CHELSEA NOVEMBER 2016

CHELSEA

NOVEMBER 2016 / £3.95

ORLA KIELY THE QUEEN OF RETRO

DUTCH COURAGE

DESIGN TALK WITH MARCEL WANDERS

A REAL PRINCESS MEETING MARIE-CHANTAL

The

PRETTIEST

STAR BOLD COLOURS TO MAKE YOU SHINE

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Furniture makers - Redefining bespoke Visit your nearest London showroom Chelsea 84 Fulham Road SW3 6HR T: 020 7584 5736 NEW Notting Hill 102 Westbourne Grove W2 5RU T: 020 7243 2315 Clackersbrook Farm Bromham Wiltshire SN15 2JJ T: 01380 859299 E-mail: enq@mccarronandco.com www.mccarronandco.com

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B E S P O K E

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Relax & Unwind Introducing PowerView® Motorisation from Luxaflex® A remarkable new system that moves your shades throughout the day, so you don’t have to. Create personalised settings with your smart phone or tablet, or use our uniquely designed Pebble® remote control to activate your favourite pre-set program.

Beautifully stylish, brilliantly innovative - smart shades that simplify your life.

See PowerView® in motion at luxaflex.co.uk LUXAFLEX® SHOWROOMS: Abbotts London 0208 9804150 | Belle Vue Blinds Egham 01784 471122

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Nove mbe r 2016

58

92 c u lt u r e

fa s h i o n

12 ABSOLUTELY LOVES

26 FASHION CONFIDENTIAL

16 WHAT’S ON

28 ORLA KIELY

Absolutely meets the queen of retro 41 MOODBOARD

Ducie Keam-George reveals her inspirations

10 things we’re coveting this month Diary dates for November

18 THE DESIGN MUSEUM

The doors open this month 21 CINEMA CLASSICS

An auction of vintage film posters 22 PARTIES

All the most glamorous people and places

This month’s hottest trends and products

H E A LT H & B E AU T Y

46 BEAUTY CONFIDENTIAL The month’s best beauty buys

51 THE KIT LIST

All the best travel companions Food & Drink

54 KITCHEN CONFIDENTIAL News from the industry

58 RECIPES FROM FORTNUMS The rebirth of the Savoury

INTERIORS Covers:

Fashion Editor: charlot te adset t Photography:Ja mes Lucas

64 INTERIOR INSPIRATIONS

News and views

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69 26

68 MARCEL WANDERS

Design talk with the Dutch creative 74 BURN OUT

Six reasons to install a woodburner this winter

t r av e l

92 ST MORITZ

Absolutely the most glamorous slopes in Europe PROPERTY

112 PROPERTY NEWS

The best investments in London

130 LUXURY LETTINGS Our pick of the market

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LONDON

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EDITOR PENDLE HARTE ASSISTANT EDITOR ELIZABETH HUTTON EDITORIAL INTERN JESSICA BURRELL EDUCATION EDITOR AMANDA CONSTANCE FASHION EDITOR CHARLOTTE ADSETT CONTRIBUTING INTERIORS EDITOR JESSICA KLINGELFUSS KIDS' EDITOR HELEN BARON ADVERTISING MANAGER ERIN HUNTER ACCOUNT MANAGER LUCY LAND GROUP COMMERCIAL MANAGER JAMES FUSCHILLO PROPERTY DIRECTOR ANDY ELMER PROPERTY EDITOR ELYSIA AGNEW ART DIRECTOR RAY SEARLE SENIOR DESIGNER PAWEL KUBA SENIOR DESIGNER PHIL COUZENS PRODUCTION MANAGER STEWART HYDE MID-WEIGHT DESIGNER EKREM YILMAZ DESIGNERS RASHED BINDAINA, REBECCA NOONAN FINANCIAL CONTROLLER AYSHA HABIB CREDIT CONTROL MANAGER ALEXANDRA HVID DIRECTOR ALEXANDRA HUNTER MANAGING DIRECTOR SHERIF SHALTOUT PA TO DIRECTORS MARIANNE MCFADDEN For editorial enquiries please email: pendle@zest-media.com For advertising enquiries please call 020 7704 0588 or email: advertising@zest-media.com Subscriptions are available simply by emailing subscription@zest-media.com You can receive an online subscription for FREE or a postal subscriptions for 12 months, £30 respectively (to cover postage and packaging). Please email us with your preferred option and details.

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We reserve the right to publish and edit any letters.

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Fo l l ow Us O n T wi t t e r @ABSOLUTELY_MAGS Fa c e b o o k ‘ABSOLUTELY MAGAZINES’

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EDITOR’S letter

T

he long wait is over. By far the most exciting thing about this month is that the Design Museum is due to open the doors to its new home in Kensington.

Architect John Pawson (himself a Notting Hill local) has redesigned the iconic but sadly neglected Commonwealth Institute to create a wonderful new home for the musuem that outgrew its Shad Thames home long ago, allowing it for the first time to display its permanent collection. This is widely deemed to be great news for Kensington High Street, where nothing exciting has happened for many years, and great news for the museum – but one of its original founders, Stephen Bayley, doesn't agree. He complains in The Spectator that as the museum's

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popularity has increased, so has the 'muddle' surrounding what design actually is, so much so as to render the idea of design 'meaningless'.

He also refers to the high street as 'nasty'. Is this fair? Already the museum's shop, cannily opened in advance of the actual museum, has created a wave of enthusiasm among shoppers. We are certainly excited about the whole thing.

Enjoy the issue. ◆

pendle editor Editor

absolutely.london

26/10/2016 15:29

AMERICAN GIRL

Gigi Hadid returns as the face of MaxMara this AW with deeply bronzed skin and wet hair.

Effortlessly sexy, the American It Girl is seen here with the Whitney bag and – as with all that Gigi puts her face to – we’re sold. maxmara.com

10 Things We

ABSOLUTELY

POP!

This is Moët’s 72nd vintage champagne. Elegant and bright, this bubbly is the dinner party drink. £59; uk.moet.com

TURN IT UP

This portable speaker from Kreafunk plays music via Bluetooth with a built-in microphone for answering phone calls and a powerbank to charge phones. Super handy. £90; amara.com

Compiled By

ELIZABETH H U T TO N

RISING SUN

Astley Clarke’s yellow gold diamond earrings feature a rayed sun drop with pavé set white diamonds. Perfect for the looming party season. £2,500; farfetch.com

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ABSOLUTELY / LOVES NEW FEMININITY

Leaving last season’s prim woman behind, Jaeger’s AW collection is boyishly cool with versatile boxy shapes and a neutral colour palette. jaeger.co.uk

VASE DAZE

Summer is over but that doesn’t mean you should forgo fresh flowers. We’ll be placing ours in this chocolate brown vase. £19; hollyshouse.com

PEEP CHIC

Handcrafted in the Italian region of Treviso, these sunglasses by Prism are timelessly chic. Big and dark enough to hide tired eyes, these are a winter necessity. £265; browns.com

SNAKE KICKS

In signature Alexandre Birman style, these python boots are exotic, supple and stylish. Pair with boyfriend jeans for a laid back but sophisticated look. £880; netaporter.com

HOUR’S UP

VELVET VIXEN

This brand new unisex watch concentrates on balancing function and style with durable stainless steel and a sapphire crystal glass face to complete the flawless design. £176; greyhours.com

Nothing says winter more than oxblood rich velvet. This year, we’ll be injecting the colour into our wardrobe with this bag

by Eddie Borgo. £1,400; netaporter.com

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> WHAT'S ON

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THE DESIGN MUSEUM IN W8 p. 18 FILM POSTERS UNDER THE HAMMER

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WINTER CIRCUS King’s Road Galler y

Alice Mary Lynch creates and sews fantastical creatures using vintage textiles and treasures. Her work has a cult status and is highly collectible all over the world.

For this exhibition, Alice has created 25 new characters. To 15 January 2017, Anthropologie, 131-141 King's Road, SW3 anthropologie.com

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JEREMY HOUGHTON

CHELSEA GIRLS © ALAN ALDRIDGE

Un ti l 5 No v e m b e r T he O sb o r ne S tu di o G a ll e r y or the past year, Houghton has spent F his days venturing through the famously glorious Goodwood Estate.

During his residency at the magnificent ancestral home of the Duke of Richmond, the artist has captured both sporting and rural life. This distinguished exhibition showcases the results. u 2 Motcomb Street, SW1X; osg.uk.com

GIRLS! GIRLS! GIRLS!

DOCOCLUB: THE DIVIDE

2 3 No v e m b e r B o o k a nd Ki tc he n elling the story of seven individuals T striving for a better life in the modern day UK and US Ω where the top 0.1% own as much wealth as the bottom 90% Ω by interweaving tales, this film uncovers how virtually every aspect of our lives is controlled by the size of the gap between rich and poor. u 31 All Saints Road, W11; bookandkitchen.com

Vol 3

Un til 3 D ecember The L ittle Blac k G aller y

This is the third installment of a photographic series that celebrates the sensual beauty of the female body. This racy and dazzling collection features work from global fashion photographers such as Bob Figgis and Bob Carlos Clarke and includes photographs of Kate Moss, Naomi Campbell and Claudia Schiffer, among others.

13A Park Walk, SW10

thelittleblackgallery.com

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NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM ICE RINK

T h ro u gh o u t No v e m b e r Na tu ra l H i s to r y M u s e u m his is one of the winter season’s T highlights. Glide around the Romanesque museum at night for a truly romantic evening or take the kids for a magical day they’ll never forget. Take advantage of the extended sessions and perfect your figure of eight for up to three hours. u Cromwell Road, SW7; nhm.ac.uk

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ARTS & CULTURE / TALKING TOPICS must see

HAIR BY SAM MCKNIGHT

Fro m 2 No v e m b e r S o m e rs e t Ho u s e his major exhibition T celebrates Sam McKnight’s remarkable 40 year career as a master hairstylist. From the late 1970s to the current day, McKnight has worked on everything from fashion editorial to advertising. This looks at hair from a new perspective and contextualises its wider cultural significance and the role of the stylist within fashion. u Strand, WC2R somersethouse.org.uk

PAINTERS’ PAINTERS

© RICHARD ALDRICH, 2003

From 30 Nov e m b er S aatchi G alle r y n recent years, painting has I been challenged by the wave of modern media embraced by artists. This exhibition puts the medium back into the forefront of contemporary art by presenting the work of nine present day painters.

Undeterred by the decline, painters such as Richard Aldrich and David Brian Smith negotiate the paradox of being both mainsteam and niche, homogenous yet distinctive. u u King’s Road, SW3;

saatchigallery.com

FEAR & LOVE F ro m 24 Nov e m b e r D e si gn Mu s e u m

The newly reopened Design Museum hits High Street Kensington with a bang. This exhibition comprises 11 freshly commissioned installations by designers and architects from around the world who navigate presentday discourses. Commerce, communication, culture and AI: just some of the topics that ignite fear and love.

224-238 Kensington High Street, W8

designmuseum.org

EVENT OF THE MONTH

THE RADICAL EYE Fro m 1 0 No v em b er Ta te Mo d er n

ir Elton John loves modernist photography. As a collector, he is in possession of some extremely rare vintage prints. Lending 150 pieces to the Tate, this exhibition showcases his own personal collection and

S

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features works created by the artists themselves. Most impressively, this includes works by seminal figures such as Man Ray, Herbert Bayer and Dorothea Lange.u Bankside, SE1; tate.org.uk

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01

New vision The Design Museum makes its long-awaited move to Kensington this month. Absolutely has a preview Wo r d s p e a r l b oy d

T

he Design Museum is set to open in its new home in Kensington High Street, on 24 November, the result of an £83 million transformation of the listed yet long negelected Commonwealth Institute.

Acclaimed designer John Pawson has remodelled the interior of the Grade II* listed former Commonwealth Institute in a project that increases the museum’s size threefold, enabling a significantly extended learning programme and a greater range of exhibitions.

For the first time in the museum’s history it will have a free permanent display of its collection.

Designer Maker User tells the story of contemporary design through these three interconnected roles. A wall at the entrance to the gallery will feature some of the world’s most popular affordable consumer goods, crowdsourced from the public via the museum’s website; highlights of the collection include the Vespa Clubman designed by Corradino d’Ascanio and made by Piaggio, Ettore Sottsass and Perry King’s Valentine

typewriter for Olivetti, Jock Kinneir and Margaret Calvert’s British road signs, the Sony TPS L2 Walkman designed by Nobutoshi Kihara, the Obama ‘Progress’ poster by Shepard Fairey, the GRiD ‘Compass’ – the first laptop computer by Bill Moggridge, Mikhail Kalashnikov’s AK47 assault rifle and Ossie Clarke and Celia Birtwell’s Paper dress.

The first temporary exhibition from the museum’s Chief Curator, Justin McGuirk, is Fear and Love: Reactions to a Complex World.

Featuring a series of newly commissioned installations, Fear and Love is an insight into our hopes and doubts about the pace and impact of change. The Designs of the Year show will return in its ninth year.

The museum has forged significant partnerships with Vitra, whose furniture will be used throughout the museum’s public spaces and office areas; and with Phaidon, who will publish books to accompany the museum’s major exhibitions, as well as a new guide to and history of the museum.

Studio Myerscough is designing the Designer Maker User permanent display

THE DESIGN MUSEUM is the

most followed MUSEUM in the world ON TWITTER

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and the museum’s visual identity has been enhanced by Fernando Gutiérrez Studio. Cartlidge Levene are creating the wayfinding and signage system. The museum’s recently relaunched multiaward winning website was created with Fabrique, in a year which also saw the Design Museum become the most followed museum in the world on Twitter.

The new building will include the Swarovski Foundation Centre for Learning, Bakala Auditorium, Sackler Library and Archive and a Designers in Residence Studio, which will open

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ARTS & CULTURE / PREVIEW

Deyan Sudjic, director of the museum said: ‘This move will redefine the Design Museum as the most inspiring, exciting and engaging contemporary design and architecture museum in the world, with 10,000sqm of space, and a target of 650,000 visitors each year. Design is the way to ask questions about what technology is doing to us, to explore how the world will look and work as well as to define new aesthetic approaches.

The museum will have a challenging programme that encourages new work and new thinking, and the touring, digital and publications programme will take the message around the world."u

● ●designmuseum

224-238 Kensington High Street W8 6NQ; 020 7403 6933 designmuseum.org 03

with a showcase of the work of the 2016 Designers in Residence, who are due to be announced this spring. There will also be a café, restaurant, and members’ room.

Wilmott Dixon Interiors were awarded the fit out contract for the building in June 2015. Concord have worked with the museum to design the building’s lighting scheme and highlight its architectural features.

The developer of the site, a joint venture between Chelsfield LLP and the Ilchester Estate, has donated the building and land, together with the cost of refurbishing the shell and core of the building. The Heritage Lottery Fund have supported the project with a grant of £4.9 million. Arts Council England have supported the project with a capital grant of £3 million.

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1. Vespa Clubman designed by Corradino d’Ascanio and made by Piaggio copyright Design Museum 2. Ettore Sottsass and Perry King’s Valentine typewriter for Olivetti credit Design Museum 3. GRiD ‘Compass’ the first laptop computer by Bill Moggridge 1, copyright Design Museum

absolutely.london

26/10/2016 12:18

THE HEATHERLEY SCHOOL OF FINE ART Chelsea. Est 1845

Diplomas in Portraiture and Figurative Sculpture Part time courses in Painting Ceramics Life Drawing Watercolour iPad Drawing Printmaking Portraiture Sculpture l

l

l

l

l

www.heatherleys.org 020 7351 4190 75 Lots Road, Chelsea, London SW10 0RN

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ARTS & CULTURE / PREVIEW

Lolita (1962) Original US 41 x 27 in. (104 x 69 cm). Photo by Bert Stern. Estimate: £600-£900

Rebel Without a Cause (1955). Original US. 41 x 27 in. (104 x 69 cm). Estimate: £2500-£350

SCREEN GRABS Previewing this month’s auction of film posters at 25blytheroad.com

From a similar period, The Invasion of the Saucer Men (1957), a horror/scifi/comedy movie poster depicting spinechilling aliens has an estimate of £3,000 - £5,000. Later movie posters in the sale include Jaws (1975), estimated at £800 - £1,200 which, despite the mechanical sharks constantly breaking down during filming, is one of the great movies of the 20th century, and the first film to gross more than $100 million. The poster displays the direct and utterly terrifying threat of the hidden shark.

A Back to the Future poster from 1985, starring the teen idol Michael J Fox, is estimated at £500-£800 and a framed original US lobby card of Forbidden Planet (1956) has an estimate of £300-£500.

All the posters were issued for advertising purposes at the time of the release of the films, and were never meant to be sold. In spite of this, most are in very good condition.

Well-known poster designers are another important focus for collectors, and are in good number in this sale, with names including Bill Gold, Reynold Brown, Bob Peak and Albert Kallis. Ideally timed for a pre-Christmas splash, this is a chance to have some cinema magic on your walls for a few hundred pounds. u

Wo r d s p e a r l b oy d

W

ith the fast onset of digitalisation in cinemas, film posters are a dying breed. But there are lots of enthusiasts and this month, 100 posters, lobby cards and production stills from the 1950s to the 1990s will be up for auction at 25blytheroad.com.

Scifi, horror, comedy, drama, romance – all the genres are represented and highlights from the 1950s include a poster for Rebel Without a Cause. This one has a poignant association as James Dean tragically died just before the film’s release. It carries an estimate of £2,500-£3,500.

The online auction takes place from 9 to 11 November, with the catalogue viewable at 25BlytheRoad.com from 26 October.

Estimates start at £150, going up to £5,000.

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absolutely.london

26/10/2016 12:19

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ARTS & CULTURE / SOCIAL

OLIVER PEOPLES ome of the world's most fashionable people flocked to Sloane Street to celebrate the eyewear brand's first European boutique. Pixie Geldof DJd to a crowd nibbling on carpaccio of longhorn beef and seared nicoise tuna and drinking rum cocktails and champagne. Guests included Naomie Harris, Michael Neeson, Rick Edwards, Laura Hunt and India Rose James.u

S

Party people JIMMY CHOO AT THE BERKELEY immy Choo's creative director Sandra Choi hosted an afternoon tea to celebrate the brand’s 20th anniversary and the launch of the Prêt-à-Portea book, covering 10 years of fashionable teas at The Berkeley Hotel. Guests were enticed by an array of fashion-inspired delicacies featuring styles from the latest seasonal collections. Pastry chef Mourad Khiat made an appearance with his team all in chef whites, who were greeted with a round of applause for their artistry by guests including Erin O’Connor, David Downton, Martha Ward, Tania Fares, Amber Le Bon, Yasmin Le Bon, Astrid Harbord, Rosie Fortescue, Lady Violet Manners and Lady Kitty Spencer.u

J

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www.rosaclara.es NEW COLLECTION 2017

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TREND: THE HOT GOTH

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THE SHOOT

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CHOO CHOO To celebrate its 20th anniversary this year, Jimmy Choo has released a campaign that features supermodels of different ages and cultures including Amber Valletta and Jasmine Tookes (above) to model the AW16 collection.

27 New Bond St, W1S 2RH; jimmychoo.com

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st y l e C e n t r a l

Leopard print, studs and mis-matched earrings top our shopping list this month Wo r d s c h a r l o t t e a d s e t t

THE CROSS The original boutique Wo r d s p e n d l e h a r t e

T

he Cross has just celebrated its 20th birthday. Who remembers when it first opened in 1996, perfectly capturing the W11 zeitgeist with its fun, boho aesthetic?

At the time, Clarendon Cross was still home to a post office and a newsagent and Sam Robinson had recently graduated from Saint Martins and launched her own (short-lived) bag brand. She opened the boutique to showcase that, alongside beautiful things made by many of her art school friends – including Neisha Crosland and Pippa

Pefectly capturing the W11 ZEITGEIST with its FUN, BOHO AESTHETIC

Small – and soon everyone was talking about Notting Hill and its lifestyle store.

The boutique has been known for spotting emerging talent and launching small brands ever since, particularly fashion brand Dosa and its simple, timeless pieces. The Cross was soon stocking stylish childrenswear and toys as well as quirky homewares; it remains one of London's best destination boutiques.

Special anniversary products include a cashmere cardigan from Queene and Belle, a throw from William Welstead and Happy Birthday baskets from Morocco. u 141 Portland Road, W11; thecrossshop.co.uk

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Shape Shifters Rejina Pyo

London-based Rejina Pyo is a rising name to watch. Inspired by modern art and architecture, the AW16 collection features sculptural silhouettes, exaggerated sleeves, cuffs and collars, which perfectly encapsulates fashion’s current mood. rejinapyo.com

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FASHION / NOTES

7 of the best

BRAND TO KNOW

LEOPARD PRINT

Attico

Founded by Italian street-style stars Giorgia Tordini and Gilda Ambrosio, new lust-label Attico focuses on classic robes and slip dresses.

Sumptuous materials such as silk and velvet are richly embroidered and draped to create feminine, decadent pieces that can be worn from day to night. attico.com

editor’s

PICK

Take a walk on the wild side

01 02

WHAT A STUD

03

A l e x a n d e r Wa n g

Studded ankle boots have long been a wardrobe staple, and with studs rife on the runways, we don’t see them going anywhere soon. The cutout heel detail on this pair gives a modern update.

‘Kori’ studded leather boots £565; net-a-porter.com

04

05

MIS-MATCHING Maria Tash

07

Forget about perfect pairings - this season it’s all about lots of piercings and tiny mismatched diamond earrings. No-one does it better than cult New York piercer Maria Tash, who now has permanent studio space in Liberty where she also sells her much revered fine jewllery.

From £41 - £4,900; liberty.co.uk

06

LOGO MANIA Saint Laurent

Anthony Vaccarello, the new creative director at Saint Laurent, has put the ‘Y’ back into YSL with a SS17 catwalk full of the original iconic logos. The new name and collection launches next spring, but you can get ahead of the rest with this monogram bag.

‘Kate Monogram’ embossed leather bag £1,140; mytheresa.com

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01. CHAN LUU Cashere & silk-blend scarf £190; net-a-porter.com 02. DRIES VAN NOTEN ‘Rolt’ Jacquard silk-blend coat £1,160; brownsfashion.com 03. EQUIPMENT Cashmere-blend sweater £310; farfetch.com 04. HILL & FRIENDS ‘Happy Satchel’ Calf hair bag £1,450; hillandfriends.com 05. STELLA MCCARTNEY Knitted skirt £580; mytheresa.com 06. SAINT LAURENT ‘Babies 90’ Calf hair ankle boots £845; mytheresa.com 07. KATE MOSS FOR EQUIPMENT ‘Avery’ Washed-silk pajama pants £360; net-a-porter.com

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Midcentury Matter Orla Kiely, queen of the nostalgic print, introduces her whimsical new fashion collection, L’Orla Wo r d s P e n d l e H a r t e

PENDLE HARTE: Tell us about L’Orla.

What inspired it?

ORLA KIELY: L’Orla is a way of developing ideas that otherwise might be too whimsical for our mainline collection.

It was inspired initially as a creative collaboration between our long time stylist and Violet magazine editor Leith Clark and myself. When it comes to fashion, we are kindred spirits as we both have a love for all things 60s and 70s.

PH: Which are your favourite pieces from the L’Orla collection?

OK: That is a tricky question, as I love them all for different reasons, but I especially love our floral embroideries developed with expert weavers. The results are incredibly beautiful and the dresses are magic. The lace knits are also very pretty. It is hard to choose.

PH: How does the second collection build on the first?

OK: For the L’Orla collection this season we have been inspired by 70s Laura Ashley, the effortless romantic spirit of Celia Birtwell and classic American brand Gunne Sax. Our L’Orla ladies are Shelley Duvall, one of the quintessential 70s beauties, and Mary Ingalls from Little House on the Prairie, who was light years ahead in her layering and style.

With these inspirations we have designed

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L’Orla ladies are SHELLEY DUVALL, one of the quintessential 70s beauties, and MARY INGALLS from Little HOUSE ON THE PRAIRIE

our most feminine collection to date, with special floral embroideries on silk organza dresses and printed ditzy florals on Italian baby corduroy dungarees.

Lurex knit scallop-patterned necklines combined with cashmere sweaters.

Playing with contrasting prints make for a modern day romantic spirit.

PH: You have been involved in lots of collaborations. Are there any more to come?

OK: We have been incredibly lucky to work with some great partners on different projects. We are continually developing something special.

PH: You’re known as much for your homewares as your fashion. Which is closer to your heart?

OK: Orla Kiely – the company – developed from a passion for mid-century design and print. This has informed all aspects of our product, from the ready-towear collections, fragrance, beauty, handbags, watches, jewellery, homewares, wallpapers and more. My style has always remained clean, simple, measured, bold and brave, evolving each year with new designs and distinctive prints. It's about capturing a new spirit each season, which speaks to women everywhere. For me, it is this complete picture we create that I love, the way our customer lives her life, through our love of colour and pattern, we reinvent the every day, and make it a little more special.

PH: You have spoken out against consumer excess. Do you think we should all stop shopping?

OK: No, we should not stop shopping but we should definitely be more selective and considered when buying something. It should be functional and beautiful, which I always keepO in mind when designing a product.

PH: You have previously mentioned your childhood kitchen as an inspiration.

What was it like?

28 26/10/2016 14:25

FASHION / INTERVIEW L'ORLA, RESORT 2017

29 NH_Nov16_ORLA KIELY.indd 29

absolutely.london

26/10/2016 14:25

AntA

made in Scotland

Pure SILKS J OA N N A MAC DO NAL D S H AW L 2 12 X 81cm £240

14 Hinde St M a r y l e b o n e l on d o n

w w w. a n t a . c o. u k

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r e e t

21/10/2016 16:44

FASHION / INTERVIEW

SHELLEY DUVALL: 'ONE OF THE QUINTESSENTIAL 70S BEAUTIES'

My inspirations will always be FIRMLY BASED IN THE 50s, 60s & 70s PH: What other interiors do you admire?

OK: I am devoted to beautiful mid-century interiors and wrote a book dedicated to the subject, called Home. My favourite houses are featured, such as Seigel House in Nottingham, Scheer House, Vila Bendvold and Brabrand House in Denmark are quite remarkable in their design and simplicity.

PH: As a mother, how do you find time to combine your work and home life?

OK: My two sons are young men now and studying at university, but while they were growing up, it was a tricky balance. Having the right support made things much easier.

It was a team effort, always a joy.

PH: Childrenswear seems to be missing from your collections. Are there any plans for that?

OK: You never know what might be around the corner!

ORLA KIELY

OK: Growing up in Ireland in the 1970s had a great influence on my creative vision. My 1950s modernist family home, my mother’s great style, the area we lived in Dublin, just two minutes from the beach, close to the greenest fields and the mountains too. All this natural beauty and modernist style influenced my taste for colour and design.

PH: There’s a lot of nostalgia in your designs. Why is that?

OK: My inspirations will always be firmly based in the 50s, 60s and 70s.

Those were times of great films, innovative design in all fields and, of course, the unforgettable music that remains so influential to this day.

'MARY INGALLS FROM LITTLE HOUSE ON THE PRAIRIE WAS LIGHT YEARS AHEAD IN HER LAYERING AND STYLE'

31 NH_Nov16_ORLA KIELY.indd 31

PH: Can you tell us about the house you live in? Is it filled with your own designs?

OK: I live in south London with my husband and my two dogs Olive and Ivy, my home has a very mid-century aesthetic.

I have combined vintage furniture from fairs with products we have made. Our wallpaper prints, cushions and a special mohair blanket are to be found in the living room. In the kitchen our tableware adds something special at dinner times, and our towels in the bathrooms add some extra colour and pattern to everyday life. u

absolutely.london

26/10/2016 14:25

WANTED CHANEL HERMES GUCCI MULBERRY Designer clothes agency for ladies and gentlemen

New Fulham store opening in October

OliverSwann PRE-LOVED DESIGNER CLOTHES AGENCY

48 THE PANTILES, TUNBRIDGE WELLS

OLIVER SWANN.indd 1

INFO@OLIVERSWANN.COM

WWW.OLIVERSWANN.COM

26/09/2016 16:57

FASHION / TREND

BEE GODDESS

‘Sword’ Black diamond & 14ct gold necklace £1,130; harrods.com

MAISON MICHEL

‘Elodie’ Wool hat £460; brownsfashion.com

ESTABAN CORTAZAR Velvet top £540; brownsfashion.com

ALEXANDER MCQUEEN ‘Knuckle’ Studded clutch bag £1,195; farfetch.com

SIMONE ROCHA AW16

ATTICO Velvet wrap dress £650; mytheresa.com

MM6 MAISON MARGIELA

Velvet maxi skirt £360; farfetch.com

3XI

'WM3' Cropped fringe denim jeans £245; net-a-porter.com

GAELLE KHOURI

'Spider’ Diamond and agate cuff £2,490; harveynichols.com

AMRAPALI

VANESSA STEWARD Velvet

fringed scarf £175; net-a-porter.com

JIMMY CHOO

‘Dixon 65’ Leather boots £625; jimmychoo.com

GOTHIC VICTORIANA Unleash your dark side this winter B y Charlot te Adset t

DRIES VAN NOTEN Velvet and pearl choker £240; selfridges.com

33 Chis_Nov16_Fashion_Products.indd 33

'Dark Maharaja' Ruby and diamond earrings £2,200; amrapalijewels.com

STONE PARIS

‘Grace’ Diamond and 18ct rose gold ring £720; mytheresa.com

SAINT LAURENT Cropped velvet tuxedo jacket £1,680; mytheresa.com

absolutely.london

26/10/2016 12:31

NOVEMBER 15_FashionShoot 6pp.indd 34

25/10/2016 16:30

Make a statement with bold block colours this winter Fashion Editor charlotte adsett Photography Ja mes Lucas

SILK CHIFFON BLOUSE BY ROKSANDA CHARMEUSE SKIRT BY SOLACE LONDON AT NET-A-PORTER.COM SUEDE COURT SHOES BY JIMMY CHOO EARRINGS BY DINNY HALL

NOVEMBER 15_FashionShoot 6pp.indd 35

25/10/2016 16:30

WOOL SHIFT DRESS BY CHRISTOPHER KANE AT SELFRIDGES CASHMERE JUMPER BY COCOA CASHMERE VELVET BOOTS BY AQUAZZURA EARRINGS BY REJINA PYO X URIBE

NOVEMBER 15_FashionShoot 6pp.indd 36

25/10/2016 16:30

SATIN TOP & SILK CULOTTES BOTH BY PAPER LONDON DROP EARRING BY MARIA BLACK

NOVEMBER 15_FashionShoot 6pp.indd 37

25/10/2016 16:30

SILK TOP BY NATASHA ZINKO SATIN TROUSERS BY ASHISH AT BROWNS

NOVEMBER 15_FashionShoot 6pp.indd 38

25/10/2016 16:30

FASHION EDITOR AND SHOOT PRODUCER CHARLOTTE ADSETT PHOTOGRAPHER JAMES LUCAS

SATIN OPERA COAT BY MERCHANT ARCHIVE KNITTED TOP BY AGONA CROPPED WOVEN TROUSERS BY MERCHANT ARCHIVE VELVET SHOES BY SOPHIA WEBSTER

MODEL ADINA AT IMG MODELS HAIR MARCO TESTA USING BUMBLE & BUMBLE MAKE-UP VIOLET ZENG USING MAC MANY THANKS TO JJ LOCATIONS FOR STUDIO HIRE; JJLOCATIONS.COM

STOCKISTS

AGNONA.COM AQUAZZURA.COM BROWNSFASHION.COM COCOACASHMERE.COM DINNYHALL.COM JIMMYCHOO.COM MARIA-BLACK.UK MERCHANTARCHIVE.COM NATASHAZINKO.COM NET-A-PORTER.COM PAPERLONDON.COM REJINAPYO.COM ROKSANDA.COM SELFRIDGES.COM SOPHIAWEBSTER.COM

NOVEMBER 15_FashionShoot 6pp.indd 39

25/10/2016 16:30

ABSOLUTELY

CHELSEA

NOVEMBER 2016 / £3.95

LONDON

ORLA KIELY THE QUEEN OF RETRO

DUTCH COURAGE

S T Y L I S H . I N T E L L I G E N T . E L E G A N T . A B S O L U T E LY

DESIGN TALK WITH MARCEL WANDERS

A REAL PRINCESS

MEETING MARIE-CHANTAL

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The

THE

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‘ABSOLUTELY MAGAZINES LONDON’

BOLD COLOURS TO MAKE YOU SHINE

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STYLISH / INTELLIGENT / ELEGANT COVERS NOVEMBER 2016.indd 1

25/10/2016 16:44

The Best of Local Luxury

T: 0 2 0 7 7 0 4 0 5 8 8 IPAD HORIZONTAL.indd 1

25/10/2016 16:48

19 NOV - 07 JAN

‘IT’S GLORIOUS.’ The Daily Telegraph on Cinderella 2015

lyric.co.uk | 020 8741 6850 LYRIC THEATRE.indd 1

_CHELSEA_ADVERT PLACEMENTS.indd 1

30/09/2016 18:38

26/10/2016 17:16

FASHION / MOODBOARD

MY INSPIRATIONS Ducie Keam-George, founder and designer of Ducie Fashion

Ducie KeamGeorge

MY FAVOURITE PIECE…

is the new Ducie black parka with buttery soft nude fur lining and hood.

It’s a casual style in smart colours with a touch of glamour. I like to wear it oversized for a bit of edge.

Barbados

MY FAVOURITE DESIGNER…

Le Labo

currently is Alessandro Michele at Gucci. He has completely turned the label around and made it totally irresistible. It’s so colourful, luxurious and cool. You can’t get better.

I want everything.

MY STYLE ICON...

is fashion editor Barbara Martelo. She gets it right with a mix of classic but always on point style. She’s super fit, dresses immaculately but doesn’t ever wear any makeup so she’s real. Idol.

Georgian London

topical plants and lush vegetation and is frequently visited by the island’s wildlife. It’s so relaxing there. It takes me a week to get out and do anything.

MY FAVOURITE HOLIDAY DESTINATION…

is my mum’s traditional chattel house on the south coast of Barbados. It’s a bohemian paradise, surrounded by

The Ducie black parka

MY SIGNATURE SCENT...

Le Labo's Fleur d'Oranger from Liberty. It’s a fresh sent that wakes me up and makes me feel strong and ready to face the day.

MY FAVOURITE PIECE OF ART...

Pale Pink Heart, 2011, by Sam McEwen. It’s very simple and minimal but the colour and shape make me feel warm and happy.

MY FAVOURITE BUILDING…

Sam McEwen: Pale Pink Heart

Gucci AW16

Barbara Martelo

d ucie.co.uk

41 NH_CH_Nov16_MOODBOARD.indd 41

I’m a sucker for anything Georgian.

That period to me is perfection.

Fill it with vibrant colours, Farrow and Ball painted floors and sleek, modern, Scandinavian furniture and homewares and that’s my dream home right there. ◆

absolutely.london

26/10/2016 12:34

TURNING MOMENTS INTO MEMORIES

The Savoy, a Fairmont-managed ďŹ ve star hotel, is one of the most celebrated of London landmarks, proudly standing on the Northbank of the River Thames. The ballet, opera and theatre of vibrant Covent Garden are just steps away; with the City, worldrenowned museums and galleries, and the designer shopping of Knightsbridge and Mayfair within easy reach on foot or by taxi.

Strand, London WC2R 0EU l 020 7836 4343 fairmont.com/savoy-london l savoy@fairmont.com

THE SAVOY.indd 2

10/02/2016 16:59

FASHION / JEWELLERY

DROP OUT

1

8

2

3

6

4

7

5

1. SIA TAYLOR GOLD GRID DROP EARRINGS, £1,500; libertylondon.com 2. PENELOPE, $315; rachelmulherin.com 3. DANNIJO ALMENDRA EARRING, £643; clubmonaco.com 4. BAJA PRECIOUS COCKTAIL EARRINGS, £1,100; monicavinader.com 5. FALLING LEAVES EARRINGS, £3,200; gaellekhouri.com 6. 18CT YELLOW GOLD & DIAMOND BUTTERFLY CHANDELIER EARRINGS, £14,500; annoushka.com 7. ANCHOR EARRINGS, £2,897; gaellekhouri.com 8. NUIT DE DIAMANTS, £POA; chanel.com

43 NH_Dec16_JEWELLERY.indd 43

absolutely.london

26/10/2016 12:35

SHINING A LIGHT ON LASER LONDONS NO.1 HAIR REMOVAL SPECIALISTS

With the latest in laser technology our highly trained therapists can now offer solutions for skin rejuvenation, unsightly veins and pigmentation, as well as our leading laser hair removal treatments.

Visit us at Strip Chelsea, Notting Hill or Islington for your complimentary consultation.

Reader Offer: Receive 30% off single treatments or 10% off courses when you mention Absolutely Chelsea.

WWW.STRIPWAXBAR.COM

STRIP CHE.indd 1

17/08/2016 10:39

> BEAUTY CONFIDENTIAL

p. 46

THE KIT LIST p. 51

WILD THING Dolce & Gabbana’s new collection, Wild About Fall, features greens, browns, golds and rose pinks, perfect for creating a vibrant, statement look in time for the party season. dolcegabbana.com

45 CHIS_November16_BEAUTY OPENER.indd 45

absolutely.london

26/10/2016 12:37

B E AU T Y R e v i e w

Chanel’s new campaign star and our pick of the best micellar waters W o r d s C AT H E R I N E H A L E S

GENEU Selfridges

Wo r d s p e n d l e h a r t e

H

ealthy eating and early nights are all very well, but your actual chances of ageing well lie in your DNA. This is the position taken by Geneu, which produces skincare designed specifically to work with your unique combination of genes. 60% of skin ageing is inherited, they say, leaving just 40% to be influenced by lifestyle. Free radicals, apparently, are chemicals produced in response to environmental factors and they can be thwarted by natural defences found in our cells known as antioxidants. Meanwhile, our natural collagen resources are degraded over time by our DNA. Geneu has devised a special DNA test and questionnaire, involving a swab and a few (not too intrusive) lifestyle questions, in order

60% of skin ageing is INHERITED, they say, and JUST 40% DOWN TO LIFESTYLE

to determine an individual's unique skincare requirements. My results? Amazing, actually.

For one, I am deemed to be 'living a healthy lifestyle', and furthermore my 'antioxidant protection enzyme is exceptionally active.'

This doesn't let me off the hook, however.

I still need products, and my bespoke personalised serums arrive in a stylish gunmetal dispenser case, with instructions on how to combine them, and now, a few weeks on, I am certainly noticing a difference. ◆ ● BENEFIT COSMETICS 12 Lancashire Court, W1; 020 7499 7161 geneu.com

ABSOLUTELY MAGAZINES

Beauty note.indd 46

Deep Water Chanel

The newest incarnation of Chanel N˚5 is Olivier Polge's own interpretation of the seminal scent, entitled N˚5 L’Eau. The campaign stars none other than the soon-to-be world famous progeny of Johnny Depp and Vanessa Paradis, Lily-Rose. The scent is young and fresh (like its 17 year-old model), with notes of lemon, mandarin, orange and neroli. chanel.com

46 26/10/2016 12:38

HEALTH & BEAUTY / NOTES

8

editor's

PICK

of the best

FALL IN LOVE Guerlain

It’s that time of year again – the fall collections are hitting the shelves and we’re trying desperately not to clear them. At the top of our list this month is Guerlain’s new autumn range; think nude tones and gentle blush shades with just a hint of sparkle to take you all the way through to party season. guerlain.com

BEAUTY CONSCIOUS ILIA

This brand is everything a freefrom and ethical beauty obsessive could ever want. All products are synthetic preservative, filler and petrochemical free. We particularly love their all-in-one lip balm, gloss and lipstick. panachecosmetics.com

MICELLAR WATERS

1 4

READER EVENT Trilogy

Absolutely is proud to present our latest reader event in partnership with Trilogy skincare. When? Thursday 10 November, 10:00am - 12:00pm. Where?

The South Kensington Club. Why? For expert advice, a goody bag of Trilogy’s beautiful products and some exclusive offers. See you there.

SKC, 38-42 Harrington Road, SW7; trilogyproducts.com

7

JUNGLE FEVER S isle y Paris

Sisley just made nailing down your evening beauty regime simple with their new Tropical Resins collection.

Wash with the Gentle Cleansing Gel follow up with the Intensive Serum then hydrate with the Mattifying Moisturizing Skin Care. Repeat. sisley-paris.com

3

5

8

6

1 ELEMIS SMART CLEANSE MICELLAR WATER, £24; elemis.com 2 DIOR INSTANT CLEANSING WATER, £26; dior.com 3 MADARA MICELLAR WATER, £12; feelunique.com 4 EAU THERMALE AVENE MICELLAR LOTION CLEANSER: £12.50, feelunique.com 5 BY TERRY CELLULAROSE MICELLAR WATER, £43; spacenk.com 6 NUXE MICELLAR CLEANSING WATER WITH ROSE PETALS, £14; spacenk.com 7 REN ROSA CENTIFOLIA 3-IN-1 CLEANSING WATER, £13; renskincare.com 8 LA ROCHE-POSAY EFFACLAR MICELLAR WATER, £12; lookfantastic.com

47 Beauty note.indd 47

2

absolutely.london

26/10/2016 17:30

Breast screening at Parkside Hospital

At Parkside Hospital we believe all women deserve reliable, reassuring breast screening with a welcoming personal service, without waiting or worry.

• We offer breast screening from the age of 40 • You can get an appointment within 48 hours of a referral • Results are sent to your GP within 48 hours • We have the latest digital mammography system • Our team is experienced, caring and highly trained • We are a Bupa Accredited diagnostic centre • Patients who are non-symptomatic can self-refer

For more information or to make an appointment, please call 020 8971 8025 or email

radiology@parkside-hospital.co.uk PARKSIDE HOSPITAL.indd 1

24/10/2016 16:32

HEALTH & BEAUTY / REVIEW

Clear Winner Finding clear skin, finally, with Dr Anjali Mahto in Chelsea Wo r d s e l i z a b e t h h u t t o n

W

hen I was a teenager my skin was spotless.

During the years when my friends were battling acne, I sauntered through life armed with a bar of Pear soap and a pot of Astral cream. Then came adulthood and for some reason, my skin got angry.

With new painful and long-lasting cysts appearing every day, I’d wake up in fear and waste hours analysing my face in the mirror.

Gone was the confident fresh-faced girl and in her place, a woman who needed layer upon layer of foundation before she could step outside her front door.

This story isn’t uncommon. Around 50% of adult women have been through the

EVERYTHING CHANGED for me at the CADOGAN Clinic

in Chelsea

same thing and while spots may be annoying at school, they’re actively embarrassing at work.

I tried everything, from overthe-counter topical treatments to antibiotics and nothing made a long lasting difference. After two rounds of the controversial skin-drying drug Roaccutane – which has been linked to depression and even suicide – my skin was worse than ever and I knew I needed a second opinion. This is when everything changed for me.

At the Cadogan Clinic in Chelsea, Dr Anjali Mahto MBBCh BSc MRCP (Derm) listened, sympathised and advised in the clearest terms possible. Taking my long history into account, she gave me two options, another round of Roacctuate or a longer term prescription of Spironolactone.

49 NH_Nov16_Codagon.indd 49

The latter is something the NHS didn’t tell me about, as it’s a drug primarily used to treat fluid build-up due to heart failure, liver scarring, or kidney disease. One of the off-label effects, however, is its ability to block androgens (like testosterone) that are responsible for excess sebum production in women. Essentially, Spiro can clear and control hormonal acne in adult women.

Side effects include thirst and dizziness but, while it took four months to work, my skin has been completely blemish-free ever since. Giving me both professional and personal advice, Dr Mahto and The Cadogan gave me back the confidence I lost almost 10 years ago. I can’t thank them enough. u 120 Sloane Street, SW1X; cadoganclinic.com

absolutely.london

26/10/2016 12:39

MAKING BUSY LIVES LESS STRESSFUL WE BRING THE SPA TO YOUR DOOR 7AM-10PM

SERVICES MASSAGE • NAILS • HAIR • MAKE UP • FACIALS • EYELASH EXTENSIONS • SPRAY TAN

BOOK ONLINE, VIA APP OR CONCIERGE USE CODE ABSOLUTE FOR £15 OFF FIRST TREATMENT concierge@uspaah.com 020 7101 3534

USPAAH.indd 1

26/10/2016 12:52

HEALTH & BEAUTY / PRODUCTS SUSANNE KAUFMANN

Flight Kit, £66; susannekaufmann.com

T3

Whirl Trio Styling Wand, £199; net-a-porter.com

LIPSTICK QUEEN

Smoky Lip Kit, £32; spacenk.com

EYEKO

David Downton for Eyeko, £80; eyeko.com

BYREDO

1996 Collector Box, £135; byredo.co.uk

OMOROVICZA

Miracle Facial Set, £80; omorovicza.com

BEAUTYBLENDER Pro.On.The.Go.Kit, £38; cultbeauty.com

CHARLOTTE TILBURY

Instant Look in a Palette, £49; charlottetilbury.com

FOREO

Complete Beauty Essentials, £149; foreo.com

KITTED OUT

EVE LOM

The best beauty sets to keep you looking good for winter travels

The Rescue Ritual, £75; spacenk.com

B y c at h e r i n e h a l e s

AESOP

The Intent Observer, £120; aesop.com

LAURA MERCIER

Infusion de Rose Nourishing Collection, £79; lauramercier.com

VICTORIA BECKHAM ESTÉE LAUDER Paris Kit, £122; net-a-porter.com

51 Beauty Products.indd 51

absolutely.london

26/10/2016 12:40

ABM4_OCT16_190X134V1_CH:Layout 1 copy

10/23/16

6:16 PM

Page 1

triyoga this autumn 30 days of yoga + pilates for £40* discover classes for all levels, treatments, organic café, shop + more... at triyoga chelsea 372 king’s road sw3 5uz to book or for more information contact: HM_COlSaleOCt16_190x134HH_abSOlutely_V1 020 3362 3366 or go to www.triyoga.co.uk *valid for all mat classes, 1 per person, for new visitors only INSeRtIONS: NOttING HIll/KeNSINGtON/N by NW bleeD: 3MM TRIYOGA.indd 1

24/10/2016 10:14

COLOUR 50% OFF SALE Get couture colour to suit you without the designer price tag.

Book your appointment today www.headmasters.com or call 0345 459 7700

from 22nd October to 19th November 2016 HEADMASTERS.indd 1

_CHELSEA_ADVERT PLACEMENTS.indd 2

19/10/2016 10:40

26/10/2016 17:16

> KITCHEN CONFIDENTIAL p. 54 REVIEW: GOLA, SW6 p. 57 RECIPES: THE SAVOURY p. 58

CAPITAL TREATS Festive treats at Michelin-starred Outlaw's at The Capital Hotel include a tempting Mint Meringue Christmas Tree, a Father Christmas inspired marmalade and panettone Macaron and an, almost too cute to eat Lemon Cheesecake Snowman.

It all starts on 21 November.

22-24 Basil Street, SW3 capitalhotel.co.uk

53 CH_Nov16_Food_Opener copy.indd 53

absolutely.london

26/10/2016 15:27

What to drink

kitchen

CONFIDENTIAL West London’s food news and delicious things to see you through November Wo r d s P E A R L B OY D

A GREAT MATCH Wine and food pairings for the month ahead B y J a n e Pa r k i n s o n

CHICKEN LIVER PARFAIT ith a pâté so decadent in flavour and with a smooth dense t exture the most successful pairing is a fresh and fruity wine with a very (very) light touch of sweetness.

This New Zealand white is perfect because its juicy pear flavours and crispness cut through the flavour and texture of the parfait brilliantly. u ● Kumeu River Pinot Gris 2014 £11.99, majestic.co.uk

W

TURKEY WITH TRIMMINGS he family favourite Christmas dinner is a rich combination of flavours including bacon, cranberry, stuffing and gravy, so a ripe red is best. France’s Rhône Valley has these in abundance. This one is made with the Syrah grape and has a beautiful peppery spice to lift the elegant layers or red and black fruit. u ● Alain Graillot Crozes Hermitage 2013 £22.50, yapp.co.uk

T

STILTON intage Port with Stilton is one of the all-time wine and food greats. Blue cheese is incredibly potent, so the wine pairing needs to be sweet and full-flavoured if it has any chance of not getting lost. This is from a classic producer and is at a delicious drinking stage now with dark black fruit, clove, star anise and chocolate flavours. u ● Warre’s 2000 £45.75 leaandsandeman.co.uk

V

janeparkinson.com

ABSOLUTELY MAGAZINES

NH_OCT16_foodNotes2.indd 54

Real food fast D aylesford to G o

Daylesford has launched Daylesford To Go as part of their Eat To Be Healthy range. For an energising lunch, a Stay True Protein Bowl combines grilled chicken with a peashoot and mint salad, plus coconut mint pesto and beetroot relish. This, with zesty lime and beetroot kale chips and a crunchy little bag of berries and nibs, along with a bright green cold pressed juice, will leave you revived and revitalised all the way to supper time. daylesford.com

54 26/10/2016 12:43

FOOD & DRINK / NOTES

RAISE THE BAR Joseph Joseph

New from Joseph Joseph, our favourite kitchen accessory designer, is the Barwise range. In a stylish grey/blue shade, these simple, functinoal pieces make opening any kind of bottle as smooth as possible. josephjoseph.com

NOVEMBER

editor’s

PICK

cocktail

ALL IN A ROE Caviar Sturia

Caviar Sturia is a sustainable French caviar brand that's now stocked exclusively at Harrods. Fast becoming known as a 'haute couture' caviar, Sturia prides itself on its hazelnut flavours and its wide array of flavours – and the packaging is beautiful too. sturia.com

RAW GINGER MARTINI Created by BLIXEN ◆ INGREDIENTS

Our London Vodka 50ml Lillet Blanc 15ml Martini Rosato 10ml Raw Ginger Juice Fresh Lemon Juice ◆ METHOD

In a mixing pint glass add vodka, Lillet Blanc and Rosato. Add ice and stir. Strain into a chilled cocktail coup that has been double rinsed with raw ginger juice. Squeeze the lemon twist over the cocktail and rub the edges of the glass with the twist. Add the twist to the glass for garnish.

SWEET THINGS Fo r m o s a F l o w e r s & Chocolaterie

A large new Leonidas counter at 2 Formosa Street is proving a serious draw for a shop that until recently sold only flowers. Now there are flowers, chocolates and gifts in this stylish neighbourhood boutique.

2 Formosa Street, W9; ffcshop.cm

blixen.co.uk

SPIRIT of the Month

ince launching Haig Club in 2011, David Beckham’s whisky project seems to have gone from strength to strength. Now they have launched the more inexpensive (but no less tasty) Clubman, a single grain Scotch whisky designed to be drunk with a mixer. ◆ S

COLOUR POP Shikumen

Singaporean eaterie Shikumen's fabulous multi-coloured soup dumplings are bright yellow, green, pink and black. Diners can order a five-piece selection of each colour (including the original Xiao Long Bao with minced pork). Yum. Dorset Hotel, 58 Shepherds Bush Green, W1 shikumen.co.uk

55 NH_OCT16_foodNotes2.indd 55

£25; haigclub.com

absolutely.london

26/10/2016 12:43

LINEAR LONDON.indd 1

06/10/2016 17:31

FOOD & DRINK / RESTAURANT REVIEW

DESPITE APPEARANCES, the food at GOLA IS SUPERB

GOLA Authentic – if eccentric – Puglian cuisine in Fulham

D

Wo r d s a m a n d a c o n s ta n c e

on’t judge a book by its cover.

Will I ever learn? Even with actual books, as with bottles of wine, I still buy the ones with pretty pictures on the front.

So I head off to Gola with a sense of trepidation; a look at the website beforehand doesn’t inspire confidence. Amateur images of Renaissance pictures in gaudy frames jostle with images of over-fussy dishes and an invitation to “enjoy our aphrodisiac food from Puglia”. There are ramblings about the seven deadly sins and lists of ingredients and their sexy properties. I fear some sort of ‘novelty’ experience and on arrival, my concerns aren’t much assuaged. Situated at the Parsons Green end of the Fulham Road, Gola has an unobtrusive exterior. The interior, however, is the diabolical lovechild of a brothel and nonna’s best efforts with the Christmas

deccies. It is gaudy and busy and sex is definitely a theme: ceramic stilettos and lips stuck out of walls painted a deep red.

Then I meet Aaron, owner, Puglian and food devotee. As he leads us to our table – in a narrow atrium lined with illuminated wine bottles and ceramic rhino heads – and suggests he decide what we eat, I know everything would be just fine.

For despite appearances, the food at Gola is superb. We start with a warming plate of deep fried polenta with shavings of black truffle and a pecorino and caciocavallo sauce (no, me neither, it’s a Puglian cheese). Then we have a burrata (creamy mozzarella from Puglia) wrapped in speck on bruschetta with more truffle. A steaming melanzane parmigiana makes me swoon with its rich aroma. Aaron explains that they don’t fry the aubergine but steam it to make it lighter; it is the best I’ve ever eaten.

57 NH_Nov16_Restaurant Review.indd 57

This is followed by a flatbread covered in fresh tomatoes and herbs. We wisely don’t devour it all, realising that Aaron is just getting started. A native of Foggia in Puglia, he is fervently committed to food. His restaurant uses only DOP ingredients – that’s Protected Designation of Origin – which means every mouthful is the real deal when it comes to provenance and quality.

Fellow Puglian head chef Angelo Prezio’s signature dish of tagliolini with sea urchin is a buttery confection with rich globules of the sea creature. This is followed by a cleansing plate of salty le cime di rapa, traditional Puglian turnip greens. We then have two more pasta dishes – octopus with mash, macaroni and tomato and tortelloni stuffed with pecorino and honey smothered in a dark mushroom sauce – this is the stand out dish, the sweet pecorino a perfect foil for the dark savoury sauce. Though we are close to death from overeating, Aaron still tempts us to try a traditional Puglian sausage with fennel and even after that we manage a pudding: gnocchi stuffed with a chocolate praline. Even with its extraordinary soundtrack – the Margarita Pracatanesque cover of Coldplay’s Viva la Vida is not to be forgotten – Gola is a surprise and a delight.

Properly Italian, Gola is a million miles away from po-faced serious dining and all the better for it. The best surprise I’ve had in a while. u

● ●G O L A

787 Fulham Road, SW6 5HD 020 7751 0141, golalondon.com

absolutely.london

26/10/2016 14:30

XXXXXX / XXXXXXX

Edward Bawden, cat with caviar tin, 1958, from the Fortnum & Mason archive

A

h, the savoury.

That bitesized hit of piquant power, traditionally served after stolid pudding and before coquettish fruit. In short, the penultimate gasp of a truly civilised dinner. Scotch Woodcock and Welsh Rarebit, Devils and Angels on Horseback and Canapes Ivanhoe ... who could resist their manifold charms? 'Robustly and triumphantly British,' exclaimed bon viveur polemicist P. Morton Shand.

Sure, there's always cheese. But the savoury is a course to adore.

Their role was as sop and stimulant. The Special Forces, ifyou like, of the evening meal,

THE penultimate GASP OF a truly civilised DINNER

The Royal Slice

In Fortnum & Mason's new Cook Book, the neglected Savoury gains a new lease of life Wo r d s t o m pa r k e r - b o w l e s

ABSOLUTELY MAGAZINES

NH_Nov16_RECIPES.indd 58

there to exterminate, with extreme prejudice, the last unsatisfied baddies of a trencherman's greed.

With all those manly, strident flavours, they were seen very much as a gentleman's relish, far more at home in the wood- and waflle-panelled dining rooms of the old St James's clubs than they were in the more genteel salons of the modern lady. 'An admirable ending to a meal', in the words of cookery writer Ambrose Heath (who devoted a whole tome, Good Savouries, to the topic), 'like some unexpected witticism or amusing epigram at the close of a pleasant conversation'.

But although these grand, rather heavy dinners have their place, these days it's all a bit of an effort.

More important still, tastes have changed and our tender modern tummies (well, most of them) just wouldn't, er, stomach it.

But that doesn't mean the savoury

58 26/10/2016 14:16

FOOD & DRINK / RECIPES

SCO T CH WOODCOCK SERVES 2

classic, rich savoury, with a classic English joke attached.

The Scots have long been famed for their parsimony - by their neighbours south of the border, anyway. Hence 'Scotch' woodcock, implying that they're too mean to use the game bird and swap it for far cheaper anchovy paste. A fairly poor joke actually makes a fairly rich dish.

A

INGREDIENTS

• 5 eggs, preferably Burford Browns • 50ml double cream • a pinch of cayenne pepper • I teaspoon anchovy essence or anchovy paste • 30g unsalted butter • 2 slices of sourdough bread • 6 thin anchovy fillets • salt and freshly ground black pepper METHOD 1 Crack the eggs into a bowl, add the double cream, cayenne pepper, anchovy essence or paste and some salt and pepper and whisk together.

2 Melt the butter ina non-stick pan and add the egg mixture. 3 Cook very gently, mixing with a spatula, until softly scrambled. 4 Toast the bread and place on 2 serving plates. 5 Top with the scrambled egg and lay the anchovy fillets on top. 6 Eat, and marvel at its salty, savoury depth.

has to go the way of turtle soup.

Hell no! These bold, brusque and vibrant flavours are timeless, with cheese, anchovy, cured pork and cayenne pepper all leading players in this delectable cavalcade.

Toast, preferably thin, buttered and piping hot, was the base upon which all manner of gastronomic greatness could be balanced. Plus tartlets, crotites, biscuits and puff pastry barquettes.

For me, one of the many joys of the savoury is that they're welcome at any time of the day - mid morning snack, light lunch, ballast

for booze, easy supper, late-night nibble. Even, if your tastes are that way inclined, as a canape.

Devilled sardines, to name but one, are not only economical but taste wonderful too. Plus they can be put together with the most basic of store-cupboard ingredients – emergency fallbacks that don't reek of desperation, giving the time-poor cook the vestige of oldschool sophistication. Cheese on toast is one thing. Mix that cheese with a little beer, though, and let it bubble and seethe and brown, and the whole thing becomes Welsh

59 NH_Nov16_RECIPES.indd 59

Extract taken from Fortnum & Mason: The Cook Book by Tom ParkerBowles, £30.

4thestate.co.uk

Rarebit, a dish that Fortnum's might not have invented. But one that they certainly perfected.

Okay, no one (save the ghost of Fanny Cradock) is going to whip up exotic vol-au-vents on a daily basis. These particular beauties are best saved for a slower, more rainy day. But don't fear this rambunctious taste of days long past. I'm still stirred by the sight of a savoury, peeking out bravely after the assault of pudding. Treat them as endlessly adaptable, and the savoury moves from dinner delectation to anytime delight. 

absolutely.london

26/10/2016 12:55

EXCLUSIVE FURNITURE

Shoreditch & Leatherhead 020 7253 3206 or 01372 379810

www.wharfside.co.uk WHARFSIDE OCT.indd 1 2016.indd 1 Absolutely Magazine October

22/08/2016 22/08/2016 14:38 12:46

> INTERIOR INSPIRATIONS

p. 64

THE SCANDI LOOK

p. 66

DESIGN TALK WITH MARCEL WANDERS

p. 68

HOUSE OF PLANTS Urban dwellers with green fingers will find solace in Caro Langton and Rose Ray's guide to caring for tropical house plants.

House of Plants, £20, Frances Lincoln Publishers

61 Chis_Nov2016_INTERIORS OPENER.indd 61

absolutely.london

26/10/2016 14:32

10 of the best

candlesticks SKAGERAK

Modern ideas, designs and styles for your home

Segments candleholder oak, £65 cloudberryliving.co.uk

Wo r d s e l i z a b e t h h u t t o n

MOEBE

Candlelight Brass, £18 conranshop.co.uk

NORTHERN LIGHTING Poppy Table Skinny Black Grey, £POA northernlighting.no

MENU

Optical Candle Holder, £50 nest.co.uk

must

HAVE

Sit Back

PLANT AND MOSS

Geometrics Candle Holders, £POA plantandmoss.com

Natuzzi Reimagining Natuzzi’s iconic Re-vive chair, Camille Walala, Eley Kishimoto and Patternity have each taken a risk. Using bold colours and busy patterns their reinterpretation of the world’s first reclining chair are truly modern. natuzzi.co.uk

ABSOLUTELY MAGAZINES

CHIS_Nov16_Interiors_Notes.indd 62

62 26/10/2016 14:33

HOMES & INTERIORS / NOTES editor’s

PICK

BROSTE

Candle Holder ‘Lova’Marble, £28 goodhoodstore.com

HOT SEAT

Studio Makgill x H Furniture When a graphic design studio and a furniture brand come together, you know the designs will be good.

Bringing vivid colour to the iconic wooden Windsor WW chair, there are six different versions worth collecting. studiomakgill.com

IMAGERY CODE

Magical Ensemble Oliver Candle, £POA imagerycode.com

KITCHEN SOLUTIONS

Sanctuary Kitchens Surrey-based Kitchen company Sanctuary Kitchens offers a personal service to all their work, from bespoke design to project-managed installation. More traditional, hand-crafted kitchen finishes from Woodstock Furniture complement their range. Engage Sanctuary Kitchens if you want peace of mind. sanctuarykitchens.net

KIM THOME

Rectangular Lump Candle Holders, $250 thefutureperfect.com

DRESS UP

Poltrona Frau x Neri & Hu Crafted in walnut and brass with saddle leather accents, the Ren furnishing accessory collection is designed to be discrete but beautiful.

Based on the Chinese ideogram “ren” - meaning people - the structure is able to hold personal items and a paraphernalia of items. poltronafrau.com

MUUTO

Match Tealight Holder Grey, £14 goodhoodstore.com

PINCHED

Pinch The new pieces at Studio Pinch this season include a drinks cabinet, dresser, console, wall mirror and upholstered dining chairs. Seeing the beauty and simplicity in thoughtful, well-crafted products, each piece is as elegant as it is practical. pinchdesign.com

63 CHIS_Nov16_Interiors_Notes.indd 63

FERM LIVING

Half Candleholder Rose, £26 goodhoodstore.com

absolutely.london

26/10/2016 14:33

HOT SPOTS With Christmas approaching, Absoutely seeks out the best party venues in our areas

SANTO BEST FOR An authentic Mexican fiesta WHY? After eight years of always using the best

Mexican ingredients, local produce and local suppliers where possible, chef-patron Fernando De la Cruz invites you to taste the most authentic Mexican food this side of the Atlantic. This Christmas, celebrate in the heat of a latin night.

STYLE Friendly and relaxed with weekend DJs spinning South American beats.

SIGNATURE COCKTAIL Classic Margaritas.

299 Portobello Rd, London W10 5TD Phone: 020 8968 4590 www.santolondres.com

HUTONG

JUJU

BEST FOR Abusing the expense account.

WHY? You’re sipping exquisite champagne on

BEST FOR A chic night out in Chelsea.

WHY? Known on King's Road for its extravagant cocktails, JuJu

has become the jewel in the crown of Chelsea’s nightlife scene.

Celebrate a special occasion by sampling quality cocktails and a unique tapas menu. STYLE Exclusive cocktail bar.

SIGNATURE COCKTAIL Chelsea Country Garden 316-318 Kings Road, SW3 5UH; 020 7351 5998; jujulondon.com

ABSOLUTELY MAGAZINES

NH_ADV_Xmas_Feature.indd 64

floor 52 of The Shard, looking down at the city’s skyline as it shimmers below after a indulgent meal. Only to follow it up with special Christmas cocktails to get you in the mood for the festive season and also the hangover the next day.

SIGNATURE COCKTAIL Shanghai Martini Level 52, The Shard, 31 St Thomas Street, SE1 9QU; 020 7234 8208; hutong.co.uk

64 26/10/2016 14:40

ABSOLUTELY / PROMOTION

E&O

BEACH BLANKET BABYLON

BEST FOR Black cod and exceptional sushi.

WHY? Boasting a buzzy, vibrant bar with a

BEST FOR A hot date or an intimate dinner party.

WHY? This gorgeous Georgian mansion boasts

relaxed dining room, trendy E&O is the go-to place for pan-Asian tapas, fab cocktails and excellent service. The private dining room can accommodate up to 20 guests. STYLE Cosy booths and dark slatted wood panels.

COCKTAIL OF THE SEASON Eastern & Oriental 14 Blenheim Crescent, W11 1NN; 020 7229 5454; rickerrestaurants.com

sexy interiors with eclectic chandeliers, cosy nooks by imposing fireplaces and a buzzy bar.

The 120-seat restaurant serves excellent modern British and European food while bespoke banqueting caters for up to 350 guests. STYLE Baroque and rococo meets French chateau.

SIGNATURE COCKTAIL Porn Star.

45 Ledbury Road, W11 2AA; 020 7229 2907; beachblanket.co.uk

LISA'S BEST FOR Classic Swedish meatballs and Akvavit. WHY? The menu boasts Nordic staples such as full Swedish breakfast (eggs any style, 'prins' sausages, avocado, Västerbotten cheese and crisp bread) and koldolmar (white cabbage, red lentils, mushrooms, onions, garlic, herbs and boiled new potatoes). STYLE Whitewashed walls adorned with posters from the 1922 Swedish prohibition referendum.

SIGNATURE COCKTAIL: Swedish Mary.

305 Portobello Road, W10 5TD 020 8964 8293; lisasportobello.com

EIGHT OVER EIGHT

PARADISE BY WAY OF KENSAL GREEN

BEST FOR Pan-Asian tapas and Asian-inspired cocktails. WHY? This local favourite is as

reliable as the day it opened. The sharing menu includes superb dim sum, curries, stirfries and salads - think chilli salt squid, gyoza dmplings, BBQ Korean lamb with kimchi, and of course, black cod in sweet miso. STYLE Modish black-and-cream interiors pointed up with Oriental screens. SIGNATURE COCKTAIL Passion Fruit & Cinnamon Martini.

392 King's Road, SW3 5UZ; 020 7349 9934; rickerrestaurants.com

BEST FOR Impressive food and partying.

WHY? This gastropub, bar and live music venue

is a fab all-rounder, with a restaurant headed up

by Cat Ashton and a line-up that includes special guests such as DJ Yoda, Norman Jay, art shows and supper clubs. STYLE Decaying glamour with a hint of country house charm.

SIGNATURE COCKTAIL White Negroni.

19 Kilburn Lane, W10 4AE; 020 8969 0098; theparadise.co.uk

THE ORANGE BEST FOR Traditional wood-fired pizzas and Sunday roasts. WHY? This independent

public house and hotel offers classic dishes and an expertly crafted drinks list, plus stunning events spaces for hire, whether for cocktails and canapés or private dinner parties. STYLE A lively ground floor and a bright first floor with views over Orange Square. SIGNATURE COCKTAIL Cubitt Mojito.

37-39 Pimlico Road, SW1W 8NE 020 7881 9844; theorange.co.uk

65 NH_ADV_Xmas_Feature.indd 65

absolutely.loandon

26/10/2016 14:40

XXXXXX / XXXXXXX

A PH LAMP IN A KITCHEN IN FREDERIKSBERG

D LIVING ROOM © PETER KRAGBALLE

GREAT DANES

Everybody’s talking about hygge but what actually is it? Here’s a look at the Danish ‘art of happiness’ and how it relates to the home Wo r d s M a r i e T o u r e l l S ø d e r b e r g

ABSOLUTELY MAGAZINES

NH_Dec16_Scandi.indd 66

enmark has a long history of design. With traits of simplicity and functionality, Danish designers such as Arne Jacobsen, Finn Juhl and Poul Henningsen (PH) have made Danish design well-known worldwide. Danish design strives for aesthetics and beauty, but it always has a twist of functionality. The objects are designed to be used, they are not exhibition pieces that no one is allowed to touch. If something is only beautiful, too luxurious and extravagant, it detracts from the relaxed and down-to-earth quality that is a key value in hygge.

“The PH lamp has an interesting and contemporary cutting-edge design, but as everyone knows, it is built for giving better light. Its appearance is not just superficial design-nonsense to make it unnecessarily beautiful. Oh no, its design directly supports its function: to provide good light. It is an honest lamp; its outer is inseparable from its interior. And when Danish consumers know that, they can live with its beauty.” – Jeppe Trolle Linnet, professor of hygge “The hallway is a room you walk through, a room in between and easy to forget. Nevertheless, it is the very first place that greets you when you come home. Find out what gives you joy to catch sight of when you step inside - a painting from your favourite artist, the colour green or your slippers standing in the hallway, waiting for you to slip into and get comfortable right away. At the same time have an eye on your practical needs. It is neither handy nor hyggelig to

66 26/10/2016 14:19

HOMES & INTERIORS / FOCUS

DANISH DESIGN

strives for aesthetics and BEAUTY BUT ALWAYS HAS a twist of FUNCTIONALITY

step directly into a mountain of shoes and coats that blocks your view and restricts your movement. Find functional storage solutions that create space and don’t steal too much attention.” – Christina B. Kjeldsen The living room is often the star of the home. From a Scandinavian perspective, materials play a big part when it comes to hygge. Wood, folded lampshades of paper, ceramics and stoneware are a part of the Scandinavian style-DNA. We love to surround ourselves with light, Nordic types of wood, just as we have a long tradition of classical furniture design in teak that many of us carry with us as memories from our childhood homes. This brings about an element of recognition that can help define and create the framework for hygge.

It feels good - it is hyggelig – when we recognize pieces of furniture as old friends from the home of our childhood.

Many Scandinavians carry this kind of furniture heritage with them due to our history of design, and for a lot of people this helps to create a hyggelig and nourishing atmosphere in our homes.

If you have a closer look at your own history there will definitely be similar elements you can transfer to your own rooms. What is the unifying point for you – is it the big, big sofa that you grew up with, a special kind of tapestry on the walls or your beloved dresser? 

Extract taken from

H yg g e

The Danish Art of Happiness

by Marie Tourell Søderberg, published on 6 October by Michael Joseph, £12.99

HALLWAY© PETER KRAGBALLE

67 NH_Dec16_Scandi.indd 67

absolutely.london

26/10/2016 14:20

Mother of

INVENTION Marcel Wanders has a long tradition of designing for Alessi but his new Circus collection is his best yet. Here he discusses art, design and functionality with Absolutely Wo r d s P e n d l e H a r t e

ABSOLUTELY MAGAZINES

NH_Dec16_MARCEL WANDERS.indd 68

68 26/10/2016 14:24

HOMES & INTERIORS / PROFILE

Y

ou can tell that Marcel Wanders is an internationally famed designer just by looking at him. He cuts an impressive presence, taller than everyone else in the room, with flamboyant grey hair and a quick, authoritative manner. He has a Northern European philosophical slant to his conversation, which leads him to answer questions in ways that I’m not quite expecting. We are at Harrods, here to discuss his ongoing collaboration with Italian design house Alessi and the newly launched Circus collection, about which he is very excited.

Wanders’ relationship with Alessi goes back a long way and takes in about 160 pieces over the last eight years at the higher quality end of the range, the ceramic and stainless steel end, not the bright plastic selection. ‘Alessi

Functionality is

IMPORTANT FOR THINGS we don’t care about, like VACUUM CLEANERS has a wonderful heritage,’ he asserts.

‘Throughout the 80s and the 90s you could walk into an Alessi store, pick something blind, take it to a wedding and everybody would be happy.’ The collaborative nature of their relationship is integral. ‘Design companies don’t tell designers what to do – they listen to designers. Of course it’s a collaboration, and there’s a lot of talking, but in the end we make what we want to make.

If the designer is the mother and the company is the father, well, you want to make babies that the father recognises once they’re there, right? Because then the father will take better care of them.

It’s all connected, so we designers try to find fathers who are worthwhile.’ It’s an undeniably compelling analogy.

Anyway, Wanders was always certain that in working with Alessi and its impressive rosta of collaborators, he wanted to be special. ‘I never wanted to be designer number 744 who does an egg cup,’ he asserts. Who wouldn’t want better things for their babies?

The new collection, Circus, is a success he says because even though neither he nor Alessi has ever done anything similar, it’s still immediately identifiable as a collaboration between them. ‘We have really found an area where both can give what they have to give,’ he says. The circus theme, although it could easily have arisen from Alessi’s tradition of characters and quirky figures, comes instead from Wanders’ newly developed (though secret) method of combining colour with stainless steel. They worked on the new technology first and once they’d perfected it, set about thinking of something to use it for. ‘So we were looking for something that would allow the combination of bright colour with steel and we thought of the circus, with all the nostalgia, the characters and the misfits.

69 NH_Dec16_MARCEL WANDERS.indd 69

absolutely.london

26/10/2016 14:24

N8 O

I N T E R I O R S

Elegent, sophisticated interiors where every project is infused with passion and creativity

+ 44 (0 ) 20 8780 3053 | +4 4 ( 0 ) 7 9 5 8 9 3 4 7 6 4 | in f o @ n o 8 in t e r i o r s . c o m

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24/10/2016 10:15

HOMES & INTERIORS / PROFILE ‘They never did something like this. We never did something like this. But when you put it out there you can tell very clearly that it’s us.’

The range comprises 29 pieces of tableware, including trays, bowls, an ice bucket, a wine cooler and various containers, as well as a limited edition collection of five curiosities: a jester corkscrew, a strongman nutcracker, a ballerina music box, a ringmaster bell and a candyman sweet dispenser, each of them sold in numbered editions of 999. Which one is Wanders’ favourite?

It’s not a question he takes favourably to. ‘Favourites are complicated. It’s like asking which is my favourite child. Even if you know you won’t tell, right?’ But today, this morning, he’s preferring the ballerina, which he’s just chosen as a gift for a friend’s baby. ‘I see that girl in 20 years in her school dorm with that thing next to her.’

The ballerina is a music box and the jester is a corkscrew – and I am expecting him to enthuse about the functionality of his pieces. But on the contrary, he’s quite dismissive about functionality altogether and becomes quite animated. ‘It’s a very overqualified idea. To explain design with functional criteria is ridiculous. Our functionality is not extremely relevant to the piece, which for a lot of designers is not something they would want to admit.

Functionality is important for things we don’t care about, like vacuum cleaners.

Nobody even wants a vacuum cleaner, they just want a clean house. If you make a vacuum cleaner and it doesn’t work then that’s terrible because functionality is the foundation – but having a foundation doesn’t make a thing good. It’s not enough.

Maybe all that BODY OF WORK is not a perfect mirror of WHO I AM AS A PERSON

There are houses that need foundations, but dream castles in the air that can do without them.’

His views on the relationship between art and design are similarly robust.

‘Art affects a few people in a very deep way, design a lot of people in a light way,’ he says. As both an artist and a designer, the two worlds are very clearly separate for him. ‘The message of an artwork is different from the message of a design piece. It makes a different connection to the world. In design, my message is about my trust in the world, it’s about giving, sharing, community.

But having done that for 25 years, I started to see that maybe all that body of work is not a perfect mirror of who I am as a person and I wanted to express different ideas. My fears, my anger, my disappointment in myself and others.

That started a different, more intimate conversation about things I don’t want on the back of a cornflakes packet.’ In essence, design is cheerful while art is not. It’s a clear definition. The Alessi spokesperson at his side interjects to point out that the limited edition pieces in the Circus collection are also art pieces, but Wanders won’t have it. ‘It’s very easy to say that if we make a chair in a lower quantity and with more careful production then it’s art, but it’s not. The things I make which I call art have a very different meaning and importance. They have something different to say.’

If Wanders is the mother of his works, he’s definitely a Tiger Mother, ambitious, strong and fierce. And his future projects? ‘I’d love to do an opera at the Met,’ he says. Doesn’t the Tiger Mother always achieve her aim? ◆ alessi.com/circus

71 NH_Dec16_MARCEL WANDERS.indd 71

absolutely.london

26/10/2016 14:24

Sleep Matters Do you take sleep seriously? We do.

We are the UK’s leading specialist in the optimisation of sleep for better wellbeing and daily performance.

An exclusive new world of advanced luxury lifestyle beds, mattresses, pillows, quilts and linens.

Join us for an experience that will change your nights and your days.

Tomorrow begins tonight.

Are you Rested?

Pictured: The Royal Bed by Auping Introducing our exclusive showcase of the world’s leading brands for better sleep.

London store now open.

Rested_Absolute_Royal_210x297mm_AW_17.10.16.indd 1 RESTED.indd 1

rested.com

17/10/2016 11:06 21:49 19/10/2016

HOMES & INTERIORS / INSPIRATION

ZAHA HADID ‘Braid Vase in Black’, £355; and ‘Serenity Shallow Bowl in PVD Gold’, £195; available exclusively from selfridges.com

BD BARCELONA

‘Monkey’ side table, £3000 + VAT, by Jaime Hayón; bdbarcelona.com

FRANCIS SULTANA

‘Malpensa’ and ‘Nico’ cabinets, POA; francissultana.com

ARMANI/CASA

‘Club’ limited-edition cocktail cabinet, £POA armanicasa.com

VALLILA

‘Linja Filled Cushion’, £18.90; vallila.co.uk

BRAMWELL BROWN

BUSTER + PUNCH

‘London Weather Clock’, £295 (small), £395 (large); www. bramwellbrown.com

‘Hooked’ wall light, from £240; available exclusively from www.johnlewis.com

ZUZA MENGHAM

Resin sculpture, from £1,200, for Laboratory Perfumes; zuzamengham.com

BISAZZA

‘WOOD’ collection, POA, by Studio Job; www.bisazza.com

FAIR PLAY

With another edition of London Design Festival wrapped up, we pick out the best furniture finds By jessica klingelfuss

LASVIT

Cheese Lid, £1,630, by Campana Brothers; lasvit.com

BERT & MAY

Fabric collection, prices vary; bertandmay.com

73 Interior Products.indd 73

KVADRAT

‘Pilotis’ collection, prices from £53–£115 per sq m, by Doshi Levien; kvadrat.dk

absolutely.london

26/10/2016 14:26

STOVE TALK Six reasons why installing a wood-burning stove will improve your life Words

PENDLE HARTE

01 EFFICIENCY A stove is vastly more efficient than an open fire. There’s less heat loss, so you get more heat for less wood. You can reduce your gas bill and turn the thermostat down.

02 COSINESS It’s emotional. Stoves create instant cosiness – they look good and improve everybody’s mood.

03 BACK TO BASIC S ‘There’s something primal about burning logs,’ says Marcus Hodgetts of Stoake (stoake.co.uk), a business that is seeing a huge rise in the number of Londoners installing wood burners.

Making fire is a fundamental human skill; we live in a hard environment and can long for something more basic. Some people go a step further and buy an axe.

04 ENVIRONMENTAL APPEAL You can even power your whole house with a boiler stove and a multiple energy system that includes solar power. You’ll need a small plant room to run your central heating and hot water in an environmentally friendly way.

05 ANY THING’S POSSIBLE Wood burning stoves can be installed in almost any house. No chimney breast? No problem.

You can have an exposed flue. Existing chimneys will probably need to be lined; installation usually takes a day.

06 CHRISTMAS What could be more Christmassy than a stove gently crackling, turkey cooking, presents waiting to be unwrapped? Nothing is more Christmassy than that.

ABSOLUTELY MAGAZINES

NH_Dec16_STOVES.indd 74

74 26/10/2016 14:28

HOMES & INTERIORS / FOCUS THE LIST Stoves & Accessories

TH E FAVOU RITE Charnwood’s C4 stove is Stoake’s best-seller thanks to its compact dimensions and attractive portraitshaped window. stoake.co.uk

MODERN LOVE The superb contemporary stove range from Spartherm is the ideal focal point for any room. grateexpectations.com

LOG STORE Accessorise your stove with this stylish Emma log basket

by Eldvarm, £665. skandium.com

75 NH_Dec16_STOVES.indd 75

absolutely.london

26/10/2016 14:29

XXXXXX / XXXXXXX

ROOM SERVICE

BESPOKE CONTEMPORARY KITCHEN INSTALLATION BY MCCARRON & CO

Mark Brook, creative director of McCarron & Co, reveals some trade secrets Wo r d s p e a r l b oy d

PEARL BOYD: What is it that makes McCarron & Co such a success?

MARK BROOK: In a word: flexibilty.

McCarron & Co is made up of a pool of amazing creative talent, drawn from the UK’s forefront kitchen manufacturing establishments. Across the board we have a real wealth of specialist knowledge.

This enables us to meet the most exacting client briefs. A large percentage of our business comes from the interior design and architecture world and that is where the flexibility really makes the difference.

These professionals often have a house style or a unique scheme designed solely for an individual project. Our strength is the flexibility to translate their ideas into beautifully considered projects.

CREATIVE DIRECTOR MARK BROOK

ABSOLUTELY MAGAZINES

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PD: What kind of projects do you undertake?

MB: In our infancy we predominantly specialised in bespoke kitchens / media rooms / bedrooms and bathrooms – really, any spaces that require functional and aesthetically driven solutions. However, we now get more involved with whole house projects which span almost every room in the house, including libraries, flower rooms, wine rooms and mud rooms. We have even worked on a dog grooming room with underfloor heating and a foot bath for muddy paws.

PD: What is your background?

MB: My whole career has revolved around the kitchen industry, starting out in the commercial kitchen sector, designing huge kitchens in the hotel and restaurant world. That was a great learning curve for accurate site surveys way before the advent of laser measuring tools. Moving over to residential kitchens was a natural progression, and creatively a lot more rewarding. I cut my teeth managing kitchen showrooms for Harrods, Mark Wilkinson and Smallbone of Devizes before becoming one of the co-owners here at McCarron & Co. PD: Where do you start when designing a bespoke project?

MB: The first step will often be a detailed brief-taking meeting with the client or

Nobody wants to go to a FRIEND’S DINNER PARTY & see the EXACT SAME KITCHEN

interior designer/architect to get an in-depth understanding of their vision and what they would like to achieve. In order to successfully interpret the needs of the client, we listen carefully and ask lots of questions, taking into account their lifestyle and any factors which may influence the design. Pinterest,

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HOMES & INTERIORS / FOCUS CURVED BREAKFAST BAR WITH INSET LEATHER ON DISPLAY AT THE MCCARRON & CO CHELSEA SHOWROOM

knowledge, having worked predominantly for Mark Wilkinson Furniture and Smallbone of Devizes in previous years.

What really drives them now is the number of unique projects we undertake, using skills such as veneering and marquetry and the making of beautiful furniture using wood with accent materials like fabrics and metals.

Likewise, with the polishing of the furniture we make use of different sheens and gloss levels that when applied to a natural or stained timber can produce a finished piece that sits perfectly in its final surroundings.

PD: And what is your own house like?

MB: I live in a unique former artist's studio in the heart of Notting Hill. It is flooded with natural daylight through huge windows, 3.5 metre ceilings, lots of texture, accent colours and bold overscale art and sculpture. Naturally it has a beautiful hand-made kitchen. magazines and online images can often be a great starting point to provide us with inspiration and an understanding of the client's likes and style. From this point onwards, we can begin to narrow down the best materials, finishes and functionality to suit the specific needs and ensure that the client's vision is realised by our craftsmen.

PD: What characterises a modern, high-specification kitchen?

MB: For us, we believe that it is the execution of the installation with contemporary style furniture which truly sets it apart. For example, shadow gaps and rebates should sit perfectly – every detail lining through with no tolerance for imperfections.

We are also seeing a growing desire to be unique in luxury kitchen design – oneoff pieces and bespoke finishes are crucial to the project. No one wants to go to a friend’s dinner party and see the exact same kitchen.

Co-ordinated finishes of taps, sinks and handles are another growing trend that we are seeing a rise in demand for – we’ve done a number of gold plated and copper taps of late. The displays in both our Chelsea and Notting Hill showrooms are great examples of this.

PD: What happens in your workshop in Wiltshire?

MB: Much the same as our designers, the majority of our craftsmen joined McCarron & Co with a wealth of kitchen

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PD: Do you improve your own space regularly?

MB: I am very fortunate to own property in Portobello, Paris and Puglia (we refer to them as 'the three Ps') so there is always scope for tweaking different rooms. Our Italian garden currently has priority which is good exercise and less expensive than re-decorating. u

● ●McCarron & Co

Chelsea: 84 Fulham Road, SW3 6HR 020 7584 5736 Notting Hill: 102 Westbourne Grove, W2 5RU, 020 7243 2315 enq@mccarronandco.com mccarronandco.com

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26/10/2016 14:31

DISCOVERMORE

Embracing an innovative, modern approach whilst keeping traditional values at its core, Kew House School takes an exciting stance on 21st century education. With state-of-the-art facilities, a broad curriculum and excellent pastoral care, Kew House is a place where you would want to be – a place of learning and discovery, laughter and friendship.

Open Days November 3rd/11th (9.15am/9.15am) November 16th/23rd (9.15am/2pm) November 24th/28th (7pm/9.15am)

Currently recruiting into the Sixth Form with a new Sixth Form Centre opening in 2017.

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06/10/2016 12:57

> SMALL TALK – TOYS, SHOES AND BALLOONS

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EDUCATION – THE GRAMMAR DEBATE

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Cool in summer, warm in winter and never ever scratchy, merino is the ideal fabric for tots. lovemysmalls.com

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26/10/2016 14:33

Unlocking the answers The Independent Schools Show is the ultimate forum for parents to meet the biggest names in British education.

Come and speak face-to-face with over 200 of the country’s leading schools at the world’s biggest open day.

Hear from the brightest thinkers and most respected Heads at the renowned Education Theatre.

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KIDS & EDUCATION / NOTES

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A highly directional girlswear label that blends cutting-edge, contemporary London style with the time-honoured artisanal tailoring of Japan, Owa Yuriko is one to watch. owayurika.com

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STREET STARS KENZO The rejuvenated Kenzo is all about high impact fashion – not least the current collection, which sees modern, versatile streetwear adorned with cartoon graphics and bright block colours.

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A. Andreassen  These 'Little Darling' slippers are inspired by traditional Norwegian Christmas ornaments and come in soft leather and cosy felt – tiny toes are sure to love them. 

Quenotte  The perfect piece for girls who like their pink with a side-serving of sass, this liquidsheen lamé skirt should be on every mini hipster's Christmas wishlist. Quenotte's French style for ages two to 14 is vintageinspired and quirky. 

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L

ooking for your little one's next great gift? Allow us to introduce Hong Kong-based Huzi Design.

This studio-cum-online boutique specialises in clever gifts and innovative toys with a minimalist aesthetic from the infinity pillow, which can be contorted into a variety of comfy sleeping positions to table tennis paddles that double as fun masks. The best of the bunch, however, has to be the Huzi 'Mixed Animal', a clever plush toy that comes with swappable sets of animal limbs and features. Simply assemble it according to your whims by way of invisibly embedded magnets.

Kids will love designing their own fantastic creatures, replete with shells, horns, antlers, tails and trunks. They may even have to wrestle the beasts away from their intrigued parents... still, our winged rhino-badger went down a treat. 

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Fit for a

PRINCESS Marie-Chantal’s new collaboration with M&S brings nostalgic luxe to the masses. Absolutely meets her Wo r d s P e n d l e H a r t e

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hen Crown Princess MarieChantal of Greece designs childrenswear, she is building on personal experience.

All those lovely smocked dresses, Peter Pan collars, knickerbockers and tank tops hark back to her own childhood in Hong Kong, where her mother would dress little Marie-Chantal and her two sisters in precious little outfits. ‘My mother, being South American, paid particular attention to how we were dressed,’ she explains.

Born in London, bred in Hong Kong, educated in Switzerland and married to a Greek prince, Marie-Chantal embodies

I always go back to my

CHILDHOOD & TRY & BRING in some element of HOW MY SISTERS &

I were dressed

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the international jet set. Her father is billionaire American businessman Robert Warren Miller, who made his fortune with the Duty Free Shops, and her sisters are married into (and divorced from) the Getty and Von Furstenberg families.

With five children and an exclusive childrenswear label in her own name, Marie-Chantal is the ultimate working mother, albeit probably being spared most of the usual associated drudgery by virtue of all of the above.

We’re here to talk about her newest collection, not for the Marie-Chantal label but for M&S, with whom she is collaborating to launch a collection of clothes for newborns and tots up to the age of five. It’s a departure for M&S in that it’s slightly more expensive than most of the retailer’s offerings, and a departure for Marie-Chantal in that it’s vastly cheaper than her usual product.

Both parties are enormously excited about it.

‘It’s the first time I’ve been able to work at these price points,’ she enthuses. But the quality looks entirely comparable to her own label: everything is beautifully finished with lots of tiny detail. Ribbon is woven through the stitching and the fabrics are remarkably soft. A tiny grey pea coat could pass for cashmere but is a wool-blend, she says, as is a dinky

dungaree. There’s a Fair Isle cardigan and a Fair Isle tank top, a pinafore dress and a cotton dress with gold piping – and everything has a trademark small round collar.

‘It’s about the nostalgia of our childhoods,’ she says. ‘It was all little pinafores and checked ginghams. I always go back to my childhood and try and bring in some element of how my sisters and I were dressed.’

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KIDS & EDUCATION / PROFILE

Making sure that the fabrics are soft is one of her priorities, and this reverts to her own childhood again. While her own mother ‘loved to dress us and had – still has – great taste,’ she still refers to collective memories of ‘being put in a dress you hated’. When she was little, ‘kids had to wear what was there – we didn’t have these amazing blends, there were lots of scratchy wools’. You can’t get away with that any more, she says, since ‘kids today are so vocal, they tell you what they like and dislike – a little four-year-old will tell you adamantly what she wants to wear.’ Every mother will vouch for that.

Marie-Chantal has personal experience of those battles, and admits to seeking help. ‘My daughter Olivia was the most challenging. When she was four or five she was a very strong personality and she wanted a dress a day. We battled over what she wanted to wear and what I wanted her to wear. I went to a paediatrician and asked, “how do we deal with this?” I didn’t want it to be a fight – my mother had been so determined about how we should dress and I thought my daughter should have some say. The paediatrician said “Easy – pick three and let her choose one.” So it kind of evolved that way.’

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KIDS & EDUCATION / PROFILE

Designing childrenswear didn’t occur to Marie-Chantal until she was pregnant with her third child, though she was interested in retail. ‘I had some ideas for some cosmetics products and I took them to the woman who was heading up Sephora at the time in the US. She said: “Yes, yes, but you’re pregnant, so why don’t you do something closer to home?”

So my idea for cosmetics went out the window’. Her first capsule collection launched in 2000, just after her son was born. ‘At the time there weren’t so many brands. Burberry didn’t do kids, Chloe didn’t do kids; there just weren’t those mass kids brands out there.’

Kids today ARE SO VOCAL, they tell you what they like & dislike – A LITTLE FOURYEAR-OLD WILL TELL

you adamantly what she WANTS TO WEAR

marksandspencer.com @mariechantalchildren

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Her oldest child is 20 now, and the youngest is eight, all of them too old to be wearing Marie-Chantal. Coping with five children is no easy task, I suggest.

‘I had a gap – first three in New York, then two after we moved to London. We managed.’ Her advice? ‘I’d say keep a calm household. And having a work ethic is important too, I was brought up with that. My father worked hard but also paid so much attention to family life.’

Marie-Chantal is predictably stylish herself. ‘I am always in my own kind of uniform, jeans and tops. I love Valentino because he’s such a great friend and did my wedding dress.’ But she’s also a fan of M&S. ‘I love their tradition; there’s such a nice story to tell.’ Living in Chelsea, she often sees local children wearing her clothes, which appeals to her focus on value and longevity. ‘I like seeing them in the old styles because I love the idea of things being passed down, that’s where the quality shows.’ ◆

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KIDS & EDUCATION / SCHOOL TALK

Moving on up Transition to senior school is hard for many children, but a new study finds that teething problems can linger on...

Wo r d s A m a n d a C o n s ta n c e

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t is something quite depressingly familiar to many parents of teens.

In Years 4, 5 and 6, you have a cheery, enthusiastic, bouncy child who wants to do everything at school. Choir, football, drama, drumming, dance, gardening, reading, chess, gymnastics, orchestra, swimming – you name it, they want to do it.

And then they start senior school and before you know it the apple of your eye is a slumping morass of negative energy, too enervated by life to do much more than grunt (boys) or throw a hissy fit about something entirely inconsequential (girls). Until now, much of this change has been blamed on hormones, but a new study reveals there may be more to it than that.

It has long been known that the transition to senior school is a difficult one. Parents quite naturally think children who aren’t settling easily are having ‘teething problems’ and assume these will subside after a term or two. Most do, but what if they don’t? A new study shows that for a significant minority of students, problems can be long term and, perhaps surprisingly, that these problems can be more defined in Year 9 than Year 7.

According to research from GL Assessment which was based on data from almost 32,000 students, children’s generally positive attitudes to school not only decline once they move to secondary, but keep on falling for two or three years afterwards.

These problems are not necessarily academic, but can be about confidence, boredom, friendship groups or quite simply their attitude to the school and their teachers. With all available research suggesting that a pupil’s attitude plays a vital role in his or her academic achievement, it is therefore important that these problems are nipped in the bud.

Previously positive ATTITUDES to school DECLINE once children MOVE TO SECONDARY

The proportion of children who feel good about school declines from 94 per cent in Year 3 to 84 per cent in Year 9. Positive attitudes towards teachers fall from 93 to 84 per cent and towards attendance from 90 to 82 per cent over the same period. The biggest declines in all these factors occur after Year 7 and not before. The study also records an increase in students who say they are bored between Year 3 and Year 9, the number of children who say they like their

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teacher falls 10 percentage points between Years 3 and 9. That might not be a huge number, but that equates to some 70,000 students in each year group who have a much more negative perception of teachers.

Different schools will obviously face different issues. At Latymer Upper in west London, pupils come from a wide range of social backgrounds. Catriona SutherlandHawes, director of admissions at the school, says: “Moving to secondary school can be a challenge for children, particularly for those coming from a smaller school environment.

They will worry about making friends, what others will think about them, whether they can keep up with the work. But it is in fact the same for all children, regardless of where they are joining from and Senior Schools will put huge efforts – not obvious to the children – into helping everyone settle in, no matter their background.”

Boarding schools have their own set of challenges. Susan Hamlyn, the Director of the Good School’s Guide Advice Service says: “I imagine it can be tricky in the second and third years, especially in boarding schools. Often, children come up with others from the same prep but then, after the first year, they are sometimes separated and the less socially confident ones can feel a bit lost without friends they’ve had since Reception. Also, year 8 is the year, for girls in particular, making rapid and intense friendships and then having spectacular fall-outs and that, again in a boarding school, can create ripples through a house or class. Sensitive house parents see these kinds of things coming and handle such marriages and divorces with tact and sensitivity.”

But whether it is housemasters or heads of year or pastoral care, what this study clearly shows is the importance of making sure pupils are truly settled at school, even if that is as late as Year 9. ◆

absolutely.london

26/10/2016 14:39

FIND THE RIGHT ANSWERS The Independent Schools Show is the UK’s largest school open day. With more than 200 of the country’s leading nurseries, pre-preps, senior schools and sixthform colleges, it is the ultimate forum for parents to meet the biggest names in British education under one roof. Come to Battersea Park on 12 and 13 November to get all your education questions answered

T

he Independent Schools Show is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year. That’s ten years of helping thousands of parents find the right school for their child.

Come and meet key admissions staff and receive advice on fundamental questions such as how to navigate the London system, when to start tuition, how to win a scholarship, what the options are for children with special educational needs, and whether or not boarding school is the answer.

There is also the chance to attend a number of talks at the renowned Education Theatre, where the UK’s top heads and brightest thinkers will address some of the most important issues in schools right now.

And it’s a fun day out for the family, with two great cafes from Muriel’s Kitchen, a free crèche, and Battersea Park to play in. With so much in one place, there is no better way to plan for your child’s future.

SATURDAY 12 NOVEMBER / 10:00 ˜ 17.00 SUNDAY 13 NOVEMBER / 10.30 ˜ 16.30

INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS SHOW Battersea Evolution, Battersea Park, London SW11 4NJ. Find out more at schoolsshow.com

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KIDS & EDUCATION / SCHOOLS SHOW EDUCATION THEATRE TALKS INCLUDE The changing face of independent education PATRICK DERHAM Head Master of Westminster School

ADAM PETTITT Head of Highgate School

•

State till eight?

Moving your child between state and independent schools RALPH LUCAS Editor of The Good Schools Guide

KEITH BUDGE Headmaster of Bedales

•

Action For Happiness SIR ANTHONY SELDON Vice-Chancellor of the University of Buckingham

•

How to choose the right school BARNABY LENON Chairman of the Independent Schools Council

•

How to navigate the 11+ and 13+ systems BEN THOMAS Headmaster of Thomas’s Battersea

• Increasing access to independent schools

PROFESSOR MARK BAILEY High Master of St Paul’s School •

Starting out in London NICK BAKER

Head of Wetherby Preparatory and Senior Schools

JANE RITCHIE Alpha Plus Group

•

Your changing child: providing support, learning to cope and nurturing achievement From the Tavistock and Portman Clinic

DR SARAH WYNICK Head of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry

LAVERNE ANTROBUS Consultant Child and Educational Psychologist

•

Scholarships and bursaries answered SUSAN HAMLYN Director of The Good Schools Guide Education Consultants

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26/10/2016 14:41

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13/10/2016 11:10

> ST MORITZ - A SKI RESORT WITH ADDED LUXURY

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HIGHLAND FLING – SKI-ING IN SCOTLAND

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LET IT SNOW We follow the international jet set to St Moritz, possibly the world's most glamorous ski resort.

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ALL WHITE NOW

The Engadine Valley is enjoying a resurgence among the bright young things and there’s no better place to stay than the Carlton St Moritz Wo r d s C at h e r i n e H a l e s

W

hen the snow falls she’s found in St Moritz, with the others of the jet set,’ croons Peter Sarsdedt in the 60s classic ‘Where Do You Go To (My Lovely)’. The jet set may have been superseded by the private jet set but the song was right about the glamour of St Moritz – and by the way, say 'Saint' not 'San'. It is still the destination chosen by the beautiful people and is in fact enjoying a new burst of popularity among London’s jeunesse dorée, whose mothers were only babies when Brigitte Bardot was married to Gunther Sachs. It was this German-born industrialist, photographer and sportsman who fell in love with the place and launched the exclusive clubs that made a small village in the Engadine Valley the place to be. But the British love affair with St Moritz goes back even further than the 1960s, to the early days of winter sports. It is home to the Cresta Run, a private tobogganing club, where men (and it is only men except for the last day of the season) hurl themselves down a terrifyingly steep ice track on a ‘skeleton’, hardly more than a tin tray, round legendary

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TOBOGGANS are

very much part of THE ST MORITZ EXPERIENCE

bends like Shuttlecock, at up to 80 miles per hour. While the more cosmopolitan members wear modern techno kit, some more traditional Brits can still be seen in tweeds. Toboggans are very much part of the St Moritz experience and while the Cresta is a private club, both bobsleighing and sledging can be organised. Slide all the way down to Celerina, the next village, and come back up by train.

Not having access to a jet, private or otherwise, I arrived by train but this is a memorable experience in itself. Clean and punctual, Swiss trains are the eighth wonder of the world and the steep, narrowgage line, dating from 1903, which carries the Glacier Express actually climbs through a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site, under 55 tunnels and over 196 bridges. On the platform at St Moritz I am met by a smiling liveried chauffeur, who grabs my bag and whisks me up to the Carlton Hotel, on the mountainside above the station, with a view to the lake – frozen so hard in winter that they have polo and horse racing there as well as a gourmet food festival.

I have very happy memories of a small family-run hotel in Switzerland where I stayed as a teenager, and nothing was ever too much trouble. The Swiss just

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understand how to do hotels and although the Carlton is a far grander place, it has many of the same virtues – just scaled up.

It is welcoming and service is personal, friendly and somehow totally reassuring.

Built in 1913, it has been comprehensively updated to include all the facilities of a contemporary luxury hotel without losing any of its atmosphere. The 60 rooms are all suites with lake views. It closes in summer, allowing everything to be maintained immaculately and the focus to be fully on

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absolutely.london

26/10/2016 14:47

Introducing the Private Rooms at Michelin Starred Outlaw’s at The Capital. Masterminded by renowned seafood chef Nathan Outlaw and Head Chef Tom Brown.

Perfect for getting together with colleagues, family and friends this winter.

BOUTIQUE HOTEL KNIGHTSBRIDGE

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020 7591 1202

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TRAVEL / WANDERLUST

SKI PASSES appear AS IF BY MAGIC;

everything has been

THOUGHT THROUGH

being the best for winter.

Everything has been thought through. Ski passes appear as if by magic. Staff patiently allow you to try on as many boots as you like before you set off from a basement ski room that seamlessly connects you with the shuttle bus which will run you to the lift and bring you back whenever you wish. There is absolutely no struggling along carrying your own skis.

Neither of the two major ski areas, Corviglia and Corvatsch, is overcrowded.

St Moritz has so much to offer the non-skier that mere skiing is sometimes overlooked, but there is a variety of runs, open sunny bowls and good lifts, plus the famously intoxicating ‘champagne air’ of the Engadine Valley. It has hosted the Winter Olympics in the past and in February 2017 the World Championships will be held there.

There is a seductive spa at the Carlton, with a huge range of specialised treatments.

Its signature offering combines five elements: facial massage, reflexology, lymphatic, hot stone and aromatherapy. The 75-minute massage is delivered in a light and spacious room, wittily designed by the Italian architect Carlo Rampazzi, who is responsible for revamping the hotel, in sea blues and greens.

A short walk from the hotel into the centre of the village takes you to Via Serlas, the Rodeo Drive or Bond Street of St

Moritz. Cartier, Harry Winston, Bulgari, Gucci and Prada all have flagship stores, while Trois Pommes stocks Jil Sander, Tod and many other international fashion labels under one roof. More tempting in many ways and laid out as beautifully as the jewellery are the cakes and sweets in Café Hansellmann, the village’s fabled tea shop.

The sight of tiny chic women with even tinier dogs and enormous fur coats tucking into pastries is one not to be missed.

However, it would be silly to go too mad over tea – the Carlton prides itself on its food, both Swiss and more local Engadine specialities, including wines, at Romanoff, the large, high-ceilinged main dining room, where they also offer glorious breakfasts to linger over. On the floor below is fine-dining

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restaurant Da Vittorio, an offshoot of chefs Roberto and Enrico Cerea’s three-star Da Vittorio in Brusaporto, which itself has one very well-deserved Michelin star. Try the tasting menu.

There is plenty of nightlife in St Moritz and the ever-helpful concierge can of course recommend and organise things, but there is a spacious and relaxed bar just outside Romanoff with an open fire. The temptation to remain wrapped in the Carlton cocoon, perhaps sipping Napoleon brandy like the girl in the song, is hard to resist. I am afraid my answer to ‘Where Do You Go To (My Lovely)’ is to bed for a blissful night’s sleep. 

 Carlton Hotel St. Moritz has rooms available from €900 per night, based on two adults sharing a Junior Suite on a B&B basis, including CHF 100 food & beverage credit per adult per day, service charge and VAT. For further information and reservations, please visit carlton-stmoritz.ch or telephone +41 81 836 70 00.

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SLOPING OFF Catching the Highland Sleeper for a weekend of skiing in Scotland is less faff and more fun than it sounds, even with three children in tow Wo r d s A m a n d a c o n s ta n c e

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f I told you that you could catch a train on a Friday night from central London and be skiing in the sunshine in Scotland by 10am the next morning, you wouldn’t believe me, would you? But that’s what we did. With three children.

For the weekend.

I know it sounds like a schlepp, but actually it couldn’t have been easier and was certainly less of a pain than hiking out to Gatwick or Heathrow and catching a plane. We trundled out of the house, wheelie cases in tow, and 15 minutes later we were on the Highland Sleeper at Euston, ready for the 9.15pm departure to Aviemore.

We were met on the platform by David, our liveried steward for the journey.

He showed us to our quarters: two interconnecting berths and one separate cabin. The interconnecting cabins make life a little easier with children, even three stupendously overexcited ones. There isn’t really room to swing a cat but with a little jostling and organization we all managed to get bed ready.

The sleeper still has some of the romance of a bygone age; the rolling stock might have seen better days but the staff are formal to a tee and the dining car carries a whiff of whisky and memories

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Rolling up the blind TO REVEAL SNOW-COVERED MOUNTAINS was a wonder WE’LL NEVER FORGET

of cigars. Tweedy gents have long used it to get to the grouse moors, and they are now joined by more modern MAMILs (Middle-Aged Men In Lycra) off for a weekend of mountain biking or climbing.

Its very slowness – it takes 11 hours to trundle from London to the Highlands – is utterly at odds with our rushed modern lives. You are unaware of the shift, rocked to sleep as the train lurches towards our island's fringes.

We were woken just after 7am with tea and juice. The thrill of rolling up the blind in our cabin to reveal snow-covered mountains was a wonder we will never forget. The train pulled into Aviemore; we took a taxi to the Hilton in Coylumbridge

and were tucking into porridge and a fry-up by 9am.

Skiing in Scotland is obviously very different to somewhere like the Alps. For one thing, there are fewer mountains.

The Hilton in Coylumbridge sits in a pine forest far from any snowy slopes, but what Scotland does have it makes great use of, even if it means another journey to get there.

After our breakfast we marched onto the road in our ski gear, where we hailed the bus to CairnGorm Mountain. Our fellow travellers included many quite weathered, elderly skiers who looked far more ready for the slopes than me. These hardy Scottish types take to the slopes regularly, we were told, and feel very protective of ‘their’ mountain.

The bus climbed to the base of CairnGorm Mountain – widely considered the most beautiful and most challenging place to ski in Scotland.

Natural Retreats, who manage it, have recently introduced their own in-house ski school, and within minutes we were booted, matched with skis and heading to the top of the mountain on the funicular railway (the highest in the UK) with Alison and Phil, our ski instructors.

Most skiing in on CairnGorm is based around the Top Station, which boasts

96 26/10/2016 14:51

TRAVEL / WANDERLUST

97 NH_Dec16_Skiing.indd 97

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26/10/2016 14:51

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125 QUEENSTOWN ROAD, LONDON SW8 3RH / WWW.DECARA-HOME.CO.UK INFO@DECARA-HOME.CO.UK / TEL: 0207 622 3388 DECARA HOME.OCT.indd 1

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TRAVEL / WANDERLUST both the highest restaurant and highest postbox in the UK. There is also a viewing station with extraordinary panoramic views across the Highlands.

When we reached the top it felt more like the school run than a ski mountain. Everyone knows each other here; skiing is a very local thing in Aviemore. The school children all ski, often as ‘shredders’ – groups of youngsters who zip over the mountain with their ski instructors. There is none of the ooh la la of being in, say, Val d’Isere. It is all far more functional than that, but I loved the sense of community, of Scottishness, of the skiers on the mountain. As I went up one T-bar lift with Phil, he called out to a small blonde girl whizzing down the mountain. She raised a pole in cheery THE PTARMIGAN RESTAURANT AT THE TOP STATION ON THE CAIRNGORM MOUNTAIN

AT THE TOP, it felt more like the SCHOOL RUN than a ski

mountain, Everyone KNOWS EACH OTHER HERE

greeting: “Ah, that’s my neighbour’s wee girl,” he said by way of explanation.

Alison, an ex-RAF pilot and top snow jumper, took charge of our five-yearold. He wore a vest with a handle which meant she could hold him between her legs, and before long he was flying over moguls and mounds with her, having the time of his life. I stayed with them while the other three had a lesson with Phil, a local and dedicated mountain man. Our biggest issue was getting too hot. The sun was blazing on a warm March day, which didn’t match our expectations, so we cooked in thermals.

The mountain has a wide range of routes on offer, including plenty of challenging off-piste routes. There are a total of 12 lifts, including the funicular at the resort, and in terms of runs there are seven greens, six blues, eight reds and one black, the longest of these stretching for an impressive 3.3km.

More than enough for a weekend.

We had such a good time that we missed the bus back to Coylumbridge.

No problem, Phil gave us a lift in his battered Land Rover. Now that's something you don't get in the Alps.

t r av e l d e ta i L S Caledonian Sleeper The Highland service runs in both directions Sundays to Fridays (not Saturdays) and serves more than 40 Scottish stations. There is also a Lowland Sleeper between Euston, Edinburgh and Glasgow. Tickets (one way) are from £40 (seated), £80 per person (standard class) and £150 per person (first class).

Call 0330 0600500 for information. sleeper.scot The Hilton costs from £149 per night for a family of 4 (2 x double beds in the same room). hiltonaviemore.com

For ski pass prices and equipment hire on CairnGorm Mountain visit: cairngormmountain .org / wintersnowsports

CAIRNGORMS NATIONAL PARK The Cairngorms National Park is the largest National Park in the UK, twice the size of the Lake District, and is home to three of Scotland’s five ski areas: CairnGorm Mountain, the Lecht and Glenshee. It has be voted among the top 20 places to visit in the world

by National Geographic Traveller. visitcairngorms.com

99 NH_Dec16_Skiing.indd 99

The next day was far more Scottish; it was freezing on the mountain and a virtual white-out. I am definitely a fairweather skier these days and found not knowing my way around unnerving, but the children were oblivious and loved it. When most of us gave up at lunchtime, too cold to go on, our eldest skied the whole way down the mountain with Phil, an achievement that left him glowing with pride.

Catching the train back at 9pm on Sunday night was possibly even more exciting than our first journey. Waiting in the pitch black for the sleeper to arrive from Aberdeen, we all felt a bit Railway Children. Then it was a mad scramble to get everything on board and into the cabins before the train pulled off. Not surprisingly, everyone was fast asleep soon afterwards and before we knew it we were waking up as the train drew into Euston, just before 8am. We emerged tousled, bleary-eyed amongst the dash of the city’s commuters, an assault on our senses after feeling a world away from London. We got home within the hour and all three kids made it to their desks at school, albeit half an hour or so late.

The sleeper isn’t cheap – you could fly for less – but it is far less faff and far more fun, especially if you are under 12. We are already planning another ski trip and possibly mountain biking in the Cairngorms next summer, just so we can take the sleeper again to the glorious Highlands. 

absolutely.london

26/10/2016 14:51

E SC APE A N D D I N E I N S T Y L E WI T H R E LAIS & C HÂTEAUX IN T H E U N IT ED K IN G D O M AN D IRELAND Book a Charming British or Irish Escape in one of our country house or city hotels and experience great British or Irish food prepared by some of the most renowned chefs.

From just £350* per couple…

Participating hotels: Airds Hotel & Restaurant, Amberley Castle, Ballyfin Demesne, Buckland Manor, Chewton Glen, Cliff House Hotel, Cliveden House, Farlam Hall, Gidleigh Park, Gilpin Hotel & Lake House, Glenapp Castle, Gravetye Manor, Greywalls Hotel and Chez Roux Restaurant, Hambleton Hall, Hartwell House & Spa, The Idle Rocks, Inverlochy Castle, Isle of Eriska Hotel Spa & Island, Kinloch House, Llangoed Hall, Longueville Manor, Lucknam Park, Mallory Court, Le Manoir aux Quat’ Saisons, Marlfield House, Northcote, Park Hotel Kenmare, The Royal Crescent Hotel, Sheen Falls Lodge, Summer Lodge Country House Hotel & Spa, The Vineyard, Whatley Manor, Ynyshir Hall. *VAT may not already be included in some hotels. Rate based on two people sharing a double room. Accommodation in a double classic or superior room, a dinner for 2 people without drinks and a sumptuous breakfast for 2 the following morning. This offer is valid all year for any holidays taken before December 30th, 2016 included. Euros will apply in hotels in Ireland. Reservations must be made at least 72 hours prior to arrival date and are subject to availability.

Please call toll free number 00 800 0825 1020. Changes may be done without prior notice.

www.relaischateaux.com

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19/04/2016 16:37

ROMANTIC DORSET The award-winning Summer Lodge Country House Hotel and Spa, a Relais and Chateaux property in the enchanting village of Evershot, represents luxurious five star country house charm at its finest.

Experience exemplary service and discover beautifully appointed rooms which are individually and lovingly decorated with traditional elegance.

VOTED NO.1 HOTEL IN THE UK

CondÊ Nast Traveller Readers’ Choice Awards 2015

Summer Lodge Country House Hotel and Spa 9 Fore Street, Evershot, Dorset, DT2 0JR Tel: +44 (0) 1935 48 2000 | Email: summer@relais.com| www.summerlodgehotel.co.uk

RC SUMMER LODGE.indd 1

24/08/2016 15:30

What are they going to see from down there, really?

PL.indd 1

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The heart wants what the heart wants.

Discover penthouse flats with city views using keyword search.

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Structural & civil engineering consultants

We are consulting structural and civil engineers. We design buildings, structures and the spaces around and between.

We aim to provide an outstanding service to all of our clients and collaborators, however big or small.

We aspire to be the best at what we do. This means using our practical and intellectual understanding of our craft to add real value. It means going the extra mile, trying harder and thinking properly about solving problems in a better way to the benefit of all involved in the design process.

This approach has resulted in us working with many leading developers, clients, design teams and contractors across numerous sectors.

www.elliottwood.co.uk

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PROPERTY NEWS

p.112

IN THEIR OWN WORDS

LANSDOWNE CRESCENT W11

£8,500,000

NIGEL LEWIS: FAMOUS PLACES

p.142

erhaps Notting Hill's most unique and spectacular apartment, spanning the entire roof space of two buildings forming Lansdowne Court. This stunning property boasts five large bedrooms, four bathrooms, three reception rooms, private lift access, a courtyard entrance, large terrace and a patio. Above there is a large roof terrace with captivating panoramic views. u

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HOLLAND PARK 020 3131 2017 carterjonas.co.uk

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p.120

absolutely.london

26/10/2016 15:26

carterjonas.co.uk

PORTLAND ROAD Notting Hill W11

A superb house situated in the heart of Holland Park on this quiet and sought-after residential road. This light, bright house boasts high ceilings, fantastic entertaining space and a patio garden. The house is presented in thoroughly good order throughout.

Holland Park & Notting Hill 020 7371 1111 hollandpark@carterjonas.co.uk

2 reception rooms • 4 bedrooms • 2 bathrooms • West-facing patio • Contemporary finish • EPC rating E

Guide price £3,450,000

CJ.indd 1

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COLEHERNE ROAD Chelsea SW10

A stunning split-level apartment with wonderful high ceilings, excellent room proportions throughout and a beautiful private garden that also contains an artist’s studio/summer house.

Knightsbridge & Chelsea

020 7584 7020 knightsbridge@carterjonas.co.uk

Reception room • 2 bedrooms • 2 bathrooms • Garden • EPC rating D

Guide price £2,850,000

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St Charles Square, W10 ÂŁ1,475,000 Leasehold

A fabulous upper maisonette which occupies the top two floors of a handsome period building in the heart of North Kensington. St Charles Square is located in the Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea just moments from the eclectic and extensive array of amenities in Ladbroke Grove, Golborne Road and Portobello Road.

EPC=D. Reception room, three bedrooms, two bathrooms, utility room, kitchen and balcony. Joint Sole Agents

020 3858 3582 shauna@mountgrangeheritage.co.uk

mountgrangeheritage.co.uk

Kensington 020 7937 9976

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North Kensington 020 8960 0181

Notting Hill 020 7221 2277

25/10/2016 15:13

Inkerman Terrace, W8 ÂŁ4,150,000 Freehold

A charming and well-presented four/five bedroom family home which is arranged over five floors.The property spans some 2,404 sq ft and offers flexible living accommodation, good natural light and neutral decor throughout. On the doorstep you have a variety of very useful independent shops on Stratford Road. EPC=F. Two reception rooms, five bedrooms, three bathrooms, dining area, kitchen and garden. Joint Sole Agents

020 3858 3582 michael@mountgrangeheritage.co.uk

mountgrangeheritage.co.uk

Kensington 020 7937 9976 MG.indd 2

North Kensington 020 8960 0181

Notting Hill 020 7221 2277 25/10/2016 15:14

All Saints Road, W11 £800 per week Fees Apply

Exceptional apartment which has been designed with great flair to create maximum space and light. Benefiting from a huge roof deck with views across Portobello this is a wonderful Notting Hill pad, located just a stones throw from Portobello Market and within walking distance to the boutiques and restaurants on Westbourne Grove. EPC=F. Reception room, two bedrooms, two bathrooms, kitchen and roof deck. Furnished. Sole Agents

020 3858 3582 emily@mountgrangeheritage.co.uk

Ladbroke Gardens, W11 £595 per week Fees Apply

Ladbroke Road, W11 £595 per week Fees Apply

020 3858 3582 hannah@mountgrangeheritage.co.uk

020 3858 3582 sophie@mountgrangeheritage.co.uk

An amazing one bedroom upper maisonette with an abundance of natural light.The flat occupies the front half of the third and fourth floors of an exceptionally well-maintained building in prime Notting Hill. EPC=C. Reception room, bedroom, bathroom, kitchen, private roof terrace and communal gardens. Furnished. Sole Agents

Stunning first floor flat in this very special Victorian building benefiting from a generous reception room which faces south and has the added bonus of a large balcony.There is an off-street parking space and access to a pretty communal garden. EPC=D. Reception room, bedroom, bathroom, kitchen and off-street parking. Furnished.

mountgrangeheritage.co.uk

Kensington 020 7937 9976 MG.indd 3

North Kensington 020 8960 0181

Notting Hill 020 7221 2277 25/10/2016 15:14

Palace Gardens Terrace, W8 £650 per week Fees Apply

A stunning flat in this prime location just off Notting Hill Gate and a short walk from Kensington High Street.The spacious and elegant reception room overlooks this beautiful tree-lined street which is located only moments from the green spaces of Kensington Gardens. EPC=D. Reception room, two bedrooms, shower room and kitchen. Furnished. Sole Agents

020 3858 3582 hannah@mountgrangeheritage.co.uk

Dukes Lane, W8 £2,000 per week Fees Apply

Brunswick Gardens, W8 £650 per week Fees Apply

020 3858 3582 sophie@mountgrangeheritage.co.uk

020 3858 3582 emily@mountgrangeheritage.co.uk

A stunning four bedroom house tucked away on this quiet street just off Kensington Church Street, moments from the shops and restaurants on Kensington High Street and a short walk to Notting Hill Gate. EPC=E. Three reception rooms, four bedrooms, four bathrooms, utility room, kitchen, garden and garage. Furnished.

A completely stunning, light and bright flat in prime location just off Notting Hill Gate and close to Kensington High Street.The spacious reception room has a west-facing balcony over-looking this beautiful tree-lined street.

Ideal for young professionals. EPC=D. Reception room, bedroom, bathroom, kitchen and balcony. Unfurnished. Sole Agents

mountgrangeheritage.co.uk

Kensington 020 7937 9976 MG.indd 4

North Kensington 020 8960 0181

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Property ROUND UP The inside scoop in your area

HOUSE HUNTING

MOST SATISFYING TRANSACTION

FINEST PROPERTY SHOWCASE

I recently matched up a newlywed couple and a new buy-to-let landlord, who were absolutely delighted with the outcome.

Although it may sound simple, there is nothing more satisfying than walking away with a great deal for all involved.

MOST INTERESTING PROPERTY

TOM FOREMANBROWN Lettings Manager KFH

AG E N T O N D E S I G N

CLABON MEWS • SW�X •

£6,950,000 ABSOLUTELY MAGAZINES

NH_Nov16_Prop_PRU.indd 112

I once valued a converted pub that was originally called The Crown & Dolphin in East London. Built in 1850, the building was steeped in history and, to this day, is the most fascinating property I’ve seen.

his house has been rebuilt to exacting standards and refurbished by world renowned interior designers, Argent. The house has been designed to fit in with a modern and fast passed lifestyle, while still being both luxurious and stylish.

The reception room boasts a wealth of features, with custom made furniture and the finest Italian joinery on all doors and frames. The

T

I RECENTLY MATCHED UP A NEWLYWED COUPLE AND A NEW BUY-TOLET LANDLORD, WHO WERE ABSOLUTELY DELIGHTED WITH THE OUTCOME

Vera Road, SW6, £6,500 PCM. A stunning four bedroom house with beautifully presented living accommodation.

Spaciously arranged over three floors, this period terrace offers a state of the art kitchen, master bedroom with en suite, and a rear garden. The house is moments from Bishop’s Park, and is close to Parsons Green underground station. u

KFH Fulham, 020 3792 4838; kfh.co.uk

benefit of windows at the back of the home allows sunlight to come through.

The master bedroom has a dressing room and an en suite which span across the whole first floor. All bathrooms have stone slabs, some of which are booked matched. u

Chestertons Knightsbridge & Belgravia, 020 7235 8090; chestertons.com

112 26/10/2016 15:28

PROPERTY / NEWS MARKET�COMMENT 5 MINUTES WITH

JOHN D WOOD & CO. • JOHNDWOOD.CO.UK •

JAMES DAVIES Associate Knight Frank, Queens Park

W

e are seeing the early signs of strengthening demand in the prime central London residential market as higher rates of stamp duty are increasingly reflected in asking prices. The number of new prospective buyers registering in the £2m £5m price bracket is on the up here, and this is the price range where a large proportion of the houses in Queen’s Park sit which is positive news for the market

The £2m - £5m price bracket is on the up here locally. Stamp duty remains a decidedly bigger influence on the market than the EU referendum, however the uncertainty surrounding Brexit has been a catalyst for overdue price reductions.

There is a fantastic family home on Dundonald Road offering great living space and a larger than average garden as the house is end of terrace, set on a quiet road within easy reach of the park, Chamberlayne Road and Queen’s Park high street. u

Knight Frank Queens Park 020 3815 3024; knightfrank.co.uk

NEW�BUILD

BRACKENBURY SQUARE • W�� • Starting from

£665,000 rackenbury Square is conveniently located for contemporary urban village living in a sought after neighbourhood. The building houses one and two bedroom apartments, including six premier apartments, all

B

offering a superb level of specification. The use of glass and brick gives a sense of tradition, while the private roof terraces create a striking contemporary look.

These elements, along with the mixture of brick and render finishes, mean that the building is distinctive in both its form and build quality. Most of the apartments benefit from a balcony, terrace or garden and underground parking. u

Finlay Brewer finlaybrewer.co.uk

he Bloomsbury market is bouncing right back from the Brexit scare. We have just rented a property that was on the market for under 24hours, for full asking price. September was a record month for Portico in Bloomsbury and property prices are staying strong, with high demand. In the last few months, more landlords are reacting to the market

and the demands of tenants, who are looking for the top quality homes. What we’re also noticing in Bloomsbury is that price is not the main factor when renting a property; the quality of the apartment plays a large role.

Last year there was much less stock on the market and applicants had very little choice when renting an apartment. u

Portico Bloomsbury, 020 7291 0650; portico.com

SPOTLIGHT ON PRIME CENTRAL LONDON £ PER WEEK

POUNDS PER WEEK AND ANNUAL CHANGE BY AREA

£765 113

NH_Nov16_Prop_PRU.indd 113

HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN IN THIS AREA?

I have been working in Chelsea for 15 years. I love the village feel around our office on Chelsea Green.

WHAT IS YOUR ETHOS?

FAVOURITE PROPERTIES RIGHT NOW?

• W�T •

T

Q&A

I am here for the long term, and my advice is always with that in mind. I establish what I would do if it were my property, and advise accordingly.

WINDMILL STREET Per Week

Director (Sales)

John D Wood & Co.

Brook Green, 020 7371 4171;

JUST�LET

£695

Robert Green

Our Dovehouse Street property is a really well balanced family home.

The spacious kitchen and west facing garden really appeal to buyers. We also have a beautiful house on Upper Cheyne Row which is real gem.

MARKET PREDICTIONS FOR THE COMING MONTHS?

What we have seen in recent weeks is the return to a more normal market, with increasingly committed buyers and sellers finding common ground.

I expect the autumn/winter market to continue in the same vein. u

John D Wood & Co. Chelsea, 020 7352 1484; johndwood.co.uk

ANNUAL CHANGE IN RENTAL VALUES

-4.0% Data provided by LonRes

absolutely.london

26/10/2016 15:29

PROPERTY / NEW TO THE MARKET

DREAM D E V E LO P M E N T

QUEENS PARK PENTHOUSES

NW6

ueens Park Penthouses is a unique collection of 14 spacious penthouses that were built on two floors above a stunning Art Deco building on Salusbury Road in the heart of Queens Park.

Designed to address the expectations of elegant metropolitan living, this new development sets a new benchmark for the area. No expense has been spared and no detail has been overlooked as each luxury penthouse has been uniquely designed and fitted to the highest standards. The oversized private terraces measure up to 880 sq ft and offer panoramic views across

Q

Designed to address the expectations of elegant metropolitan living the London skyline including the London Eye, Heron Tower, BT Tower, Walkie Talkie, etc.

Tone is set right upon entering the building. Residents will find themselves in a luminous three-storey atrium, with a restored Art Deco staircase by the entrance, Tom Dixon lights highlighting the reception area, Italian ceramic floors and a modern glass roof. Centered within the atrium, a bespoke glass lift will take residents to the third and fourth floors, offering at the same time a magnificent experience.

ABSOLUTELY MAGAZINES

Dev_page_NH_Nov16.indd 114

The development is characterised by a clean and simple interior design flowing seamlessly throughout, comprising matt lacquered handless kitchens, skylights, quartz counters, oak floorings, bespoke vanity furniture, floor to ceiling thin framed bi-folds and internal oversized prefinished flush doors. Lighting design and all features including recessed dimmable LED, wall mounted, LED stripes and floorflushed fittings are by Artemide.

Benefits also include a concierge service, a gated entrance, secure private ground floor car parking, CCTV monitoring and a gymnasium on the doorstep.

The scheme consists of 14 one to three bedroom penthouses, measuring in total 12,000 sq ft internal space with 6,365 sq ft terraces.

Queens Park Penthouses were well received by the market;

almost all units having been sold off plan at the beginning of 2015, while at the same time setting a precedence for the area. u

Manager GDM Partnership - M&E Engineer HTS - Structural Services Vascroft S.A. - Constructor

Salusbury Penthouses Ltd Developer Claridges - Architects Jackson Coles - Project

 Camerons Stiff New Homes Queens Park Partnership Marsh & Parsons New Homes queensparkpenthouses.co.uk

114 26/10/2016 15:30

275 Willesden Lane, Willesden Green, London, NW2 5JA Tel: 020 8459 1133 Fax: 020 8451 2008 enquiries@cameronsstiff.co.uk cameronsstiff.co.uk

EPC - D

Leghorn Road, NW10

£975,000 Freehold

Red brick centre terraced period house on three floors

• 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms (1 en-suite)

providing just over 1600 sq ft of great space. Close to

• Spacious kitchen/diner, 2 reception rooms

Chamberlayne Road & transport links of Kensal Green &

• High ceilings, polished wood flooring

Willesden Junction. Viewing recommended

• Loft conversion, 37ft rear garden.

Donnington Road, NW10

£1,095,000 Freehold

Beautifully refurbished semi-detached property situated close

• 3 bedrooms, 1 bathroom, reception room

to Willesden Green station (Jubilee) offering excellent sized

• Quality fitted kitchen/dining area, utility room

lateral living space & large entrance hall. Bright home. Viewing

• Oak flooring, alarm, double glazing, large loft

recommended

• OSP for 2 cars, 56 ft rear garden

cameronsstiff.co.uk CS.indd 1

26/10/2016 11:02

275 Willesden Lane, Willesden Green, London, NW2 5JA Tel: 020 8459 1133 Fax: 020 8451 2008 enquiries@cameronsstiff.co.uk cameronsstiff.co.uk

EPC - C

Palermo Road, NW10

£1,100,000 Freehold

An extended and beautifully refurbished three bedroom family

• 3 bedrooms, open plan kitchen/diner & reception room

home providing 1559 sq ft of fine living space arranged over

• Contemporary 35 ft rear garden & summerhouse

three floors and situated in a convenient location within Kensal

• Master bedroom with en-suite & dressing room

Green. Viewing essential

• Enormous attention to detail throughout.

EPC - C

All Souls Avenue, NW10

£1,195,000 Freehold

Larger than average three bedroom family home of 1568 sq ft

• Contemporary style kitchen, dining room + utility room

which has recently been refurbished to an extremely high

• Loft extended to create a 3rd bedroom + en-suite

standard and extended to create lateral living space with all

• 64 ft South facing rear garden + OSP for 2 cars

the latest technology. Viewing essential.

• Close to Kensal Rise & local amenities.

cameronsstiff.co.uk

CS.indd 2

26/10/2016 11:02

EPC - E

Cranhurst Road, NW2

£1,650,000 Freehold

Beautifully presented period house abundant in charm and

• 5 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, study

character and situated in this excellent position close to

• 2 reception rooms, kitchen/breakfast room

Willesden Green (Jubilee -Zone 2). Laid out over 3 floors

• Period features - tessellated & wooden flooring

offering 2303 sq ft of living space. Lots of outstanding features.

• 103 ft mature rear garden, large patio area

EPC - D

St. Gabriels Road, NW2

£2,250,000 Freehold

A rare opportunity to purchase a substantial red brick semi-

• 5 beds, 2 bathrooms, 2 reception rooms

detached period house situated in this prestigious road in the

• Large kitchen onto 100 ft south facing garden

Mapesbury Conservation Area popular with young growing

• 2400 sq ft with scope to extend into loft area

families. Close to transport. Viewing essential.

• Tessellated flooring, wood flooring, period features

CS.indd 3

26/10/2016 11:03

020 7328 2828 62 Salusbury Road, NW6 6NS queensparkpartnership.co.uk

EPC - D

BRONDESBURY VILLAS, NW6

£885,000 Share Of Freehold

Situated within walking distance to the wonderful Queens Park and excellent transport links into Central London is this well presented 3 bedroom flat set on the ground floor of this semi-detached converted property, boasting private entrance, sunny 48 ft rear garden, 2 bathrooms (1 en-suite) & many period features. Viewing is highly recommended.

• 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms • Own entrance, 48 ft rear garden • 915 sq ft, wooden flooring • Close to transport links & amenities

EPC - E

QP.indd 1

MILMAN ROAD, NW6

£1,275,000 Leasehold

Providing 1360 sq ft of living space, this 3 bedroom/2 bathroom duplex apartment is arranged over the first & attic floors of this converted period house on one of Queens Park's premier roads. The flat offers wonderful views over the park, modern kitchen/diner with stairs leading to the rear garden, 23 ft reception & own entrance. Must be seen.

• Split level flat, 1360 sq ft • 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms • Own entrance, rear garden • Close to transport & Queens Park

25/10/2016 15:16

EPC - D

HAZELMERE ROAD, NW6

£1,560,000 Freehold

Stunning 1688 sq ft 4/5 bedroom terraced family home arranged over 3 floors, totally refurbished & remodelled throughout with beautiful open plan kitchen opening onto a 25 ft rear garden, master bedroom with en-suite and roof terrace. Excellent position close to Salusbury Road & the open spaces of Queens Park. Viewing essential.

• Completely remodelled family home • 4/5 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms • Open plan 31 ft kitchen/family room • 1688 sq ft, close to Queens Park

EPC - D

QP.indd 2

ESMOND ROAD, NW6

£1,695,000 Freehold

Beautifully refurbished 4 bedroom/3 bathroom family home set on a quiet residential road comprising of open plan dining area with temperature controlled wine cellar, kitchen & reception opening onto a south facing rear garden, master bedroom with en-suite bathroom & walk in wardrobe. Great transport links, excellent position. Must be seen.

• Underfloor heating throughout • Temperature controlled wine cellar • Remote controlled skylights & blinds • Security camera system, alarm

25/10/2016 15:16

IN THEIR OWN

WORDS

Maxine Rylett Ryletts Residential

REBECCA NOONAN

P

roperty has followed me around the world – from starting out with a commercial agency in Mayfair developing shopping centres in major UK cities, to running my own residential lettings agency in the Far East, specialising in Hong Kong short lets. We charged around the expat areas of MidLevels and the South Side, often taking clients back to their hotel in Central to finalise details of the deal. Jaunts on the company junk at the weekends were a good opportunity to entertain visiting family and friends, along with the big tourist draws of the Peak Tram and Star Ferry.

The fast pace and excitement of Hong Kong eventually started to pall and after returning to London in the 90s I found a charming flat off Sloane Square – ideal for entertaining - and started to build what would eventually be known as Ryletts Residential. The mantra of play hard work hard has never quite disappeared so while pulling together a portfolio of properties to let and manage – with some interior design thrown in - I managed to spend plenty of time playing tennis in Cadogan Place,

Property has followed me around the world walking Chung the mad Wheaten terrier and throwing parties (all of which I still do, except Chung has made way for Roly).

The friends and contacts made from my years abroad changed my life and London living has in some ways become very similar as the world has got smaller. Clients fly in and arrive in time for an early breakfast at Café Colbert, with drinks at the end of the day at the Enterprise. Fate obviously played a hand when I found my flat in Cadogan Gardens as prior to moving back to the UK I had no idea which area to relocate to. How lucky was I? The lovely independent shops in Chelsea Green – Jagos the butchers, Andreas the greengrocer, the Pie Man, Rex the fishmonger and a hairdressers! The top end shops in Sloane Street and the restaurants and cafes in Sloane Square, not that shopping in Cartier or Tiffany figures high on a Saturday morning.

With the office based in the pretty and private St Catherine’s

Mews, just down from Cadogan Square, the team of five of us – ably assisted by Roly – are kept busy covering the prime areas of Belgravia, Knightsbridge, Mayfair, Chelsea, South Kensington, Fulham, Holland Park and Kensington. With the original lettings business expanding to incorporate sales and acquisitions, we are excited to have done our highest rental to date, £12,000 a week for a townhouse in Kensington, and have concluded sales ranging from as little as half a million to £15m.

There’s no such thing as a typical week here... showing a lovely garden flat in Fernshaw Road to arranging a viewing of a house in Cadogan Square – but fortunately being locked in a house with no means of escape or showing an apartment after a party, complete with blow up doll on the sofa, does not happen all the time.

We love this beautiful part of London where we live and work and are passionate about delivering a personalised and bespoke service to our clients. One of the great advantages of working in property is meeting such fascinating people, in some cases becoming good friends with them, and enjoying life to the full. u

RYLETTS RESIDENTIAL / 020 7823 8886 / ryletts.com

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PROPERTY / PROFILE

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absolutely.london

absolutely 26/10/2016 15:31

Spectacular and stylish living behind a delightful period faรงade Matching people and property in London for over 160 years.

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St. Marks Road W10 £4,750,000 A magnificent six-bedroom Victorian townhouse, with exceptional proportions throughout, ideally located in the heart of North Kensington and moments from Portobello Road. Freehold. EPC=F

• Six bedrooms • Approx. 4,000 sqft • Period property • West facing rear garden North Kensington Sales: 020 7313 8350 sales.nkn@marshandparsons.co.uk

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Melbury Court W8 ÂŁ4,350,000 An elegant five-bedroom penthouse apartment, set in a private gated development next to Holland Park. EPC=E Kensington Sales: 020 7368 4450 sales.kns@marshandparsons.co.uk

Woodsford Square W14 ÂŁ2,550,000 A contemporary five-bedroom property, with beautiful communal gardens and private garage. Freehold EPC=D Holland Park Sales: 020 7605 6890 sales.hol@marshandparsons.co.uk

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Moscow Road W2 ÂŁ2,100,000 An immaculate three-bedroom home with a southerly patio garden, moments from Hyde Park. EPC=D Notting Hill Sales: 020 7313 2890 sales.not@marshandparsons.co.uk

Bassett Road W10 ÂŁ1,250,000 A beautifully presented two-bedroom apartment, located on a desirable tree-lined avenue in North Kensington. EPC=D North Kensington Sales: 020 7313 8350 sales.nkn@marshandparsons.co.uk

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Under the Patronage of His Royal Highness Prince Misha’al bin Majed bin Abdulaziz, Governor of Jeddah

I WANT TO EXPAND MY INVESTMENT PORTFOLIO

JEDDAH URBAN DEVELOPMENT AND REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT EVENT

Jeddah Urban Development & Real Estate Investment Event is Saudi Arabia’s premier real estate investment event. Bringing together investors, developers, homebuyers, government officials and real estate professionals, there is no better place to find investment opportunities and new business partners. Whether you are a real estate developer, broker or real estate service provider, the event provides a unique opportunity to access the Saudi real estate and investment community all under one roof.

POWERED BY

2-4 November 2016 Register now for FREE entry +966 2 668 5656/+971 4 336 5161 Social Media Partner

info@jeddahurbandevelopment.com Regional Media Partner

Official Radio Partner

www.jeddahurbandevelopment.com Event Venue

Owned by: Jeddah Chamber

CS Jeddah B2B 240x330 1 ENG v1.indd 1 CITYSCAPE.indd

Organisers

License # 16/1901

Regional Newspaper

JEDDAH CENTRE FOR FORUMS AND EVENTS, JEDDAH, KSA

13/10/2016 15:00 25/10/2016 11:21

Ladbroke Grove

Notting Hill W11

Arguably one of Notting Hill’s finest apartments, a stunning, newly refurbished 2 bedroom raised ground floor flat benefiting from a private garden leading into Stanley Crescent Gardens.

The property is located at the southern end of Ladbroke Grove near Kensington Park Gardens & has access to Ladbroke Square Gardens (access subject to application).

EPC exempt

ÂŁ1,290,000 share of freehold

Notting Hill

020 3040 8585

sales.nottinghill@chestertons.com

chestertons.com

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BROOK GREEN 138 SHEPHERDS BUSH ROAD W6 7PB SHEPHERDS BUSH 113 ASKEW ROAD W12 9AS ACTON 27 CHURCHFIELD ROAD W3 6BD

www.finlaybrewer.co.uk

CARTHEW ROAD W6 £795PW / £3,445PCM • • • • •

3 BEDROOMS RECEPTION FULL WIDTH KITCHEN/BREAKFAST ROOM BATHROOM EN SUITE SHOWER ROOM

LETTINGS 020 7371 4071

• • • •

GUEST WC WALLED GARDEN EPC RATING D 68 AVAILABLE END OF NOVEMBER

BLYTHE ROAD W14 £692PW / £2,999PCM • • • • •

3 DOUBLE BEDROOMS RECEPTION WITH WOOD FLOOR & HIGH CEILINGS KITCHEN EN SUITE BATHROOM SHOWER ROOM

LETTINGS 020 7371 4071

• • • • •

GREAT STORAGE SOUTHERLY FACING GARDEN OFF STREET PARKING EPC RATING E 44 AVAILABLE NOW

LOCAL . INDEPENDENT . INVOLVED

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ADDISON GARDENS W14 GUIDE £2.45M FREEHOLD • • • • •

4 DOUBLE BEDROOMS DOUBLE RECEPTION DINING ROOM KITCHEN 3 EN SUITE BATHROOMS

BROOK GREEN 020 7371 4171

• • • • •

SHOWER ROOM PLAYROOM STUDIO/MEDIA ROOM PATIO GARDEN EPC RATING D 62

TABOR ROAD W6 GUIDE £1.69M FREEHOLD • • • • •

4 BEDROOMS DOUBLE RECEPTION KITCHEN/DINING/FAMILY ROOM STUDY/BEDROOM 4 FAMILY BATHROOM

BROOK GREEN 020 7371 4171

• • • •

EN SUITE SHOWER ROOM GUEST CLOAKROOM PAVED GARDEN EPC RATING D 65

LOCAL . INDEPENDENT . INVOLVED

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PROPERTY / NEW TO THE MARKET

LUXURIOUS

LETTINGS London’s Finest Assets

ALEXANDER SQUARE SW3

£3,500 P e r We e k

his impressive Grade 11 listed Georgian house is situated in the heart of South Kensington overlooking Alexander Square.

The accommodation is arranged over five floors providing lots of family and entertaining space. This Georgian home is enviably located close to cultural attractions including the Natural History and Science Museums, popular shopping destinations including Harrods and the King’s Road in Chelsea.

The wide open spaces of London’s famous Hyde Park are also within easy reach. u  Benham & Reeves Residential Lettings Knightsbridge, 020 7581 2112; brlets.co.uk

T

NEW KINGS ROAD

kitchen with doors that lead onto a private garden, and a large family room; and the upper floors host a master suite and three further double bedrooms. The house offers modern living on the borders of Fulham and Chelsea. u  Marsh & Parsons Fulham, 020 7736 9822; marshandparsons.co.uk

SW6

£1,800 P e r We e k

beautifully restored four bedroom house in the heart of Parsons Green. This property has been refurbished throughout to the most exacting standards. The raised and lower ground floors comprise of a reception room with doors onto a south facing terrace, a modern open plan

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NORTHINGTON STREET WC1N

£1,150 P e r We e k

three bedroom town house spread over five floors. The basement has a designer kitchen with all the latest appliances, it also has a larger than average

A

dinning room, perfect for entertaining. The ground floor has an open plan entrance hall with a separate WC, and there is also a double garage. The first floor has an open plan living room which has been tastefully furnished, and the

second floor has two bedrooms and a family bathroom. The top floor has a large master bedroom with a luxury en suite and roof terrace with views. u  Portico Bloomsbury, 020 7291 0650; portico.com

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A BOUTIQUE COLLECTION OF PRESTIGIOUS 1 AND 2 BEDROOM APARTMENTS INCLUDING TWO UNIQUE PENTHOUSES Located on the iconic New Kings Road, these elegant homes are just a six minute walk from Parsons Green Underground station and within walking distance of Chelsea, Sloane Square and Knightsbridge. Superbly executed for an exceptional lifestyle and serviced by on-site concierge, these luxury residences deliver to the highest specification.

PRICES FROM £795, 0 0 0 T WO ST UN N I N G SH OW APART M ENTS O PEN DAI LY TO O RGAN IS E YOUR VI E WI N G APPO I NT M ENT C ALL 0333 6 6 6 2939 The Sales Suite, 100 New Kings Road, London SW6 4LX, open daily 0333 6 6 6 2939

W W W. LO N D O NSQ UARE .CO.U K

Computer generated image depicts London Square New Kings Road and is indicative only. Details and price are correct at time of going to press, November 2016. *Travel times and distances are approximate, sourced www.journeyplanner.tfl.gov.uk

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Internationally respected, locally renowned A refreshing yet professional approach to selling or renting your home

Rickman

Hornton Street, Kensington, W8 OIEO £1,550,000 Leasehold

Hornton Street, Kensington, W8

A superb, bright, newly modernised two bedroom apartment with its own street door. This charming flat is located in the quieter section of Hornton Street, north of the Town Hall yet it’s still only a few moments away from the amenities of Kensington Church Street and Kensington High Street.

Found on the raised ground floor, the apartment has its own door and entrance lobby, a 30’ reception / kitchen with high ceilings, cloakroom, 2 bedrooms both with either bathroom or shower room en-suite. The apartment also has lots of storage space. In total 1,012 sq ft/ 94.08 sqm.

EPC Rating C.

A bright two bedroom flat on the lower ground floor of this charming period building. The apartment has a reception room opening to a courtyard, a separate kitchen, master bedroom with en-suite dressing room and shower, second bedroom, second bathroom, a generous reception hall and an under-pavement storage vault. 936 sq ft / 86.95 sqm EPC Rating D

Montagu Mews North, Marylebone, W1

£925pw*

A bright and well-presented mews house over three levels in this quiet culde-sac, located within close proximity to Baker Street tube and just a short walk away from Marylebone High Street. The property comprises three double bedrooms, two bathrooms (one en suite), a spacious living room, a fully fitted eat-in kitchen, a guest WC and an integral garage. Modern furnishings and hardwood flooring. EPC Rating C.

Earls Court Road, Kensington, W8

£1,125,000 Share of Freehold

£725pw*

A brand new, refurbished split level three double bedroom apartment with a gorgeous private courtyard, situated in an excellent location steps away from High Street Kensington. This stunning property has been newly refurbished offering a modern high spec finish throughout, featuring a bright spacious reception room, dining/eat-in kitchen area, modern fully fitted kitchen, three double bedrooms, two bathrooms (one en suite) and a private, walled and paved courtyard. Situated right off Earls Court Road in Kensington, you are walking distance to the High Street’s shops, restaurants, amenities and all public transport links. EPC Rating B.

21 Earls Court Road, London W8 6EB I 020 7937 9777 I info@rickmanproperties.com I rickmanproperties.com *administration fees apply

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GOLDHURST HOUSE, APARTMENT NOW AVAILABLE TO VIEW

R EA DY FOR OCCU PAT ION

* Luxury facilities including a gymnasium, spa, screening room, snooker room, virtual golf and wine cellar * Prominent riverside location within easy reach of South Kensington and the West End

Price £1,999,950* Call now for your personal appointment: 020 3603 4575 Fulham Reach Show Apartment and Marketing Suite, Distillery Wharf, Parr’s Way, London W6 9GD enquiries@fulhamreach.co.uk | www.fulhamreach.co.uk

Proud to be a member of the Berkeley Group of companies

Computer generated images are indicative only. *Price correct at time of going to press.

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PROPERTY / BASEMENTS Traffic management and pavement access can be a crucial part of obtaining planning permission for a basement conversion

NIGEL LEWIS

GOING UNDERGROUND Londoners are digging deep for space. But how difficult are basement conversions to complete?

B

asement conversions in on each conversion. This is fast reducing London are at an all-time the number of high-profile basement high as homeowners conversions being completed, including expand their homes rather those undertaken by Foxtons founder Jon than move and face a Hunt, composer Andrew Lloyd-Webber, substantial Stamp Duty bill. actress Nicole Kidman and oligarch Roman Despite increased planning restrictions, Abramovich, many of whom have added up the number of applications to convert to four storeys underneath their houses. basements has doubled over the past two “A lot of the councils are tightening up years which, as builder Billy Heyman of the planning process to try and create as BTL Properties explains, is not surprising. many barriers as possible,” says Simon “It’s a no-brainer, really,” he says. “Our Haycock of Michaelis Boyd Associates. But typical customer is living in a £2m house the second type of basement conversion but to move up the ladder locally usually continues to boom. These are the onerequires a spend of £3.5 plus a Stamp Duty and agent fee bill A basement conversion of a John Nash designed of nearly £400,000.”

Grade II listed house in Park Village West off Albany Street in Regent’s Park by Hampstead by Belsize The cost of a basement Architects (020 7482 4420) is much less than that. But getting permission for a basement conversion is getting more difficult as many London borough planning departments crack down on the more ambitious projects.

This year Westminster established a ‘sub squad’ team to process complaints about basement conversions, and introduced a tax to be levied

storey dig-downs that are easy to spot outside a home. Usually, an electric conveyor pokes out of a downstairs window, wet clay clattering from the netherworld below into a skip.

“The really big projects that you see in the papers are all about having a basement swimming pool or cinema, but most of our work is about freeing up space and making a period property a usable family home,” says Simon Haycock.

“Quite often our projects are about moving the utility areas of a house downstairs and therefore freeing up the family areas above.”

If you’re about to take the plunge and go big below, there is plenty to think about.

Creating a basement from scratch is a significant engineering project and some experts say it can be more complicated than building a new home.

But if you can get it right and complete your project, then the benefits of a basement conversion are more than just aesthetic. Trevor Abrahamson, of estate agent Glentree, says that while it costs approximately £300 per foot² to build a basement, it can add between £1,000 and £6,000 per foot² to the value of the property, when complete. u

Your country home awaits…

If you are looking to move to the country contact our London Country House Department to discuss your options.

London

Country

020 7594 4746 country.department@humberts.com Part of the Chestertons Group

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Kensington’s new quarter n Situated in one of the most desirable locations in London n 24hr concierge, secure parking, gym, pool, spa, private screening room, business suite

375 Kensington High Street, W14

n 5 Minute walk to Tube & Underground stations

Apartments to rent from £600 per week 1 Beds (avg 520 sq ft) from £600 per week

2 Beds (avg 950 sq ft) from £950 per week

Deluxe residents leisure suite

Call us now on 020

3302 5674 or email kens@brlets.co.uk or visit www.brlets.co.uk 5 Thackeray Street, Kensington, London W8 5ET London branches: Canary Wharf | City | Colindale | Ealing | Fulham Greenwich | Hammersmith | Hampstead | Highgate | Hyde Park Kensington | Kew | Knightsbridge | Nine Elms | Surrey Quays | Wapping International: Hong Kong | India | Malaysia | Singapore

Additional charges apply: Tenancy Agreement, Credit Check & Inventory Report.

For details visit www.brlets.co.uk/tenantinfo

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Westminster

£925 pw Furnished

2 Bedrooms | Reception | 2 Bathrooms | Apartment 24hr Concierge | Parking | Gym | Pool | Spa | EPC - B Knightsbridge 020 3302 7174

knight@brlets.co.uk

Sixteen branches open six days a week Monday - Saturday Canary Wharf | City | Colindale | Ealing | Fulham | Greenwich | Hammersmith | Hampstead Highgate | Hyde Park | Kensington | Kew | Knightsbridge | Nine Elms | Surrey Quays | Wapping Additional charges apply: Tenancy Agreement, Credit Check & Inventory Report. For details visit www.brlets.co.uk/tenantinfo

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To arrange a viewing or for more information call

020 7319 9783

Nine Elms Point

£470 pw Furnished

London’s Letting Agency

info@brlets.co.uk www.brlets.co.uk

Kensington

£550 pw Furnished

1 Bedroom | Reception | 1 Bathroom | Apartment 24hr Concierge | Gym | Nearby Amenities | EPC - B

2 Bedrooms | Reception | 2 Bathrooms | Apartment 24hr Concierge | Gym | Close to Tube | EPC - C

Nine Elms 020 3282 3700

Kensington 020 3302 5674

Imperial Wharf

ne@brlets.co.uk

£600 pw Furnished

Marylebone

kens@brlets.co.uk

£850 pw Furnished

2 Bedrooms | Reception | 2 Bathrooms | Apartment 24hr Concierge | Gym | Lift | Close to Tube | EPC - D

3 Bedrooms | Reception | 3 Bathrooms | Apartment 24hr Porter | Lift | Gym | Close to Tube | EPC - D

Fulham 020 3503 0015

Hyde Park 020 3417 3703

iw@brlets.co.uk

hyde@brlets.co.uk

Hong Kong | India | Malaysia | Singapore

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Paddington

£2,000 pw Furn/Unfurn

3 Bedrooms | Reception | 3 Bathrooms | Apartment Balcony | Nearby Amenities & Tube | EPC - E Hyde Park 020 3417 3703

hyde@brlets.co.uk

Sixteen branches open six days a week Monday - Saturday Canary Wharf | City | Colindale | Ealing | Fulham | Greenwich | Hammersmith | Hampstead Highgate | Hyde Park | Kensington | Kew | Knightsbridge | Nine Elms | Surrey Quays | Wapping Additional charges apply: Tenancy Agreement, Credit Check & Inventory Report. For details visit www.brlets.co.uk/tenantinfo

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To arrange a viewing or for more information call

020 7319 9783

Bayswater

£280 pw Furnished

London’s Letting Agency

info@brlets.co.uk www.brlets.co.uk

Imperial Wharf

£600 pw Furnished

Studio/Living Space | 1 Bathroom | Apartment Communal Garden | Close to Tube | EPC - C Hyde Park 020 3417 3703 hyde@brlets.co.uk

2 Bedrooms | Reception | 2 Bathrooms | Apartment 24hr Concierge | Lift | Gym | EPC - C Fulham 020 3503 0015 iw@brlets.co.uk

Barnes

Knightsbridge

£810 pw Unfurnished

£850 pw Furnished

2 Bedrooms | Reception | 2 Bathrooms | Apartment 24hr Concierge | Gym | Pool | EPC - B

1 Bedroom | Reception | 1 Bathroom | Apartment 24hr Concierge | Gym | Pool | EPC - C

Hammersmith 020 8528 4110

Knightsbridge 020 3302 7174

fr@brlets.co.uk

knight@brlets.co.uk

Hong Kong | India | Malaysia | Singapore

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Imperial Wharf

London SW6 Apartments to rent from £400 per week

n Premier riverside development adjacent to Chelsea Harbour n Vibrant location; shops, bars, gym and restaurants on your doorstep n Own train station plus water taxi service to the City (20 mins)

Manhattan Studios from £400 per week

2 Bed Apartments from £550 per week

Call us now on 020

3503 0015 or email iw@brlets.co.uk or visit www.brlets.co.uk 15 The Boulevard, Imperial Wharf, London, SW6 2UB London branches: Canary Wharf | City | Colindale | Ealing | Fulham Greenwich | Hammersmith | Hampstead | Highgate | Hyde Park Kensington | Kew | Knightsbridge | Nine Elms | Surrey Quays | Wapping International: Hong Kong | India | Malaysia | Singapore

Additional charges apply: Tenancy Agreement, Credit Check & Inventory Report.

For details visit www.brlets.co.uk/tenantinfo

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Convenient on-site office at 15 The Boulevard, Imperial Wharf (next to the Karen Hardy Dance studio)

25/10/2016 14:57

020 7823 8886 email@ryletts.com

Ennismore Mews, SW7

£1,750 per week

A well laid out, spacious family house over three floors, comprising double reception room, four bedrooms all with en-suite bathrooms, an open plan kitchen/dining room, guest cloakroom, study and two terraces, in a quiet cobbled Mews close to Hyde Park and Knightsbridge. EPC: D

T LE

Thornwood Gardens, W8

£8,750 per week

This spectacular family home with five en suite bedrooms, three reception rooms and terraced garden, also has a super-comfortable media room complete with bar, swimming pool complex, shower and steam room, jacuzzi, lift and underground parking for three cars. In addition, there is a large terrace on the top floor. EPC: D 1 St. Catherine’s Mews Milner Street London SW3 2PX

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NIGEL LEWIS

FAMOUS PLACES London hides a plethora of celebrity homes. These are the most recent to come on the market

LONDON’S GRAND DESIGNS STAR

ome people might use a stair-lift to get from one floor to the other, but Kew House has a fun slide to get its owners downstairs super-quick. This modern home – one of the finalists in Grand Designs: House of the Year in 2015 – has a huge basement which includes a children’s play area that you can get down to on stairs or a wooden slide.

The site was originally a bunch of derelict garages before it was bought by award-winning structural engineer Tim Lucas six years ago for £400,000.

The site’s transformation into a dream home now on the market for £3.8 million with The Modern House was featured on Channel 4’s Grand Designs in November 2015, and was also shortlisted for a Royal Institute of British Architects’ award, handed out each year to the best new house designed by an architect in the UK. Set behind the façade of a Victorian stable, it has two gabled wings around a central courtyard.

The property is covered with prefabricated steel, studded with holes to mimic the effect of dappled light through the branches of trees.

The Modern House 020 3795 5920

S

Ellis. She employed innovative ways to find the next generation of catwalk models. This included a deal with Topshop to use their stores to scout for talent. Fiona was famous as the person who discovered supermodel Erin O’Connor, although Ellis has also worked with Claudia Schiffer, Helena Christensen and Elizabeth Hurley.

But it’s clearly time to move on.

Ellis’s home in Ascot is now up for sale. The property has been remodelled in her somewhat unusual style and includes a leopard-print clad toilet and ceilings covered in crocodile embossed wallpaper. It’s a two bedroom flat on Spring Grove in Ascot and is being sold for £1.1 million.

Savills, Sunningdale 01344 626 162

Hitchcock had a lot to thank the capital for; he directed over 20 films here DIAL M FOR MAISONETTE?

lfred Hitchcock has been dead for nearly 40 years but his reputation as one of the world’s greatest film directors survives very much intact.

But the cigar-chomping mogul was not always grateful for his early years spent working in London, where he established himself before moving to Hollywood in 1939. The Dial M for Murder director once said that in London “the sky was always grey, the rain was grey, the mud was grey and I was grey”. Hitchcock had a lot to thank the capital for; he directed over 20 films here, using familiar backdrops such as Trafalgar Square and Piccadilly Circus.

But who could blame him for preferring the Californian sun, where he worked with some of Hollywood’s biggest stars including Janet Leigh. While living in Los Angeles Hitchcock developed a taste for grand residences and eventually bought a seven-bedroom colonialstyle mansion in Bel Air. But when living in London his home was much more modest. From 1926 until 1939 he lived in a shabby maisonette flat

A

£3.8 Million

HOME TO A SUPERMODEL SCOUT

ave you ever wondered how young women are picked out of the crowd to become the next Kate Moss or Naomi Campbell?

Although it sounds improbable in today’s social media world, the work of traditional talent scouts continues.

One of the most famous was Fiona

H

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PROPERTY / STAR HOMES

£750 Thousand

£1.1 Million

In the 60s, cast members rehearsed at a pub on Reckitt Road, Chiswick at 153 Cromwell Road in Kensington complete with threadbare carpets and wonky furniture. The property is still made up of flats including a two bedroom top floor one, which is now up for sale at £750,000.

Foxtons 020 3728 2000

THE PATH THAT LEADS TO WISDOM

ven as his life entered its twilight years, comedian and film star Norman Wisdom kept the jokes coming, quipping that “as you get older three things happen – the first is your memory goes, and I

E

can’t remember the other two”.

In 1915 Wisdom was born in London into a poor family and at the age of 25 ran away to join the army.

After surviving the war, Wisdom’s talents for comic entertainment were spotted and by 31 he was a professional entertainer and soon after, a film star and comedian. His most famous character was Norman Pitkin, an incompetent junior employee to boss ‘Mr Grimsdale’ in a variety of different settings, which won Wisdom fans all over the world including, most improbably, Albania.

His childhood home is now for sale. It’s at 91 Fernhead Road in Maida Vale where the Wisdom family lived during the 1920s. Norman, his brother Fred and their parents, lived in a single room. The one bedroom apartment is now on the market for £449,000.

Dexters 020 7266 2020

£1.75 Million

143 Chis_FamousPlaces_Nov16_2pp.indd 143

£449 Thousand

IS IT LIKE A TARDIS INSIDE?

hen Dr Who launched during the 1960s there were fears that a science fiction drama wouldn’t be popular and the first episode was discreetly advertised in the Radio Times.

But, despite an opening night that clashed with coverage of the JFK assassination, Doctor Who was a hit, and half a century later there’s still great excitement. It’s just been announced that this year’s festive outing will feature a guest companion, ahead of next year’s new series.

In the 60s, cast members rehearsed at a pub on Reckitt Road, Chiswick, which was later converted into houses. One of them, with three large bedrooms is on the market for £1.75m. Agent Dexters reckons it’s in excellent condition with large first floor south-facing double height reception room, courtyard garden and balcony.

Dexters 0208 995 4321

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A LIGHT AND SPACIOUS FOUR-BEDROOM APARTMENT CHELSEA VISTA, IMPERIAL WHARF SW6 • Over 2000sq ft • Two covered terraces • Two parking spaces

• On-site security and concierge • Gym • EPC rating C

Guide Price: £2,495,000

Chelsea Office: 020 7225 5752 francis.burca@harrodsestates.com

Leasehold: Approximately 981 years

A BEAUTIFULLY REFURBISHED THREE-BEDROOM APARTMENT CADOGAN COURT, CHELSEA SW3 • Fifth floor with lift • 3 metre ceiling heights • Retained period features Guide Price: £4,250,000

• Over 1561sq ft living space • Enviable views across Chelsea • EPC rating C

Chelsea office 020 7225 5911 mark.greenway@harrodsestates.com

Share of Freehold

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A FULLY REFURBISHED TWO-BEDROOM TRIPLEX APARTMENT AIRLIE GARDENS, KENSINGTON W8 • En-suite master bedroom • Bay fronted reception room • Fully refurbished Guide price: £1,300,000

• Communal gardens • 814sq ft / 75.62sq m • EPC rating D

Kensington Office: 020 3650 4600 nicholas.shaw@harrodsestates.com

Leasehold: Approximately 97 years

HARRODSESTATES.COM

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Harrods Estates brings

LONDON property to the world

• LONDON RESIDENTIAL SALES • LONDON RESIDENTIAL LETTINGS • ACQUISITIONS • NEW DEVELOPMENTS • ASSET MANAGEMENT • PROPERTY MANAGEMENT

KNIGHTSBRIDGE OFFICE: 82 BROMPTON ROAD LONDON SW3 1ER T: 020 7225 6506 MAYFAIR OFFICE: 61 PARK LANE LONDON W1K 1QF T: 020 7409 9001 CHELSEA OFFICE: 58 FULHAM ROAD LONDON SW3 6HH T: 020 7225 6700 KENSINGTON OFFICE: 48-50 KENSINGTON CHURCH STREET LONDON W8 4DG T: 020 3650 4600

HARRODSESTATES.COM @HarrodsEstates

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PROPERTY / NEW TO THE MARKET PRIME

PURCHASE London’s Finest Assets

KENSINGTON CHURCH WALK

 W8

£3,995,000

three bedroom end of terrace with a roof terrace and off-street parking. The house has been beautifully refurbished with the perfect blend of modern technology and Victorian character. Kensington Church Walk is located just off Kensington High Street which offers shopping amenities, restaurants and transport connections. The open spaces of both Holland Park and Hyde Park are just moments away. u  Chestertons Kensington, 020 7937 7244; chestertons.com

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DUNDONALD ROAD

 NW10

£2,600,000

light and characterful family home set on a desirable street close to Kensal Rise and Queen's Park. The house boasts traditional period features, impressive light-filled rooms and is a perfect contemporary family home. The ground floor comprises of a charming reception room, utility room, bathroom and an open-plan kitchen with living space to the rear. Floor-to-ceiling doors lead out onto the landscaped garden. The first floor houses the master bedroom with en suite, two further bedrooms

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and a family bathroom. The second floor is comprised of one further en suite bedroom and a study which could also be a small bedroom. u  Knight Frank Queen’s Park, 020 3813 5864; knightfrank.co.uk

PRINCEDALE ROAD

 W11

£4,950,000

conveniently has a back door onto Pottery Lane. Lateral space is therefore very impressive on most floors which creates excellent entertaining space ideal for families. In addition to its four

beautifully presented, four bedroom house in this extremely popular Holland Park address. The core of this light-filled house benefits from a wonderful double height studio, and

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bedrooms, the house also offers two offices and a media room, as well as a large roof terrace with far reaching views. u  Strutt & Parker Notting Hill, 020 3733 3628; struttandparker.com

absolutely.london

26/10/2016 15:41

SPECIALISTS IN LONDON RIVERSIDE

HIRST COURT, GROSVENOR WATERSIDE SW1W Immaculate one bedroom apartment in the stunning Grosvenor Waterside development. It benefits from a fabulous large master bedroom with fantastic wardrobe space, a gorgeous open plan reception with modern, fully fitted kitchen, newly refurbished modern bathroom, private balconies and wealth of onsite facilities. 639 sq ft. EPC Rating B Leasehold ÂŁ895,000

THE QUADRANGLE CHELSEA HARBOUR SW10 An interior designed three bedroom penthouse apartment in the tranquil and renowned setting of Chelsea Harbour. On the 5th and 6th floors it provides well thought out living and bedroom space. The apartment comes with balcony and allocated parking.

3 beds, 3 Baths, Kitchen, Balcony, Concierge, Parking EPC C Leasehold ÂŁ2,099,000

Martin & Co London Riverside 020 7351 0387

e: riverside@martinco.com 1 Cremorne Road, Chelsea, London. SW10 0NA

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DOCKSIDE HOUSE, CHELSEA CREEK SW6 This immaculate property features three bedrooms, the master having a stunning walk in wardrobe and en suite, three luxurious Villeroy and Boch bathrooms and a large open plan reception room with modern kitchen boasting high quality Miele appliances.

Situated on the third floor this apartment is approximately 1980 sq ft. EPC Rating C Leasehold £2,995,000

CHEYNE WALK, CHELSEA SW10 A newly refurbished one bedroom apartment, finished to exacting standards on the first floor of a stunning period building, south facing with sweeping 180 degree river views: 430 Sq ft (40 sq m) One bedroom, Open Plan Reception Room, Luxurious Shower Room, Separate Cloakroom. EPC Rating C Leasehold £700,000

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LIVING THE

DREAM The most luxuriously appointed properties on the market

GREAT MARLBOROUGH STREET W1

£5,295,000

stunning four bedroom apartment in the heart of London. The interiors of this penthouse provide contemporary calm amidst the buzz with comfort cooling and under floor heating to all living areas and bedrooms, high ceilings, oak floors and feature fireplaces.

Natural light floods in from the sash windows to large open plan living spaces. Great Marlborough Street is close to a variety of restaurants, bars, clubs, galleries and theatres. u  Beauchamp Estates Mayfair; 020 7499 7722 beauchamp.com

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ABSOLUTELY MAGAZINES

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HARRINGTON ROAD

SW7

£10,000,000 Per Week

his apartment has been renovated to an impeccably high standard and luxuriously designed throughout with bespoke fixtures and fittings.

Further benefits include a wrap-around terrace with separate gym, sun terrace and a Jacuzzi, offering stunning views of the London skyline.

The apartment is located moments from the shops and restaurants of South Kensington. u  Carter Jonas Knightsbridge & Chelsea, 020 7584 7020; carterjonas.co.uk

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PROPERTY / NEW TO THE MARKET

ONSLOW GARDENS SW7

£1,795,000

his magnificent two bedroom, two bathroom maisonette has been refurbished to an exceptional standard throughout. The property boasts grand living spaces incorporating two double bedrooms with en suite bathrooms, high ceilings, a utility room, cloakroom and views of the garden square. It also benefits from access to the exclusive private communal gardens. The property is located in one of the most desirable garden squares in South Kensington, and is very close to local amenities. ◆  KFH South Kensington 020 3792 4572; kfh.co.uk

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HILLGATE STREET

KENSINGTON MANSIONS

W8

SW5

contemporary house designed by Seth Stein Architects. Set behind a traditional facade and arranged over four floors this spectacular house offers an abundance of natural light and comprises three principal bedroom suites and an additional guest suite, a living, dining and kitchen area, study, entertainment space and exercise room including a plunge pool and access to one of four terraces. Hillgate Street is ideally located moments from Notting Hill Gate, Kensington and the open spaces of Hyde Park. ◆  Harrods Estates Kensington, 020 3650 4600; harrodsestates.com

his is an immaculately presented two bedroom flat which has been refurbished in contemporary style whilst respecting the period integrity of the traditional Edwardian red brick mansion block. With the principal rooms facing south across the communal gardens, the flat is light and bright throughout. Kensington Mansions is a popular portered block with the nearest transport provided by Earls Court underground station making it extremely convenient for access both into central London and Heathrow airport. ◆  John D Wood & Co. South Kensington, 020 7835 0000; johndwood.co.uk

£6,750,000 A

£1,699,990 T

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ALEXA COURT W8

£3,500,000

spectacular lateral apartment on the first floor of an imposing Victorian stucco fronted building. The property has fantastic volume and the most extraordinary south-facing private terrace. Providing superb living accommodation and entertaining space, the apartment comprises: large reception room, semi open-plan kitchen, additional mezzanine floor which is perfectly suited to accommodate a study or home office and two double bedrooms with en suite bathrooms. The apartment further benefits from a lift and live-in caretaker. ◆  Mountgrange Heritage Kensington, 020 7937 9976; mountgrangeheritage.co.uk

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absolutely.london

26/10/2016 15:42

Think central London property.

Think KFH. kfh.co.uk/central

London-wide reputation. Central expertise.

Our central branch locations:

Established in 1977, we are one of London’s leading independent property services groups. Trusted across the Capital, our extensive network, local insight and comprehensive services are key to delivering success in central London.

• Bayswater

• Holland Park

• Clerkenwell

• Marylebone

• Earls Court

• South Kensington

• Fulham and Chelsea

• St John’s Wood

Whether you are looking to buy, sell, rent or let in central London or across the Capital, we will achieve the result you need.

Find your local branch at kfh.co.uk/central

• Fulham

COMPLETELY LONDON

KFH.indd 1 London Campaign_Ad Template_v15.indd 2 8591_Central

20/10/2016 15:58 16:13 12/09/2016

Craven Hill Gardens, Bayswater, W2 £2,000,000 Bayswater 020 7724 1222 bayswater.sales@kfh.co.uk

KFH.indd 2 11.16 Absolutely Notting Hill and Kensington.indd 2

A contemporary styled apartment, impeccably finished behind an imposing Victorian facade, complete with high ceilings and a comfortable layout.

This beautiful apartment provides two handsome bedroom suites and a large reception room with sweeping staircase to a study or guest room.

Located close to Kensington Gardens and a short walk from Lancaster Gate underground and Paddington stations.

• • • • • • • •

Two bedrooms Two en suite bathrooms Guest WC Italian bespoke kitchen Open plan reception room Study / guest bedroom Leasehold EPC rating E

16:13 20/10/2016 09:13

Redcliffe Square, Chelsea, SW10 Guide price £1,625,000 Earls Court 020 7740 2020 earlscourt.sales@kfh.co.uk

KFH.indd 3 11.16 Absolutely Notting Hill and Kensington.indd 3

This spacious garden flat occupies the entire lower ground floor of an imposing period building. This charming two bedroom home has generous living space and benefits from a sunny private patio.

Located in a quiet corner of Redcliffe Square, this property is a short walk away from the amenities of Old Brompton Road and Fulham Road.

• • • • • • • •

Two double bedrooms Two bathrooms Private entrance Garden flat Prestigious garden square Close to excellent transport links Share of freehold EPC rating C

16:13 20/10/2016 09:13

Munster Road, Fulham, SW6 £1,850,000 Fulham 020 3486 2280 fulham.sales@kfh.co.uk

KFH.indd 4 11.16 Absolutely Notting Hill and Kensington.indd 4

Occupying in excess of 2,150 sq ft across three floors is this stunning family home, benefiting from four bedrooms, each with an en suite bathroom. This home further provides an open plan kitchen and dining room, as well as a spacious and bright reception, which leads onto a south westerly facing rear garden.

• • • • • • •

Four bedrooms Four en suite bathrooms Guest WC Three storeys plus cellar South westerly garden Freehold EPC rating C

Located close to the amenities of Parsons Green, this property is conveniently situated for Parsons Green and Putney Bridge underground stations.

16:13 20/10/2016 09:13

Onslow Gardens, Chelsea, SW7 £1,150,000 South Kensington 020 3040 6370 southkensington.sales@kfh.co.uk

KFH.indd 5 11.16 Absolutely Notting Hill and Kensington.indd 5

This well proportioned two bedroom property is situated on the second floor of a beautiful white stucco, period building. This exceptional apartment benefits from a private roof terrace with garden views.

Onslow Gardens is a quiet and leafy enclave located ideally between the shops and restaurants of both Fulham Road and Old Brompton Road. The property is also a short walk from South Kensington and Gloucester Road underground stations.

• • • • • • • •

Two double bedrooms Shower room Neutral décor throughout Prime location Period building South facing roof terrace Leasehold EPC rating D

16:13 20/10/2016 09:13

Sussex Gardens, Bayswater, W2 £795 pw / £3,445 pcm Bayswater 020 7563 5090 bayswater.lettings@kfh.co.uk

This luxury two double bedroom apartment boasts a sumptuous décor, wood flooring and high ceilings throughout.

Hyde Park is moments away, as is Lancaster Gate underground station.

The amenities of Mayfair are also within walking distance.

• • • • • • • •

Two bedrooms Two bathrooms including one en suite Separate kitchen High specification finish Good storage Prime location Furnished EPC rating D

£210 tenancy agreement fee per property. Other fees apply, visit kfh.co.uk/lettingsfees

KFH.indd 6 11.16 Absolutely Notting Hill and Kensington.indd 6

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Harrington Gardens, South Kensington, SW7 £1,000 pw / £4,333 pcm South Kensington 020 3040 6380 southkensington.lettings@kfh.co.uk

Arranged over the lower ground and ground floors of a beautiful Victorian building, this stylish apartment has been finished to a particularly high standard.

The open plan kitchen is fitted with a dishwasher, washer dryer and has an additional larder, and the apartment further benefits from an abundance of natural light and wooden flooring throughout.

This property is situated minutes from Gloucester Road station, and the many museums of Brompton Road are also within walking distance.

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• • • • • • •

Two double bedrooms Two en suite bathrooms Guest WC Open plan kitchen/reception Wooden flooring Furnished EPC rating E

£210 tenancy agreement fee per property. Other fees apply, visit kfh.co.uk/lettingsfees

25/10/2016 09:14 16:59 20/10/2016

PROPERTY / COUNTRY LIVING NIGEL LEWIS

SURREY VILLAGES Surrey’s most popular towns and villages

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ore and more of us are hearing the call of the countryside and upping sticks from London’s busy streets. But where are we all going?

The number of Londoners selling up and moving out increased by over 60% last year, according to research agent Hamptons International. This would appear to be a collective raspberry to London’s frenetic lifestyle as urbanites looking for space, a less competitive school enrolment system and less pollution vote with their feet.

But it’s not just families cashing in their London equity. Hamptons International’s figures show that one in six of those escaping to the country are first-time buyers prepared to run the gauntlet of commuting into London to secure an affordable home. So where are the hotspots? Surrey envelopes much of SW

Foxtons: Five bedroom detached house with large back garden on Mount Hermon Road, £1.2 million

and SE London’s borders from Windsor in the west to Surbiton in the east and the county is one of the first Londoners consider, partly because of the multiple train lines that serve it. So we asked agents about the most sought after areas. u

MOUNT HERMON

ount Hermon is the area directly south of Woking town centre popular with commuters because of it's central train station. The area is treasured for features including Barnsbury Primary school, Woking College, Woking Park and the fact that you’re within touching distance of the town’s green belt.

Detached houses range from £2.5 million to £600,000, while townhouses start at £450,000 and rise to £800,000.  For sale: Five bedroom detached house with large garden on Mount Hermon Road, £1.2 million.

More info: Foxtons, 01483 434445

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Knight Frank: Five bedroom cottage with outbuildings, pool, tennis court and stabling, £1.875m

WEYBRIDGE

eybridge is known for St George’s Hill estate, which was the UK’s first major gated community. But if you want to be between the train station and the town centre then the streets around central Weybridge are not to be sniffed at. Prices start £400,000 for a cottage while larger terraced houses kick off at £460,000. Townhouses start at £750,000 and large terraces at £900,000 rising to £1.5 million for a detached.  For sale: Six bedroom detached mansion with a luxury interior, £1.85 million.

More info: John D Wood, 01932 645 251.

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HASCOMBE, GUILDFORD

ascombe is one of those villages that it’s hard to believe can be commutable from London, given the bucolic surroundings. Properties don’t come up here often and you’ll need deep pockets for a detached home with land here; probably £1.5 to £2.5 million with semis occasionally at around £800,000.  For sale: Langhurst, a five bedroom stockman’s cottage with outbuildings, pool, tennis court and stabling, £1.875m.

More info: Knight Frank, 01483 378971.

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John D Wood & Co.: Six bedroom detached mansion with a luxury interior, £1.85 million

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absolutely.london

26/10/2016 15:42

Lettings 020 7751 5100 www.farrar.co.uk

IFIELD ROAD, LONDON, SW10 An extremely well presented two bedroom garden flat recently refurbished and arranged over the raised ground and lower ground floors of a period conversion building. The property has a spacious reception room with a fireplace, a brand new kitchen with a breakfast room area, two double bedrooms and two bathrooms. There is also a private garden at the rear of the property.

EPC Rating: D.

FURNISHED

£830

per week*

*Tenants are advised when renting a property the advertised rent does not include council tax, water or utility charges. The administration fees are £175 (inc. VAT) and referencing charges of £40 per Tenant/Guarantor. The inventory check in cost will vary but should not exceed £150 and a 6-8 week deposit is required.

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OLD CHURCH STREET, LONDON, SW3 A charming three bedroom house located in the very heart of Chelsea just moments from the Kings Road and the River Thames.

The house boasts a fabulous reception room which is great for entertaining as well as three double bedrooms with excellent storage, two bathrooms, a terraced garden and an additional roof terrace.

EPC Rating: F.

UNFURNISHED

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£1,300

per week*

20/10/2016 15:55

Completely at home in London.

Our services Sales and Lettings Land and New Homes Block and Estate Management Property Solicitors Chartered Surveyors Financial Services Visit kfh.co.uk

With over 35 years’ experience in the London property market and more than 55 branches across the Capital, we draw on our existing London-wide and international network and local expertise to deliver the right result, whatever your requirements.

If you are looking to buy, sell, rent or let contact us today.

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