Private Life Issue 6 by Trevaskis Communications

PRIVATE LIFE

Sartorial Style in theMet Quarter U n i t 1 4 i t h e M e t Q Ua rt e r i L 1 6 D a v i e w T H e F i L M AT w w w. G i e v e S A N D H A w K e S. C O M

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Silverberg Opticians, 40 Whitechapel, Liverpool, L1 6DZ, 0151 709 2012, www.silverbergopticians.co.uk

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PRIVATE CONTENTS

CONTENTS

FEATURES 13 Private Life explores the past of the Walker Art Gallery

29 Our new health columnist talks hot and cold yoga

15 We sit down with Frank McKenna to talk Liverpool

30 We launch the search for Urban Calm’s Baby Bump 2014

26 Private Life takes a look at eyewear brand Oliver Peoples

31 David Lloyd has fun-filled family activities for autumn

40 Two great shows take the stage at the Empire Theatre

33 Urban Calm showcase glamorous young professionals

42 Matt Ford talks art and his London expansion

48 Il Forno shows there is more to lunch than a sandwich

56 We take a look at when to accept an offer on your property

50 Entertain your mouth and feed your brain with Bellini

63 Elaine Cunningham shares her advice on interior seating

FOOD & DRINK

FASHION 27 We showcase designs

49 Wine and sushi 51 Lebanese street food

inspired by floral simplicity

TRAVEL

18 Private Life’s woodland nymph photoshoot

52 Sarah Lancashire flys into sunny Sydney

25 We examine floral geometry in mens designs

REGULARS 6 Editor’s Letter 9 Private Diary 34 Private Society

59 It’s all about unique in Private Life’s guide to style 42

HEALTH & BEAUTY 28 Glamourise your eyes PRIVATE LIFE 05

PRIVATE LETTER

Editor

FROM THE EDITOR...

Clinton Stuart-Lane

Sub-Editor

Jennie Musgrove

Graphic Design Paul Rowlands

Fashion Photographer Kirstie McNulty

Fashion Assistant

Ashleigh Cunningham

Product Photographer

As we wave goodbye to the last days of sunshine, it is time to turn back on the central heating and dust off our thermals.

Robin Clewley

Artwork Editor Jamie Griffiths

This issue, we have put together a diary full of Liverpool’s most cultured events (p.9) to take your mind off the changing season: from Irish festivals to operas, you certainly won’t be short of things to do this autumn.

Health Editor Kathy Sandison

Contributors

Ged Flanagan, Claire Wood, Alice Anastasiou, Maggie Birch, Kellie Wilson, Peter Roberts, Kris Tisdale

As we are approaching winter, we have some great health advice (p.32) that will not only guide you to maintaining a tip-top shape but also keep you warm with our new hot-yoga columnist Tara Maguire (p.29). We have some great recipes from Italian restaurants Il Forno (p.48) and Bellini (p.50) alongside our wine columnist, Alice Anastasiou, who introduces us to the wonders of sushi and wine (p.49).

Food & Drink Editor Arabella Whittaker

Culture Editor

Harley Grosvenor

Sports Editor

Jason Matthews

Travel Editor

We drop leaves into a magical woodland for this season’s fashion shoot (p.18), showcasing the very best must-haves on our Mrs Private (p.17) and Mr Private (p.25) sections. We carry on our up-to-theminute style advice with our interior guide (p.62) in our brand new property section (p.56).

Sarah Lancashire

Editorial Assistant Clare Ainsworth

PR & Marketing Manager Lauren Walker

Head of Finance Joan Alcoolique

For those who fancy jetting off for some more sunshine, Sarah Lancashire takes us down-under for a whistle-stop tour of Sydney (p.54). Autumn is a time when the leaves fall, the weather changes and preparations start for Christmas. We hope you enjoy another issue of Private Life, and look forward to showing you our fabulous Christmas issue in November.

Group Director Luke Trevaskis

On the cover

Door Handle from Morroco

Wan t to re c ei ve t he ne xt i ssu e of at hom e f or f r e e ? Annual subscription to Private Life is only £16 Call the office on 0151 601 3328 to receive your first copy, FREE!

Copyright © 2012 Trevaskis Communications Ltd, Number Six, Castle Street Liverpool, L2 0NB Tel: 0151 601 3328 www.private-life.co.uk Trevaskis Communications Ltd. cannot accept responsibility for unsolicited submissions, manuscripts and photographs. While every effort is taken, prices and details are subject to change and Trevaskis Communications Ltd. take no responsibility for omissions or errors. We reserve the right to publish and edit any letters. All rights reserved.

Private Life is brought to you by Liverpool’s Private Circle: Mrs Margaret Gibson

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PRIVATE EVENTS

n O s ’ t a h W IN LIVERPOOL

CATS Don’t miss CATS, Andrew Lloyd-Webber’s extraordinary recordbreaking, smash-hit musical! Adapted from TS Eliot’s Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats, this amazing musical score includes the timeless Memory, spectacular set designs, stunning costumes and breathtaking choreography. CATS is a magical musical like no other and one of the longest-running shows in West End and Broadway history, enchanting audiences in over 300 cities around the world. The show runs from 26th November – 7th December, tickets are from £12.90 and available at www.atgtickets.com

Blood Brothers Set in Liverpool, Blood Brothers tells the captivating and moving story of twin boys separated at birth, only to be reunited, by a twist of fate and a mother’s haunting secret. The memorable score includes A Bright New Day, Marilyn Monroe and the emotionally charged hit Tell Me It’s Not True. The show runs from 28th October – 9th November, tickets are from £12.90 and available at www.atgtickets.com

Tosca Presented by the Welsh National Opera company, Tosca is a fast-paced operatic thriller. From the first shattering bars Puccini’s mastery puts you on the edge of your seat and keeps you there. Michael Blakemore’s classic period production returns with American soprano Mary Elizabeth Williams and Austrian baritone Claudio Otelli making their Welsh National Opera debuts. The show runs on 22nd and 26th October, tickets are from £7.90 and available at www.atgtickets.com PRIVATE LIFE 09

PRIVATE EVENTS

Bruno Mars Bruno Mars is undoubtedly among contemporary pop’s most gifted and compelling artists. And with global sales currently certified at 40x-platinum and over 50 million singles sold worldwide, the 14-time Grammy Award nominee has fully proven himself as a true superstar. Bruno Mars presents his Moonshine Jungle World Tour to Liverpool on Sunday 24th November at the Echo Arena. The show will see Bruno playing some of his biggest shows to date and is not to be missed. Tickets available from £43 at www.ticketmaster.co.uk

Cirque Du Soleil Cirque du Soleil is excited to announce that the company is limbering up to bring its awe-inspiring production Alegría to Echo Arena on 30th October- 3rd November 2013. Alegría is a classic Cirque du Soleil production which has received international acclaim and wowed over 10 million people worldwide since it premiered in 1994 in Montreal. Alegría is a Spanish word that means happiness, joy and jubilation; the production features an international cast of 55 performers and musicians from 17 countries and showcases breathtaking acrobatics. Tickets available from £56 at www.ticketmaster.co.uk

Fascinating Aïda Following a sold-out 2012 tour, three Olivier Award nominations and over 10 million YouTube hits for Cheap Flights (their infamous ode to budget air travel), Dillie Keane, Adele Anderson and Liza Pulman celebrate 30 years of Fascinating Aïda with a brand new show. Expect topical new songs hot off the press, plus some outrageous old favourites, as Fascinating Aïda continue to grow old disgracefully. 1st December, tickets are from £20 and available at www.liverpoolphil.com

Irish Festival Organisers of the 2013 edition of Liverpool Irish Festival have promised a programme that will bring together the colourful Irish heritage of Liverpool with the very best of contemporary and traditional Irish arts and culture. As always, it is music that takes centre stage, with over 100 musicians from Ireland and Liverpool’s own vibrant Irish music scene - the festival is shaping up to be the country’s premier celebration of Ireland’s glorious music. The festival runs from 10th - 20th October 2013, for more information visit www.liverpoolirishfestival.com 10 PRIVATE LIFE

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PRIVATE HISTORY

Walker Art Gallery

Ged Flanagan picks up his paint brush as he steps inside Liverpool’s oldest art domain esigned by local architects Cornelius Sherlock and H. H. Vale, the imposing façade of Liverpool’s Walker Art Gallery has helped cement the much-visited framework of Liverpool’s most historic buildings surrounding St George’s Hall. First opened on 6 September 1877, the gallery was named after its founding benefactor, Sir Andrew Barclay Walker (1824–1893), a former mayor of Liverpool and wealthy brewer born in Ayrshire, who expanded the family business to England and moved to live in Gateacre. The Walker Art Gallery’s collection dates from 1819 when the Liverpool Royal Institution acquired

37 paintings from the collection of William Roscoe, who had to sell his collection following the failure of his banking business, though it was saved from being broken up by his friends and associates. In 1893, the Liverpool Royal Institution placed its collection on long-term loan to the Gallery and in 1948 presented William Roscoe’s collection and other works. This occurred during post-war reconstruction when the gallery was closed, re-opening in 1951. During the Second World War the gallery had been taken over by the Ministry of Food and the collection was dispersed for safety. Extensions to the gallery were opened in 1884 and 1933 (following a

two-year closure) when the gallery reopened with an exhibition including works by Picasso and Gauguin. In 1986, the gallery achieved national status, as part of the National Museums and Galleries on Merseyside. Now, the Walker Art Gallery houses one of the largest art collections in England, outside of London. It is part of the National Museums Liverpool group, and is promoted as ‘the National Gallery of the North’ because it is not a local or regional gallery but is part of the national museums and galleries administered directly from central government funds. A true gem in our city’s heritage.

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To arrange a £35 consultation to discuss your options with Dr Dominic O’Hooley, call 0151 236 8280 now. Liverpool Dental Spa, 23-25 Brunswick Street, Liverpool City Centre, L2 0PJ. Call us on 0151 236 8280 Like us on Facebook at LiverpoolDental, Tweet us at @LpoolDentalSpa

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L iverpool FRANK McKENNA

Having stood firm in the city for almost a decade, Downtown Liverpool In Business’ Director, Frank McKenna, has certainly defied his critics aving found over the past ten years that Liverpool has rediscovered the swagger that once made it England’s most entrepreneurial city, Frank McKenna has used his political roots to lead the North West’s private sector into its renaissance. Having realised at the age of 15 that playing for Everton Football Club and captaining England may not be on the cards (something which he puts down to the scouting system of the day), Frank launched his career and found success in many high-profile roles before settling down in May of 2004 to launch Downtown Liverpool In Business (or DLIB, as it’s known to most). As a business club for high growth, entrepreneurial companies in the city have been empowered with an

independent voice through DLIB to influence the public sector agencies that govern us. Whilst that remains at the core of what DLIB do today, the ever-expanding team now also offer a comprehensive range of business-to-business introductions, marketing services and profiling through both online and off line campaigns. There are not many people in the business community who have not attended one of Downtown’s notorious event over the years, and their client list includes leading Liverpool brands such as Iliad, Noname Kitchens, Brabners and both Liverpool and Everton football clubs. When asked why businesses should work with him, Frank replies: ‘I’m not sure all of them should. I

think our target market has always been innovative, modernising, energetic, entrepreneurial businesses that recognise the world of commerce is totally different today to what it was fifteen years ago. We don’t network, we connect; we don’t lobby, we influence; we don’t organise events for the sake of it, they all have a purpose. We are a business club born in the twenty-first century, for the twenty-first century.’ The Downtown brand is now established in Lancashire, Manchester and Leeds (with a new city joining the portfolio in the near future). You can find out more about DLIB by visiting www. downtownliverpool.com and you can hear Frank McKenna’s weekly radio business show every Sunday 10am-11am on City Talk 105.9fm.

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PRIVATE STYLE

Floral-print is the order of the season and in this issue we weed out the dandelions from the roses

1. Felicia Printed Silk Dress, Erdem, £1,090, www.net-a-porter.com 2. Central Park South, 50ml, Bond No9, £150, www.harrods.com 3. Prevage Face Advanced Anti-Aging Serum, 50ml, Elizabeth Arden, £160, www.johnlewis.com 4. Sweetie Clutch, Jimmy Choo, £601.59, www.farfetch.com 5. Floral HDG Logo Silk Scarf, Givenchy, £220, www.harrods.com 6. Blossom Stud Earrings, Boodles, £1,100, Boodles Liverpool, www.boodles.com 7. Fruit and Floral-Print Patent-Leather iPad Sleeve, Dolce & Gabbana, £230 & Fruit and Floral-Print PatentLeather iPhone Sleeve, Dolce & Gabbana, £115, www.net-a-porter.com

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Woodland Nymphs Meet Tailored Couture Photographer: Luke Trevaskis Hair: John Graham, Tony & Guy (Whitechapel, Liverpool) Make-Up: Blake Matthews Models: Chris Duncan (Impact Models) and Veeanne (Industry People)

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Opposite Page: Watercolour Vivien Dress, Markus Lupfer, £355, available at Flannels, Liverpool (www.flannels.com) Silver-Wired Bracelet, £12.95, available at Bijou Brigitte, Lord Street, Liverpool. Above: 3-Piece Check Flannel Suit, £1,045, Contrast Collar Puppy Tooth Shirt, £125, Paisley Silk Handkerchief, £50, Navy Patterned Woven Tie, £85, all available at Gieves and Hawkes, Liverpool (www.gievesandhawkes.com) PRIVATE LIFE 19

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Opposite Page: Floral A-Line Coat, D&G, £1,810, available at Flannels (www.flannels.com) Above: Silk Flower Dress, Dolce and Gabbana, £1,160, available at Flannels, Liverpool (www.flannels.com) Gold Choker Necklace, £12.90, White Beaded Bracelet, £2.95, available at Bijou Brigitte, Lord Street, Liverpool PRIVATE LIFE 21

PRIVATE STYLE

Above: Long Sleeve Brooch Dress, Gucci, £825, available at Flannels, Liverpool (www.flannels.com) Opposite Page: Black Notch Lapel Dinner Suit, £695, Marcella Classic Collar Dinner Shirt, £125, Black Barathea Bow Tie, £45, White Cotton Handkerchief, £15, all available at Gieves and Hawkes, Liverpool (www.gievesandhawkes.com)

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PRIVATE STYLE

Floral-prints have dominated the fashion seasons for years and as we head into Autumn and Winter, the collections are coming back into flower. These pieces will keep your garden in full bloom all season

1. Printed Wool Cardigan, Alexander McQueen, £745, www.alexandermcqueen.co.uk 2.Denison Boston Mindy Floral Cufflinks, £45, www.johnlewis.com 3.Floral-Print Silk Scarf, Gucci, £265, www.mrporter.com 4. Cross Stitched Rose and Velvet Jacket, Dolce & Gabbana, £4,620, www.luisaviaroma.com 5. Aventus Eau de Parfum, 75ml, Creed, £165, available at John Lewis, Liverpool One or www.johnlewis.com 6. Slim-Fit Floral Print Cotton Shirt, PS By Paul Smith, £140, www.mrporter.com 7. Sheldrake Round-Frame Acetate Sunglasses, Oliver Peoples, £255, www.silverbergopticians.co.uk 8. Slim-Fit Printed Cotton-Blend Jeans, Balenciaga, £375, www.mrporter.com

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PRIVATE SPOTLIGHT

An Eyewear Jubilee Liverpoolâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s leading optician, Mr Silverberg, celebrates 25 years of his favourite brand - Oliver Peoples liver Peoples started in 1986 when brothers Larry and Dennis Leight fulfilled their dream and opened their first optical boutique on legendary Sunset Boulevard in West Hollywood, California. Earlier that year, they purchased an estate collection of vintage American-made eyewear. The assortment included thousands of beautifully filigreed rimless and metal frames, including clip-on metal sunglasses produced by iconic American companies, such as Bausch & Lomb and American Optical. All the frames were unworn, in mint condition and in their original packaging. It was a goldmine for the Leightâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s, given their love for 1940s-1960s eyewear.

PRIVATE SPOTLIGHT The brothers purchased the entire lot, which included a receipt signed with the name “Oliver Peoples”, who they reasoned was the original owner or distributor. When they decided to sell the estate collection in their retail store, it only seemed fitting they use the name in his honour. It was then that their vision was realised: to design a collection of eyewear, implement innovative marketing strategies, and create a unique retail experience in their own gallery-like setting. In 1987, the Oliver Peoples collection (inspired by the vintage frames purchased in the estate sale) was introduced as wholesale. It was quite a departure from the futuristic styles and geometric shapes dominant in the late 80s. Because runway fashion was moving in a vintage-inspired direction, the debut of the retro collection was fortuitously timed, as the direction of eyewear changed globally. Oliver Peoples stands now as a brand defined by the vintage. And, by their very name, they were born of it - instantly finding their place in the world of designer eyewear. Born and raised in Los Angeles, and with a passion for surfing and travel, Larry Leight originally sought a trade that would allow him creativity as well as freedom, and it was only with the encouragement of a family friend who was an optometrist that he gained a degree as a certified optician and began his journey into the eyewear industry. Back in the late 80s, the industry was bent on boundary-pushing and futuristic designs – all but Oliver Peoples, that is. Pioneering into the future with a foot firmly in the past, Larry prided himself on his classic and timeless frames of the highest quality. This solid foundation remains, and others can be seen clambering to emulate that which Oliver Peoples typifies: vintage-inspired design for the progressive of mind. Larry’s design and unique philosophy have changed the course of eyewear and influenced designers around the world. His designs have been featured on the faces of top models in several of the most-recognised fashion magazines globally. He collaborated on the launch of Prada, MiuMiu, Jill Sander, Helmut Lang and Vera Wang’s eyewear brands. Having brought this phenomenal brand exclusively to Liverpool, Ian Silverberg has created a beautiful juxtaposition of vintage and modern that we can’t get enough of.

With the 25th anniversary approaching, Larry Leight reflects on the company’s history and the evolution of the iconic designs that define the brand’s heritage. “In celebration of the 25 year anniversary I wanted to dig back into our heritage. We recently re-released some of our renowned styles from the past, but for this I wanted something different. I wanted it to be new for our consumers but still remain true to our roots. My rediscovery of these designs encompasses exactly that. They combine two iconic categories that Oliver Peoples is known for: the bold substantial acetate frames like Tycoon and Sheldrake, and the refined vintage inspired looks that the brand was founded on. I’m excited to finally see them in true form.” For more information about Oliver Peoples, Please contact Silverberg Opticians in Liverpool on 0151 709 2012

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PRIVATE BEAUTY

With our 1o years younger secrets hen we age, we tend to lose some of our radiance in our skin and around the eyes. Give your eyes that sparkle and glow again by experimenting with enhanced lashes and brows. Our experts advise using a shimmering highlighter under the brow bone and on the inside corners of the eyes. Eye shadow shimmers are great to bring that extra ‘pop’, too. Just be sure your shimmer shadow isn’t too glittery. The best way to check is by putting a bit of shadow on the back of your hand, going into the sunlight, and if you see chunks of mica mineral, it’s too glittery. You want it to be glowy or opalescent. As we get older, the texture of our eyelids changes, so once you hit your 30s and 40s, be sure to prime your eyelids with a liquid foundation and a bit of powder because it allows the eye shadow to last longer. A full lash line mimics youth and vitality and it’s a great way to make a big statement with your eyes. Over the years, consumers have used various creams and products to address the lines and circles around the eyes, but haven’t paid attention to the changes in their lashes. Dermatologists suggest that, as the older we get, the thinner, shorter and lighter our lashes go. It is therefore important to make sure we keep using this seductive tool to our advantage. Try the new Lash Me range from Urban Calm, who offer

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quick and effective solutions to make the most of your eyes. Lash Me Quick is an express lash extension treatment that takes just 30 minutes. A full fluttery look will work wonders for your eye area, leaving you looking fresh and youthful. The lashes can be worn for up to two weeks and then removed by your lash technician. Prices from £27.50 If you are a mascara devotee, why not try Lash Me Mascara - a semipermanent mascara that is applied to your natural lashes and lasts for up to two weeks. This achieves a mascara look with no smudges or running, making it ideal for holidays and sports including hot yoga. Prices from £27.50 Our brows can say a lot about us, whether they are thick, thin, rounded, square, arched or straight. It is therefore important to ensure that they are saying the right things. Urban Calm offer Ilah Brows - a semi-permanent brow treatment that can create the perfect brow to frame your face. Using a combination of threading, shaping, tinting and powder, Ilah Brow artists can work wonders on even the most damaged of eyebrows. Prices from £25.00

Products used from LashMe and Ilah Brows (both available at Urban Calm Spa). Make up provided by Paul from MAC Cosmetics.

PRIVATE HEALTH

HOW HOT... BECAME SO COOL. Health Columnist – Tara Maguire

et’s kick off with a quick recap on what’s been happening health-wise in

2013. 1. Some of us have been eating horses :-( It’s official: ready meals and fast food are bad news! 2. The Government did not assign any of its £94M cycling budget to Liverpool, Shame on the Government. 3. The world’s fallen in love with yoga! And Liverpool has not been left out of that one. Let’s focus on the good stuff: Liverpool loves yoga! But how did it suddenly become SO popular? Pictures of buffed and toned celebs leaving hot yoga studios may have helped; and headlines stating that you burn up to 1,000 calories per session; and then Beckham , Giggs and Murray all started banging on about how yoga has helped their game. OK, we got it. This thing called yoga makes you look, feel and perform better. And so we too, got on it! Here is the thing you need to know: yoga is addictive! (Possibly the healthiest addiction you could encounter.) I’ve been practising for 18 years and I can never get enough of this feeling I now know to be the “yoga high” - feeling healthy, happy, chilled out, focused, strong, flexible and in control of my body, my mind, my life. My first hot yoga class: 40 degrees Celsius, 40 percent humidity, 40 people on mats in a studio. One hour of stretching in the heat. OMG! This was something else, this was IT, whatever IT is, this was IT! Lying on my mat at the end of class, sweat-drenched, mascara all over the place, I felt AMAZING. I found my bliss. That’s what I think, here’s what you think about ‘IT’:

“Yoga makes me feel fresh, energised and like I’ve burnt a serious amount of calories,” Luke Mills, Company Director Pro-anna “Hot yoga has made me feel lighter and more agile on the pitch,” Callum Morris, Football player, Wigan Athletic “Practising hot yoga makes me feel grounded and lifted at the same time,” Alison Sharples, Solicitor “One class and I was hooked!” Becky Devaynes , Fitness instructor “Hot Yoga is working my body in a way it has never been worked before; I feel challenged, stronger, more flexible and I’m sleeping better,” Lindsay Inglesby, Dance lecturer, LIPA “My first hot yoga class was a huge step up from any yoga I had done before. I feel like I’ve stretched muscles, I haven’t used for a long time,” John Towner, Web manager “Hot yoga makes me feel balanced, energised and extremely fresh throughout the rest of my day. I am absolutely hooked!” Lucy Foran, Sales Advisor “Yoga is the greatest way of letting go!” Gary Kirk Hot Yoga Tips: Ladies and Gents, drink plenty of water before and after class. Ladies - waterproof mascara or panda eyes, you decide. Gents - snug pants/shorts, some things are meant to stay private… Stretch your body, stretch your mind! Namaste, Tara Details on all hot and cool yoga classes offered at Your Yoga Studio, Wood Street, can be found at www. youryogastudio.co.uk, Twitter @ youryogastudios or 0151 707 0137 PRIVATE LIFE 29

PRIVATE HEALTH

Urban Calm’s

2014 From the first fluttering in your tummy, to a lifetime in your heart – being pregnant is possibly one of the most special experiences a woman can go through in her lifetime. Femininity and motherhood are the order of the day as Urban Calm launches its new campaign that aims to champion all that is motherhood. By offering one lucky mother to-be the opportunity to become its Bump of the Year 2014, Nicola Byrne and Sharon Doyle, owners of Urban Calm, are working with Mama Mio to find the most chic expectant mums in Liverpool. ‘These days pregnancy is glamorous and something to show off. It is an exceptional time and women are feeling beautiful and sexy as they do it’, says Julie, an Urban Calm client from Southport. With the help of the girls at Mama Mio, the amazing maternity range of beauty essentials found at Urban Calm Met Quarter, the search for Liverpool’s voguish expectant mums will begin. Liver birds are known for their looks and glamour, which will of course be carried on throughout pregnancy. Combined with

With the help of the amazing Mama Mio Skincare – the best choice for staying gorgeous throughout and after pregnancy, the search for Liverpool’s most chic expectant mums begins

their big hearts, kindness and zest for life the women we are looking for are nothing short of extraordinary. The best part is these women exist in Liverpool – we just need to find and celebrate them. Krystin, a Mama Mio customer from Wirral adds, ‘beauty treatments and pampering are needed during pregnancy. Feeling good on the outside and taking that time for yourself helps you to feel good on the inside. It is a bit of quiet bonding with your unborn baby and a special treat for both mum and baby.’ It’s important to indulge and continue looking glamorous while carrying the stars of the future to term. Looking your best certainly does help feeling good through pregnancy and Urban Calm is offering a tailor-made beauty for the maternity set of Liverpool. So we are waiting to hear the amazing stories we know are out there. The women who are domestic goddesses, businesswomen, community leaders, volunteers, going from their ‘curly blow’ to the school run. Life is busy and we appreciate that the Mums with Bumps are doing it all – with glamour. If you or someone you know possesses

those SuperMum or SuperMum- to-be qualities, while looking fabulous, please get in touch. The Baby Bump winner will receive £200 worth of Urban Calm beauty treatments to be used pre- or post-natally, Personal Training sessions from David Lloyd, Teeth Whitening from Liverpool Dental Spa and a glamorous photo-shoot from the renowned baby photographer Kellie Wilson. To nominate a Bump please send a photo plus a paragraph describing why your maternal goddess should be Urban Calm’s Bump of the Year to bump2014@ urbancalmuk.com. We love and appreciate all the Bumps carrying out their busy lives in style. Nominations will be open until 30 October 2013 and the finalists will be revealed in the Christmas issue of Private Life Follow us on twitter: @urbancalmuk @lashoutlashes @mamamio @privatelife

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Workshop One

7 years 10am-11am. Ages 2-

Introduction g by Curtis Picture Book readin s on the projector tion Some live anima e of Curtis famous som of ns atio Live illustr ls ( interactive) ma ani creations and other e drawings like som do to The children get Curtis (interactive)

Saturday 5th October We are hosting two fantastic Children’s Workshops with Curtis Jobling most famously known as the designer of the BAFTA winning show Bob The Builder! Curtis is also the creator of: Frankensteins Cat, Curious Cow, Raa Raa the noisy Lion, Wereworld: Rise of the Wolf, Wereworld: Rage Of Lions

11am-12pm. Ages 8+ years Introduction Werewolf Quiz (interactive) Some live animation on the projector Live illustrations and interactive drawing session with Curtis • Reading from the Novel by Curtis • • • •

PLACES ARE LIMITED - BOOK AT RECEPTION TODAY!

Halloween Party FRIDAY 1ST NOVEMBER 2013

Fantastic spooky entertainment including: Disco, Fancy Dress Competition, Apple Bobbing, Face painting and much more!

TICKETS: £3 PER CHILD Please book early at Reception to avoid disappointment (Due to popularity of this event it is a ticketed event)

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FREE FAMILY DAY PASS

K R A H S L POO A FISH E K I L M I W S WATCH THEM

SMASH TENNIS, DIVE INTO SWIM, WORK THE GYM, UNWIND IN THE SPA OR JOIN THE PARTY WITH ZUMBA. GO ON, DIVE IN WITH A FREE FAMILY DAY PASS.*

COME INTO DAVID LLOYD LIVERPOOL SPEKE OR CALL 0151 494 4000 *Terms and conditions apply. Facilities, fees, classes and membership contracts vary by club. Certain activities may incur additional fees. Facilities are subject to availability on the day of your visit. Only one trial per family. Previous trialists excluded. Under 18s must be accompanied by an adult. Expires 30.11.13.

PRIVATE LIFESTYLE Vicky Jaycock Commercial Team, ACC Liverpool

Rob King Club and Reservations Manager,Playground Nightclub Working at one the city’s most exclusive nightclub venues, Rob is the friendly face who works around the clock to arrange members’ reservations and private functions whilst ensuring key relationships are maintained with the city’s VIPs and regular clients. A typical day: ‘I usually get to the office each day at 11am and spend most of my day replying to membership enquiries, making new client introductions and maintaining our social media channels are kept up to date for all of our members. Although I can manage the nightclub from the office, it is great to be able to socialize with members when they visit the venue and ensure their night is one to remember.’ Why You Love Liverpool: ’I love working in such a friendly and compact city. Interacting with customers is something I enjoy and you can’t get that in every city.’ Treatment of choice: Full Body Massage

As a key player within the commercial team at ACC Liverpool, with a focus on developing hospitality experiences for Echo Arena audiences, Vicky manages the relationships with restaurants, bars, hoteliers, attractions and lifestyle brands throughout the city which provide incentives for visitors to both the arena and the convention centre. A typical day: ’Given the wide variety of events at Echo Arena, no two days are ever the same. Autumn to winter is the busiest season for Echo Arena, so my daily priorities include planning the promotions for customers’ audiences, whether they are online or through experiential campaigns on site. Before and during an event, we organise Exceptional Experiences, a suite of luxury options that our Arena Club Class VIP box clients can choose from.’ Why You Love Liverpool: ‘I am passionate about Liverpool and feel privileged to have had the opportunity to establish my career in the city that I love. The calibre of events that the city attracts, from Rod Stewart to International Festival for business, make it a joy to be involved in the events sector.’ Treatment of choice: Manicure

Lauren Walker talks to four Liverpool professionals who use Urban Calm’s convenient city location to relax and unwind after a busy week Laura Salisbury Senior PR and Communications Executive, Hill Dickinson LLP Working at one of the city’s largest law firms, taking on a role in communications is no mean feat. Managing the PR strategy for Hill Dickinson, Laura ensures key international, national and regional messages are delivered to the press and social media channels. Working alongside their PR agency, Laura ensures that proactively we work with each business area to push out insightful news stories on a regular basis. A typical day: ‘A typical day for me involves catching up with the agency and discussing the coverage from that day and updating our social media channels, then liaising with lawyers and the agency to see what we can publicise that week. When catching up with friends for lunch or after work I like to choose from the vast selection of restaurants in Liverpool.’ Why You Love Liverpool: ‘I love Liverpool because the people are friendly and there’s always lots going on. It is great as a young professional to work in a city that is so dynamic and cultural.’ Treatment of choice: Neck, shoulder and back massage.

Hayley Glover Senior Sales, Boodles Coming into her 20th year working for one of Liverpool’s most exclusive jewellery brands, Hayley has long been known as the friendly face behind the gleaming glass door of Boodles House. Welcoming customers and treating them to exciting new pieces of jewellery alongside timeless classics has always been something Hayley has loved and we couldn’t imagine her doing anything else. A typical day: ‘A day in Boodles can be so varied depending on the client. I usually start off the day dressing the window (trying on each piece as I go, naturally) before welcoming customers through the door. I often travel to visit clients outside the store and my job generally includes a lot of cork-popping and sparkle.’ Why You Love Liverpool: ‘I love Liverpool as it is so contained. It is steeped in history and has been the home of Boodles since 1798. I love the people and couldn’t wish for friendlier clients.’ Treatment of choice: Facial

Urban Calm is located in Liverpool’s Met Quarter. Find out more at www.urbancalmuk.com

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PRIVATE SOCIETY

The Liverpool Hope International Tennis Tournament

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The Liverpool Hope International Tennis Tournament has grown into one of the annual sporting spectaculars for the North West business and social calendars. More than 2,000 corporates visited yet another successful tournament, enjoying the flawless catering and VIP entertaining programme. Regional, national and international companies such as Hilton, Mazars, BMW, Coutts, Brabners, Downtown Liverpool and Medicash, in addition to the title sponsor Liverpool Hope University, made use of the great networking opportunities, while watching WTA and ATP players warm up for Wimbledon - and the everpopular legends such as former Wimbledon winner Virginia Wade. Tournament director Anders Borg said: “The corporate side of the event is now bigger than ever before, thanks to the support of major regional business sponsors such as Liverpool Hope University, who were our title sponsor this year. “It is a true testament to the reputation of the Liverpool International Tennis Tournament that it is now one of the business networking events of the summer, as well as one of the city’s most anticipated annual sporting events.” Calderstones Park is a truly unique setting for this event, which has run since 2002 and is the biggest tennis exhibition in Europe. For anyone wishing to be involved with the International Tennis Tournament in 2014, please contact Anders Borg on 0151 227 5940 or email admin@northern-vision.co.uk

1. Luke Trevaskis and Alice Anastasiou 2. Coco Vandeweghe, Women’s Champion 3. Ian Cohen and Sarah-Jane Cohen 4. . Tournament Director, Anders Borg, Runner Up, Guido Pella, 2013 Champion Martin Alund and Lord Mayor Gary Millar 5. Alice Anastasiou, Frank McKenna and Theo Tsiolas 6. Darren Suarez and Jude Cisse 7. Lunch served in the coporate tent 8. 2013 Champion, Martin Alund 9. Variety of food and wine served 10. Younes El Ayanoui and Barry Cowan

PRIVATE SOCIETY

Marco Pierre White visits Claire House 1

Children and staff from Claire House Children’s Hospice were among the VIPs who attended a special lunch event hosted by renowned chef, Marco Pierre White, at his restaurant, Marco’s New York Italian, in Hoylake. The occasion also marked Marco’s first visit to the restaurant since its recent rebrand. Guests were treated to a delicious menu of Italian/American classics put together by Marco especially for the occasion. Marco, who is a patron of Claire House, visited the hospice earlier in the day before welcoming some of the children, their families and carers to the restaurant for the sumptuous three-course treat.

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1. Catherine Livesey, Rosemary Cornall, Aaron Webb, Jan Sutherland & Jo Hill. 2. Sue Annatts, Wendy Flint, Joanne Platt, Tracy Snallross & Jane Thomlinson. 3. Maddie Robinson & Helen Hayward. 4. Lizzie Johnson & Emma Hill. 5. Matt Knight (General Manager), Marco, and Aldo Bove (Restaurant Manager)

Browns Bar & Brasserie Launch Party Last month, local celebrities flocked to show support to the iconic restaurant chain, Browns. The chain’s 27th restaurant and bar, situated in Liverpool One opposite John Lewis, is spread over two floors with a huge wrap-around bar and an outside seating area. Guests were treated to signature drinks and canapés from the restaurant’s new menu.

1. Yasmin Bantock, Rachel Wilson, Paul Knowles, Alex Gerrard 2. Jude Cisse, Roxanne Pallet, Harry Neale, Marcus Collins, Hollie Kerrigan Thomlinson. 3. Charlie Adams & Jennifer Metcalf. 4. Carli Norris, Anna Passey, Danny Mac, James Atherton, Jorgie Porter 5. Luke Trevaskis & Lucy Martin 6. Jane & Julian Linskill 7. Jorgie Porter & Jessica Fox

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PRIVATE LIFE

City of Liverpool Business Awards

Over the summer, 250 of the city’s business leaders and entrepreneurs packed into Sefton Park Palm House for the ninth annual City of Liverpool Business Awards, hosted by leading business organisation Downtown Liverpool. The big winners on the night were John West Foods, who were named as Business of the Year, and the Business Improvement District Company, who walked away with the ‘Contribution to Liverpool’ gong.

1. Mark Asquith, John Lowe, Helen Broughton and guest. 2. City Of Liverpool College and ACC 3. The Winners of the COLBA Awards.. 4. COLBA Audience. 5. Kenyon Fraser and guests. 6. Frank McKenna. 7 Tony James Band. 8. Nicola Gleave, Jeanette Gill, Michelle Helsby and Jennie Lewis 9. John Haynes, Victoria Brown and Frank McKenna

Herbert’s Summer Party Hairdresser to the stars, Herbert of Liverpool, hosts glitzy summer party Celebrity hairdresser Herbert Howe threw a starstudded bash last month at The Devonshire House Hotel, to raise important funds for his Queenie’s Christmas charity. Monies raised on the evening will go towards sending over 1000 disadvantaged children on the trip of a lifetime to Gullivers World this autumn.

1.Jade Ainsworth, model, blogger and columnist 2. Mrs Magee, Claire Sweeney, Herbert Howe Marcus Magee, GM at Hilton Liverpool.

3. Sean Styles, BBC Radio Merseyside with Herbert Howe

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PRIVATE SOCIETY PRIVATE LIFE

Liverpool Music Awards The Liverpool Music Awards ceremony, sponsored by Liverpool City Council and Urban Calm Spa took place at St George’s Hall. Now in its second year, the awards is part of the new Liverpool International Music Festival. Hosted by Liverpool born DJ Janice Long, presenters included Heidi Range from the Sugababes and Atomic Kitten’s Liz McClarnon. Featuring eight musical collaborations the newcomers included The Valentine Brothers and Milly Pye. Miles Kane picked up the award for best album, the judges special award went to The Justice Collective, in honour of the Hillsborough tribute single He Ain’t Heavy. Lightning Seeds frontman Ian Broudie, picked up the gong for producer of the year whilst BBC Radio Merseyside’s Billy Butler picked up a lifetime achievement award and Janice Long picked up the Roger Eagle award for outstanding contribution to music. 1.Liz McClarnon and Andrew Collinge. 2. Janice Long. 3. Esco Williams. 4. Heidi Range and Nicola Woods 5. The Valentine Brothers

Jan Molby’s 50th Birthday Party Liverpool football legend and chairman of the Liverpool Former Players’ Association, Jan Molby, celebrated his 50th birthday with a party for family and friends at Gusto Restaurant and Bar in Heswall. Guests were treated to a three-course dinner with fine wines. Former X Factor finalist Chris Maloney entertained with a lively party set, before musician Tricia McTeague took over with some floor-filling numbers. Former teammates Alan Kennedy, Michael Thomas, John Durnin and John Barnes were among those who joined Jan, who played for Ajax in his homeland of Denmark before staying 12 years at Liverpool. His party at the Telegraph Road venue had a patriotic feel with Danish flags decorating the room and even the pudding! 1.Kinglsey Molby and Natalie Ho. 2. Christine and Barrie Tunna 3.Karina Molby Mischa Walters 4.John Barnes, Jan and Mandy Molby, Michael Thomas, Alan Kennedy, John Durnin 5. Chris Maloney 6.Trudi Brook and Gail Powell-Hjort 7.Trudi Brook, Claire Gallagher and Gail Powell-Hjort 8. Jan and Mandy Molby.

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Liverpool Food and Drink Festival TV chefs Gizzi Erskine, John Whaite, Stefan Gates, Shelina Permalloo, Aiden Byrne and Levi Roots joined more than 160 local chefs to cook up a feast in the heart of the city’s Sefton Park this month, as part of the Liverpool Food and Drink Festival. The culinary celebration included live demonstrations and master classes, a seafood emporium, an edible bugs’ zone, a Champagne bar and live music. There was plenty for the 40,000 guests including activities for budding foodies to enjoy with a dedicated children’s area, including a Junior Chefs’ Academy and an ‘edible garden’, as well as themed areas, such as a ‘street food corner’, the ‘heavenly chocolate garden’ and the Pickled Walnut pop up restaurant.

Sushi & Wine Club Launch Last month, Alice Anastasiou took to Sapporo to begin teaching the taste buds of Liverpool and Manchester how to pair sushi with wine. Guest were treated to delicious sushi prepared by the chefs of Sapporo alongside wines including Pinot Noir and Riesling.

GQ Men Of The Year Awards Ian and Martine Silverberg of Silverberg Opticians enjoyed a night of glitz and glamour last month at this year’s annual GQ Men Of The Year Awards. Rubbing shoulders with celebrities such as Michael Douglas, Sir Elton John, Samuel L Jackson, Piers Morgan and Tom Ford, guests descended on the Royal Opera House in Covent Garden for the annual celebration which was this year in association with Hugo Boss. Now in its 16th year, the ceremony brings together the best in film, music, TV, books, politics and more

PRIVATE LIFE

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PRIVATE LIFE

With Andrew Lloyd Webber’s junkyard musical set to return to the Liverpool Empire Theatre, Margi Birch gets her claws out he claws were out when it was announced that record-breaking musical ‘CATS’ would be stopping off at Liverpool Empire Theatre on tour, with fans clamouring to book for the show. Fortunately, I’ve got my paws on a ticket and can’t wait to be seated in the auditorium, feeling like the proverbial cat that got the cream. This show combines words, music, dance, costumes and design for an evening of pure purrfection. Composed by musical theatre impresario Andrew Lloyd Webber, ‘CATS’ is based on ‘Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats’, a collection of light verse by T.S. Eliot (published in 1939). The show first opened in the West End in 1981 and enjoyed a phenomenal twenty-one-year run (with a similarly impressive eighteen years on Broadway), smashing

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records and winning awards. This impressive musical tells the story of a tribe of felines, known as the ‘Jellicles’. We join them on the night of ‘the Jellicle choice’ – deciding which cat will rise to the Heaviside Layer to be reborn. The set throughout is a junkyard – a playground for the tribe. Instantly recognisable items spill over the side of the stage, including tin cans (Heinz Macaroni, Princes Peaches, Princes Prunes, Go Cat) and egg boxes. After prowling through the auditorium, the cats gather onstage. They are aloof and proud; suspicious, and reluctant to allow us into their domain. Collectively, they eye us up, staring with an almost menacing gaze, hackles raised. Gradually, their barriers break down and they address the audience directly, divulging how the members of the tribe are named in the slow and eerie number ‘The Naming of Cats’. Fittingly, the choreography and gestures used by all the performers perfectly capture the essence of being a cat – long limbs are carefully controlled, acrobatic feats flawlessly executed.

They sprawl over the set and clamber over each other, landing in a carefully positioned heap – looking just like the cats we share our neighbourhoods with. Ultimately, character, not plot, is what drives this show. We are introduced to a motley menagerie of moggies – each delivering a very individual and always entertaining song and dance number. ‘CATS’ is a clear celebration of the differences in cats’ personalities – you won’t look at a feline in the same way again. The production is a spectacular theatrical experience – combining the grace of ballet with the thrill of acrobatics, set to a dramatic and beautiful score. Don’t risk missing out on tickets – avoid feeling like a cat on a hot tin roof and get booking now!

PRIVATE ARTS

Blood Brothers

With Willy Russell’s epic musical set to return to the Liverpool Empire Theatre, Margi Birch turns on her Scouse ear ILLY Russell’s epic musical tale Blood Brothers is widely regarded as one of the best musicals of all time. Russell said of Blood Brothers: “It’s got a tale to tell. It simply relies on that primal, ageless, universal thing of ‘I’m going to tell you a story’.” Combining this captivating story with a breathtaking score, it has triumphed across the globe, scooping up no less than four awards for best musical in London and seven Tony Award nominations on Broadway. Set in Liverpool, Blood Brothers tells the intriguing story of twin boys separated at birth, raised on different sides of the track, and reunited by a twist of fate and a mother’s haunting secret. When Mrs Johnstone is deserted by her husband she takes a job as a housekeeper in order to provide for

her seven children. It is not long before her brittle world crashes around her when she discovers herself to be pregnant yet again – this time with twins. In a moment of weakness and desperation, she enters a secret pact with her employer which leads inexorably to the show’s shattering climax. The show has been running in London’s West End since July 1988, touring the UK since 1995, and has performed sell-out seasons in the US, Australia, Canada, New Zealand and Japan. Its memorable score includes A Bright New Day, Marilyn Monroe and the emotionally charged hit Tell Me It’s Not True. Playing the iconic role of Mrs Johnstone is Niki Evans, who rose to fame in 2007’s X Factor, where she reached the semi-final. Something of a child star, Niki was in her early teens when she

signed a contract with Libedo Records and went on to tour alongside Sonia, Lonnie Gordon, Big Fun and Yell. Multi-award-winning playwright Willy Russell’s numerous credits also include the phenomenal Educating Rita and Shirley Valentine - the latter of which is Russell’s moving tale of a married housewife in 1980s Liverpool, and which also made the move from stage to screen in an enormously popular film starring Pauline Collins and Tom Conti. Russell’s plays have been translated into almost every language, with productions currently running in Japan, South America, Scandinavia and Europe. Make sure not to miss this one when it comes to Liverpool. For more information or to buy tickets, visit www.atgtickets.com

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Matt Ford

Studio The Liverpool to London connection.

fter an innovative, decadelong career, Liverpoolborn image-maker Matt Ford’s talent still seems to go from strength to strength. His stunning images have been seen on countless

advertising campaigns for some of the city’s favourite festivals, fashion designers’ portfolios and more than a handful of other cultural ventures. This is not forgetting his own personal body of work as an

exhibiting fine artist. We catch up with Matt to chat about his recent evolution into becoming an artist and to find out why it’s time to for him to expand his horizons and take a little bit of

Matt Ford: Top Left: The Three Graces £160-290 Left: Danger Anger Love £130-240 Top Centre: The Beauty of the Body £300-440

Liverpool culture down to London. Your commercial artwork and photography has been seen in dozens of publications both locally and nationally and it’s even got you on the odd TV show. What has been your favourite piece of work since your career began in 2003? I don’t so much have a favourite piece of work, more favourite collaborators. In recent years these have been the likes of Darren Suarez the brain behind The Vogue Ball and internationally renowned fashion house Philip Armstrong. These amazing creatives have such strong visions but they’ve trusted and encouraged me to take control of how their brands are represented visually. Some of these collaborations have become legendary. Until two years ago you were more known for your commercial and fashion images, but recently you have gained recognition as a fine artist. Tell us about that. Put simply, I wanted my work hung Gregory Goldin: Right: Pink Study £ 380 Bottom Right: Luminestant £300

on people’s walls, not just placed in magazines and websites. I wanted to learn new skills and start creating work that was deeply personal and that didn’t have a longevity tied to a fashion season or particular event. I get a lot more sentimental about this work as none of it is a collaboration. It’s all my own ideas; I’ve got nothing to hide behind. From work I’ve sold at the four exhibitions I’ve had in Liverpool – and thanks to my website – my work is now hung in art collectors’ homes not just in Liverpool but as far as London and America.

So what future projects do you have in store? The next big project I have in Liverpool is the Artwork for the 10th anniversary of the Homotopia Festival. The finer details of the shoot are still under wraps but I can say we will be working closely with Merseyside Police (one of Homotopia’s supporters and sponsors) to create a surreal idealistic vision of the future. Being asked to be part of this project, which will be seen internationally, is such a big honour.

Rumour has it you are leaving the city and moving to London? Yes I am; the time is right. After several amazing job offers in London, I’ve decided to split my time between the two cities. I’ve run a studio space in Liverpool for seven years, which will remain open as a hire photo studio and gallery space, and I’ll also be able to come back and shoot for a handful of my top clients. But for now the majority of my work will be moving to London.

To find out more about Matts work or to buy any of his ltd art prints or the featured artists on his site visit www.mattfordstudio.com

Matt Ford: Below The Eyes £190270 The Inevitability £160-250

PRIVATE BUSINESS

A Jammy Win Merseyside entrepreneur, Pippa Roberts, beat off stiff competition to be crowned as this years Young Merseyside Food & Drink Entrepreneur fter winning the recent search for talented Merseyside food and drink entrepreneurs, Pippa Roberts showcased her Liverpool-based artisan preserve company, Agnew & Roberts, to around 40,000 visitors at this year’s Liverpool Food and Drink Festival. Agnew & Roberts specialise in seasonally produced homemade jams, marmalades and chutneys, which are produced in small batches using only the finest ingredients and the freshest produce. Having gained a Silver Award at this year’s World Marmalade Awards, Pippa decided to bring her

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fine-quality produce to the public. Using 60% fruit in all her jams, opting for fairly traded sugar and without an artificial preservative in sight, Pippa has prided herself on her authentic self-branded produce, hoping it will one day become a household name. With her 227-gram jars retailing at £3.75, these luxury products include combinations such as Strawberry & Passionfruit Jam and Single Malt Whisky Marmalade. Pippa’s combinations went down a storm at this year’s Liverpool Food & Drink Festival, selling over 400 jars. Pippa impressed the judges with her passion for the food and drink industry and her creative business flair. The judging panel included Denise Harris (Managing Director of SK Events and organiser of Liverpool Food & Drink Festival), Paul Humphrey, a specialist on startups from Merseyside Special Investment Fund (MSIF), and Paul Askew, Chef, Food & Beverage Director of The London Carriage Works.

As part of her prize, Pippa met an impressed Levi Roots, Dragons’ Den star and founder of Reggae Reggae Sauce. She will also benefit from specialist business development advice from MSIF and has plans over the next 12 months to launch new flavours and expand her suppliers’ list. We may well have discovered the next Levi Roots right here in Merseyside! To contact Pippa or to place an order please email thekitchen@ agnewandroberts.co.uk

PRIVATE BUSINESS

The ‘Dark Arts’

The ‘Dark Arts’, thinking about your objectives and values. from your investment. Have a clear understanding of your values, and what kind of organisation you want to be when you ‘grow up’. Once you decide that, then the rest should naturally fall into place.

Columnist: Jayne Moore he ‘dark arts’ is simply a process to ensure you think about your objectives before you undertake any marketing, to ensure you get a return

Values will shape the kind of customers and organisations you partner with, and the kind of people you recruit. In simpler terms, people buy from people who they feel are like them. Or, to quote PricewaterhouseCoopers Insurance 2020 Unleashing The Value From Values White Paper: “Creating a clear link between what the business wants to achieve, and the way people behave and make decisions, is at the heart of both effective cultural change and successful performance – unlocking the value from values.”

So, if you want to align yourself to a sector where your customers will buy from you because you share a similar value set, then mirror their positioning – offering a service or product that matches their values. This will help you win more of the kind of business that you want. Simple. Once you have your values, you will have a clearer understanding of your target customer. After that, what key messages will you want to share with them and where will you find them? More on that in the next issue. Jayne Moore, MD of Jayne Moore Media - to contact please call 0151 236 2879

Why has ‘sales’ become such a dirty word in business?

Columnist: Frank McKenna n order to grow your business there is one key thing above all others that you need to do – sell. And yet in businesses across the country the term ‘sales’ appears to have become a word that ought to be avoided at all costs.

Instead, we talk about growth,

deals, winning customers, or – the classic – business development. At recent Downtown events across the North of England, I posed the simple question ‘Who employs sales staff?’ From aggregated audiences of over 300, only three hands went up. I then asked who employs Business Development Managers – there was a much healthier response. But why? In the majority of cases the main priority for BDMs is to sell. For some reason the UK has developed an aversion to salespeople. We think of a salesman as someone who is trying to blag us, rip us off, and sell us something we don’t really need. Sales in this country are caricatured by a Del Boy or an Arthur Daley. Few people admit to wanting a career in sales, preferring the fluffier Business Development or Marketing badges.

However, businesses only thrive if they are good at selling. In reality, there is an acceptance that selling is important. The most subscribed event during our recent Liverpool Business Week was the ‘sell more stuff’ session. Even so, we shy away from the term and as a result we are encouraging an army of marketers rather than a battalion of salesmen and women to infiltrate our businesses. We need to re-establish sales as a positive skill. Indeed, good salespeople are few and far between. Selling is becoming a dying art in this country. It needs to be front and centre of the nation’s drive for economic growth. Frank McKenna is the MD of Downtown in Business. Their Liverpool office can be reached on 0151 227 1633

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PRIVATE BUSINESS

Marketing guru Mark Asquith hits a high note at Downtown

Marketeer Ryan Cullen joins Iliad

Mark Asquith may be familiar to many as a talented vocalist and musician performing regularly at the Soul4Soul Sunday evening sessions at Liverpool’s Studio 2. However, Mr Asquith is also something of a marketing guru and has recently been appointed head of marketing and communications at business networking and lobby group Downtown in Business. Mark began his career with Microsoft before working for a number of agencies engaged in email marketing, social media, pay-per-click, and inbound and content marketing, and he joins Downtown from Liverpool’s Epic New Media. He will be responsible for directing the group’s marketing strategy across its four regional offices in Leeds, Manchester, Preston and Liverpool. Speaking of his appointment, he said: ‘This is a really exciting time to be joining Downtown, with membership at an all-time high and an array of new and revamped marketing tools in the pipeline. ‘Our aim is to establish Downtown in Business as a market leader, using the spectrum of online channels to reach all of our core audiences. ‘Having already worked alongside the team on several projects, it’s great to be joining their ranks and plotting a future course for Downtown.’ Fortunately for the city’s music lovers, Mark’s new role doesn’t mean the end to his singing days. ‘I love performing and it’s a wonderful escape mechanism for me; in fact, I’m actually recording an EP of my own tracks, so the music most definitely lives on, no matter what.’

Having left school at 16, this Pulp Fiction fanatic has previously coordinated experiential marketing activities working with some great brands including Sony Music, Nokia and Monster Energy. Although Iliad may seem an unusual fit for this seasoned young professional, Ryan is looking forward to the new challenges and more exciting high-impact concepts that Iliad plan to implement over the coming months. Ryan will oversee the marketing of the Iliad Group including Il Forno, Sapporo and P&D Italian Deli, from promoting their wonderful wine events to coordinating balloon modellers for their fantastic Family Fun Days – oh, and ordering chopsticks! Ryan coins ‘failing to prepare is preparing to fail’ as one of the best pieces of advice he has ever received and notes Mike Stubbs, Director of FACT, as a mentor he has always admired. On speaking of his new boss, David Anastasiou, Ryan adds, ‘He’s taught me a lot in the short time I’ve been here, I expect to learn a lot more as I move forward, working with such a leading company.’ When not in the office you can find Ryan listening to Queens Of The Stone Age or at a number of gigs, working with a young rock band he has somewhat helped to manage between everything else he’s been doing.

For further information, please visit www. downtowninbusiness.com.

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For further information, please visit www.iliadgroup. com

Video is one of the most effective ways of creating online visibility for your brand and building trust with your customers. The king of all video sharing sites is, of course, YouTube, so this is where you want to concentrate the majority of your resources. YouTube attracts a massive amount of viewers just by itself. However, marketing on YouTube is not just about direct traffic from the site. YouTube videos appear on the first page of Google for many popular search results. Businesses in particular can benefit from YouTube because they are able to target search terms that may be particularly competitive. #1 Promote Your Video Outside Of YouTube YouTube has a huge internal audience. In fact, its own statistics puts the number of unique visitors to the site at over 1 billion. At the same time, it is important to remember that 100 hours of video are uploaded to YouTube every minute. That’s a lot of competition for viewers’ eyeballs. If you want your video to stand

out you need to promote it outside of YouTube. External promotion of your video will not only by itself increase the number of viewers, it also signals to YouTube that this video is popular and worthy of high search engine rankings. The fastest way to promote your video is to leverage any social media accounts that you might have. If your business has a Facebook page, you should embed the video there. If your company has a blog, write a post about the video and again embed the video. Thirdly, you should share the video with any LinkedIn groups that you belong to. Next, tweet your video out to your followers. And, lastly, use Google+ to further increase your promotional efforts. #2 Target the Right Keywords Keywords are the terms people use when they are searching for something online. Understanding what the keywords for your market are, and then targeting them can make a big difference to the number of qualified prospects who view your video. As a business owner, you want people who are actually interested in

buying your products or services to watch your video. The first step is to use the Google Adwords Keyword Tool to tell you how many people are looking for a particular keyword each month. Once you have established the keywords that you are going to use, the next step is to target them with your video. You can do this by adding your keywords to specific parts of your YouTube video, such as in the title and description. #3 Customize and Promote Your Channel Your channel’s popularity has a direct impact on the search engine rankings you will achieve for your videos. Customising your channel is also important for projecting a professional image for your company on YouTube. An appealing channel will help to improve your perceived expertise. The first step should be to enable commenting, friending and subscriptions for your channel. The more your channel is seen as being ‘liked’ by the YouTube community, the better your videos will rank. PRIVATE LIFE 47

Lunchtime in Liverpool’s taste of Italy

There maybe no such thing as a free lunch, but Il Forno comes close with lunch for only a fiver! Arabella Whittaker reports ith its fresh approach to homemade food, Il Forno and Head Chef Paolo Cillo pride themselves on sourcing the very finest Italian ingredients to create its wide selection of deliciously seasonal dishes. Having been the go-to place for lovers of Italian cuisine for the past seven years, Il Forno stands strong as our little slice of Italy in Liverpool. Sat atop Duke Street and now offering a lunchtime special menu that nods in all the right directions, guests can choose from a variety of tasty Italian dishes including two courses for £9.95 or three courses for £12.95. Starters include dishes such as Bruschetta Classica and Pepata di Cozze, with mains from offerings such as Penne All’Arrabbiata and Lasagne al Forno and desserts including Tiramisu and an assortment of yummy homemade ice-cream. Storming ahead on the Liverpool Italian scene, Il Forno also offer an unbeatable ‘£5 Pizza & Pasta’ concept - a genius approach to ensuring their tables are packed every

lunchtime with lovers of everything authentic and hearty. And let’s face it, there isn’t a much better way to spend your break than tucking into a Pizza Calzone and Tagliatelle alla Bolognese for less than your train fare to work. I for one have never wanted the morning to end so quickly! With its quality firmly rooted in its authentic Italian approach to cooking, diners have come to love the hundreds of dishes that Il Forno’s kitchen conjures up each day. It is no surprise therefore that this dedication to food, along with incredible family recipes, has led Il Forno to win the acclaimed PAPA Gold Award for the past five years. Il Forno, 132 Duke Street, East Village, Liverpool, L1 5AG Tel: 0151 709 4002 www.ilforno.co.uk, info@ilforno. co.uk, Twitter: @ilfornouk Mon- Thurs 12-2:30pm & 5:3011pm, Fri- Sun 12-11pm

Head Chef Paolo’s Lunchtime Favourites

Pepata di Cozze Mussels from the Pulia region of Italy with crusty homemade bread, olive oil, garlic, cherry tomatoes and parsley. Penne All’Arrabbiata A spicy penne with tomatoes, garlic, chilli, basil and olive oil. Bruschetta Classica Il Forno’s daily-baked homemade Italian bread, rubbed with garlic and topped with tomato, basil, oregano and olive oil.

PRIVATE TASTE

Wine guru Alice Anastasiou introduces the art of sushi and wine pairings hilst mastering the art of sushi making can take a lifetime, pairing sushi with wine is a little easier and is currently taking the culinary world by storm. Wine is now a popular pairing with sushi both in Japan and overseas. European dishes have, by and large, evolved alongside local wines and so tend to complement each other but, as for Japanese food, a flask of warm sake was the typical option. As sushi is a more refreshing, light, healthy, simple yet sophisticated cuisine, oenophiles can make their pairings following a few basic rules. Over the years, consumers were led to believe that the perfect wine to complement the vast variety of sushi and sashimi was a little flask of warm sake or Champagne. Although sake is considered to bring out flavours of the dish, I personally find it overpowering. Champagne is without doubt a versatile wine as it cleans all flavours on the palate; however, it does not help to develop another level of enjoyment in terms of flavours. The fundamental characteristics between Champagne and raw fish can be complementary but, for the sweetness of the rice, the spice of the wasabi and the saltiness

of the soy sauce, a more substantial wine is required. The mineral characters of the Riesling, the lychee aromas of the Gewurztraminer and the oak elegance of the Chardonnay all survive the overpowering challenge of these flavours by creating a harmonised combination. Surprisingly, the combination of pickled ginger and Gewurztraminer is an absolute marriage revelation, a favourite flavour pairing among chefs. If there is one theme that emerges from tastings and experimentation with sushi and wine pairings, it is the elemental union of sea and earth. Raw fish, which seems to speak of the essence of the sea, is paradoxically set off most intensely by wines that speak most directly of the land - that is, earthy/minerally, unoaked or lightly oaked, singlevarietal wines. These wines are found in Alsace above all, but also in the Friuli-Venezia Giulia of Northeast Italy, Marlborough in New Zealand, with Chablis and Pinot Noir coming from Burgundy. All the sushi and wines that are featured are available from Sapporo, Liverpool - to book, call 0151 705 3005

Tobiko Nigiri £3.95 Rielsing £31.oo

California Rolls £8.95 Sauvignon Blanc Pencarrow £22.95

Tuna Sashimi/ Chef’s Selection £13.25 Gewurztraminer £35.oo Smoked Mackerel £3.75 Champagne Sarcey Brut NV £34.5o

Unagi Nigiri £3.95 Pinot Noir Loma £27.5o

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Stefano, Head Chef & Carlo, Owner of Bellini

Serves: 2 Preparation Time: 10 minutes Ingredients: 800g Seabass 1 Stalk Rosemary 4 Egg Whites Zest of 1 Lime Zest of 1 Lemon Zest of 1/2 Orange 1/2 Kg Fine Sea Salt & Coarse Sea Salt Instructions: Whisk eggs whites until stiff then mix in the zest of the lime, lemon and orange. Add the fine and coarse sea salt gradually whilst turning the mixture. Apply a layer of the mixture to the base of a roasting dish, place the Seabass on top with a stalk of rosemary inside. Coat the remaining fish entirely and cook on the middle shelf at 250* for 20 minutes. For a more theatrical display, coat the salt crust in Sambuca after baking and serve whilst flaming. Benefits of Seabass: Improves the cardiovascular system Improves brain function, Blood pressure reduction. Villa Di Chiesa Place of Origin Villa di Chiesa is obtained from a careful selection, including choice of vineyards, of the best vermentino and chardonnay grapes. The right blend between typical vermentino and noble chardonnay, espalier-trained on hill slopes looking towards the sea in the lower Sulcis area. Soil Composition Medium mixture, tending to sandy. Grape Varieties Vermentino 60%, chardonnay 40%.

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PRIVATE TRAVEL

Sarah Lancashire drops into the harbour to sample the delights of Sydney’s attractions SUNNY, fashion-forward and multiethnic, Sydney is an animated city bent on making its mark. But with its skyline already crowded with skyscrapers, and its place on the world stage firmly set, the city seems to be in the midst of a historical revival. Traditional Australian cuisine like meat pies is being remade in the locavore age. Sports like surfing are being celebrated in their national birthplace. And older buildings are enjoying an architectural second act as salons for the city’s cognoscenti, who can’t seem to get enough of Sydney’s homegrown charms. Young Sydney is rediscovering

downtown along George Street. Stroll back in time at the 19th-century Strand Arcade (412-414 George Street; 61-2-9232-4199; strandarcade.com.au), the last of the glass-domed late-Victorian shopping bazaars, where Australian labels in the style forefront like Manning Cartell, Jayson Brunsdon and Little Joe by Gail Elliott have set up shop. Less kitschy than the more famous Queen Victoria Building, the arcade includes stores such as Haigh’s Chocolates, a venerable outpost of the Adelaide-based chocolatier, where even locals line up for its newest confections. Unless you suit up and make the climb up the Sydney Harbour Bridge, the best spot to catch the sunset may be the top of the Rocks, the historic district where young merchant princes and professionals like to pub crawl from the Lord Nelson Brewery Hotel, one of the city’s oldest continuously operating bars and now also a hotel and microbrewery, to the Hero of Waterloo, with stone cellars hiding tunnels once used for smuggling. Walsh Bay, by the gigantic old wharves, is being reborn as an arts and culinary neighbourhood. The revitalised Sydney Theatre Company, under the artistic direction of Cate Blanchett and husband Andrew Upton, often showcases emerging Australian

playwrights. Pre-theatre or after, join an affluent crowd at Restaurant Arras, a well-tailored establishment in a former wool store that serves cleverly updated Anglo fare, like snapper with potato napoleon and cockles. The city’s bright young things relish their weekend nightlife, and no one has tapped into this more glamorously than the chef Neil Perry. His latest two openings, both in the soaring Art Deco City Mutual Building, are Spice Temple, a chinoiserie-style restaurant that serves 12 cocktails named after the Chinese zodiac signs, and the snappy Rockpool Bar and Grill, where 6,500 cocktail glasses hang at the ready for more members of the Champagne set. After a night on the town, follow the black-fluted paper cups to La Renaissance Cafe Patisserie, a leafy

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PRIVATE TRAVEL courtyard cafe favoured by coffee connoisseurs. Order a cappuccino, flat white, latte or long black (hold the milk), along with a fresh croissant, before diving into the Rocks Markets, a tasteful street fair held every weekend, which carries everything from hand-sewn children’s clothes to vanguard tea ware. The gigantic Sydney Fish Market remains a very active seafood bazaar, with some 100 species of fish auctioned off every day. There are also seafood bars, a takeout deli and a waterfront deck where you can sample your fresh purchases. But to get closer to the source, sign up for a two-hour cooking class at the market’s Sydney Seafood School, redesigned in recent years with stainless steel cooking stations, a high-definition demonstration screen and a dining room with fishnet chandeliers. Classes, which include

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hands-on lessons on seafood ‘’barbie’’ and dishes like Singapore-style chilli crab, start at only eight dollars. Australia’s academic art is having a comeback at the beaux-arts Art Gallery of New South Wales, but the Powerhouse Museum, in the former Ultimo power plant, offers a refreshing primer on Australia’s arts, crafts and industries. To avoid the long line, go on the later side. An artsy new scene can be found at The Commons. Housed in an 1850 sandstone farmhouse, the space has been transformed by a group of inventive art and architecture graduates into a restaurant and wine bar with old wooden floors, modern-rustic furniture and a backyard patio. In the nautical hierarchy, the beach resort of Manly may be lower-profile than Bondi’s more chic surf culture, but that’s exactly what makes it such a treat, starting with a quick ferry ride seven miles north of the city. The town is sprucing up the Manly Scenic Walkway which winds through a large nature reserve. At the other end of the beach, Manly Surf School offers rentals and lessons starting at 60 Australian dollars. Got kids? Need to relax but keep an eye on them? Get on the Manly Ferry - so easy to use and great fun, as well as a super view of Sydney. When you get to Manly, get

off and turn left and keep walking until you can go no further on the beach and you’ll be at a cove called Shelly Beach. This little horseshoe is for parents and kids - the water is crystal clear and about 8-12 inches deep for a good 100 yards, so ideal for little ones, and without menace, unlike the big surf further along. On the roof of the dignified 19th-century Customs House is the ritzy Cafe Sydney, which has a raw bar and a seafood-rich menu that includes grilled swordfish with baby squid, panzanella and tapenade (37 Australian dollars). On Sundays, there is the live jazz or classical music of Cafe Sydney Sunday, a nice accompaniment to the forever views of the Opera House and the whalesize cruise ships moored in Sydney Harbour. For more details on trips to Sydney and other holiday destinations, please call Crown Travel on 0151 724 2265

PRIVATE LIFE

21 Booker Avenue, Liverpool, L18 4QY, 0151 724 2265

www.crowntravel.co.uk

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PRIVATE HOME

Sellers, listen up. Working on the grounds that you are a seller who really needs to sell (as opposed to a ‘let’s see what can I get’ toe-dipper), here is the blunt advice from our Liverpool estate agent consultant, Mr S

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o, you have placed your property on the market and you find one of two things happens. Nothing. Or an offer immediately. So, what do you do? Firstly, you maybe asking, ‘why is nothing happening’? As there is a lack of good quality properties to buy at the moment, chances are your home is too expensive for the market at this time or there is something wrong with it that is putting buyers off. Either way, it is over-priced. If you are lucky enough to get an offer straightaway, great, but I bet if it’s not the asking price you don’t take it. And if it is, you’re probably shrieking that the estate agent under-valued it. Either way, realise your luck. You are being given a lifeline many home owners would love. You’re not in countless collapsed property chains or stuck in a home that was outgrown years previously after you decided to cease birth control and enjoy the pleasures of little feet running around. Firstly, for the lucky sellers with a quick offer, you may presume this is the beginning of a large flood of ever-increasing offers and therefore think you can lie back on your sofa and await more pennies from heaven. Well don’t. Looking back at my long history in selling properties, the very first offers you get often are always the highest and the most serious. Buyers who are first to view on a good property will very often make great offers to stave off other bidders. Fresh on the market properties are sexy and desirable. If that property has been hanging around like the last rags left on the sale-rail, buyers don’t feel the urgency to make an offer and worry why no one else has already bought it. The longer it is on the market, the more these concerns fester about it being last years Easter Egg, and as such the offers will become more scarce or dry up completely. So, in short, don’t mess around with an offer, clasp as much as you can quickly but remember it will probably be the best you get. So your house has been sitting on the market for around six weeks now. Dribs and drabs of potential buyers have viewed but no offers until one day up pops what you consider as a ‘derisory’ offer. But, before you pass judgment, ask yourself how derisory it really is. Is it only derisory in relation to the overinflated asking price? Or is it still a considerable offer, despite it not being the asking price. If it really is bad and other offers aren’t forthcoming then consider renting the place out for three years. If you can’t do that then you are going to have to consider it, because the fact is, unless your house is in a

prime location or worthy of RIBA house of the year, your chances of getting more will only get worse as the weeks go by. Surprisingly the Liverpool market is very buoyant at the moment for sellers and estate agents are reporting record sales, a story that is a far cry from previous years. This is due to a lack of supply of good properties and the lower interest rates that the banks are starting to introduce. It won’t last, but it’s good whilst it does. This lack of supply is very likely to change next year as the year progresses due to un-employment, rising interest rates and general economic woes. When more properties come onto the market and the demand doesn’t rise, the chances of you getting the price you are offered today will decrease faster than a spider down a plughole. If my house was going on the market tomorrow and I needed to sell this year, I would be pricing it very realistically, perhaps even under-pricing it to create the interest buyers need. Dropping your house price by £5K every six months is not going to budge your property in the marketplace. I always advice sellers who are desperate to find a buyer, to consider a realistic percentage-off and drop the asking price of their property by 10% every 3-6 months (buyers love what they perceive as an under-priced property and you will soon find a buyer adopting this approach). If I had no offers after 3 weeks marketing with a good estate agent, I would be dropping the price and I would be looking lovingly at any offer from a buyer with cash or a low LTV mortgage. Throw away deluded price indices and get out of your head what you think ‘it’s worth’. A property’s ‘value’ is only ever what someone is willing to pay for it. And shortly, there will be fewer people who want to pay anything and more for them to choose from. So don’t puff out your chest and allow your ego to run negotiations. Grasp the nettle and take that decent or even half decent offer… indecently fast.

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PRIVATE LIFE

In association with

ENTER TODAY! Friday 22nd November 2013

Don’t miss your chance to be named as one of the Northern Designers of the Year for 2013 Whether you’re a designer, architect or the owner of a design-led business, the countdown is on to enter this year’s glittering Northern Design Awards. The hugely prestigious awards, which are celebrating their 11th year, attract the cream of the north’s thriving design scene & there’s still time to enter your best work into the mix. Wayne Hemingway MBE will oversee the awards celebrations (which take place in Manchester on 22nd November) and judges include Sir Terence Conran, Linda Barker and Jan Constantine.

NORTHERN DESIGN AWARDS

winner 2012

Terence Conran

Linda Barker

Jan Constantine

The closing date for the Best Room of 2013 (judged by & featured in Livingetc) is 27th September and the deadline for entries in all other categories is 5pm on Friday 26th October.

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Enter online today at: www.northerndesignawards.com Sponsored by:

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For sponsorship enquiries please email Shelley Bond on shelley@jazzevents.co.uk or call 01244 881895 ext. 303

PRIVATE TRENDS

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2 3 PRIVATE Trends Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve hunted across the globe to bring you this ultimate guide to the latest trends currently taking the design world by storm

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1. Union Jack Bean Bag Hammock, $8oo, (www.thefancy .com) 2. Dog eiCRATE2 $1,100 (www. thefancy.com) 3. Luna Grande Chandelier, Donghia, 37,950, (www.donghia.com) 4. Skull Spatula, $17 (www.thefancy.com) 5. Skull Cake Pan, $50, (www.thefancy.com) 6. Gods of the Zodiac Bottle Stop, $25 (www.thefancy.com) 7. Playful Puppy Bottle Holder, $45, (www.thefancy.com)

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PRIVATE HOME

Should you play it safe on a less expensive house than your bank approves? Private Life investigates ith recent reports of debt-fuelled consumer spending, along with rising house prices, being responsible and having no debt beyond your mortgage will be pat on the back for helping the UK economy to recover. When the housing bubble burst and it became clear that lenders were handing out mortgages with their eyes closed, many banks tightened their lending practices. Suddenly, buyers were being asked to show stellar credit ratings and lay out 20 percent of the price of the home as a down payment. But, five years later, as the housing market heats back up again, some banks are loosening the

reins and once again offering buyers sweeter deals. For buyers who have been shut out of the mortgage business for the past five years, the ability to buy is suddenly real again. But just because a bank thinks you can afford a £500K house doesn’t mean it’s a wise financial choice. Remember, the bank is in the business of making loans, and they want you to borrow as much as they are comfortable risking on you — and not a penny less. Deciding how much to spend on a house isn’t always so easy. The monthly payments on a £500K house vary considerably depending on the interest rate, your credit score, property taxes, and how much you need to put down. So, before you start scouring the listings, take a cold hard look at your finances and decide how much you can realistically pay. As a generally safe and risk-averse rule of thumb: mortgage payments should not exceed 28 percent of your monthly take-home pay. So, if you take home £3,000 a month, your mortgage payments

should be no more than £840. Another way to look at it: the house shouldn’t cost more than two and a half times your annual salary. So, someone earning £100,000 a year should be looking at houses that cost no more than £250,000. You should also have enough money set aside in a rainy-day fund to cover six months of household expenses so you can keep making those payments. Buying down leaves you in a strong financial position with money left over for other purchases and a comfortable lifestyle. If you know you’ll have a hard time making the payment, don’t just feel like you need to buy something while rates are low.

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PRIVATE INTERIORS

Relax in Style with Elaine Cunningham Elaine Cunningham’s top tips to finding the perfect sofas and dining room tables that are both comfortable and practical Surfing the net, snuggling up with the family, chilling with a takeaway or indulging in an afternoon with your favourite DVD box set… modern living means seating has become much more than somewhere to rest your legs. Furniture should be functional, beautiful and a great investment, so it’s important to make the right choice first time . Think about your lifestyle and how your seating will need to function. Is it for a living room, a family room or a playroom? Do you have kids or pets, and how much

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effort can you put into maintaining it? Measure up before you shop and work out how big a piece you can accommodate. Lay out newspaper on the floor to the size of your sofa to see roughly how much room it will take up. From a practical point of view, don’t forget to think about the access into your home. Check that furniture will fit through doors, along corridors or up staircases. Some pieces ease the process by having detachable parts or coming in sections. If you’re someone who likes to lie down and relax, you may want to opt for a comfy sofa with low arms and lots of loose cushions to get cosy on. However, if you prefer to be supported when you sit, more formal, upright chairs with back cushions may be better. Try out lots of styles and don’t be

afraid to have a good lounge and really test the seating on display in the store. The shapes and even the number of cushions can make a difference to the overall feel of the room. For example, in a smaller space, narrower sofa arms give the illusion of a more compact piece; and, whereas one or two seats give a cleaner, more modern look, three feel more traditional. Tightly woven fabrics will wear the best and fabrics with woven patterns will retain their appearance better than printed designs. But, unless you’re going for loose covers, choose something classic, such as a smart stripe, as patterned sofas can date quickly. Wool is springy and resilient with a natural stain resistance. Chenille is soft and hard-

PRIVATE INTERIORS

‘‘Great variety of styles and fabrics available exclusively at Elaine Cunningham’’ wearing, whereas velvet is warm and textural with a luxurious feel. Linen is cool and crisp and one of the most durable fibres for a sofa, whilst cotton is great for bright colours and blends well with other fabrics. Leather is robust, cool in summer and warm in winter, and, if well maintained, can last a lifetime. Technology means that all sorts of finishes can be achieved, from distressed and antiqued to smooth and soft. There are several different grades of leather, so ask an expert which type is most suited to your needs. Most leathers will age in some way, but this can add to the character. Alcantara is a man-made microfibre with a luxurious feel that’s similar to suede. It’s incredibly strong, with a contemporary look, but because it’s easy to maintain, it’s an excellent option for busy households. Work out where you want to put your seating in relation to other pieces in the room and take measurements of the space. Make sure your seating won’t interfere with the rest of the room, such as the ‘walking’ space around a dining or coffee table. Also, if you’re planning to place it in an alcove, take into consideration skirting boards and radiator pipes.

Contemporary pieces are simple in style with clean lines and minimal detailing. Designed with modern living in mind, they often feature extra functionalities such as hidden storage and can be an excellent space-saving solution for smaller spaces. A sofa bed can transform a study area into a cosy guest room and bedding can be hidden away within a stylish storage footstool or ottoman. Classic furniture tends to be more decorative in style, with carved detailing. Often larger in size, it provides plenty of storage but may be best suited to larger rooms. Classic styles vary from polished wood to painted antique. Lastly, focus on quality and attention to detail. All good manufacturers use durable materials and traditional production techniques. Always look out for furniture accredited by independent specialists such as The Design Guild.

‘‘Competitve prices and finance available in store’’ For more information or for a free, no obligation quote, call 0151 236 9280 / 0151 494 1555 or visit www. elainecunninghamhomestore.co.uk

Consider the best position for your seating in terms of lighting. Placing a sofa near a window will be the ideal spot for reading, but elsewhere you may need a lamp, so make sure there’s a socket nearby. Think about what style will work in your space. PRIVATE LIFE 63

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5 BIRCHALL STREET LIVERPOOL, L20 8PD 0151 933 9633 WWW.NONAMEKITCHENS.COM factory showroom: Monday – Thursday 9am – 5pm PRIVATE LIFE –654pm Friday 9am Saturday 10am – 4pm