms.
Priced at £395 each. Private commissions are also welcome.
Pullman Editions Ltd 94 Pimlico Road Chelsea London SW1W 8PL www.pullmaneditions.com Tel: +44 (0)20 7730 0547 Email: georgina@pullmaneditions.com
Our central London gallery
All images and text copyright © Pullman Editions Ltd. 2018
View and buy online at w w w.pullmaneditions.com
belgr avia property
Montrose Place, SW1, marketed by Best Gapp, £POA, bestgapp.co.uk
SHOWCASING THE finest HOMES IN AND AROUND BELGRAVIA
up my street
The Journal rounds up properties in some of Belgravia’s most buzzing locations
room to grow
All you need to know if you’re planning on expanding your property
hidden gem
Find out more about the transformation of Belgravia’s Boscobel Place
[ ON T H E M ARKET ]
Up My
STREET Four local agents spotlight properties on some of Belgravia’s most happening highways
Motcomb Street, marketed by Stru tt & Parker , £3,850,000
A superb two-bedroom split-level maisonette benefiting from its own private entrance and comprising an entrance hall, reception room, kitchen, dining room, guest WC and two bedrooms, both with en-suite facilities. Presented in excellent order with good ceiling heights throughout, the property offers well-balanced accommodation and would also rent well. Motcomb Street is a firm favourite in Belgravia, offering many excellent shops, cafés and restaurants while maintaining a wonderful village atmosphere. With most of the
36
street made up of retail property, a residence here is all the more special. 66 Sloane Street, SW1X 9SH, 020 7235 9959, struttandparker.com
Ebury Street, marketed by Henry & James, £1,450,000
An exceptional example of a two-bedroom first-floor flat with high ceilings and south and west-facing aspects. This remarkably bright property has lots of charm, with original features such as two fireplaces and ten sash windows, with a subtle art deco theme that runs throughout. The layout also lends itself to work perfectly as two separate apartments, uniquely benefiting from two separate entrances. Ebury Street is surrounded by a large number of enviable
pro pert y
Cliveden Pl ace, marketed by Best Gapp, £6.35m
A stylishly refurbished Grade IIlisted Belgravia townhouse with the advantage of a newly installed passenger lift, spacious family accommodation and a beautifully landscaped 46ft private garden. Extending to just over 2,880 sq ft, this exquisite property further benefits from an elegant first-floor drawing room, Martin Moore kitchen/dining room, conservatory sitting/TV room, four bedrooms, three bathrooms (all en-suite) and a separate study. Cliveden Place runs between Eaton Square and Sloane Square and is extremely well situated. 81 Elizabeth Street, SW1W 9PG 020 7730 9253, bestgapp.co.uk
Ebury Square, marketed by Knight Frank, £2,300PW
amenities, including cafés, bars and restaurants, with the ever-popular Elizabeth Street and buzzing Pimlico Road also nearby. 1 Motcomb Street, SW1X 8JX, 020 7235 8861, henryandjames.co.uk
An impressive two-bedroom apartment on the second floor in a sought-after development catering for luxury living and benefiting from a private residents’ gym, secure underground parking with CCTV and a 24-hour concierge service. The interior-designed accommodation comprises a master bedroom with en-suite bathroom and dressing room, a further double bedroom with
an en-suite bathroom, a reception room with dining area, a kitchen, guest cloakroom and utility room. Ebury Square is in a fantastic location, just a short walk away from the exclusive boutiques, jewellers and fine restaurants of Elizabeth Street, with Knightsbridge and Sloane Square also close by. 82-83 Chester Square, SW1W 9HJ, 020 7881 7730, knightfrank.co.uk 37
Pimlico Road, Belgravia SW1 Two bedroom apartment with balcony Positioned on the first floor of this period building, this two bedroom apartment has been refurbished to exacting standards, retainaing period features, good storage and balcony. 2 double bedrooms both with en suite shower rooms, reception room with dining area, kitchen, cloakroom/utility room and balcony. EPC: B. Approximately 85 sq m (920 sq ft). Available furnished
KnightFrank.co.uk/belgravia belgravialettings@knightfrank.com 020 3641 6005
Guide price: £995 per week KnightFrank.co.uk/BEQ198887 All potential tenants should be advised that, as well as rent, an administration fee of £288 and referencing fees of £48 per person will apply when renting a property. There will also be a £48 charge to register your deposit with the Tenancy Deposit Scheme if applicable. (All fees shown are inclusive of VAT.) Please ask us for more information about other fees that will apply or visit www.knightfrank.co.uk/tenantfees.
BRJ - May - 48C Pimlico Road
@KnightFrank KnightFrank.co.uk
16/04/2018 16:45:16
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5:16
Let Knight Frank sell or rent your property, as with our global network of 418 offices across 60 countries we can find you the perfect buyer or tenant. If you are thinking of selling or letting we’d love to help you. Please call us for a free market appraisal.
Guide price: £3,395,000
Bourne Street, Belgravia SW1 An elegant and beautifully refurbished semi-detached house occupying a prime position on this charming street. Master bedroom suite, further 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, open plan reception, dining room, kitchen, study, roof terrace and a private garden. EPC: D. Approximately 151 sq m (1,628 sq ft). Freehold.
KnightFrank.co.uk/belgravia belgravia@knightfrank.com 020 3641 5910 KnightFrank KnightFrank.co.uk
belgravia@knightfrank.com 020 3641 5910 KnightFrank.co.uk/POD170867
Guide price: £7,250,000
Wilton Street, Belgravia SW1 An incredibly attractive 6 bedroom townhouse in a key position on the street, offering excellent accommodation. Master bedroom with en suite bathroom, 4 further bedrooms, 3 further bathrooms, reception room/bedroom, dining room, drawing room, kitchen/breakfast room, study, guest cloakroom, utility room, wine cellar, terrace. Grade II listed. Approximately 315 sq m (3,390 sq ft). Freehold. belgravia@knightfrank.com 020 3641 5910 KnightFrank.co.uk/BGV170084
356220 Belgravia Residents Journal.indd 1
09/04/2018 13:19
[ c a se s t u d y ]
Unearthing a hidden gem in Belgravia Accouter Design talks us through the transformation of a gloomy period mews into an absolute dazzler, themed around nature and complete with its very own ‘secret garden’…
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oscobel Place sits within the cul-de-sac of the same name, containing 11 mews houses off Elizabeth Street in Westminster. The residences were converted from original stables, in contrast to the vision of Thomas Cubitt, master builder of the large swathes of Belgravia and surrounding areas. The original internal programme belonged to an older, dated style, consisting of a series of small, dark rooms, and posed the team with the challenge of creating a bright, openplan home. This impediment was overcome by moving the staircase from the centre to the front of the house, creating large, spacious rooms that utilise the windows located at both ends of the property. Significant consideration was taken into future-proofing the use of the property – for example, ensuring the study and accompanying bathroom were designed to be easily adapted into a bedroom with an en
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suite if desired. This was achieved by ensuring electrics were laid out with a bedroom configuration in mind and through the inclusion of a privacy wall between the bathroom and the reception. The top floor was initially devised to host two bedrooms. After careful consideration and analysis of the area and potential buyers’ demographic, we decided that a grand master suite was required for this property instead. We achieved this by increasing the depth of the basement, allowing for the secondary bedrooms to move downstairs. The central theme of the design scheme is nature, with an
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organic colour palette, original design features and foliage placed throughout. The property’s hidden gem is its secret garden located within the master suite. This open-air green sanctuary is equipped with a retractable roof, evoking a sense of nature by bringing the outside in. Framed by two rock-crystal wall sconces that add further discerning details to the space, the secret garden is minimalistic and modish. An understated, herringbone lounger takes pride of place in the corner, while an occasional complementary chair sits opposite. Boscobel Place claims its individuality through its design features. The aim was to create a timeless interior by using traditional materials combined with contemporary features. A prime example was the stairwell with its glass banisters, leather-upholstered
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handrails and paneled fabric walls, all crafted using light, neutral hues. The neutral palette of the walls, skirting and architraves allow the furnishings and fixtures to take precedence in the property. Raised and fielded-paneled doors are inlaid with nickel trims, using traditional detailing with contemporary finishes, furthering the timeless appeal of the property. Distinctive textiles complement the marble and emerald tones throughout the scheme. The expansive fireplace in the
We decided that a grand master suite was required instead
reception area is constructed from fine Italian marble, which sets the tone and authority of the room. Parallel oak beams run above, accommodating wisteria that gracefully trails down. Two brass pendants hang among the flora, recalling a natural sanctuary. In contrast to those in the main rooms, the basement en suites have a monolithic quality, with large spans of porcelain adding a contemporary edge to the interiors. The cut-out niches are subtly backlit, with a softer glow diminishing the stark nature of the bathroom, enhanced by the use of nickel brassware throughout. The heart of the home is the ground-floor kitchen – a fully functioning cooking, dining and entertaining space. The glass walls through the stairwell bring light into it. The fresh, tonal palette of the kitchen joinery is enhanced by Italian marble offset and an emerald velvet banquette. This pop of vivid colour is a focal feature of the room. Adjoining the kitchen is a full-sized, highly sought-after garage that gives this property the edge in the market. Boscobel Place understands the needs and desires of the Belgravia clientele, providing the best option for either a family home or a pied-a-terre. accouterdesign.com On the market at £8.5m, Knight Frank, 47 Lower Belgrave Street, SW1W 0LS, 020 7881 7722, knightfrank.co.uk
PrimeQResi JOURNAL OF LUXURY PROPERTY
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WEST HALKIN STREET, BELGRAVIA SW1X
£3,500,000
LEASEHOLD APPROXIMATELY 113 YEARS • ELEGANT TWO BEDROOM LATERAL APARTMENT • MASTER BEDROOM SUITE • • SECOND BEDROOM WITH EN-SUITE • BRIGHT RECEPTION ROOM • KITCHEN • • ROOF TERRACE • HIGH CEILINGS • LIFT • RESIDENT CARETAKER • 1,300 SQ FT • EPC D •
BELGRAVIA OFFICE 1 Motcomb Street, London SW1X 8JX +44 (0)20 7235 8861 belgraviaoffice@henryandjames.co.uk
henryandjames.co.uk
KINNERTON STREET, BELGRAVIA SW1X
£1,600,000
SHARE OF FREEHOLD • TWO DOUBLE BEDROOM APARTMENT • BATHROOM • RECEPTION ROOM • • KITCHEN • GUEST CLOAKROOM • SECURE STORAGE CAGE • • LIFT • PORTER • 903 SQ FT • EPC C •
BELGRAVIA OFFICE 1 Motcomb Street, London SW1X 8JX +44 (0)20 7235 8861 belgraviaoffice@henryandjames.co.uk
henryandjames.co.uk
SOUTH EATON PLACE, BELGRAVIA SW1W
£1,895 PER WEEK • STUNNING FIRST AND SECOND FLOOR DUPLEX APARTMENT • MASTER BEDROOM SUITE • • SECOND BEDROOM WITH EN-SUITE • GRAND RECEPTION ROOM WITH DINING AREA • • KITCHEN/BREAKFAST ROOM • BALCONY AND TERRACE • LIFT • 1,312 SQ FT • EPC E •
BELGRAVIA OFFICE 1 Motcomb Street, London SW1X 8JX +44 (0)20 7235 8861 belgraviaoffice@henryandjames.co.uk
henryandjames.co.uk
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[extensions]
room to grow Giles Cook, Partner & Head of Residential, Best Gapp
The majority of period buildings in Belgravia are listed (mainly Grade II), so the process of extending a property to increase accommodation (eg, loft extension or basement dig) requires certain consents and permissions. The City of Westminster Council grants planning permission and, if relevant, listed building consent for such works. However, it is also necessary to obtain a licence from the Grosvenor Estate under the terms of the Belgravia Management Scheme. This provides a framework for the continued management of the 200-acre estate, and both jurisdictions work together to maintain adequate standards
of appearance and amenity and regulate redevelopment in the area. While the process may appear draconian and somewhat protracted, once full consent is granted, the extra added space provides both an improvement in the quality of living/bedroom space and, in most cases, increases the value of one’s property by more than the cost of the works.
Š SAREL JANSEN
Š SAREL JANSEN
Property experts from three local estate agents offer sound advice to those thinking about adding an extension to their property
James Bailey, Chief Executive, Henry & James
If you are looking to carry out works in Belgravia, you need to have the correct consents in place before starting. Within Belgravia, the chances are, depending on the scale of works you wish to carry out, this
consent will need to be obtained from the City of Westminster Council and Grosvenor Estate Management. To give an example, for works that affect the exterior of the building, such as extensions, conservatories and alterations to windows, walls, roofs, roof terraces and air-conditioning, planning and listed-building applications must be made firstly to the Estate. What you do not need permission for, for example, is a new kitchen or bathroom, providing the existing service connections are used. 45
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You are unlikely to get consent for works that adversely affect the light of a neighbouring property, however.
more of a red flag to an incoming purchaser, who will also start to wonder how they can guarantee the quality of the work carried out. Carrying out an extension to your property should undoubtedly add value, as, in simple terms, you are increasing the size. However, consider how this extra space will link and flow with the rest of the building so it doesn’t detract from the attractiveness and ultimate saleability of the property.
Susannah Odgers, senior sales negotiator, Knight Frank
If you are going to extend a property, then do it properly! Get the requisite consents from the local council, listed buildings, landlord etc and get the work signed off by all the necessary
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c on tact the agen t s parties once it is completed, otherwise what was the point of the permissions in the first place? If you are refurbishing and extending a property to ultimately sell, then don’t put roadblocks in the way of a smooth and successful sale by halfway through having to go back and seek retrospective planning permission or building-control sign-off. Nothing will act like
Best Gapp, 81 Elizabeth Strret, 020 7730 9253, bestgapp.co.uk Henry James, 1 Motcomb Street, SW1X 8JX, 020 7235 8861, henryandjames.co.uk Knight Frank, 47 Lower Belgrave Street, SW1W 0LS, 020 3811 2473, knightfrank.co.uk
NO ONE NEEDS PERSUADING AS TO WHY THEY SERVICE THEIR CAR, YACHT OR PLANE. BUT THERE HASN’T BEEN AN EQUIVALENT FOR THEIR HOME UNTIL BOLD & REEVES
CONVENIENCE. PEACE OF MIND. VALUE. INFO@BOLDANDREEVES.CO.UK | 020 7408 7590 | BOLDANDREEVES.CO.UK
020 7730 9253 bestgapp.co.uk 020 7730 9253 bestgapp.co.uk
Montrose Place, Belgravia SW1
POA: Freehold
EATON TERRACE, BELGRAVIA, SW1 £8,795,000 Freehold EATON TERRACE, BELGRAVIA, SW1 £8,795,000 Freehold
An elegant and extremely well presented Grade II listed, stucco fronted family house located at the favoured northern end of Eaton Terrace. The house benefits from a superb first floor drawing room, dining room, Smalltruly exceptional lowwell builtpresented house, newly developed and architect to provide spacious and well An A elegant and extremely Grade II listed, stucco fronteddesigned family house locatedflexible, at the favoured bone kitchen/breakfast room, media room, separate playroom, five bedrooms, staff studio accommodation northern endaccommodation of Eaton Terrace. Thefour house benefits from a superb first floor drawingstreet room,indining room, balanced over floors only, located in this quiet residential the heart of SmallBelgravia. The and a large west facing terrace. Eaton Terrace is situated in the heart of Belgravia and being just a short walk bone kitchen/breakfast room, media room, separate playroom, five bedrooms, staff studio accommodation attention detail and bespoke features maximise light and volume, with interiors meticulously designed by One from Sloaneto Square, Elizabeth Street and Pimlico Road. and a large At west Eaton is situated in theisheart of the Belgravia being a shortoffering walk fantastic Residence. justfacing underterrace. 33ft wide, thisTerrace magnificent property one of widestand houses in just Belgravia from Sloane Square, Elizabeth and Pimlico Road. Grade II Listed Period House Street •lateral Extremely Well Presented • Excellent Family Accommodation living with a large private roof terrace and garage. • Smallbone Kitchen • Large West Facing Terrace • RBKC Parking Permit Grade II Listed Period House • Extremely Well Presented • Excellent Family Accommodation • Smallbone KitchenRooms • Large West Facing Terrace • RBKC(5 Parking Permit • 3 Reception • 4/5 Bedrooms • 6 Bathrooms en suite) • Kitchen • Large Private Roof Terrace
• Entrance Hall • Media Room • Gym • Garage • EPC (C) • GIA (Approx.) 4,838 sq ft (449.45 sq m)
81 Elizabeth Street, London SW1W 9PG reception@bestgapp.co.uk 81 Elizabeth Street, London SW1W 9PG reception@bestgapp.co.uk
Eaton Terrace, SW1W SW1 Chester Row, Belgravia
£6,450,000Freehold Freehold £6,950,000
An Extremely elegant family house, beautifully reconfigured and benefiting from a large rear garden. 3,112 sq ft (289.1 m sq) Entrance Hall | Drawing Room | Dining Room | Kitchen/Breakfast room | Sitting Room | Study | Master Bedroom Suite | Five further bedrooms | Three further bath/shower rooms | Utility room | Landscaped Garden| Terrace EPC Rating E Knightsbridge 020 7235 9959 | james.forbes@struttandparker.com | JSA: Charles McDowell
£5,300,000 Leasehold
Wilton Street, SW1X
A spacious five bedroom terraced house in the heart of Belgravia with the benefit of a superb garden. Entrance hall | Reception room | Dining room | Eat-in kitchen | Family room | Master bedroom ensuite
A superb townhouse with underground parking and onsite porter. Four further bedrooms | Family bathroom | Shower room | Garden | Two Balconies | Study | Utility room Guest WC | Vault 2,916 sq ft (270 sq m) EPC E m) 2,838 sq ft rating (264 sq Entrance hall | Drawing room | Dining room | Kitchen | Sitting room | Master bedroom suite | Two further bedrooms with ensuite shower rooms | Terrace | Utility room | Two underground parking spaces EPC Rating D Knightsbridge 020 7235 9959 Paul.Gransbury@struttandparker.com Knightsbridge 020 3813 9432 | ollie.blakelock@struttandparker.com
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When you connect with Strutt & Parker, you connect with the world. At Strutt & Parker, we have unrivalled knowledge of the finest properties in London’s most prestigious areas. Now part of BNP Paribas Real Estate, we also operate across 36 countries globally offering access to buyers from all over the world, further enhanced through our affiliation with Christie’s International Real Estate. All with the trusted and personal service we have become known for. Call Strutt & Parker’s Super Prime team. James Forbes +44(0)20 3733 7754
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