Absolutely South East June 2022

SOUTH EAST

South East JUNE 2022 / £3.95

SPECIAL JUNE 2022

62 Pages of inspiration and insight

Let it

SHINE BRIGHT STYLES FOR SUMMER PLUS

ZEST.LONDON ABS_JUN22_Covers.indd 6-7

CLOWN TOWN Giffords Circus' Tweedy speaks out BEACH HUTS Coastal living with Pearl Lowe PATTERN AND COLOUR The rise of maximalism at home

ST YLISH / INTELLIGENT / ELEGANT 25/05/2022 16:21

MID-SEASON

SALE S TA R T S 7 TH A P R I L

I N - S T O R E A N D A T B O C O N C E P T. C O M

Battersea Reach, Harrods, Finchley Road, Notting Hill, Tottenham Court Road, Guildford, Bentalls Kingston, Westfield London and Fenwick Brent Cross

BO_CONCEPT_ABS_ESSEX_APR22.indd SE - BO CONCEPT.indd 2 1 2646_boconcept_mid-season-sale_dps_03-22.indd 7-8

25/03/2022 25/05/2022 12:56 16:29

BO_CO

22 12:56

1 5 % O F F A L L S O FA S , D I N I N G TA B L E S , ARMCHAIRS, BEDS AND MUCH MORE Personalise our collection with a variety of sizes, colours, upholstery options and more with a free interior design consultation in-store or in the comfort of your own home.

SW BO_CONCEPT_ABS_ESSEX_APR22.indd - BO CONCEPT.indd 3 2

25/05/2022 25/03/2022 12:08 16:29 12:56 25/03/2022

E300 EMBRACE SOFA | EOOS | 2021 | Oak, Oil | Moss | £ 11,944 | Further cushions | CUE300L | Moss | £ 382 | CUE300S | Moss | £ 268 E021-480 EMBRACE LOUNGE TABLE | Ø48 | Walnut, Oil | Steel black | £ 1,076 | MO310 TABLE LAMP | White | £ 312 BM0488S TABLE/BENCH BØRGE MOGENSEN | 1985/2021 | Oak, Oil | Cane | £ 1374

CARL HANSEN.indd 4

25/05/2022 22:07

Carl Hansen & Søn Flagship Store London

E300 Embrace Sofa

by EOOS

Indicative retail prices £ including VAT. We make reservations for sold out items

MODULAR CRAFT

Flagship Store, London 48A Pimlico Road Belgravia London, SW1W 8LP

CARL HANSEN.indd 5

SHEEPSKIN CURLEY | GOTLAND Grey £ 470

BM0488 | TABLE BENCH Oak, Oil, Cane BM0488S | 69x86 cm | £ 961 BM0488L | 138x46 cm | £ 1374

CHS GRILL APRON | APRON Brown | Leather | Black 94 x 64 cm The leather originates from leftover furniture production cuttings £ 83

CHS WOOL PLAID Hand-woven | 5 colors 100% sheeps wool | 210x170 cm £ 127

CHS CLAY VASES Handcrafted | Terra or Red Clay Small 12 x 12 cm | £ 48 Medium | 18 x 18 cm | £ 64 Large 18 x 25 cm | £ 79

CHS OVEN GLOVE | LEATHER Brown | Leather | Black The leather originates from leftover furniture production cuttings £ 29

Monday - Friday 10 am - 6 pm CARLHANSEN.COM Saturday 10 am - 5 pm +44 (0) 20 77308454 Sunday Closed london@carlhansen.com @carlhansenandson_london

25/05/2022 22:07

Visit us to discover our premium range of luxury gazebos: Squire’s Garden Centre, Shepperton, TW17 8SG

MALVERN.indd 6

25/05/2022 22:07

MALVERN.indd 7

25/05/2022 22:08

MAIDA VALE DPS.indd 8

25/05/2022 22:08

MAIDA VALE DPS.indd 9

25/05/2022 22:08

Some furniture is made for the here and now.

Some is built to stand the test of time.

At Neptune, we believe that the best can do both.

Good design never grows old.

Chiswick, 020 3814 1220 Fulham, 020 7371 9997 Wimbledon, 020 3362 8240 neptune.com

NEPTUNE.indd 10 AbsolutelyLondon_Chiswick Fulham Wimbledon_JUBILEE GARDEN_210x297_JUN22.indd 1

25/05/2022 09/05/2022 22:08 10:56

ABSOLUTELY

Contents JUNE 2022

108 14

C U LT U R E ABSOLUTELY LOVES

H E A LT H & B E A U T Y 65 BEAUTY NOTES

WHAT'S ON

HOME 78 TOP TEN

10 things we’re coveting this month

18

52

Your diary for June

28 GIFFORDS CIRCUS The lowdown from Tweedy

What's hot and what's new

Patterns of the moment

96 TILE KING

At home with Lee Thornley

FOOD & DRINK 36 KITCHEN CONFIDENTIAL

102 COAST CHIC

40 RECIPES

108 GARDEN PARTY

FA S H I O N 52 THE SHOOT

111

News from the industry

New dishes from Melissa Hemsley

Iconic shades from Emmanuelle Khanh

60 JEWELLERY Rainbow gems

36

Pearl Lowe's seaside living

All the best outdoor furniture

A B S O L U T E LY. L O N D O N The online guide to inspirational London living that helps you stay one step ahead of the crowd and gives you the chance to win exclusive prizes.

COOK OUT

Five pizza ovens to covet

T R AV E L 142 CLEVER CYPRUS

The one-size-fits-all destination

O N T H E C OV E R temperleylondon.com

A B S O L U T E LY m a g a z i n e s

CONTENTS.indd 11

11

25/05/2022 22:08

Beautiful timber windows & doors

EDITOR IN CHIEF PENDLE HARTE EDITORIAL ASSISTANT RACHEL HOGG MAMA EDITOR CARLY GLENDINNING ART DIRECTOR PAWEL KUBA SENIOR DESIGNERS MIKE ROBERTS SAMANTHA SCOTT MIDWEIGHT DESIGNER CARMEN GRAHAM JUNIOR DESIGNER KAI NICHOLLS MEDIA CONSULTANTS STELLA ADAMS ANABELA KOLECI KATIE WOOD FINANCIAL DIRECTOR JERRIE KOLECI CREDIT CONTROL MANAGER ALEXANDRA HVID

Commission a masterpiece

DIRECTORS CRAIG DAVIES, LEAH DAY, JAMES FUSCHILLO NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR ALEXANDRA HUNTER MANAGING DIRECTOR SHERIF SHALTOUT

For editorial enquiries please email: pendle@zest-media.com For advertising enquiries please call 020 3981 7187 or email: craig@zest-media.com

zest.london Zest Media Publications Ltd. cannot accept responsibility for unsolicited submissions, manuscripts and photographs. While every care is taken, prices and details are subject to change and Zest Media Publications Ltd. take no responsibility for omissions or errors.

We reserve the right to publish and edit any letters.

All rights reserved.

Social icon

Circle Only use blue and/or white.

For more details check out our Brand Guidelines.

www.ayrtonbespoke.com 020 8877 8920 enquiries@ayrtonbespoke.com

Fo l l ow Us O n Fa c e b o o k @ABSOLUTELYMAGAZINES T wi t t e r & In s t a g ra m @ABSOLUTELY_MAGS We b si t e

a b s o l u t e l y. l o n d o n

Wandsworth | Crouch End | Dulwich

FLANEL.indd 12

25/05/2022 22:08

Editor’s

LETTER ABSOLUTELY’S June issue highlights

1

J

une, for us, is about home. Not that we're spending all those sunny days indoors, obviously, but our expanded interiors section takes a good look at how we can make our spaces more beautiful and functional. One big trend for the moment is pattern.

Colourful shapes, florals, swirls and geometrics are everywhere, from walls and floors to upholstery, curtains and bedding. The minimalist years are cerainly over: no longer is an all-neutral interior something to aspire too. Now the look is bold and intense, full of contrasting prints, bright and dark shades and statement pieces. And gardens, meanwhile, are coming into their own as outdoor rooms, filled with soft furnishings, decorative lighting and colourful furniture for lounging and dining. This month, of course, will see the addition of bunting – and not just in gardens. Street parties are set to burst into life all over London as we all gather to enjoy the extra days off and celebrate the Queen's long reign. Enjoy June.

Colour ways Kit Kemp's new rug collaboration

4

5

Bright orange

The shade of the summer

PENDLE HARTE EDITOR

Pink wine

Rose season officially starts now

Punchdrunk

On the Elizabeth Line to Woolwich for Punchdrunk's new extravaganza

2

3

Jubilee mania A look back at royal ephemera at the Museum of Brands

A B S O L U T E LY m a g a z i n e s

EDS LETTER.indd 13

13

25/05/2022 22:08

Wish LIST 10 things we Absolutely love COMPILED BY

PENDLE HARTE

14

LIBERTY CAPS Stella McCartney's summer 2022 campaign takes a psychedelic trip into nature, grounded in the notion that mushrooms connect us all. The collection’s palette pulls heavily from nature, blending energetic brightness with earthiness tones. stellamccartney.com

SOFT FOCUS Dr Hauschka's colourful new packaging celebrates a 20year partnership with shea nut suppliers from Burkina Faso. Rose Nurturing Body Cream, £27.50 drhauschka.co.uk

EDITOR’S PICK

BRIGHT EYES Invoke the hypnotic, spellbinding allure of your inner Carnival Queen with Uoma's limited edition high octane, high impact and highly pigmented color palette. £43 libertylondon.com

B L O C K PA R T Y The large, multi-coloured Block Design Round Tray is exclusive to The Conran Shop, designed for serving drinks and snacks with flair. £35 conranshop.co.uk

A B S O L U T E LY m a g a z i n e s

WISHLIST.indd 14

25/05/2022 22:08

ABSOLUTELY • LOVES

GLITTER BUG The Joyful Colours collection is full of colour and joie de vivre. Coeur de Lion's beautiful handmade designs incorporate natural stones and high-grade materials. coeur-de-lion.org

COLOUR RUSH Koibird's resort collection spans sarongs, swimsuits and everything in between for the ultimate holiday wardrobe. koibird.com

LINK UP EDG London's Piccadilly cufflinks derive from hand painted abstract works of art, £85. edglondon.com

SW E E T TA L K The new Candy Kittens Loves celebrate the spectrum of love, using bright dopamineinducing colours to inject positivity and happiness into their customers' lives. candykittens.co.uk

R A I N B O W WAV E With its colorful stripes, opulent details, and the ultimate fit, Marie Jo's Camila bikini is perfect for summer. ameliesfollies.co.uk

M AC A R O N LOV E Laduree's purple Napoleon box of 18 macarons includes six Jubilee personalised macarons, six raspberry and six blue MarieAntoinette Tea flavours. £43 laduree.co.uk A B S O L U T E LY m a g a z i n e s

WISHLIST.indd 15

15

25/05/2022 22:08

ORIGINAL, LIMITED-EDITION ART DECO POSTERS

97 x 65 cm. Priced at £420 each (inc. UK sales tax).

Private commissions are also welcome.

@pullmaneditionsposters

Our central London gallery All images and text copyright © Pullman Editions Ltd. 2022

View and buy online at w w w.pullmaneditions.com PULLMAN.indd 16

25/05/2022 22:08

C U LT U R E

LINA IRIS VIKTOR, ELEVENTH, 2018, FROM IN THE BLACK FANTASTIC AT THE HAYWARD GALLERY

What's on 18 • Grace Jones' Meltdown 27 • Giffords Circus 28 A B S O L U T E LY m a g a z i n e s

CULTURE OPENER.indd 17

17

25/05/2022 22:08

The Agenda

LO N D O N ’S H OT T E ST H A P P E N I N G S

AC T I V I T Y

Go Boat PA D D I N G T O N & K I N G S T O N If you find yourself needing to cool down this summer, why not hire a Go Boat and take to London’s waterways? You can gather a group together, choose your voyage depending on what corner of London you’d like to explore and take in the sights of the city from the comfort of your own private vessel. goboat.co.uk

E X H I B I T I O N

Dopamine Land S O U TH K E NS I NGTO N SW 7, UN TIL J ULY

The cardinal museum rule of “no touching” has been long forgotten at Dopamine Land, the new interactive exhibition open in South Kensington. Fun and nostalgia are at the heart of this new multisensory experience, and you'll be given plenty of opportunities to reconnect with your childhood. You may even engage in a pillow fight or two.

MU S E UM

The World Of Stonehenge Until 17 July THE BRITISH MUSEUM Stonehenge is one of the United Kingdom’s oldest and most recognisable landmarks and was built during a truly remarkable period of history. This exhibition brings together over 430 objects from across Europe, in an attempt to solve some of the mysteries behind the ancient monument. britishmuseum.org

dopaminelandexperience.com

18

A B S O L U T E LY m a g a z i n e s

AGENDA.indd 18

25/05/2022 22:08

CULTURE • TALKING TOPICS

ART

T H E AT R E

Lift the Musical Until 18 June S O U T H WA R K P L AY H O U S E The premise behind this musical is a simple one; eight strangers step into a lift together at Covent Garden Station and one particularly observational busker imagines what their lives might be like when the doors reopen. You may leave the theatre with a new sense of curiosity about your fellow commuters. southwarkplayhouse.co.uk

A RT

The exhibitions marking the Platinum Jubilee The South Bank Centre’s Platinum Jubilee cultural celebrations encompass both ‘Official’ and ‘Alternative’ Royal Command Performances alongside classical music, punk, dance and parties.

Highlights include music from Nu Civilisation Orchestra, BBC Concert Orchestra and The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, a day exploring how punk exploded into

JAMES VAULKHARD - QUEEN

CORNELIA PARKER

popular culture in 1977, the year of the Silver Jubilee, including an exclusive screening and panel discussion with Academy Award®winner Danny Boyle on his new Sex Pistols series, Pistol. From 1-5 June, South Bank Centre, SE1.

Over at Oxo Tower Wharf, Art Save the Queen is a celebratory exhibition at gallery@oxo. Featuring portrayals of Her Majesty Queen

Until 16 October TATobe.com E B R I TA I N Cornelia Parker is one of modern Britain’s leading artists, renowned for her ability to transform everyday objects into powerful commentaries on contemporary social issues. Over 90 pieces from the broad spectrum of her work will be on display in this exhibition, including two exciting new pieces that are being unveiled to the public for the first time. tate.org.uk

This Month’s Must See

TO WATC H

M UC H A D O A B OU T NOT H I NG

M

ERNESTO ROMANO - QUEEN 2

SHAKE SPEARE’S GLOBE

uch Ado About Nothing is about a summer of freedom in the aftermath of a period of darkness. Sound familiar? This adaptation of the Shakespeare classic has come at just the right time and manages to maintain the romance and mischief of the original, while gaining a new sense of relevance.

Elizabeth II by 52 urban and contemporary international artists as Britain celebrates the monarch’s 70 remarkable years on the throne.

The line-up includes Goldie, James Vaulkhard, Carrie Reichardt, Ernesto Romano and Will Teather, and 10% of revenue generated from the exhibition will be donated to ABF The Soldiers’ Charity. From 2-12 June, gallery@oxo, SE1.

shakespearesglobe.com

A B S O L U T E LY m a g a z i n e s

AGENDA.indd 19

19

25/05/2022 22:08

THEATRE • REVIEW

THE BURNED CITY Punchdrunk's ambitious new production is stylish, exciting and disorientating

By PENDLE HARTE

20

A

couple is dancing on a vast concrete slab.

They’re passing an unidentified yet abject fleshy, bloody thing between them and soon there’s a lot of blood everywhere. We follow them to a shower, where we watch as they wash the blood away. It’s certainly the first time I’ve seen a working shower in a performance space. But this is no ordinary performance: this is Punchdrunk’s new show, and we’re not an ordinary audience either. Wearing identical beaked masks, we gather around the actors and move freely around the vast and disorientating Woolwich Works, where Punchdrunk’s new permanent home promises a bright future of elaborate immersive productions like this.

The Burned City is a big show based loosely

on the story of the fall of Troy. It opens in a dimly lit museum space, where a variety of artefacts in glass cases refer to the story of Agamemnon, Clytemnestra and Iphigenia.

Stripped of our phones, we’re released into the action, though the action’s not always easy to find. It’s a bewildering space on what seems like several levels, taking in a sandy wasteland, an industrial ruin and an abandoned tent settlement – this is the Greek city of Mycenae and we must decide which paths to follow. Actors appear from nowhere and lead us to witness fragments of wordless action in dance and mime in a set that feels apocalyptic and terror-filled – yet sometimes strangely empty. We follow Agamemnon upstairs to the concrete slab and the shower – and here we witness Iphigenia, having been sacrificed by her father earlier, transform herself into a bear in a 1920s style childhood bedroom.

Downstairs again and through a labyrinthine network of corridors (are we in the right place? Or is it the fire exit?) we enter the city of Troy, which is a neon-lit urban sprawl, all tacky shops and red light district chic. Here we find the bar, where there’s a lively cabaret act in full swing (here’s a tip: don’t rely on your phone as a method of payment, because you won’t have it, and we couldn’t buy any drinks).

Following a diminutive character who is killed and folded into a suitcase, we find a series of movingly detailed domestic scenes – these are the abandoned homes of the destroyed city, where people have fled mid-card game, or mid-laundry hanging. A grand finale comes too soon and leaves us wanting to return another night. And by the time you read this, the Elizabeth Line will be up and running, making the trip to Woolwich a breeze. Don't miss this.

Booking until 4 December; punchdrunk.com

A B S O L U T E LY m a g a z i n e s

CULTURE_PUNCHDRU.indd 20

25/05/2022 22:08

TCS_KEW_MUSIC_LONDON JUNE 2022_ABSOLUTELY LONDON.indd 21

26/05/2022 11:03

TIMELESS

TAT

Celebrating 200 Years of royal souvenirs at the Museum of Brands

By P E A R L B OY D

22

A B S O L U T E LY m a g a z i n e s

MUSEUM OF BRANDS.indd 22

25/05/2022 22:08

CULTURE • JUBILEE

T

his fascinating new display celebrates over 200 years of Royalinspired packaging and Jubilee souvenirs as a wide array of products and brands provides a fascinating insight into how UK consumer culture and Royal history have changed since the Victorian era.

Highlights include a new display shining a spotlight on some of the weird and wonderful objects that have been designed to commemorate members of the Royal Family and royal events from the past, from a rare 1830s gin flask celebrating Queen Victoria to a 120-year-old chocolate bar commemorating the coronation of King Edward VII and a set of the recent ‘Platinum Jubbly’ crockery, one of 10,000 souvenir items produced in China with a memorable misspelling of Jubilee.

When Queen Elizabeth II came to the throne in 1952 the USSR remained under the iron grip of Stalin and the death penalty still existed. The space race had not yet begun, and only 14% of households owned a television set – with only one channel – the

BBC. Identity cards were compulsory and tea rationing, which was introduced during World War Two, was still in place. However, like the Queen, many things introduced in 1952 have endured. The much-loved hand puppet Sooty and children’s television favourite The Flower Pot Men burst onto our television screens, while Surf and Daz detergents hit the increasingly popular supermarket shelves. Agatha Christie’s The Mousetrap started its run at the New Ambassadors Theatre, roll-on deodorant was invented and the world's first jet airliner took to our skies with a maiden flight from London to Johannesburg.

Established in 1984, the Museum of Brands is the only one of its kind in the world, celebrating the past through our throwaway heritage, with displays of hundreds of products full of memory and meaning. Together they offer us a fascinating insight into how our lives and society have evolved since Victorian times – from the changing role of women to the impact of war and technology; from the passing of the domestic servant to the evolving choice of food and toys, as well as the revolution in shopping habits over the last 200 years. Visitors embark on a nostalgic journey through 200 years of social change, consumer culture and lifestyle to give an insight into how society has arrived at where it is today and shed light on where it will be tomorrow.

The Museum displays part of the Robert Opie Collection, which had begun in 1963 when Robert started to save contemporary packaging and advertising.

By 1975, the Collection was large enough to have its own exhibition, ‘The Pack Age’, held at the V&A; following media and public acclaim, a permanent museum was established in Gloucester. Moving to

EMBARK ON A NOSTALGIC JOURNEY THROUGH 70 YEARS OF SOCIAL CHANGE, CONSUMER CULTURE AND LIFESTYLE London in 2005, it became the Museum of Brands. The collection comprises over half a million items concentrating on those areas that have transformed daily life – entertainment, travel, leisure, music, fashion, and children’s toys, plus postcards, magazines, wartime ephemera and royal souvenirs. Over 12,000 items are on display.

Alongside the visual displays, families can get involved by making their own Jubilee-themed bunting and crown and enjoy two new Jubilee trails for children and adults which call attention to some of the captivating Royal objects of the Museum’s collection. ‘Please Touch’, free object handling sessions, will take place over the Jubilee weekend from 2 to 6 June. Visitors will have the chance to handle and explore objects from the 1953 coronation and the 1977 Silver Jubilee.

Kids go free on the Jubilee Bank Holiday weekend; adult admission tickets allow unlimited daytime entry for a whole year and cost £9 / £7 concessions. The Museum of Brands, 111-117 Lancaster Road, W11 1QT; museumofbrands.com

A B S O L U T E LY m a g a z i n e s

MUSEUM OF BRANDS.indd 23

23

25/05/2022 22:08

FIND THE PERFECT ARTWORK WITH OUR ART ADVISORY SERVICE

“

The entire process felt like an adventure! I really can’t put a price on

”

how much I learned, and the fun I had while building my art collection.

– PRIVATE CLIENT, CENTRAL LONDON

After Nyne’s Art Advisory Service can

With over 20 years’ experience in the art world,

source artworks of any artistic taste

including roles at Sotheby’s, Lisson Gallery and

– at prices that won’t break the bank.

The Affordable Art Fair, you can be sure you’re

We provide our clients with access

in safe hands. After Nyne’s Advisory team are

to galleries and artists across the UK

well versed in all artist mediums and styles; and

and beyond – offering insights on both

their accessible, friendly advice will help you to

emerging and established artists.

identify what best suits your taste and décor.

Whether it’s one work or an entire collection, After Nyne will find what’s right for you (and within your budget!).

AFFORDABLE ART F.indd 24 ABSOLUTELY_DECEMBER_AfterNyneContemporary_Ad_PRINT.indd 1

Find out more by visiting www.afternynecontemporary.com, or email advisory@afternyne.com for more information.

25/05/2022 22:09 15/11/2021 14:47

CULTURE • ART

“A contemporary art gallery that puts artists' needs at the forefront”

Art LOVER A gallerist like no other: we meet Caroline Boseley, Founder of Studio West

By EVE HERBERT

C CAROLINE BOSELEY

aroline Boseley founded Studio West on Kensington Park Road in Notting Hill with an entirely unique vision: to create a contemporary art gallery that puts artists' needs at the forefront and nurtures an awareness of the local community. After leaving her career as a solicitor to complete Masters Degrees at Christies Education and The Royal College of Art, she opened her own gallery in November 2021.

Studio West is a welcoming space for the art world initiated and the general public alike, Caroline comments: “I think commercial art galleries can be very intimidating and sterile spaces.

I wanted to create a cultural hub where absolutely anybody walking by feels welcome to come in.”

As a collector herself, she is a strong believer in buying art based on love.

“I don’t think you should buy expecting an artwork to increase in value so you can realise a profit. For me, an image you find really beautiful or thought-provoking can be a wonderful addition to your home.” As a caveat, she mentions that it’s worth keeping the practicalities in mind.

“I once had to heave a two metre-high canvas up the outside of my apartment building to lower it in through a skylight, as it was too large to get up the stairs.”

At Studio West, Caroline hosts special events to engage with the community and local charities. During Karolina Albricht’s recent exhibition, Caroline invited two dancers from the Portobello Dance School to perform a piece responding to the artist’s work.

In June, the gallery will host an exhibition of four women artists exploring the notion of Commensality, a shared meal. Caroline explains: “The show will explore the social significance and the role mealtimes play in hospitality, domestic relations and our cultural heritage.” During the exhibition, a yoga class will take place on Sunday 19 July raising funds for Kensington and Chelsea Food Bank, along with an outdoor community picnic celebrating the food enjoyed by local people in North Kensington on Saturday 2 July. @studio_west_gallery | studiowest.art A B S O L U T E LY m a g a z i n e s

CULTURE_LISA BAK.indd 25

25

25/05/2022 22:09

What’s it worth?

Fine Art Auctioneers & Valuers

Old Master & 19th Century Pictures

Modern & Contemporary Prints & Multiples

Chinese, Japanese & South East Art

Contact clientservices@roseberys.co.uk with the details and images of your object to receive a complimentary valuation from one of our specialists.

Islamic & Indian Art

Design Since 1860

Traditional & Modern Home

Jewellery & Watches

Modern British & 20th Century Art

Fine & Decorative

www.roseberys.co.uk 70/76 Knights Hill, London SE27 0JD | clientservices@roseberys.co.uk |+44 (0) 20 8761 2522 ROSEBERYS.indd 26

25/05/2022 22:09

CULTURE • MUSIC

“The improbably youthful 73-year old has invited a rosta of vibrant and creative acts”

AMAZING GRACE This year’s Meltdown is curated by the fantastic Grace Jones.

Here’s a preview Wo r d s P E N D L E H A R T E

M

uch excitement on the South Bank as this year’s Meltdown festival is curated by the iconic Grace Jones.

The improbably youthful 73year old has invited a rosta of vibrant and creative acts to make up the nine day line-up, which is accompanied by a diverse curation of free public events.

Get ready for a hula hooping masterclass and a roller skating party as part of the range of activities and performances inspired by Grace Jones’ career.

Neo-soul star Greentea Peng will perform with her hypnotic blend of psychedelia and free-and-easy R&B, influenced by the likes of Lauryn Hill and Erykah Badu. Opening for Grace Jones on the final night of the

festival, Eska will deliver a show of her rich and restless soundscapes. Post-punk group Dry Cleaning will shred the Queen Elizabeth Hall with their no-nonsense riffs winding over poetic monologues which have made the band such a hot-tipped talent. In the Purcell Room, genre-hopping Lewisham local cktrl — standing for ‘can’t keep to reality’ — will perform a very special show with the London Contemporary Orchestra. Completing Honey Dijon’s line-up for Meltdown’s electric opening night party in the Queen Elizabeth Foyer, Josey Rebelle will step up to the decks alongside a live set from multidisciplinary producer, singer and Lil Simz collaborator Alewya, running long into the early hours.

Inspired by the iconic 1973 photograph of Grace Jones roller-skating on Compo Beach, Roll Up To The Bumper on 11 June will feature workshops so visitors can roll through and hone their skills while grooving along to a day-long programme of music and DJ sets, spanning disco and soul to modern grime. Island Life Reggae Soundclash, meanwhile, will see two soundsystem titans go toe-to-toe in celebration of Grace Jones’ homeland, Jamaica, on Sunday 12 June.

Slay To The Rhythm on Friday 17 June will see a show-stopping gospel choir perform covers of Grace Jones’ smash songs. They will invite members of the public to be part of a mighty choir on the Southbank Centre terrace.

Grace Jones’ Meltdown would not be complete without a homage to her unparalleled sartorial splendour. On Saturday 18 June, A Night of A Thousand Graces will be a collaboration with Africa Fashion Week London, featuring show-stopping looks and catwalk wonders while the Rock the Runway categories invite the audience to take to the floor and dazzle the guest judges.

Rounding off the festival on Sunday 19 June with a spinning send off is Do or Die …or Disco with Marawa's Majorettes. This international award-winning performance troupe will be drawing curtains on the festival’s free outdoor programme. southbankcentre.co.uk A B S O L U T E LY m a g a z i n e s

CULTURE MELTDOWN.indd 27

27

25/05/2022 22:09

The world loves a

CLOWN Absolutely meets Tweedy the Clown from Giffords Circus to discuss big top life I n t e r v i e w P E A R L B OY D

Q How did you get to be a clown? Did

you have any kind of formal training?

A I didn’t have any formal training when I decided I wanted to be a clown. It was very difficult to find out where to start, because there wasn’t the internet back then to look things up. So I applied to a few circus schools and got accepted onto a clown course at Fool Time (now Circomedia in Bristol) and I was saving up to pay for it by working as a Red Coat at Butlins, but sadly the school went bust. So to research and find out more about clowning I sent out a questionnaire to about 50 circuses and I got two back. One from Cirque du Soleil (which I hadn’t heard of at the time)

28

and the other was from Martin Burton at Zippo’s Circus, who said the best way to learn about clowning was from other clowns and in front of a live audience.

He offered me a job as a Publicity Clown, which involved handing out leaflets in the streets and doing school and hospital shows. This was when I was 19 years old.

But then in the first week at Zippo’s the clown got stuck in traffic and there was no one else who could do the act, so I volunteered – and I did the show. Martin caught the end of the second half and offered me the job as his understudy. The following year I became part of Zippo & Co, a clown troupe – and the rest is history.

TWEEDY THE CLOWN

A B S O L U T E LY m a g a z i n e s

CULTURE GIFFORDS.indd 28

25/05/2022 22:09

CULTURE • CIRCUS

Q How long have you been

with Giffords Circus?

A 2022 will be my 16th show with Giffords

Circus. Nell Gifford and I were friends already, having met when Nell was a groom in another circus, and I asked her for a job.

Q What was it like to

collaborate with Nell?

A Great! It worked very well because

our approaches were very different.

Hers was very serious and artistic, whereas I was quite silly, and we just naturally complemented each other.

Q You are a big favourite with

audiences, and very interactive.

How would you describe your relationship with your audience?

A Empathetic! In the circus, you see many people doing amazing feats and acts, so the clown acts as a device that the audience can relate to, bridging the gap between the world of the circus and the real world. I have a go at things and mess it up and the audience can relate as they think that’s what would happen to them if they gave it go. But in the end, I always pull it out of the bag.

“A clown bridges the gap between the world of the circus and the real world” A B S O L U T E LY m a g a z i n e s

CULTURE GIFFORDS.indd 29

29

25/05/2022 22:09

“Nell’s approach was very serious and artistic, whereas I was quite silly, so we complemented each other” Q You did an incredibly dangerous

ladder act last year in The Hooley. How hard is it to balance putting yourself at risk with making people laugh?

A I don’t find it that difficult because I’ve been doing it for so long. It’s a technique of building up tension, where the release of the tension gets the laugh as well as the silliness.

Q Who is your character in this year’s show? What’s his story?

A I am always Tweedy in Giffords Circus; I’m never fully immersed in the show, I’m always the outsider.

Q You are a bit of an all-rounder – which are your best skills?

A I like doing lots of things so I’m good at lots, but I never spend enough time doing just one thing to be really good at it like the other circus acts, so my best skill is being an all-rounder! I’m also quite observant and quick-witted because if anything goes wrong, I have to be straight in there filling in or distracting the audience.

Q ‘Running away with the circus’ is such a romantic notion but I imagine it’s really hard work. How would you describe life on the road with Giffords Circus?

30

A Well for a start I had to catch a bus as it was too far to run! So that wasn’t very romantic or glamorous, stuck on a coach for eight hours to London. But I did meet my lovely wife Sharon at the circus and had a wedding in the big top. Life on the road can be very up and down – you work really hard and sometimes in really difficult conditions such as the weather, but you have the most amazing community that you live with and such an amazing camaraderie.

Q Of all the Giffords shows you’ve been in do you have a favourite?

A No I don’t have a favourite but in Moon Songs in 2015 I was shot out of a cannon and had to catch a rope in mid-air, so that was a highlight. I also had great fun playing Magda the fortune teller that year too.

Q Give us three reasons why everyone must see ¡Carpa! this year?

A It’s a completely unique experience like no-other circus you’ve seen before. It incorporates live theatre, music and circus.

GIFFORDS CIRCUS Giffords Circus’ UK tour continues until 2 October, with a London residence at Chiswick House & Gardens from 16 to 27 June. giffordscircus.com

A B S O L U T E LY m a g a z i n e s

CULTURE GIFFORDS.indd 30

25/05/2022 22:09

THE SPOOKY AFTER-DARK TRAIL FOR ALL THE FAMILY

halloweenatchiswickhouseandgardens.co.uk

14 – 31 OCTOBER TCS_HALLOWEEN.indd 31

25/05/2022 22:09

ARTISTS AT HOME.indd 32

25/05/2022 22:09

CULTURE • PARTNERSHIP THE ART BUS

Climb ABOARD Experience Kensington + Chelsea Art Week from the top deck of a Routemaster Bus

K

ensington + Chelsea Art Week is returning for its fifth edition and will be bringing the borough to life with exciting and immersive public art events from the 23rd of June until the 3rd of July. The entire borough will be enriched with creativity across mediums revolving around the curatorial theme of Nourishment. KCAW brings together an extraordinary cross-section of unmissable art and culture. The festival commences with the opening of the Public Art Trail on the 18th of June. Always a muchphotographed event for London, the Public Art Trail will feature world-class sculptures, installations and exhibits.

Kicking off a week after the launch of the Public Art Trail, Kensington + Chelsea Art Week sees eleven days of art events hosted by galleries, artist studios, worldclass museums, antique shops, and King’s Road retailers, with over 150 venues taking part. Visitors can expect to engage with emerging and established artists and take part in a variety of free workshops, art trails and tours – all coming together to celebrate the borough’s artistic richness.

Participation in the festival is an opportunity for artists to engage new audiences, it provides a platform on which to present work in extraordinary locations while exhibiting alongside renowned cultural organisations and leading artists.

One of the major highlights of this year’s festival is the return of The Art Bus, organised by The Galleries Association in partnership with Portobello Radio.

Visitors will once again be able to board a classic Routemaster Bus and pass by

BROADCASTER PIERS THOMPSON

some extraordinary art and performances.

Passengers will be guided through the backstreets of West London by broadcaster Piers Thompson of Portobello Radio, whilst learning about the rich local history and counterculture. Designed to distil the area’s cultural highlights, the free bus tour allows art enthusiasts to connect with local gallery managers and artists. It’s hop-on, hop-off and certainly not to be missed! Kensington & Chelsea Art Week is free and open to all.

Further details of the festival program will be unveiled over the coming weeks. kcaw.co.uk A B S O L U T E LY m a g a z i n e s

KCAW.indd 33

33

25/05/2022 22:09

Create memorable moments for Dad on his special day.

Le Creuset has the perfect keepsake gift, from grills to premium utensils and more.

EXPERIENCE THE DIFFERENCE WHEN YOU VISIT A LE CREUSET STORE • BESPOKE CUSTOMER SERVICE • EXCLUSIVE PRODUCT RANGES AND OFFERS • PRODUCT EXPERTISE AND AFTERCARE • FREE DELIVERY OVER £50 • LOYALTY REWARDS • FREE RECIPE CARDS CALL & DELIVER | PAY BY LINK | FREE UK DELIVERY WHEN YOU SPEND £50 OR MORE | CONTACT THE STORE FOR MORE DETAILS LE CREUSET FULHAM ROAD, 156 FULHAM ROAD, LONDON. SW10 9PR • TEL: 0207 3707509 • E-MAIL: FULHAMROAD.STORE.UK@LECREUSET.COM LE CREUSET HAMPSTEAD, 31 HEATH STREET, LONDON. NW3 6TR • TEL: 0207 4356109 • E-MAIL: HAMPSTEAD.STORE.UK@LECREUSET.COM LE CREUSET ISLINGTON, 137 UPPER STREET, LONDON. N1 1QP • TEL: 0207 2261595 • E-MAIL: ISLINGTON.STORE.UK@LECREUSET.COM LE CREUSET MARYLEBONE, 6 NEW CAVENDISH STREET, LONDON. W1G 8UH • TEL: 0207 4865404 • E-MAIL: MARYLEBONE.STORE.UK@LECREUSET.COM

LE CREUSET.indd 34

LE CREUSET MUSWELL HILL, 74 MUSWELL HILL BROADWAY, LONDON. N10 3RT • TEL: 0208 8834394 • E-MAIL: MUSWELLHILL.STORE.UK@LECREUSET.COM LE CREUSET NOTTING HILL, 54 LEDBURY RD., NOTTING HILL, LONDON. W11 2AJ • TEL: 0203 2200017 • E-MAIL: NOTTINGHILL.STORE.UK@LECREUSET.COM LE CREUSET ST. ALBANS, 27 MARKET PLACE, ST. ALBANS, HERTFORDSHIRE. AL3 5DL • TEL: 01727 850453 • E-MAIL: STALBANS.STORE.UK@LECREUSET.COM LE CREUSET WIMBLEDON, 4 CHURCH RD., WIMBLEDON VILLAGE, LONDON. SW19 5DL • TEL: 0208 9440624 • E-MAIL: WIMBLEDON.STORE.UK@LECREUSET.COM

25/05/2022 22:09

RARE MILLÉSIME 2008

True to the Rare Champagne signature, Rare Millésime 2008 holds unlimited potential of growth, youth and complexity.

This champagne is crystal-clear, light gold in colour. The initial nose shines with the pure vivacity of this vintage, showing pronounced aromas of orange blossom, hyacinth and white flowers, with notes of just-ripe Williams pear, fresh coconut, almond, and tangerine. rare-champagne.com

PHOTO: MARCO STRULLU

FOOD & DRINK

RARE FIND

Food notes 36 • Eating out 39 • Recipes 40 A B S O L U T E LY m a g a z i n e s

FOOD OPENER.indd 35

35

25/05/2022 22:09

WHAT TO DRINK

GRAPE news

TASTING NOTES

London’s food news and most exciting openings this month B y R AC H E L H O G G

Wine recommendations for the month

Babele Sauvignon Blanc, Romania  £8.99 The Babele Sauvignon Blanc has the racy passion fruit flavours of a New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc and the elegance of a Bordeaux. This zesty white is full of fruit, tangerine and gooseberry flavours and has a lively mouthfeel and a medium body. laithwaites.co.uk

Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc, New Zealand  £12.99 Babich Wines of New Zealand has partnered with UK based charity, Frank Water and has made a commitment to sustainable wine growing.

This organic Sauvignon Blanc white wine is fresh and ripe, with notes of stone fruit, lime, and apple. waitrose.com

Codorniu Vintage Cava Brut, Spain  £8.00 The Codorníu 1872 Vintage Brut is a nutty savoury cava that makes the perfect drink partner for lunch on the grass. It is a fresh, crisp and elegant sparkling wine with attractive flavours of citrus and apple with fine, persistent bubbles. sainsburys.co.uk

Terrace Time R O O F T E R R AC E AT T H E S LOA N E

No membership, no problem! For the first time this year, the Sloane Club will be opening their exclusive outdoor terrace for the general public to use. You’ll be able to enjoy alfresco dining at its finest, with the selection of exciting new Summer menus that will be available, but you only have until the end of the season, so be sure to book fast. sloaneplace.com

36

A B S O L U T E LY m a g a z i n e s

FOOD NOTES.indd 36

25/05/2022 22:09

FOOD & DRINK • NOTES

TEA TIME Jubilee high teas fit for royalty

TASTY TRAYS FORTNUM & MASON

Shoreditch Summer

Served in the timeless Diamond Jubilee Tea Salon the new menu celebrates 70 years of the reigning monarch through inventive takes on British flavours and will be available until the end of August. fortnumandmason.com

MOOLI

Mooli's house thali comes delivered to your door, inspired by the Ayurveda, combining six tastes on one palm leaf thali plate (sweet, sour, salty, bitter, spicy, and acidic). Delicious dhal, butter chicken and excellent chapatis make this a great option for two, £35. moolifood.com

L AU R E L S O N T H E R O O F

London’s newest rooftop restaurant and bar has opened at the Mondrian Shoreditch. The extensive all-day menu offerings mean you'll be able to seamlessly transition from coffees to cocktails. It’s the perfect place to while away a relaxing summer's day, overlooking the Shoreditch skyline. sbe.com

THE FOUR SEASONS Located only a stone’s throw from Buckingham Palace, there isn’t a more fitting place to enjoy a royalthemed afternoon tea than the Four Seasons Hotel, and you'll be able to do so until August 31st. fourseasons.com

F E S T I VA L SEASON TASTE OF LONDON

Raise A Ju-Bellini L I T T L E D O O R LO N D O N

The biggest celebration of the century is coming to London and The Little Door will be embracing all things British from the 1st until the 4th of June.

The restaurants have released a series of specials including bottomless brunches, supper clubs and parties all in celebration of 70 years of HRH. thelittledoorandco.com

SEARCYS This afternoon tea was inspired by Her Majesty’s most loved dishes and will be available across Searcy’s restaurants until June 25th, alongside a Champagne masterclass led by an ex-member of the Royal household. searcys.co.uk

Summer festivities are back with a bang! The capital’s biggest food festival, Taste of London, will be returning to Regents Park this June for five delicious days of feasting. Attendees will be able to sample over 100 dishes, that have been prepared by some of the City’s most talented chefs. london.tastefestivals.com A B S O L U T E LY m a g a z i n e s

FOOD NOTES.indd 37

37

25/05/2022 22:09

MOZART SYMPHONY.indd 38

25/05/2022 22:09

FOOD & DRINK • REVIEW

ABSOLUTELY eats out…

“There’s a sense of pastiche, with a hint of stylish film set”

DECO DELIGHT Why Dishoom’s Kensington outpost is the group’s most glamorous site

FOOD Flavourful and moreish

By pendle harte

D

ishoom’s winning approach is a sort of immersive concept applied to the traditional curry house.

Decor recalls the Irani cafes of Bombay in their 1930s hayday. Think marble tables, bentwood chairs, ceiling fans, ageing mirrors and a monochromatic palette – and in Kensington’s outlet, combine these with all the original Art Deco architectual features in the stylish Barkers building.

The resulting interior is nothing

DECOR short of spectacular. Anyone who knows the building will notice that the ceiling echoes the old Rainbow Room on the top floor with its tiered oval cornicing, while booth seating, chequerboard flooring and a huge central clock create the feel of a busy Indian train station dining room. There are eccentric Indian signs and old photographs on the walls for extra authenticity – although with a space this carefully crafted, authenticity is the one thing that can’t really be achieved.

Instead, there’s a sense of pastiche, with a hint of stylish film set.

1030s Bombay golden age

PRICE Small plates from £3.20; mains £9- £15

And all of this makes for a very pleasureable space in which to spend time. Our lunchtime visit saw the large space full of diners, attended to swiftly by professional and capable staff. This is a welloiled machine. Our meal is a feast: we start with house chaat, a sweet and sharp dish of yoghurty sweet potato with pomegranate, beetroot, radish and carrot, that goes well with a chilli broccoli salad laced with mint and lime. Main courses of the famed house black dahl (thick, creamy and comforting) with chicken ruby (full of deep flavour and spice) with a flawlessly charred naan and rice are flavourful and moreish, while a rice pudding with coconut milk and cardamom comes caramelised on top like an extra delicious kind of creme brulee.

So what if the space feels a bit Disneyfied? The food’s excellent and the interior is beautiful, so W8’s Dishoom is a clear winner for us.

VERDICT

DISHOOM

A clear winner

4 Derry Street, W8 dishoom.com

A B S O L U T E LY m a g a z i n e s

EATING OUT.indd 39

39

25/05/2022 22:09

Wo r d s M E L I S S A H E M S L E Y P h o t o g r a p h y L I Z Z I E M AY S O N

Feel

GOOD

Quick and easy recipes from Melissa Hemsley’s new book 40

A B S O L U T E LY m a g a z i n e s

RECIPES.indd 40

25/05/2022 22:10

FOOD & DRINK • RECIPES

Fried halloumi and chickpea rainbow salad feeds 2 as a main

Definitely make this! It’s also delicious stuffed into a wrap, or serve it with rice or quinoa. Halloumi needs to be served straight away, so make this fresh. Swap the halloumi for paneer, or use extra-firm tofu, patted dry, for a plant-based version of this dish.

Prepare the salad and arrange in two bowls.

15 mins

INGREDIENTS • 2 tbsp ghee or coconut oil • 400g tin of chickpeas, drained and rinsed • 4 tsp garam masala • 2 tsp ground cumin • 225g halloumi, cut into small cubes • 2 tsp maple syrup • Sea salt and pepper Salad • A little diced red onion or chopped spring onions • 1 large carrot, scrubbed and roughly grated • 1 handful of diced ripe tomatoes Cashew-coriander-mint chutney makes double • 4 tbsp cashews or other nuts • 4 handfuls of fresh coriander • 2 small handful of fresh mint leaves • 2 fresh green chilli, deseeded if you prefer, chopped, or a good pinch of chilli flakes • 1 tsp ground cumin • Juice of 3 limes • 4 tbsp olive oil

METHOD 1 Heat up a large frying pan and toast the cashews for the chutney ona medium heat for 3–4 minutes, tossing halfway through, until lightly golden, then tip half of them into the small bowl of a food processor and save the rest for garnishing.

2 Put the pan back on the heat, melt 1 ½ tablespoons of the ghee and frythe chickpeas (making sure they are dried well in a tea towel before so they don’t spit in the hot oil) on a medium heat for 4 minutes with half of the spices and a pinch of salt, stirring every now and then. Tip into a bowl, scraping out the delicious bits from the bottom of the pan as you go.

3 While the chickpeas are frying, add all the other chutney ingredientsto the food processor – saving a few herbs for garnishing,

if you like – along with about 3 tablespoons of water, then blend together, seasoning to taste with salt and pepper.

4 Put the pan back on the heat with the rest of the ghee and, whenmelted, fry the halloumi on a medium heat for about 2 minutes on the first side on (keep the pieces of halloumi spaced out) and then turn, sprinkle over the rest of the spices and fry for about 1 minute on the other side until lightly golden brown and crispy at the edges. Straight away add the fried chickpeas and the maple syrup, then toss together with the halloumi and fry for 30 seconds so that the chickpeas warm through and the maple syrup bubbles and thickens.

Scatter the chickpeas over the bowls of salad with the halloumi on top, drizzle over half of the chutney and top with the remaining nuts.

Big broccoli and spinach salad with carrotginger dressing feeds 2

A favourite lunchbox salad of mine, and happily this makes extradressing, so drizzle over roast veg and noodles. I love carrotginger soup in the winter, and carrotginger dressing is one of my go-tos in the warmer months. It’s inspired by a Japanese dressing, the white miso paste giving it a beautifully salty-sweet umami flavour. Swap the cooked chickpeas for lentils or other beans, if you like.

15 minutes (25 minutes if cooking the quinoa)

INGREDIENTS • 1 large handful of bite-sized broccoli florets, stems sliced thinly • 100g baby spinach • 400g tin of chickpeas, drained, rinsed and dried • 1 handful of cherry tomatoes (I like a mix of colours), halved • About 150g cooked quinoa or brown rice (about 80g uncooked – see tip) • 1 handful of seeds (such as pumpkin or sunflower), toasted, to servedressing makes extra • 2 medium carrots, scrubbed (about 200g) • 2 tbsp chopped fresh ginger • 3 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil • 1 tbsp toasted sesame oil

• 1 small white onion or • 3 spring onions • 3 tbsp rice vinegar or apple cider vinegar • 2 tbsp white miso paste • Sea salt

METHOD 1 Steam the broccoli for 4–5 minutes in a small pan until just tender.You can do this by putting a small amount of water with a little pinch of salt in a pan so that it covers the bottom by about half an inch, and cooking the broccoli in it with a lid on the pan.

2 Place all the ingredients for the dressing – except the salt – in a high powderedblender or a food processor and blend until smooth, then season with salt to taste. If your blender isn’t high-powered, roughly grate the carrots and ginger first before adding them to the blender with the rest of the ingredients.

Add about 4 tablespoons of water to the dressing to make it drizzly; it is a thick dressing, but add more 3 water to thin it out further if you fancy.

4 Toss all the salad ingredients together, drizzle over about half of thedressing and scatter over the seeds. Serve any extra dressing on the side and keep the rest in a clean screw-top jar in the fridge.

Tip To prepare the quinoa from scratch, cook it following the packet instructions and, in the last 4 minutes, add the broccoli florets to sit on top. Remove from the heat and leave the lid on for 3 minutes.

A B S O L U T E LY m a g a z i n e s

RECIPES.indd 41

41

25/05/2022 22:10

FOOD & DRINK • RECIPES

Mum’s Filipino chicken with mangotomato salsa feeds 4

My mum calls this ‘any way chicken’ because you can make the chicken any way: I like cooking it in the oven (so I can forget about it); my mum likes to make it on the hob (to keep more of the sauce); and my boyfriend Henry likes grilling it on the barbecue (so it’s smoky and crispy). However you do it, I recommend making extra so that you can shred it into soups, wraps, noodles and salads later in the week. This sauce is fantastic in its own right and you’ll see it used with vegetables on page 157 too. If you have time to marinate the chicken in the sauce overnight, go for it, but I often forget and just cook it straight away.

30 minutes

INGREDIENTS • 4 large chicken thighs, skin on and bone in (about 600g) • Sea salt and black pepper • 2 spring onions, finely sliced at an angle, to serve Filipino-style sauce • 3 garlic cloves, finely chopped • 4 tbsp apple cider vinegar • 2 tbsp tamari or soy sauce • 2 tsp–1 tbsp fish sauce or 2 tsp extra tamari or soy sauce • 2 tbsp (coconut) sugar or maple syrup • 2 star anise • ¼ tsp chilli flakes (or to taste) mango-tomato salsa • 1 big handful of fresh coriander • 100g cherry tomatoes, quarterd • 100g peeled ripe mango, pineapple or stone fruit, diced • 2cm fresh ginger, finely grated • ½ garlic clove, finely grated • 1 jalapeño or other chilli, deseeded and diced • Juice of 1½ limes • 4 spring onions or 1 small red onion, finely diced • 2 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil • A dash of hot sauce (optional)

42

METHOD Preheat the oven to fan 220°C/gas mark 9. If using a barbecue, get it going now.

2 Mix all the sauce ingredients together. Place the chicken thighs in anovenproof dish big enough to arrange the pieces about 2cm apart (but not so big that you lose all the sauce as it cooks off in the oven), then add the sauce, coating each piece of chicken well in the mixture and leave for a few minutes, if you like.

3 Place the chicken thighs skinside up in the dish, sprinkle a little salt and pepper over each one and roast for 25 minutes or until well cooked and the juices run clear when pierced with a knife.

4 Meanwhile, make the salsa.

Roughly chop the leaves of the coriander and finely chop the 1

stalks, then add to a serving bowl with all the other ingredients, mix together well and leave to sit for 20 minutes (while the chicken is cooking). Serve the chicken scattered with the spring onions and with the salsa on the side.

Recipes taken from FEEL GOOD BY MELISSA HEMSLEY (EBURY PRESS, £22)

A B S O L U T E LY m a g a z i n e s

RECIPES.indd 42

25/05/2022 22:10

PGK Advert.qxp_Layout 1 25/05/2022 15:14 Page 1

FREE

KITCHEN DESIGN

CONSULATION

FINANCE AVAILABLE

PREMIUM GERMAN KITCHEN SPECIALISTS

5.0

Each PGK Kitchen is exquisitely designed and produced with exceptional craftsmanship using only top-quality materials. We handcraft the finest bespoke kitchens with unmatched dedication to quality, care, luxury and immaculate attention to detail.

We work closely with you to understand your vision for your perfect kitchen, so that it ideally suits you and your lifestyle. With over 20 years experience PGK understands the joy that a well designed and crafted kitchen can bring to your home.

OPEN: Mon - Sat: 10.00am - 7.00pm Sun: Closed T: 020 3093 8880 E: wimbledon@pgkltd.co.uk W: www.pgkltd.co.uk 193 Kingston Road, Wimbledon, London SW19 1LH

PGK_LONDON JUNE 2022_ABSOLUTELY LONDON.indd 43

26/05/2022 11:32

The original 'must-have'.

Justifiably extravagant.

SILENT POOL - RH.indd 44

25/05/2022 22:10

FOOD & DRINK • NOTES

DRINKS CABINET What to drink this month

By PENDLE HARTE

SPOTLIGHT

ECO FIZZ P O M M E RY Vranken Pommery is one of Europe’s largest wine growers and for over 20 years has been committed to its stringent ecological policy. In 2020 Vranken-Pommery began plans to convert its Champagne vineyards to Organic Viticulture, which is the process of growing and processing grapes with no use of synthetic fertilisers, herbicides, insecticides and fungicides and with the promotion of biodiversity.

vrankenpommery.com

PERFECT PINK MINUTY Château Minuty rosé represents summer in a glass. It conjures scenes of the crystal blue seas, salty skin from the sun-soaked beaches of South of France and dining alfresco accompanied by a gentle sea breeze.

minuty.com

NEW CROP NYETIMBER Nyetimber's new Tillington Single Vineyard vintage, created from the 2014 harvest, is made in limited quantities.

The wine is a true expression of the exceptional terroir, predominantly made up of Pinot Noir, blended with a small amount of Chardonnay.

Babylonstoren The South African vineyard's delicious Mourvèdre Rosé

By EVE HERBERT

C

hosen as the official rosé of the 2022 RHS Chelsea Flower Show, Babylonstoren’s Mourvèdre Rosé from its 2022 vintage – . Following a late harvest after a cool South African summer, the Mourvèdre Rosé is being whisked away from Babylonstoren to London and you can be among the first to try it, just in time for the start of summer.

With subtle notes of rose petals and ripe berries, the dry and elegant wine transports the mind to the magnificent gardens at Babylonstoren – a historic Cape Dutch working farm, winery and hotel in the Franschhoek wine valley – making it the perfect complement to Britain’s most-loved gardening event – as well as a grat accompaniment to trout, salmon or sushi.

Best enjoyed within 18 months of bottling, the Babylonstoren Mourvèdre Rosé is made in the classic Provençal style. With its pale orange and pink-tinted hues, produced by keeping the grape skins on for a mere couple of hours, the colour palette is reminiscent of a stunning South African sunset.

Babylonstoren is one of the oldest Cape Dutch farms, set at the foot of Simonsberg in the Franschhoek wine valley. It has a fruit and vegetable garden of beauty and diversity, unique accommodation, fine food and wine, and evokes a sense of wellbeing. babylonstoren.com

nyetimber.com A B S O L U T E LY. L O N D O N

DRINKS.indd 45

45

25/05/2022 22:10

SISTER LONDON.indd 46

25/05/2022 22:10

FOOD & DRINK • NOTES SOUTHERN SUNSHINE G I N D ’A Z U R E

Made to be sipped on the beaches of Southern France, Gin D’Azure makes for the perfect escape for anyone who may find themselves stuck in the city. A true craft gin, originally created by master distiller Paul Caris in 2019, made from regional French ingredients and distilled using the most sophisticated methods, £34.95.

gindazur.com

F R E S H LY SQUEEZED B O M B AY S A P P H I R E Bombay Sapphire has released a new addition to their range of premium gins. Citron Presse is made from the juice of freshlysqueezed lemons. This 100% natural gin tastes like it’s come straight from the Mediterranean and is the perfect addition to any summer cocktail, £23.

Gin

bombaysapphire.com

SKYLINE SIPS MALFY GIN Sky Garden, London’s highest public garden has been transformed into an Amalfi-Coast inspired escape, in partnership with premium Italian gin brand Malfy Gin. At the new City Garden Bar, You’ll be able to enjoy three new zesty gin and tonics while overlooking the London skyline. The pop-up will be open every Wednesday to Sunday evening from 6.30, until the end of September.

skygarden.london

TIPPLES What to drink this month B y R AC H E L H O G G

TASTE AWAY

Get into the spirit of things with this tasting experience B y R AC H E L H O G G

T

he East London Liquor Company first landed in the heart of the East End eight years ago, with the intention of revitalising the area's long forgotten-spirit production industry. The independent distillery produces and imports a range of handcrafted spirits including gin, vodka, rum and whisky. They pride themselves on providing high-quality, honestly-priced products and a laidback drinking atmosphere to enjoy them in. Their Spirit of Gin Tour & Tasting experience leaves no part of the distillery unexplored and is the ultimate weekend activity for the gin-connoisseur.

You’ll be handed a Gin & Tonic at the onset of the tour, and then, drink in hand you’ll go on an in-depth tour of the distillery, during which a guide will walk you through the history of gin and will explain how it is made. Finally, you’ll find yourself in the tasting room where you’ll get to try one of East London Liquor Company’s three original gins. Including the base distillate, the Genever from Holland, and their new Kew Gardens Collaboration gin. The tour runs for approximately 1.5 hours, and you can join for the bargain price of £35 per person. eastlondonliquorcompany.com

A B S O L U T E LY m a g a z i n e s

GIN.indd 47

47

25/05/2022 22:10

LW.indd WINES.indd 1 LIBERTY 43

24/11/2021 25/05/2022 11:51 22:10

FOOD & DRINK • PARTNERSHIP

Candied aubergine

with vegetable curry and parmesan crumble I NG R E DI E N T S : Aubergine • Cumin • Olive Oil • Garlic Whole wheat bread • Cooked red beetroot • Red pepper • Green pepper Turnip • Turmeric • Coriander • Parmesan •Flour • Soft butter • Basil

M E T HOD 1

Cut the aubergine lengthways in two, then cut into squares, dress with olive oil, and cook in an oven for thirty minutes at 160 degrees.

2

Prepare the four curries. For the purple curry, mix the cooked beetroot with olive oil, ground cumin and whole wheat bread.

For the yellow curry, mix the turnip with olive oil, garlic, ground cumin, ground turmeric and whole wheat bread. For the red curry, mix red pepper with olive oil, garlic, ground cumin, paprika and whole wheat bread. For the green curry, mix green pepper with olive oil, garlic, ground cumin, fresh coriander and whole wheat bread.

PHOTO: MARCO STRULLU

3

RARE PA I R I N G How this rare champagne inspires a complementary aubergine dish

T

rue to the Rare Champagne signature, Rare Millésime 2008 holds unlimited potential of growth, youth and complexity.

Rare Millésime 2008 imparts the fervour of an infinite spring.

This champagne is a crytal-clear, light gold in colour. The initial nose shines with the pure vivacity of this vintage, showing pronounced aromas of orange blossom, hyacinth and white flowers, with notes of just-ripe Williams pear, fresh coconut, almond, and tangerine.

Saline and smoky hints balance the nose perfectly. The palate is crisp and precise, with citrus and tropical fruit lingering on the long, complex finish.

Mix flour, soft butter and grated parmesan.

Cook the crumble on an oven tray, ensuring it is properly broken up.

4

Cover the aubergine in the different colours of curry. Add a little Parmesan crumble and basil.

The Rare Champagne experience is a sensory journey. Champagne has this gift to sublimate, and offers a tasting of absolute generosity, mixing the beautiful and the refined. It is all the nobility of the heart that expresses itself through the wine, the moment and the people associated. An experience under the glow of excellence which, while simple and sophisticated, remains and will always remain unforgettable.

Melanie Serre, chef of the restaurant Elsa in Monte Carlo, created this vegetarian dish to complement the flavours and aromas of Rare Champagne Millésime 2008: Candied aubergine with vegetable curry and parmesan crumble. rare-champagne.com A B S O L U T E LY m a g a z i n e s

LIBERTY WINES.indd 49

49

25/05/2022 22:10

PRESENTS

QIPCO KING GEORGE DIAMOND WEEKEND

Friday 22nd – Saturday 23rd July 2022 The QIPCO King George Diamond Weekend showcases a sparkling cocktail of style, socialising and exceptional racing. The headline act, the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth QIPCO Stakes is Europe’s indisputable midsummer middle-distance showpiece and the weekend closes with live music at sunset.

Tickets from £19 Fine Dining from £269+VAT

Book now at ASCOT.COM

ASCOT.indd 50 QKGDW22_AbsolutelyMag_FullPage_W210mmH297mm.indd 1

25/05/2022 24/05/2022 22:10 17:21

FA S H I O N

COCKTAIL HOUR TEMPERLEY

Drawing inspiration from the iconic 1978 film Death on the Nile, Temperley's hand-painted Palmae print evokes heady evenings set amidst palm trees and desert vistas. Lush foliage flourishes on a hammered satin base and across a relaxed, long-sleeved silhouette that feels full of louche sophistication. temperleylondon.com

The shoot 52 • Spotlight on sunglasses 59 • Jewellery 60 A B S O L U T E LY m a g a z i n e s

FASHION OPENER.indd 51

51

25/05/2022 22:10

H E A R T of glass

House Emmanuelle Khanh creates iconic frames, handcrafted in France and Japan EK.FR

FASHION SHOOT.indd 52

25/05/2022 22:10

FASHION SHOOT.indd 53

25/05/2022 22:10

FASHION SHOOT.indd 54

25/05/2022 22:10

FASHION SHOOT.indd 55

25/05/2022 22:10

FASHION SHOOT.indd 56

25/05/2022 22:10

FASHION SHOOT.indd 57

25/05/2022 22:10

FITTINGS BY APPOINTMENT GIFT VOUCHER AND GIFT WRAPPING AVAILABLE LINGERIE • NIGHTWEAR • SWIMWEAR BEACHWEAR • NURSING BRAS

Lingerie and swimwear fitting specialist from A to J cup (size 8 to 20 uk)

AMELIES FOLLIES_LONDON JUNE 2022_ABSOLUTELY LONDON.indd 58

34 Webb’s Road, London SW11 6SF Tel: 020 7924 3826 www.ameliesfollies.co.uk | ameliesfollies@yahoo.com |

@ameliesfollies

26/05/2022 11:14

FASHION • SUNGLASSES

FINLAY Vivian in cinnamon, £150 fi nlayandco.com

BLACK EYEWEAR Collette in amber Havana, £197 blackeyewear.com

MESSY WEEKEND Bille in rose, £90 messyweekend.com

BLACK EYEWEAR Blossom in tan, £197 blackeyewear.com

JAMES AY Savage in Havana, £135 jamesay.com

EDITOR’S PICK

CUBITTS

CUBITTS

Ampton Bold in almond, £125 cubitts.com

HOUSE OF DAGMAR

Herbrand Bold in violet, £125 cubitts.com

Vera in gold, £180 houseofdagmar.com

SHADES OF COOL

HOUSE OF DAGMAR Ida in black, £180 houseofdagmar.com

All the best statement sunglasses for summer MESSY WEEKEND Burt in black orange, £90 messyweekend.com

BLACK EYEWEAR Alice in yellow, £187 blackeyewear.com

FINLAY Vivian in butterscotch, £150 fi nlayandco.com

A B S O L U T E LY m a g a z i n e s

SUNGLASSES.indd 59

59

25/05/2022 22:11

FASHION • JEWELLERY

Rainbow Gems Colourful jewellery in celebration of Pride month B y R AC H E L H O G G

60

SUZANNE KALAN

ASTLEY CLARKE

ROXANNE FIRST

Frenesia Diamond, Rhodolite & Gold Necklace, £770 matchesfashion.com

Deco Triple Green Agate Ring, £95 astleyclarke.com

Gold Rainbow Sapphire Eternity Ring, £755 roxannefirst.com

MONICA VINADER

POMELLATO

SCREAM PRETTY

Sapphire Huggie Onyx Baguette Charm Earrings, £185 monicavinader.com

Rose Gold Icona Ring, £3,450 pomellato.com

Rainbow Chandelier Stud Earring with Ear Cuff, £45 screampretty.com

TADA & TOY

SEOL + GOLD

SHAY

Ruby Celestial Hoops, £125 tadaandtoy.com

Rainbow Studded Tennis Bracelet, £51 wolfandbadger.com

Dot Dash Rainbow Choker, £11,470 matchesfashion.com

A B S O L U T E LY m a g a z i n e s

Jewellery.indd 60

25/05/2022 22:11

Bespoke Fine Jewellery

by Master Goldsmiths

Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Special Congratulations Many things have changed, but our values, craftsmanship, expertise and high standards prevail.

Specialist Bespoke Design Service for new, dated or inherited jewels.

Sensational jewellery in stock to view. Complex Restoration Work and Valuations undertaken on-site, call or email for an appointment.

G O L D S M I T H & J E W E L L E RY R E TA I L E R Nº 1 Church Road, Wimbledon Village, London SW19 5DW / Open Tuesday–Saturday michaelplatt.co.uk / 0 2 0 8 9 47 47 7 2 / info @michaelplatt.co.uk

MICHAEL PLATT.indd 61

25/05/2022 22:11

Empowering gents to look and feel fantastic every day!

ANTHONY LABAN.indd 62

25/05/2022 23:15

HEALTH & BEAUTY

FRE SH FAC E JO MALONE LONDON Jo Malone London is proud to announce their new global ambassador, Adwoa Aboah, an actor and model who uses her platform to normalise important conversations about mental health. jomalone.co.uk

Beauty notes 65 • Summer ready 68 • Fitness 71 A B S O L U T E LY m a g a z i n e s

HEALTH AND BEAUT.indd 63

63

25/05/2022 22:11

64 MEDISPA.indd 1 Untitled-4 1

25/05/2022 21/04/2021 17:35 25/01/2022 22:11 12:28

HEALTH & BEAUTY • NOTES

BEAUTY NOTES

The latest in luxury makeup and skincare B y R AC H E L H O G G

Solar

EDITOR’S PICK

GLOW

D O LC E & GA B B A N A

G

lookfantastic.com

Hello Hydration D R . JA R T+

Say “Hello” to Jello Skin, this summer’s hottest skin trend. The Vita Hydra Solution range by Dr.Jart+ is here to help you achieve the plump, hydrated skin of your dreams. The three-step routine starts with a refreshing toner, followed by a hydrating moisturiser and is finished with a restorative mask, from £6. drjart.co.uk

SCIENTIA

If you’re stuck at your desk, but want your skin to look like you’ve been lying on a beach for a week, then this tanning serum by Scientia is the product for you. The serum is packed with hydrating and rejuvenating ingredients, and the naturally-derived tanning actives will leave you with a perfect sun-kissed glow, £21.

TREAT YOURSELF Get your favourite beauty services delivered to your doorstep with Wecasa

Dolce & Gabbana has launched two new additions to its Solar Glow collection, just in time for your next summer holiday. The Illuminating Powder Duo will bring a lovely flush of colour to your skin while the Radiance Drops give it the perfect sun-kissed glow. You’ll be beachready in no time, from £38.

SUNSHI NE & SEA

FOCUS

one are the days of having to traverse across the city for beauty treatments, thanks to Wecasa’s easy to use app you’ll be able to be pampered within the privacy and comfort of your own home. The people behind Wecasa understand how difficult it can be to squeeze self-care into your busy daily schedule. They created their app to provide an easy, flexible way of connecting local service professionals with potential customers. Whether you have hair that needs trimming, legs that need waxing, or muscles that need massaging, you name it, on Wecasa, you’ll be able to find a technician who can do it. The in-app messaging feature makes communicating with your technician fuss-free, you can chat with them ahead of your appointment, reschedule as necessary and even send inspiration pictures. Since its launch in April of 2021, Wecasa has built a network of over 600 qualified and trusted professionals and is planning to continue expanding across the UK this year. There is already an extensive list of services available to choose from on Wecasa, with more new categories being added every year. So why not download the app and you can start planning your beauty treatments to fit around your lifestyle, instead of the other way around.

WECASA To book now download the app on iOS or Android, or visit wecasa.co.uk

scientiabeauty.com A B S O L U T E LY m a g a z i n e s

BEAUTY NOTES.indd 65

65

25/05/2022 22:11

A cut

A B OV E Tracking the inspirational career of Gina Rivera, as she brings her global salon company to the UK for the first time

66

A B S O L U T E LY m a g a z i n e s

PHENIX SUITES.indd 66

25/05/2022 22:11

• PARTNERSHIP • XXXXX HEALTH & BEAUTY XXXXXXXX

G

ina Rivera is a highly recognised celebrity hairstylist, beauty expert, and founder of Phenix Salon Suites, a global salon company that provides the opportunity for sole proprietors working in the beauty and wellness industries to operate their business in the privacy of their own suite. In September last year, Gina and her team brought the Salon Suite concept to the UK. The first location opened in Manchester, with additional expansion planned for the UK and Europe.

With a family history in the beauty industry dating back to 1929, and 25 beauty professionals in her family consisting primarily of hairstylists and barbers, Gina soon realised that her path was in the beauty industry.

She dropped out of high school and attended Beauty School at the age of 17. Soon, she was working behind the chair building her clientele.

While working as a chair/booth renter, Gina soon realised how important it was for salon professionals to be in control of their own destiny. However, she was also aware that most beauty professionals lacked the financial resources to start their own salon.

Her new focus was to devise a concept that would allow them to become salon owners at a fraction of the cost of opening a traditional salon. Phenix Salon Suites was born, and Gina opened her first location in 2007 in Colorado Springs, Colorado. In 2012, she decided to franchise the concept across the United States.

Fast forward to today and there are now over 350 locations in the USA where thousands of professionals operate their businesses including, hairstylists, aestheticians, barbers, nail technicians, lash and brow artists, tattoo artists, massage therapists and more. Even better, Phenix Salon Suites has now opened its first UK location in Manchester.

Social media plays a big part in Gina’s life and with approximately 180,000 followers on TikTok (@beautyexpertginarivera) and more than a million global followers in total, Gina has become her own influencer and inspires beauty professionals around the world. She has appeared on multiple TV shows such as Extra and was a featured guest on the Emmy award

COLOURS BY GINA

winning show Undercover Boss. Additionally, she has been seen at red carpet events such as the GRAMMYs and the Coachella Music Festival. Gina is also an expert beauty contributor who has been published hundreds of times in major magazines such as the USA version of VOGUE, Fashion and Style, Modern Salon and a multitude of others. In addition, she is a well-known motivational speaker that has shared her story and words of inspiration with beauty industry professionals, corporate employees, US military troops and many others. Everything Gina does is to champion beauty professionals, and all who hear her story, to adopt, nurture, and recognise their own entrepreneurial abilities.

In 2018, Gina curated her own colour line, COLOURS By Gina. It’s a unique colour line consisting of 60 shades and the ability to create semi, demi or permanent all from the same tube. It’s perfect for the independent stylist who doesn’t have the space or money to carry the usual brands of more than 120+ colour combinations. Infused with Biotin and Collagen to aid in keeping the hair healthy combined with excellent results in grey coverage and the fact it smells good, it is proving to be a winner with salon professionals. The colour line is available to all salon professionals inside the Phenix Salon Suites Colour Bar and through the UK distributor, Rebel Beauty Brands.

The By Gina brand was also designed

by Gina. Her amazing products include a professional wetline, Pure BioGen Complex shampoo and conditioner, CLUTCH hairspray,

and state-of-the-art infrared technology professional styling tools, which will be coming to the UK soon. Gina will soon be adding to her list of products with XOXO Cosmetics consisting of a highly anticipated makeup line that will be available in locations throughout the USA, UK and Europe.

Always thinking about how she can enhance the life of the salon professional, Gina created Gina’s Platform. This is a business app for salon professionals to use and manage their business from the ease of their phone. It includes touchless payment processing, easy client notifications, product and revenue tracking, advanced booking options and trending beauty news and education.

Entrepreneur should be Gina’s middle name, but at the root of her success is the fact she is a hairstylist with over 30 years working behind the chair. A humble, kind, family-orientated and genuine lady, Gina continuously puts the salon professionals' needs at the centre of all she does. She looks forward to continuing the legacy her family started over 90 years ago and expanding the options for professionals working in the beauty, wellness and appearance industries.

Gina thinks of her almost 12,000 salon professionals who currently occupy suites in her salons across the world as family – and she is excited to watch the family grow further across the UK and Europe.

Follow Gina Rivera @beautyexpertgina.

To learn more about Phenix Salon Suites, please visit phenixsalonsuitesuk.com. To learn more about other locations in the UK and Europe, contact John Gillespie on 07909 993491 or via email at jgillespie@phenixsalonsuites.com

A B S O L U T E LY m a g a z i n e s

PHENIX SUITES.indd 67

67

25/05/2022 22:11

HEATH & BEAUTY • PARTNERSHIP

ARE YOU

SUMMER READY?

It can take more than just losing weight to feel good in a swim suit, Dr Kim prescribes some quick-fix treatments that can help boost your confidence

muscle contractions and radiofrequency, leading to the required combination of skin tightening, fat breakdown and lymphatic drainage. The Penrose Clinic signature programme combines these machines with a home treatment regimen that uses clinically proven ingredients.

TONE AND DEFINE

REDUCE REDNESS AND SCARRING

SHRINK AND TIGHTEN YOUR MUMMY TUMMY

Acne on the face, chest or back can leave redness and purple marks that can linger in the affected area for years, often long after the actual acne has cleared. This inflammation can be managed with RF micro-needling which gives the additional benefit of reducing the scarring. Your doctor might also advise the addition of fractionated laser or radiofrequency treatments to improve these results.

The BTL Emsculpt supramaximal contractions of the abdominal muscles have been demonstrated in clinical studies to reduce post-pregnancy diastasis – the gap in the fascia between your stomach muscles that just won’t close. VoluDerm, microneedling, TriFractional radiofrequency, and LED phototherapy, are all excellent treatments for the management of stretch marks and skin laxity after pregnancy.

Muscle toning technologies can help you achieve more efficient fat loss and muscle definition and are highly effective in those who are struggling to lose resistant weight around their middle. A 30-minute BTL Emsculpt Neo treatment on the abdomen is the equivalent of doing 20,000 stomach crunches at 100% capacity, with an average fat loss of 30%. It will give you a definite confidence boost when it comes time to take your shirt off.

REMOVE SKIN TAGS OR UNWANTED SKIN LESIONS

SMOOTH AND TONE CELLULITE

Skin tags and unsightly actinic keratoses can be easily and painlessly removed with cryotherapy. The medical CryoPen is a precision instrument that uses a fine jet of nitrous oxide at high pressure. Unlike the more traditional methods, it can be used to remove unwanted benign skin lesions with minimal risk of scarring or damage to the surrounding skin. The treatment only takes a few minutes although in some cases, a repeat treatment may be required.

Cellulite is a perfectly normal occurrence in over 90% of women, whether they are skinny or overweight. It is difficult to get rid of cellulite permanently, but for those who are bothered by it, the really good news is that some recent introductions to the market have created a buzz of excitement.

Not all of these new treatments have reached the UK as yet, but LipoFirm PRO and Emsculpt Neo are increasingly available here. Both machines combine powerful

68

ABOUT DR KIM Dr Kim Prescott practices Aesthetic and Lifestyle Medicine as well as working in clinical research, and lecturing and training in advanced aesthetic techniques. She consults from her clinics in Cobham, Knightsbridge and Fetcham Park House.

You can contact Dr. Kim by emailing info@drkpclinic.co.uk, calling 01372 371201 or by visiting her website, drkpclinic.co.uk.

A B S O L U T E LY m a g a z i n e s

PSMD SKIN SCIENC.indd 68

25/05/2022 22:11

When it comes to your health, you deserve the very best A world-class preventative health programme carefully tailored to your individual needs - now available right on your doorstep.

Bringing together two world-renowned names in healthcare and medical research, the Health and Wellness Plan from Mayo Clinic Healthcare in partnership with Oxford University Clinic combines access to an unrivalled network of international medical experts with world-class diagnostic and screening facilities.

Developed for discerning individuals who expect and deserve the very best, we help you to take a proactive approach to your health for a healthier, happier future for you and your family.

ook

MAYO CLINIC.indd 69 MAYO_CLINIC_ABS_HERTS_MAR22.indd 1 MC.indd 1

ith us no

Email:

appointments@mch-ouc.co.uk

Website:

www.mch-ouc.co.uk

25/05/2022 21/02/2022 11:38 21/02/2020 22:11 14:54

FITNESS SUPERSTO.indd 70

25/05/2022 22:11

HEALTH & BEAUTY • PARTNERSHIP

Work SPACE Virgin Active's Broadgate site reopens this month

E

xplore three floors of fitness at Virgin Active Broadgate / Liverpool Street, reopening on 6 June.

You’ll find a wide variety of group exercise classes including Reformer Pilates, Yoga, Cycle, Boxing and Grid Training. All held in bespoke studios and led by the best in the business instructors who’ll guide the newbies and let those who know their stuff do their thing.

And who knew there was a 25 metre pool in the City? Well this is where you'll find it, along with a spa, sauna and steam room for those days you fancy taking some time out from city life.

Keen to jump in to a more active life but not sure where to start? The team here are a friendly bunch, so go and say hi in club and they’ll hook you up with one of the Personal Trainers, who will give you a 45 minute kickstart session. For free.

Find all this and more at Virgin Active Broadgate / Liverpool Street right on the edge of Broadgate Circle, on your walk to Liverpool Street Station. virginactive.co.uk/clubs/broadgate

“Who knew there was a 25 metre pool in the City?”

A B S O L U T E LY m a g a z i n e s

H AND B VIRGIN A.indd 71

71

25/05/2022 22:11

C LI N I C

BTL EMSCULPT NEO BTL EMSCULPT LIPOFIRM BODY ADVANCED FACIAL AESTHETICS NON-SURGICAL FACELIFT BODY CONTOURING LASER HAIR REMOVAL VASCULAR LASER MEDICAL WEIGHT LOSS & HORMONAL HEALTH (CQC clinics only)

Fe tc h a m Pa r k H ou se • Cobha m • Kni ght sbr i d g e

01372 371 201 i nfo @ p e n ro s e c l i n i c. co. u k

PMSD.indd 72

w w w. p e nrose cl i ni c. co.uk

25/05/2022 22:11

HEALTH • PARTNERSHIP

“Men tend to acknowledge illness and seek medical help far less often compared to women”

MEN’S HEALTH New Victoria Hospital will host a free Men’s Health webinar this June

F

ollowing the success of its recent Orthopaedic and Women’s Health webinar series, New Victoria Hospital is hosting a new online event dedicated to bladder health. Mr Jai Seth, Consultant Urological Surgeon, will talk about men’s health focusing on urinary conditions and answer anonymous questions from the audience during the webinar on 16 June.

Studies have shown that men tend to focus less on their health compared with women; they acknowledge illness and seek medical help far less often.

But men are more at risk of developing certain conditions, including stroke, bowel

cancer and respiratory diseases. Common conditions such as urinary problems and an enlarged prostate affect 1 in 3 men and symptoms of these conditions can impact their quality of life. Prostate cancer accounts for 33% of all undiagnosed cancers and symptoms are not always known, particularly at its early stage.

To raise awareness around men’s health this month, New Victoria Hospital will host a webinar on Thursday 16 June, at 7 pm. Mr Jai Seth will speak about “The Troubled Bladder” and cover all aspects of bladder health in men. Mr Seth said, “Urinary symptoms are incredibly common in men across all ages. Sometimes these are transient and have simple solutions, whereas in other circumstances they can be

quite chronic and disabling. Men notoriously may not volunteer these symptoms. This is a great opportunity to raise awareness and discuss how to approach this."

The webinar is free, and everybody is welcome to attend particularly if you are experiencing symptoms of, have concerns about or have a family history of urological conditions. You will be given the opportunity to have your questions answered by a highly experienced Urological Consultant.

To access the Men’s Health Patient Webinar, you can register by completing the form on Eventbrite. You can do so by clicking on the “Register” button and completing the registration form with your details. At the end of the form, you will be given the option to ask any questions you may have so that the consultant will be able to answer them later during the webinar.

Once you have registered, you will receive a confirmation email with a Zoom link to the webinar. At the time of the event, all you need to do is click on the link provided in the confirmation email and you will automatically join the online event from the comfort of your home.

If you have any concerns or symptoms and would like to know more about bladder and other urological conditions, diagnoses and treatments, this event is an excellent opportunity to receive free medical advice from experts in the field. Registration is easy, all you need to do is scan the below QR code and you will be taken directly to the event's Eventbrite page.

N E W V I C TO R I A H O S P I TA L For more information you can call 020 8949 9090, email selfpay@newvictoria.co.uk. or visit the website at newvictoria.co.uk.

A B S O L U T E LY m a g a z i n e s

NEW VICTORIA HOS.indd 73

73

25/05/2022 22:11

RIGHT AT HOME FULL PAGE.indd 74

25/05/2022 22:11

HEALTH & BEAUTY • PARTNERSHIP

A Cut ABOVE

The team at Laban London combines traditional barbershop skills with cutting edge style

A

nthony Laban's barber, Laban London, is the newest and freshest salon in South West London. You can find them on Bellevue Road tucked in nicely next to The Althorp Pub. They have immersed themselves amongst the greenery of Wandsworth Common and have become part of the bustling community that surrounds them. As you enter the salon, you’ll receive a rich warm welcome, one that will make you feel right at home. The space gives has an outside feel and the glass ceiling means you will have the pleasure of leaning back and gazing into the sky while you are treating yourself to a wet shave or a beard trim. Their barbers are highly skilled, super friendly, always smiling and take a lot of pride in their work. Laban specialises in tailored haircuts, traditional wet shaves, beard grooming and can give advice on hair, products, maintenance and more. They love their scissor cuts, curls, fades and can even colour on request. The salon has also created its own collection of beard treatments suitable for all types of beard growers, from those at the beginning of their beard journey, to those who have been growing their beard for some time.

The treatments involve beard nourishing, washing and even steaming, to help you grow and keep a dapper beard for the whole world to see and admire. If you arrive early and fancy a light read you can choose from their selection of magazines that include Conde Nast Travel, Equate Magazine, Men's Health and Wired Tech. Whatever tickles your fancy, Laban will have the newest addition to keep you entertained. The salon has a relaxed feel and Laban’s music

collection differs from anything between low slung hip hop to minimal house to noodling jazz and old school classics. The team will make you look and feel amazing, whether you are having a haircut, beard trim, shave or have just popped in to say hello. Laban accepts walk-ins and booking which is very easy to do via their website.

L A B A N LO N D O N Follow the salon at @labanlondonbarbers, or visit their website to find out more labanlondonbarbers.com

A B S O L U T E LY. L O N D O N

ANTHONY LABAN.indd 75

75

25/05/2022 23:15

CARL HANSEN.indd 76

25/05/2022 22:12

PA S S I O N AT E CRAFTSMANSHIP CARL HANSEN & SON

Design company Carl Hansen & Søn is a third-generation family-run Danish business.

They believe that iconic design is a combination of simplicity, aesthetics and functionality brought to life through skillful work with the highest quality materials. p88

inside this section: T O P T E N : PAT T E R N C R A Z E p 7 8 E L E Y K I S H I M O T O ’ S N E W C O L L A B O R AT I O N p 8 4 AT H O M E W I T H B E R T & M AY ’ S L E E T H O R N L E Y p 9 6 I N A S S O C I AT I O N W I T H

ALL THE BEST GARDEN FURNITURE p108 NEW TECHNOLOGY IN THE KITCHEN p117

A B S O L U T E LY m a g a z i n e s

HOMES OPENER.indd 77

77

25/05/2022 22:12

PRINT RUN 10 of the best... patterns COMPILED BY PENDLE HARTE

GREEN SCENE

All Tomorrow’s Futures is a multilayered depiction of the natural world in a beautiful, highlytextured fabric made from a carved lino cut pattern. £147 per metre. themonkeypuzzletree.com

FUN TIMES From the Woodstock collection, Mindthegap’s Festival Memories wallpaper is full of detail and designed with both light and dark backgrounds to suit all spaces. £195 mindtheg.uk

FOLK TALE ANIMAL MAGIC

The extra large scale Glasshouse design uses an on-trend colour combination of sage and lilac, accompanied by a light grey backdrop, and is available as fabric and wallpaper. grahambrown.com

78

Alice Meadow wallpaper has a folk-inspired summery colour palette of reds, pinks, and greens with blue accents. The original design was painted by hand, then scanned onto the computer to add colour. £139 olenkadesign.co.uk

A B S O L U T E LY m a g a z i n e s

HOME TOP 10 PATTERNS.indd 78

25/05/2022 22:12

H O M E | TOP TEN BOLD BOTANICALS

Supernatural botanicals and boldly-scaled florals sit alongside simple geometrics, stripes and plains, all designed and proportioned especially for outdoor use in Liberty’s new collection of garden fabrics. libertylondon.com

DOWN UNDER LINEN LOVER

This abstract, ikat-inspired linen depicts the foxglove flowers which come in beautiful clusters of tubular shaped blooms. £125 eloisehome.com

Melita is the prettiest pastel reinterpretation of a glorious floral aesthetic from Aboriginal Australian heritage. The brand supports Aboriginal communities by ensuring a proportion of each sale goes back to the artists. £150 telescopestyle.com

BLONDE AMBITION

Atomic Blonde was a best-selling dress fabric before 20th Century Cloth lauched it as an interior weight fabric. The pale yellow background with a boomerang motif makes for stylish wallpaper too. £72 20thcenturycloth.com

IN A SWIRL

The pretty Baxter Swirl wallpaper design was inspired by a decorative fashion fabric.

The ornate pattern was reimagined and painted with watercolours and pencils by John Lewis’ design team. £30 johnlewis.com

LIBRARY WALL

The Art Nouveau-inspired Lotus design brings a touch of 19thcentury elegance. Each sweeping bloom is printed with real Farrow & Ball paint, creating tactility and a sense of movement. £137 farrow-ball.com A B S O L U T E LY m a g a z i n e s

HOME TOP 10 PATTERNS.indd 79

79

25/05/2022 22:12

Poggenpohl Wigmore · 118 Wigmore Street · London W1U 3RT · 020 7224 1986 · wigmore@ poggenpohl.com | Poggenpohl Chelsea · 265-267 Fulham Road · London SW3 6HY · 020 7730 7927 · chelsea@poggenpohl.com | Poggenpohl Hampstead · 477-481 Finchley Road · London NW3 6HS · 020 7794 7801 · hampstead@ poggenpohl.com

POGGENPOHL.indd 80 Untitled-1 1

25/05/2022 15/02/2022 22:12 11:11

H O M E | SPOTLIGHT

Design

destinations Designers Kit Kemp and Annie Selke launch a new travelinspired collaboration

K

it Kemp and Annie Selke have joined creative forces to produce a lifestyle collection inspired

by Kit Kemp’s favourite destinations – New York, London, and Barbados.

Drawing on the two design powerhouses’ love of travel and textiles, the collection captures the spirit of three iconic locales – translated into some 50 unique and storied rugs, dozens of exceptional pillows, bedding, and rug ottomans – viewed through Kit Kemp’s unique lens.

“We are known for adding character and style to interiors to make rooms look magical and sing. We have named the collections after our favourite destinations London, New York, and the Caribbean.

I think we can all do with a good splash of eccentricity and style,” says Kit Kemp.

“I have always travelled a great deal for work and decided a long time ago that every night away from home should be uplifting and, when possible, inspiring. Kit Kemp’s hotels are the first hotels that made that wish come true,” says Annie Selke. “This collection embodies the magic of Kit Kemp and the transformative spaces and experiences she creates.” Well-versed in the demands of hotels and other high-traffic spaces, the two founders leveraged that experience to create high style, high-performance rugs that will wear well over time. perovidmolupideriam.com

“I think we can all do with a good splash of eccentricity and style”

81

KIT KEMP.indd 81

25/05/2022 22:44

H O M E | TREND YES COLOURS Electric Orange 1 litre Emulsion Paint, £21 yescolours.com

VARIER Ekstrem chair in orange, £2,699 backinaction.co.uk

COLLAGERIE Dipped vase, £90 conranshop.co.uk

WATERS BATHS OF ASHBOURNE Ellipse Countertop Basin in bespoke Orange, £425 watersbaths.co.uk

AROUND THE HOUSE Rusty Orange Velvet Shell Armchair, £849 aroundthehousefurniture.co.uk

JOE BROWNS Boho garden parasol, £304 joebrowns.co.uk

BURNT ORANGE

CULT FURNITURE Heather Dining Chair Burnt Orange Velvet Brass, £109 cultfurniture.com

Rich shades for summer

By P E N D L E H A R T E CUCKOOLAND CASTRADS Mercury four-column cast iron radiator, from £297.60 castrads.com

LOLA & MAWU Decorative Bolga Fan Khamsin In Orange, £28 lolaandmawu.com

Lhasa outdoor rug, £54.95 cuckooland.com

TALKING TABLES Orange Glass Candle Holder Small, £10, talkingtables.co.uk

82

A B S O L U T E LY m a g a z i n e s

HOME_PRODUCTS OR.indd 82

25/05/2022 22:13

Beovision Harmony Beolab 28

A M AG I C A L H OM E CINEMA EXPERIENCE

BANG & OLFUSEN OF EALING 17 Bond Street, London, W5 5AP.

BANG OLUFSEN.indd 83

25/05/2022 22:13

P A T T E R N C

U

T

S

Eley Kishimoto’s second collection for Kirkby Design is bold, striking and distinctive Words P E A R L B OY D

84

A B S O L U T E LY m a g a z i n e s

HOME KIRKBY DESI.indd 84

25/05/2022 22:13

H O M E | DESIGN

C

reativity and excellence are paired with humorous fantasy in Kirkby Design’s second collaboration with ‘the patron saints of print of the fashion world’ Eley Kishimoto.

Kirkby Design and Eley Kishimoto originally joined forces back in 2017 with a range of textiles and wallcoverings that captured the vibrancy, originality, and personality of both brands.

For 2022, with the same visionary values, the two brands have reunited, taking the collaboration to new sophisticated heights by further exploring Kirkby Design’s experimental nature and penchant for extreme textures with Eley Kishimoto’s daring and decadent use of colour and pattern. Kishimoto’s Mark Eley says: ‘ I believe that with the integrity and quality of our relationship, we can continue with our collective

vision to make the interior world a prettier, more comfortable space.’”

Distinctive in its eclectic and contemporary appeal, this collection of fabrics, wallcoverings and accessories, effortlessly combine signature graphic designs with innovative textures.

The collection includes Six different prints.

Flash is an Eley Kishimoto signature and comes in a decorative weave in distinctive wool bouclé, as well as a handwoven wallcovering. The natural texture of handwoven raffia provides a contemporary backdrop for this digitally printed, strikingly modern design.

A Kirkby Design Studio fantasy collaboration, Graphic Fairytale is a distinctive and playful hero piece which has everything. Using elements from across the collection to narrate a story, this design is eclectic, retro and yet contemporary. Woven on a traditional loom, a tapestry like quality displays a graphic scene that combines design elements from across the Kirkby Design x Eley Kishimoto II collection.

Not just a pretty face, a floral design of highly stylised roses and thorny geometric shapes offers the perfect hybrid of graphic and organic design in Jagged Roses, which is a decorative velvet elevated by a unique contrast of scale and texture, a bed of sharp, thorny roses is illustrated through a fine cut and uncut cotton velvet. Woven on a traditional loom, this design offers fascinating luxury.

A B S O L U T E LY m a g a z i n e s

HOME KIRKBY DESI.indd 85

85

25/05/2022 22:13

H O M E | DESIGN

Home Centre takes its inspiration from honeycomb, the iconic structure created by bees. The simple interplay of hexagons and circles uniquely allows for multiple design interpretations in the quintessentially playful style of Eley Kishimoto. In the decorative weave formed by cut and uncut velvet, geometric shapes create a sophisticated, small-scale design with a satin sheen ground.

With an unapologetically bold aesthetic, the Home Centre wallcovering sees metallic inks printed onto a natural wood pulp, adding further intrigue and an element of the unexpected in this three-colour design.

In Origami Rockets, the effect of multiple folded paper aeroplanes in flight is created by an arrangement of basic geometric shapes in a range of muted and colourful shades. Complexity and simplicity characterise an endlessly intriguing design. The decorative velvet comes in six new shades and the 3D appearance of the design is accentuated through textured cut and uncut velvet. For the printed wallcovering,the perfect complement to Flash and Jagged Roses, this textured plain is presented in a range of contemporary shades. A handwoven, natural raffia wallcovering which creates subtle texture and a stylish statement.

“A contemporary and sometimes playful approach to innovative design and colour” Jordan Mould’s influential British interiors brand, Kirkby Design, has a contemporary and sometimes playful approach to innovative design and colour. Creating distinctive textiles from its in-house studio in London, Kirkby Design has also pioneered unique collaborations including the successful Underground collection with Transport for London.

Established in 1992, London-based print studio Eley Kishimoto gained global notoriety through a plethora of outputs ranging from fashion, to diverse architectural and design collaborations.

Although initially celebrated for their vibrant fashion collections, the company has now become renowned for their ability to decorate everything.

Having created designs for top fashion houses including Marc Jacobs, Alexander McQueen and Louis Vuitton, Eley Kishimoto also have their own successful fashion label.

86

A B S O L U T E LY m a g a z i n e s

HOME KIRKBY DESI.indd 86

25/05/2022 22:13

Next day delivery

London Showroom: 811 - 813 Wandsworth road, London, SW8 3JH

CULT FURNITURE.indd 87

1000 products in stock

Pay in 3 interest free instalments

+44 (0)208 150 3257 www.cultfurniture.com

25/05/2022 22:13

G A R D E N P A R T Y Carl Hansen’s outdoor furniture is strong, stylish and contemporary Words E V E H E R B E R T

88

A B S O L U T E LY m a g a z i n e s

HOME CARL HANSEN.indd 88

25/05/2022 22:13

H O M E | PARTNERSHIP

An elegant harmony between design and architecture

C

omprising furniture by notable designers, the Carl Hansen & Søn Outdoor Fur niture Collection ex per tly ba la nces form a nd f unction to create dining and side tables, deck and dining chairs, footstools, trays and benches with all the hallmarks of the brand’s exceptional craftsmanship: lasting, high-quality and natural materials, and expert artisanry.

Creating an elegant harmony between design and architecture, Danish architect and professor Bodil Kjær designed the Indoor-Outdoor Series in 1959. The extensive line merges functional and aesthetic qualities, making it suitable for outdoor as well as indoor use. With superior cra ftsma nship a nd highquality solid teak, the series withstands all climates—and the test of time.

Moving the attention to detail reserved for indoor furniture outside, Børge Mogensen’s Outdoor series is crafted in solid, untreated FSC™-certified teak and tactile Sunbrella fabric. The original slatted designs of the 60s and 70s include foldable chairs, benches and a table first conceived for Mogensen’s private balcony. Now reworked to modern sensibilities, they stow elegantly thanks to their clever, collapsible construction and practical wall mounts.

Made with relaxation in mind, Morten Gøttler’s Cuba Chair Outdoor is detailed with flat-weave rope for a supportive embrace. The ingenious, foldable teak frame makes it easy to move from the house to the garden – without compromising on comfort.

CARL HANSEN & SØN FLAGSHIP STORE 48A PIMLICO ROAD, SW1W 8LP carlhansen.com A B S O L U T E LY m a g a z i n e s

HOME CARL HANSEN.indd 89

89

25/05/2022 22:13

Be bold! Call now to bring personality to your home heating.

Castrads’ bespoke radiators are efficient, beautiful and unique to your home.

020 3397 7295 w w w. c a s t r a d s . c o m

CASTRADS.indd 90

25/05/2022 22:13

H O M E | PROMOTION

Bang & Olufsen has been crafting memories since 1925

N E W S O U N D As Bang & Olufsen re-opens its renowned store in Ealing, Absolutely celebrates

D

anish audio brand Bang & Olufsen has reopened its store in Ealing’s Bond Street after a comprehensive refurbishment. New store features include an impressive Home Cinema demonstration room, allowing customers to immerse themselves in superior sound performance for in-home entertainment within an exclusive, dedicated room. Other features include spacious areas for demonstrations and to showcase the distinctive designs and feel of the premium, crafted materials, with guidance and support on hand.

The store’s aesthetic embodies 96-year old Bang & Olufsen’s Danish design philosophy, a minimalist sanctuary for any shopper.

The showroom first opened in 2006, with a significant investment from husband-andwife owners Stuart and Helen Melville, who committed to start a new venture: selling

their home in Hampshire, leaving friends and family and moving to Ealing. Today, in their newly refurbished showroom, they invite customers to immerse themselves in the ultimate in home entertainment. Helen says: ‘The 16 years have flown by, our clients are fantastic, and the Ealing community has been wonderful. It’s been a non-stop journey, from our wedding, having our two children, the Ealing Riots in August 2011, the Covid-19 pandemic and winning the prestigious Bang & Olufsen UK Dealer of The Year Award, we are delighted to renew our investment in Ealing.” To mark the re-opening, Bang & Olufsen donated 10% of its profits from its first week of sales to Ealing Foodbank.

Bang & Olufsen, a brand which has been crafting memories since 1925, still has an incredibly strong bricks-and mortar presence in the UK. With new products such as the award-winning Beoplay Portal, a leading gaming headset now available, shoppers will be welcomed back to experience the full product portfolio, with demonstrations offered by the experienced team, Helen and Stuart have a combined Bang & Olufsen experience of 43 years; their clients often describe them as great Bang & Olufsen Ambassadors. Recent years have been particularly volatile for the UK’s retail landscape in an increasingly digitally focused world. “The UK market is extremely important to our growth strategy and investing in re-opening the store indicates the confidence we have in physical retail within the luxury sector,” says Scott Anderson, Market Director UK & Ireland at Bang & Olufsen. “We believe in providing interactive and memorable experiences for customers shopping for high-end audio and visual products. Our customers need to be able to see, feel and hear our products before making a purchase decision, so we are committed to developing both our digital and physical environments. Customers are able to discover our products on Bang & Olufsen of Ealing’s website, book an appointment and visit us in-store,” says Anderson. bang-olufsen.com A B S O L U T E LY m a g a z i n e s

HOME BANG AND OL.indd 91

91

25/05/2022 22:13

S TAY I N B E D The ultimate luxury is taking time to unwind in a bed so comfortable that you never want to leave

1 5 W I GM OR E ST REET I LO N DO N W 1U 1P I M A RYL EBONE@CAR PED IEMBED S.C O.UK I +44 ( 0) 20 3982 3252 I CAR PE DIE M B E DS .C O .UK CO P ENHAGEN

GOT HENBURG

LOND ON

NEW IN

CARPE DIEM - REPLACING BO CONCEPT.indd 92

SEOUL

STOC KHOL M

Z UR IC H

AND OTHER FINE LOCATIONS

FUR NITUR E THIR D FLOOR

25/05/2022 22:13

Bed: Vindö I Fabric: Designer´s Guild Glenville Oyster I Carpet: Light Beige I Bed Linen: Havsbris White I Bedside table: Holme

CARPE DIEM - REPLACING BO CONCEPT.indd 93

25/05/2022 22:13

TNWC.indd Untitled-1 11 94 NWF.indd

25/05/2022 22/02/2022 22:13 13:04 25/10/2019 16:34

H O M E | PARTNERSHIP

In the shade

The new awning from Markilux is vivacious and practical

A

n elaborate design is a status symbol. It can be modern, classic, playful or individually creative. What is called for today is above all a design that conveys value and quality. An example of this is the new cassette awning MX-2 from markilux. With its vivacious, flowing form, it lends lightness and an aesthetic look to your home.

The first thing you notice about the MX-2, a new cassette awning from markilux, is its slender shape and the sweeping profile that harmoniously encloses the cassette. Its minimalist design makes it a jewel attached to your home.

The look of the MX-2 reinterprets

 The MX-2 cassette awning from markilux comes in a flowing, light and elegant design. Its fine shape and floating appearance are particularly effective in large awning widths.

the meaning of “modern“ in awnings.

Contemporary architecture and today’s product design served as inspiration. The clear form embodies quality, elegance and valuable technology. This includes, for example, a practical tilt device. It ensures that the front profile always closes flush against the cassette when the awning is retracted. A special mechanism also locks the arms in their preset pitch when extended and thus protects the cover from light gusts of wind and the load exerted by the rain. The awning arms, which are attached a wide distance apart in the housing, are also practical, because this gives you a clearer view of the awning fabric.

For effective lighting and a cosy atmosphere in the evening, an LED Line, LED Spots or infrared heaters can be fitted

Its minimalist design makes it a jewel attached to your home

under the awning. And when it is finally hanging on the wall, it seems to levitate, as the supporting brackets are barely visible.

In keeping with the chic design and the company’s 50th anniversary, the awning is available this year in the extremely noble, special “High Five” colours, or alternatively in the seven classic frame colours .

For further information, please visit markilux.com A B S O L U T E LY m a g a z i n e s

MARKILUX ADV.indd 95

95

25/05/2022 22:13

How Bert and May's founder Lee Thornley transformed an unremarkable house in Yorkshire into a stylish family home Interview P E N D L E H A R T E

TILE COUNSEL

96

A B S O L U T E LY m a g a z i n e s

HOME LEE THORNEY.indd 96

25/05/2022 22:13

H O M E | HOUSE TOUR

“I was drawn in by the challenge of completely transforming a midcentury property into a modern family home”

What was the house like when you first saw it?

The house was largely unassuming when we purchased it, but I knew it had potential and this made the task of transforming it into a modern Scandi home an exciting project.

What attracted you to it?

I was drawn in by the challenge of completely transforming a mid-century property into a modern family home. The house also had great sources of natural light, and we worked hard to not only maintain but also enhance this in the project.

Where did you start with the refurbishment?

As with any refurbishment, this project started with intricate and careful planning. We worked closely with the incredibly talented RIBA Awardwinning architects Mass Architecture, who helped us reimagine the space’s structure and give the mid-century architecture a necessary update.

I opened an award-winning boutique hotel, Casa La Siesta, in Cadiz. I found that I had talent for sourcing reclaimed materials and rare antique fittings, and also discovered that this architectural salvage was much sought-after by interior architects and designers, and so from here a new project was born.

What began as an online venture selling reclaimed materials took on a new life in 2010 when I met Juanma, owner of a small family business that specialised in making artisan encaustic tiles using traditional handmade techniques. We decided that the future of the company lay in making our own vintage-inspired designs, so the family factory reopened and production began. Rebranded and officially launched as Bert & May in September 2013, the company has evolved into a specialist supplier of handmade artisan tiles.

What was your aim for the house?

When I began this project, I wanted to create something that would work well as a family home as well as a space for entertaining friends, while adding character through the choice of materials. The aim was to create a beautiful home with a modern, Scandiinspired aesthetic that my family and I could unwind and relax in.

You refurbished it during the pandemic.

What challenges did that bring?

As with everyone trying to do work during this time, the project was delayed but we worked around the issues and are really pleased with what we have achieved.

Tell us about discovering tiles and setting up Bert and May.

Our story started in Spain in 2004, when I left London to set up a reclaimed tile company in Andalusia. Four years later,

A B S O L U T E LY. L O N D O N

HOME LEE THORNEY.indd 97

97

25/05/2022 22:13

H O M E | HOUSE TOUR

“The bathrooms are where we really explored immersive, monochromatic design”

And tell us about the tiles in your house?

The first tiles you see when you enter the house are our Blue Alapardo tiles that decorate the hallway floor with vibrant stripes to welcome you into the home. In the kitchen, we created a focal point on the island with Hexagonal Split tiles in Pearl and Brighton stone, which really pop against the bright white walls painted in Charterhouse™ No. 4 from Mylands.

The bathrooms are where we really explored immersive, monochromatic design. In my youngest daughter’s bathroom, we used feminine pink Luna Rose tiles across the walls, bathtub

98

and floor, and created a contrasting jewel-toned green bathroom in my eldest’s. Here we also used graphic Bert & May Green Majadas tiles on the floors that provided an eye-catching floor design, as well as a nice contrast with the deep monochrome walls. Our own bathroom is a captivating black space, decorated with deep Market Green™ No. 38 paint from Mylands that provides the perfect complement to Bert & May’s deep black Old Iron Hexagon tiles.

What's your favourite room?

Every room is so unique in its design, but I’d have to say my favourite is the hallway. The Blue Alapardo tiles are a dynamic feature in the hallway, and the design definitely draws you in as soon as you enter the house, which is a design feature I really love.

And your favourite possession?

It would probably be a vintage gym mat we converted into a coffee table, a statement piece which I love.

A B S O L U T E LY m a g a z i n e s

HOME LEE THORNEY.indd 98

25/05/2022 22:13

s u o i r u x Lu

FA B R I C S & CO LO U R S

The new Duette® collection by Luxaflex®

Boasting an exciting new selection of fabric colours and designs for every window. Duette® Shades create a feeling of pure comfort in the home with perfectly diffused light, extraordinary energy-efficiency, and the latest smart home control.

Find a showroom at luxaflex.co.uk

Luxaflex® PowerView® smart blinds works with

Apple HomeKit

LUXAFLEX.indd LUXAFLEX_ABS_MAR22.indd 99 1

25/05/2022 16/02/2022 22:13 10:30

MALVERN GARDEN BUILDINGS

Discover our premium range of garden offices, designed for nature-infused homeworking.

Gold Medal Winners RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2021

MALVERN BREEZE.indd 100

25/05/2022 22:13

H O M E | ART

The event is believed to be the first of its type in London

A R T H O U S E The open studios event founded by Mary Fedden returns this month Words A N N A B E L F U L L E R

T

A record-breaking 17 new artists will be joining the event this year including Clare Burnett, President of the Royal Society of Sculptors, who will be showing her sculptures and paintings in W12, Karin Raab, who creates decorative and functional ceramics in W6 and AJ Coady who will exhibit his paintings in W4.

“After two years of disruption, we are all thrilled to return to our regular dates in June, with such a strong showing of artists,” says Kathryn Davey, Chair of the Artists at Home Steering Group. “We have new branding and great enthusiasm as we approach our half century anniversary next year. We know this weekend is incredibly popular with visitors, who come mostly from the local area but also from further afield, to enjoy the unique experience of seeing and buying work directly from artists and visiting their studios.”

The main sponsor for Artists at Home 2022 is once again leading local estate agent Horton and Garton whose Director John Horton says: “We are proud of our close association with Artists at Home, which is a local institution we greatly admire. The combination of finding original artworks, meeting their creators and getting to see inside some wonderful local property is irresistible. We are looking forward to this year’s event.”

Studio guides with profiles of the artists taking part and a map of how to find them will drop through letterboxes in west London over the next few weeks. artistsathome.co.uk

he popular West London cultural event Artists at Home will return to its usual third weekend in June this year, with artists and makers opening up their homes and studios from 17-19 June and online.

The open studios event is believed to be the first of its type in London and was started by Mary Fedden, OBE RA RWA and JulianTrevelyan RA almost 50 years ago. This year will be the biggest yet with 83 artists participating across 66 open studios and 9 artists showing online only.

A B S O L U T E LY m a g a z i n e s

ARTISTS AT HOME.indd 101

101

25/05/2022 22:13

The whole house feels light and airy,thanks to Atlanta and Dave’s signature pale palette. They have injected hints of colour with their clever use of accessories and furniture. In this bedroom, a quirky antique wrought-iron bed, painted in a vibrant turquoise and dressed in pastel and fl oral bedding, immediately draws the eye. A gilt chair, which doubles up as a nightstand, adds a touch of glamour. Light floods in from the garden doors, which are adorned with a soft lace curtain, and from the skylight above. I love the way they have used the structure of this room, its supports and beams, to create shelving space for a few carefully chosen decorative pieces.

102

A B S O L U T E LY m a g a z i n e s

HOME PEARL LOWE.indd 102

25/05/2022 22:13

H O M E | INSPIRE

C O A S T C H I C This seaside hideway is a dreamy family home Words P E A R L LOW E Photography DAV E WAT T S

T

his period property, built in 1840, is home to the much-fêted design duo Atlanta Bartlett and Dave Coote. As you approach the house from its garden, which is filled with an abundance of rose bushes and fruit trees, you can’t help but be beguiled by what the couple have created. Painted in the chalkiest of whites throughout and minimally but artfully furnished with beautiful pieces and artefacts, this is a place of wonder. Light floods in through the sash windows and skylights, bouncing off antique mirrors and high vaulted and pitched ceilings.

A vast family kitchen, its warming range cooker set into a hearth, welcomes you in. Bedrooms, though simply styled, are inviting. It is almost as though you have walked onto a movie set, and you could be forgiven for that initial thought, because the couple both have roots in set design.

Dave, now a hugely respected furniture and product

Across the three-acre site, the couple have built a series of outbuildings and cabins – all designed by Dave, who has a background in set design. Some are used as locations for shoots, while others are rented out as holiday lets, but this space belongs to Atlanta, who uses it as her design room. I love the simplicity of the white wooden cabinstyle seating. Double doors lead out onto a tiny deck. This is perfect spot to bask in the sunshine and admire the beautiful view over the meadow field.

O TL E U LY T E LY. A B SAOB LS U m aLgOaNzD i nOeNs

HOME PEARL LOWE.indd 103

103

25/05/2022 22:14

H O M E | INSPIRE

The family love to gather round this scrubbed kitchen table, which they have owned for years, especially when Atlanta and Dave’s four children are all at home – their eldest is 21, their youngest 10. The room is large but what gives it an even greater sense of space is the incredible double-height vaulted ceiling, which here has been festooned in streamers – the remnants of Atlanta’s recent birthday party. Raising the ceiling was one of the first structural changes the couple made to the house when they took it on. The white marble counters that surround the sink were reclaimed from a dairy. The range cooker occupies the original fireplace, which has been tiled in a white brick design.

Above it is a wonderful old sign, advertising hot tea, which the couple found on one of their trips to India.

designer, began his career in the film industry in New Zealand and has a history of designing sets for photo shoots. Atlanta, meanwhile, cut her teeth working in the magazine industry – at first for Homes & Gardens, before going freelance as an interiors stylist and art directing for leading publications in the UK and abroad. Today, this prolific pair, along with myriad other ventures, run The Beach Studios, an agency that represents stylish locations in London and the south-east. Their client list is impressive, but arguably the jewel in their portfolio is their own property, which can be hired out for shoots, along with the many cabins and outbuildings on their land.

But although Foster House is a go-to location for filming and photography, at its heart it is very much a family home.

The husband-and- wife team moved here in 2005 from London when Atlanta was pregnant with the third of their four children. The idea behind the move from the city was simple – they wanted and needed more space for their creative work and the thought of raising their children by the coast had obvious appeal. Fortunately, they didn’t have to look far when it came to finding their dream property – they bought Foster House from Atlanta’s father, an artist, who was looking to move on. That said, they had their work cut out. As charming as this classic Kent clapboard cottage was before they moved in, they were going to have to add to the house both to accommodate their growing family and to make room for their work. If ever there was a couple suited to the task ahead, then it was these two, with their mutual love of design, interiors and gardens.

104

When it comes to style, their mantra is: “Keep it simple, keep it relaxed, keep it real” Though their specialisms lie in different fields – Atlanta leaning towards textiles, art direction and styling, while Dave’s strengths are in furniture and structural design – their skill sets complement each other. “We are very much Yin and Yang,” she says. “And that’s why it works so well.”

What they do share is a fundamental vision when it comes to style. Their mantra is simple: “Keep it Simple, Keep it Relaxed, Keep it Real.” Atlanta and Dave set to work on the structure of the house first, transforming the original 19th-century cottage, where her father had lived, into a sprawling six-bedroom, two-storey house. The building work has been so sympathetically executed and is so in keeping with the spirit and the character of the property that, unless you had seen it in its former incarnation, it simply wouldn’t occur to you that some parts of the house are actually newly built additions. But it is what they have

A B S O L U T E LY m a g a z i n e s

HOME PEARL LOWE.indd 104

25/05/2022 22:14

THE

INTERIOR DESIGN SHOW FOR PROFESSIONALS

9 th_ 12 th October 2022

Find out more at decorex.com

DECOREX.indd 105 Absolutely Home 210mm x 297mm .indd 1

Decorex

Bethan Laura Wood

25/05/2022 12:31 22:14 18/05/2022

H O M E | INSPIRE

created within the interior of the house which, in my opinion, is the best showcase of their design skills and creative fl air.

There is a subtle balance to the house. It has a minimalist style to it and yet it oozes comfort. It’s uncluttered and yet you couldn’t describe it as being sparsely decorated, for it is full of character. Every item has been lovingly chosen and has a story behind it. It is stylish in terms of its design, and yet deceptively practical, as well. The interiors of the house are painted from top to bottom in shades of white and other muted tones, but the rooms do not feel cold or austere. This is thanks to the couple’s clever use of chalky paints and lime washes, which create a sense of warmth The pale, restrained palette seen throughout the house is a signature look for Atlanta and Dave, who have written a series of bestselling books on the subject.

They also run a successful online shop, Pale & Interesting, from which they sell their beautifully designed furniture, a line of home and garden wares, lighting and a range of stylish accessories, both vintage and contemporary. “We believe a home should fi rst and foremost be a place for living. Homes that have been designed as status symbols or follow current trends religiously have never appealed to us,” Atlanta explains. As Atlanta walks me through this remarkable house, she explains the values that have always guided the couple’s creative work, including the decoration of their own home. “What interests us is the human element, where simple pleasures are celebrated, imperfection is encouraged and self-expression is crucial.

A well-designed home should be practical, of course, but to

Light flows through Atlanta’s spacious studio thanks to the skylights and the vast barn doors, which lead out into the garden. This is the most heavenly place to work and I can’t help but envy it. A raised table is the perfect place for her to work on her designs. Paintings, ornaments and curios on the shelves add character and personality to the room. A set of hooks in the hallway, which leads out onto the deck, is home to Atlanta’s collection of hats and shawls. Baskets line the beautiful wooden floor.

The couple have created this wonderful entertaining space on the lawn. The long table is situated under the shade of the magnificent apple tree, which serves as a natural parasol

us the emotional and sensual impact of an interior ranks above everything else. Maximizing daylight is one example.

Tactile surfaces, honest materials, choosing vintage over newly made and handcrafted items over mass-produced are the building blocks of our ethos.” Dave and Atlanta are deeply environmentally aware, and not just when it comes to their own way of life. It is a commitment that extends to all aspects of their work, from the items they design and source for their Pale & Interesting boutique to the cabins that Dave has created on their land, which are rented out as holiday lets. “Alongside minimizing our carbon footprint through the use of sustainable materials, recycling and repairing wherever possible, it’s our aim to create homes that have integrity and soul,” says Atlanta.

As a self-confessed hoarder, I’m rather in awe of this simplicity and serenity of this house, which to me seems so perfect. Atlanta laughs this off and reminds me that she is a busy working mother of four. The family also have a dog and they love to entertain. “I’m also quite practical – so yes, we have painted floors, but they are actually easier to maintain than anything else. You can sweep away the sand and mop away the mud. Good storage is also key.” Still, I wonder how she does it. To me, this house by the sea, surrounded by its outbuildings and charming cabins and set in the middle of its stunning gardens and meadows, is sheer perfection just as it is. However, I get the impression, while I am talking to Atlanta, that she and Dave still regard it as a work in progress. She agrees that this is the case. “I doubt we will ever stop working on it or get to a stage when we feel it’s completely finished.

I guess that’s an occupational hazard, being designers,” she explains. “Life changes, it evolves and morphs.

A home should grow and improve with age.”

Extract taken from Faded Glamour by the Sea

by Pearl Lowe, published by Cico Books

106

A B S O L U T E LY m a g a z i n e s

HOME PEARL LOWE.indd 106

25/05/2022 22:14

The tap that does it all 100°C BOILING, CHILLED AND SPARKLING WATER With a Quooker in your kitchen you always have 100 °C boiling water alongside regular hot and cold.

Add a Cube and you will also have chilled, filtered sparkling water – all from the same tap. Interested?

Book a virtual experience with a Quooker expert. You control the appointment and what you see.

For further details and to book your appointment, scan the QR code or visit quooker.co.uk

QUOOKER.indd 107

25/05/2022 22:14

GARDEN M A KEOV E R Ideas, designs and styles for your garden

By PENDLE HARTE

SUN WORSHIP CONRAN SHOP

Enjoy the great outdoors with a whole host of al fresco options for sitting, eating and socialising under the sun, including the brand-new and exclusive teak collection

by The Conran Shop and revived icons by Pierre Paulin for GUBI. Stay sheltered and protected in all weathers under Matthew Hilton’s stylish and minimal Eos collection. conranshop.com

PAT T E R N CU T S COX AND COX

This paisley Beach Chair in waterresistant premium hardwood, with UV and water-resistant woven cotton canvas has a large zip-up back pocket and padded backpack straps so the English weather never catches you off-guard.

There's a matching shelter too. £295 coxandcox.co.uk

108

A B S O L U T E LY m a g a z i n e s

GARDEN FURNITURE.indd 108

25/05/2022 22:14

H O M E | GARDENS

TA K E FIVE Picnic essentials ANTHROPOLOGIE Sarah Campbell dining plate, £9 anthropologie.com

GOOD FO R M

LO U N G E LOV E R

CARL HANSEN

COCO WOLF

Fabulously sculptural and sensuously curved, Coco Wolf's Largo collection radiates minimalist elegance with a modern twist. The organic silhouettes evoke the glamour of a bygone age, making it a perfect match for classical and modern settings. cocowolf.co.uk

Comprising furniture by notable designers, the Carl Hansen & Søn Outdoor Furniture Collection balances form and function to create dining and side tables, deck and dining chairs, footstools, trays and benches with all the hallmarks of our exceptional craftsmanship: lasting, high-quality and natural materials, and expert artisanry. carlhansen.com

AURINA Acrylic wine goblet, £9.95 aurina.co.uk

PRO COOK Melamine serving bowl, £10 procook.co.uk

FENWICK Outdoor entertaining accessories, from £36 fenwick.co.uk

RAW MATERIAL LIBERT Y

KITCHENCRAFT Colourworks tumblers, £8.99 kitchencraft .co.uk

Originally drawing inspiration from exquisite 19th century Chinese artworks and textiles, Liberty's Jade story is transformed for outdoor use into a richly verdant palette of bold palm greens and vibrant accents, perfect for cushions and day beds. libertyfabric.com

A B S O L U T E LY m a g a z i n e s

GARDEN FURNITURE.indd 109

109

25/05/2022 22:14

MANDARIN STONE.indd 110

25/05/2022 22:14

HOME • GARDENS

1

O V E N R E A D Y FIVE OF THE BEST GARDEN PIZZA OVENS

1

M A R G H A R I TA LG OUTDOORS

For the serious pizza lover, bigger family or anyone with a healthy appetite, the Casa Mia Bravo 16" gas-fired pizza oven will have pizzas ready in 15 minutes. £495 coxandcox.co.uk

2

CAPRICCIOSA BOU TIQU E CA MPI NG

This portable stainless steel cooking appliance has 5-in-1 cooking capabilities, allowing you to stone-bake authentic 12” pizza in 3-4 minutes, all whilst frying, grilling, baking, warming and fire roasting simultaneously. £539 boutiquecamping.com

2

3

MARINARA

3

NAKEN

The Rosso Marinara Oven has a 80x80 cm cooking chamber which has a practical stainless steel trolley with shelf, wheels and hook to hang tools. It also has a fire tool, flue pipe with adjustable smoke exit valve and chimney top. £2,739 naken.co.uk

4

5 4

C A L ZO N E OONI

Ooni's Karu is the first and only pizza oven to be ‘Recommended for Domestic Use’ by the Associazione Verace Pizza Napoletana, the acclaimed international authority on true Neapolitan pizza. £699 ooni.com

5

BOSCAIOLA D E L I V I TA

These beautifully designed versatile ovens offer superb performance and weigh only 30kg. Crafted by hand and featuring a traditional clay interior, these ovens are created to exacting standards. £1,395 delivita.com

A B S O L U T E LY m a g a z i n e s

HOME 5 PIZZA OVE.indd 111

111

25/05/2022 22:14

H O M E | FOCUS

Shida is on a mission to revolutionise the flower industry

Lasting

BLOOMS

the time people can enjoy the beauty and mood-boosting properties of arranging flowers in the home.

With a focus on creativity and mindfulness, each of Shida’s products has been thoughtfully curated by Head of Design Helen Ellis, who takes inspiration from fashion, trends, art, and interior design to devise the unique ranges which include bouquets, wreath-kits, and gift sets. Shida’s expert team of florists then hand-arrange each of its blooms and lovingly place them in sustainable packaging before they are delivered directly to your door.

And for the Queen’s upcoming Platinum Jubilee, Shida has released a beautiful, sustainable, mini bouquet that lasts all year and features traditional British colours.The perfect accessory to all royal celebrations, the beautiful Rosie mini bouquet features rose red exotic dried flowers, accessorised with contrasting textures of soft, fluffy white pampas, delicate fern, pretty florals and preserved blue gypsophila. shida.florist

How Katherine Whitchurch’s special process allows cut flowers to stay fresh

N

amed after the Japanese word for ‘fern’, Shida has a fresh approach to floristry, using naturally dried and preserved flowers that remain in perfect bloom all year. Founded by Katherine Whitchurch in 2018 after a trip to Japan ignited her passion for flower arranging, Shida is leading the way in bringing stunning preserved flowers to the UK Pioneer in contemporary, sustainable floral decorations and centrepieces, Shida’s preserved flowers are real plants, expertly grown and harvested at their peak. A special environmentally friendly preservation treatment replaces the sap

112

By P E A R L B OY D

with 100% plant-based glycerine and dyes.

The cell structure of the plants is maintained, leaving them feeling soft, naturally beautiful, and able to last all year with little maintenance needed. Shida creates contemporary, luxury bouquets that are designed to elevate interior spaces and your mood. Shida’s range of products is curated by the brand’s design experts and inspired by the latest fashion and interior trends before being hand-arranged by a growing team of florists.

Katherine says: “Our ethos is ‘bringing the outside in’ - we want our customers to be able to experience the joy of a fresh bouquet of flowers in their homes all year round.” Shida is on a mission to revolutionise the flower and floral bouquet industry, making it more sustainable and environmentally friendly, while extending

A B S O L U T E LY m a g a z i n e s

HOME_PRESERVING.indd 112

25/05/2022 22:14

The home of natural art.

Fossils | Crystals | Minerals 77 Pimlico Road, of London, SW1W The home natural art. 8PH + 44|(0) 20 7881 0592 Fossils Crystals | Minerals www.dalerogersammonite.com 77 Pimlico Road, London, SW1W 8PH + 44 (0) 20 7881 0592 www.dalerogersammonite.com

DALE ROGERS.indd 113

25/05/2022 22:14

SURREY Untitled-1 OAK 2 BARNS.indd 114

25/05/2022 19/01/2022 22:14 10:48

H O M E | PARTNERSHIP

Spring forward Try your hand at some creative recycling with Sarah Louise Dix’s upholstery courses

S

a ra h Louise Di x ’s upholster y courses offer the chance to learn traditional and modern upholstery in a fun atmosphere in small groups. You will be immersed in a space full of fabric, furniture and creativity that will inspire you. Whether you’ve just found your dream home or simply want to update your interior styling, reupholstering original, quality or period pieces of furniture is a great way to start – and has the least environmental impact.

Sarah Louise Dix Upholstery is a working upholstery space with a large shop front, teaching space and workroom. With her fashion design background (at Vivienne Westwood’s PR company) Sarah can guide you through the design of your chair and fabric choices.

She also offers a full upholstery service and loves nothing more than talking through styles and trends, suggesting

fabrics and trims and working with customers to achieve a lasting look.

She and her team have worked on client projects ranging from antique heritage pieces to bespoke modular boat seating and everything in between.

The workroom also refurbishes select vintage pieces to sell in the shop. Sarah is currently transforming a Mid Century Modern G Plan Tulip four piece suite in stunning green velvet.

With new technology being developed all the time, fabrics are now being produced with an ecological awareness.

Using recycled fabric and yarns from the fashion industry, recycled plastic bottles and less chemicals used in fire retardant barriers all help make this industry more sustainable and we’re proud to support our suppliers who offer these and have eco ranges available to choose from at the shop.

Projects range from antique heritage pieces to modular boat seating The studio has all the new season’s fabric books for every style, including Osborne & Little, Designers Guild, Romo, Villa Nova, Colefax & Fowler, Clarke & Clarke, Blendworth & Linwood and more.

Based just outside London in Godalming, Surrey, Sarah Louise Dix offers 10 week courses and Saturday footstool workshops run from 10.30 to 4.30, which are the perfect starting place for beginners wanting to try traditional upholstery for the first time. sarahlouisedix.co.uk

A B S O L U T E LY m a g a z i n e s

HOME SARAH LOUISE DIX.indd 115

115

25/05/2022 22:14

SMEG.indd 116

25/05/2022 22:14

H O M E | KITCHEN

H

A

N

D

S

f

r

e

e

How the latest in kitchen technology means that we’re no longer touching our gadgets Words P E N D L E H A R T E

W

ith hand-sanitiser and maskwearing set to continue, our attitudes to contact have undergone a seismic shift.

Of course, some people have always been suspicious of doorknobs, lift buttons and handrails but now there’s a whole range of life-enhancing gadgets that use technology to make sure we never actually need to touch them.

First off is the contact-free kitchen bin.

This dates back to pre-pandemic, but really

comes into its own in the current climate.

Everyone must agree that it makes life so much easier when you don’t have to open your bin. This sensor and voice-activated model opens eagerly at the sense that you might be wanting to use it – in fact, it’s probably reading your mind. Wave your hand or your piece of rubbish at the lid and it will open, accept your offering and close again.

In fact, it’s so eager that sometimes it opens if, say, it detects a fly, or any kind of small vibration. And it’s not just motion – this bin also responds to voices. So if you want to throw something at it and you’re too far away to trigger the motion sensor, you can shout

instead. This is what the future looks like.

Simplehuman offers a contactless soap dispenser too. Arrive at the sink with hands covered in dough, or paint, or soil, or anything that generally leaves traces all over the tap, and it will dispense a dinky amount of soap. Granted, it’s sometimes a little overeager too, dispensing the odd drop when you’re actually going for the washing up liquid, but no matter.

Also in our modern kitchen is a kettle that prefers to be operated via our phones.

It does have a manual control, but that can’t distinguish between 100 degrees (black tea) and 80 degrees (green tea) like the app can.

Plus, using the app you can control it from upstairs, or as you’re getting off the tube.

Helpfully, each member of the household gets a little alert when anyone puts the kettle on. Even if they’re in a different country.

Currently the main flaw for the kettle is that it can’t fill itself. The bin could perhaps be improved if it understood a Scottish accent. And why has nobody yet invented the bin that takes itself out on rubbish night? simplehuman.co.uk A B S O L U T E LY m a g a z i n e s

KITCHEN TECH.indd 117

117

25/05/2022 22:14

Available from summer 2022

That holiday feeling. Every day.

Design Novelty: markilux pergols cubic – Essentially square.

Practically superb.

50 years of designer awnings “Made in Germany”.

50 years of innovative, safe sun protection.

50 years of happy and satisfied customers.

For the most alluring shade in the world. markilux.co.uk

HALVES 02.indd 118

25/05/2022 22:14

H O M E | GARDENS

C L E A N

H A B I T S FIVE OF THE BEST ECO CLEANING PRODUCTS

1

1

THE ESSENTIALS TINCTURE

Made with 100% natural botanical extract, essential oils and plant based actives, these eco-friendly cleaners work just as well as, if not better than most harsh sprays and smell amazing. tincturelondon.com

2

NEW SPONGE SEEP

Every minute of every day we bin 1,000 kitchen sponges – the majority are virgin plastic. This is why Seep's plastic-free cleaning products were created. theseepcompany.com

2

3

N AT U R A L V I B E

U R B A N G R E E N C O M PA N Y

This reusable, compostable, washable kitchen sponge is made from 100% cotton, bamboo fabric and hessian to give that extra 'scrubiness'. It will last up to a year and can be washed in the washing machine. urbangreencompany.co.uk

3

4

FILL IT UP CLEAN LIVING

4

5

This award-winning range of natural cleaning products have a wonderful fragrance, and the Refill-ReuseRecycle subscription system helps to reduce single-use plastic waste. cleanlivingint.com

5

S E A S P R AY

N O R F O L K N AT U R A L L I V I N G

This Multi Surface Spray is great for countertops, floors and surfaces, cleansing them gently without leaving streaks. This effective formula uses the power of nature to rid your surfaces of dirt. thegreyworks.com

A B S O L U T E LY m a g a z i n e s

HOME 5 ECO CLEAN.indd 119

119

25/05/2022 22:14

T O

T H E

M A X

Archive by Sanderson Design’s new bedding designs are bold and beautiful Words P E A R L B OY D

T

he lovechild of the Sanderson Design Group, Archive unleashes 160 years of daring design. Creating an emporium of pattern and colour, transcending styles, genres, and trends, Archive aims to spearhead a celebration of British design heritage as well as a new world order of both eclecticism and maximalism.

Now Archive by Sanderson Design has launched a daring new bedding collection to add to its rule-breaking portfolio of fabric, wallpaper, cushions and lighting.

120

Having blown the doors off the Sanderson Design Group archive, the new bedding range features classic prints and patterns revitalised for the modernday design aficionado.

Maximalism and individualism lie at the heart of the brand, with the new bedding acting as a continuation of its previous fabric and wallpaper launches. The range itself features three vibrant styles, each featuring eclectic prints and patterns from iconic heritage designs, albeit in striking new contemporary colourways.

A tantalising twist on a classic design,

A B S O L U T E LY m a g a z i n e s

HOME SANDERSON B.indd 120

25/05/2022 22:14

H O M E | PATTERN

An emporium of pattern and colour, transcending styles, genres, and trends

Strawberry Thief Beetle Mania bedding breathes new life and brilliance to William Morris’s much-loved Strawberry Thief print. Its Nocturnal colourway draws on rich blue hues fused with gilded gold accents to create a mysterious and intricate design that screams decadence and drama.

The popular Strawberry Thief motif also features within the Miami bedding, which puts to bed the traditional rulebook ‘pink and green should never be seen’ by incorporating light pink tones and emerald green motifs in daring style. Infused with brilliant bold imagery, the bedding provides the perfect backdrop for contrasting prints for those feeling particularly brave.

Palmetto offers a contemporary twist on a classic print, featuring bountiful botanical palms and fabulous florals that pay homage to an era of abundance and drama. The Saharan colourway evokes a cool, Caribbean vibe, with luscious teal hues supplementing the sunny shades of the botanical prints.

The Archive bedding collection marks the next step in expanding the emporium’s offering, bringing a maximalist flair to the bedroom. The bedding is available from £50 for pillowcases and £170 for duvets. archive.sandersondesigngroup.com A B S O L U T E LY m a g a z i n e s

HOME SANDERSON B.indd 121

121

25/05/2022 22:15

Style doesn’t mean you have to compromise on comfort.

Visit Our Showrooms WIMBLEDON

WINCHESTER

14 Church Road Wimbledon Village SW19 5DL 02076050660

67-68 High Street Winchester S023 9DA 01962571136

BATH BERMONDSEY BROOK-GREEN KENT

www.hollowaysofludlow.com

HOLLOWAYS OF LUD.indd 122

25/05/2022 22:15

H O M E | BEDDING

L I N E N

L O V E R S

FIVE OF THE BEST BED LINENS

1 1

IN THE PINK PIGLET IN BED

Mix and match Piglet's bed linen colours to work with the aesthetic of your home with duvet covers, fitted sheets, flat sheets and pillowcases. Natural, no-fuss, comfort for every bedroom. pigletinbed.com

2

ISLAND LIFE SA N DER SON

This delightful bed linen by Sanderson depicts botanical illustrations in a paired back bohemian feel, providing an exotic escape to tropical island life and warmer climates. frenchbedroomcompany.co.uk

2

3

CRINKLE CUT U N D E R C OV E R

Linus organic cotton percale bedding is covered in white oversized bendy blobs on a muted terracotta, and a plain white backside. This super soft , crinkle textured fabric is made from organic cotton in Portugal. undercoverliving.com

3

4

F LOW E R S H O P

5 4

MM LINEN

Isola depicts hand-painted bunches of garden flowers in a distinctive palette of warm colours with a mustard coloured background.

Mustard colour reverse side. ukmmlinen.com

5

FRESH STRIPES SECRET LINEN STORE

George is a naturally striped, tumbled soft , duvet cover with a difference. Made in Portugal the unique herringbone weave is 68% responsible sourced cotton and 32 % finest linen yarns. secretlinenstore.com

A B S O L U T E LY m a g a z i n e s

5 BED LINEN.indd 123

123

25/05/2022 22:15

NATURALMAT.indd 124

25/05/2022 22:15

H O M E | PARTNERSHIP

O N

T H E B O I L

Reduce your energy use and limit water waste with a boiling water tap Words CA S PA R DAV I D

W

hen it comes to the kitchen, we want our appliances to work hard for us, delivering convenience, safety, sustainability and other unparalleled benefits. When it comes to your kitchen tap, Quooker has you covered. As the original and only true 100-degree boiling water tap brand on the market, Quooker leads the way when it comes to innovative technology and design. Founded in 1970, Henri Peteri’s innovative concept of a boiling water tap has grown into a kitchen essential for millions of households worldwide.

Quooker taps make kitchen life and culinary chores remarkably easy. For the bustling household or sophisticated hosting hub, for the passionate foody or mother

in a rush, for those looking to save time and money or those looking to make their kitchens greener, Quooker provides the tap that does it all.

Quooker is inherently green, providing a more sustainable alternative to a traditional kettle. The average kettle is responsible for using 2,200 watts to boil 1.7 litres of water. Often used multiple times throughout the day, this kitchen appliance expends huge amounts of energy. Comparatively, Quooker taps use very little electricity.

Thanks to its advanced tank technology, it only takes 10 watts to keep water at 110°C. Users can enjoy instant boiling water, alongside reduced energy bills. Quooker taps only boil the exact amount of water needed, whether for a single cup of tea or a large pot. Unlike other kitchen mixers where water heats up gradually, Quooker’s COMBI tank ensures a far quicker delivery of hot water when needed, limiting water wasted.

Safety is also at the forefront of Quooker’s design. Look to its in-built safety mechanisms to prevent accidental use, red light signals to alert users of water modes, cooltouch spout casing and spray technologies that deliver aerated flows rather than a steady stream. As Quooker taps are static objects, they cannot be tipped or spilt, whilst delivering precision pouring.

Quooker is a sound investment for a secure, safe and stylish kitchen.

Thanks to its CUBE accessory, Quooker taps also now offer sparkling water. With the average UK household using a staggering 360 single-use plastic bottles per year, the CUBE offers a far more sustainable solution - an accessory that can be fitted onto any existing Quooker tap, the CUBE helps ensure more sustainable consumption. quooker.co.uk

A B S O L U T E LY m a g a z i n e s

QUOOKER.indd 125

125

25/05/2022 22:15

HALVES 03.indd 126

25/05/2022 22:15

BLIND AND CURTAIN SHOWROOM Refresh your home with new curtains and blinds made from a wonderful collection of fabrics, including designers Sanderson, Harlequin, Romo and more Bespoke Luxaflex blinds including SmartHome integration Browse and buy our gifts online at www.curtain-call.co.uk Please call for showroom appointments Opening Hours: Tues-Sat 10am to 5pm 52 Friars Stile Road, Richmond, Surrey TW10 6NQ 020 8332 6250 • www.curtain-call.co.uk info@curtain-call.co.uk CURTAIN _CALL_HP_ABS_APRIL.indd 1

QUATERS 01.indd 127

08/03/2022 15:06

25/05/2022 22:15

SOHO LIGHTING AD.indd 128

25/05/2022 22:15

H O M E | PARTNERSHIP DISCOUNT CODE 10% off online, use code: LONDON10 valid until 15 August 2022

CULT SHAPES & PATTERNS 1000 on-trend products at affordable prices with next day delivery

F

inding fresh, innovative designs could not be easier with Cult. With 10 years of experience in the furniture industry, the brand is dedicated to bringing ontrend pieces at competitive prices. With that being said – this year and like all years before it, the trend of patterns and shapes has never died down at Cult. Shapes and patterns have been a long-standing trend in the interior world and for good reason. They can be used to accentuate the curves on a vase, add depth to a space and character to a chair. The power of this interior trend lies in its ability to add texture to a room; how someone perceives the shape or the pattern with other materials is up to you. For instance, when you want to switch up your décor, a patterned fabric like the one on the Ives printed cushion (£35), with its Japanese inspired floral print, created with 100% recycled PET material, can change the vibe of a sofa and the overall feel of a room – when paired with a grey marble side table, like the Roma (£139) in black.

However, if you are feeling braver and the patterns on the Ives cushion are just

not hitting the spot, then the botanical print on the Heather kitchen stool (from £109) is for you. The juxtaposition of the bright green palm leaf on a cream background makes the Heather a standout piece near a kitchen island or breakfast bar – and paired with a perfectly placed footrest and metal legs, a comfortable sit is always guaranteed. Looking for something more? Then Selma wide glass vase (£69) is sure to satisfy you. A decorative mouthblown vase, which will add a retro touch to your dining room, kitchen, or hallway.

With its smooth curves, wide silhouette, and unique speckled pattern in mottled

Shapes and patterns have been a long-standing trend in the interior world brown - this vase will make your blooms the centre of attention no matter the space or the room.

For those who are just stepping into the trend and are not as comfortable with playing with patterns or shapes, Cult has also got you covered. For a more unintrusive take on this trend, check out the Fulmar striped cushion (£35). Its velvet fabric and green hues will add visual appeal to your bedroom or living room interior - upgrading the everyday furniture into high-end, soft comforts. If you are still sceptical but like the refreshing concept behind the trend, our Abstract A3 framed art print (£49) is the one for you. Inspired by contemporary designs, this print by Rafael Farias showcases layers of organic, curved shapes in muted green colours that will add an understated bold touch to your walls - without becoming domineering in your interior scheme. Want to see more? Visit Cult’s London showroom to browse the most affordable luxurious designs, while getting inspired by the themed areas.

CULT FURNITURE 811-813 Wandsworth Road, SW8 3JH 020 8185 6960 cultfurniture.com A B S O L U T E LY m a g a z i n e s

HOME CULT FURNIT.indd 129

129

25/05/2022 22:15

H O M E | PARTNERSHIP

shown a viral video of a baby laughing.

Naturally, this caused her to laugh as well, proving she really is one of the people after all.

Royal advancements How tech has changed during the Queen’s 70-year reign - and how she’s embraced it

B

orn in a time when morse code was a popular form of communication, still reigning during the age of Zoom calls, the Queen has lived through some big changes in the way we connect with each other.

As we celebrate her 70th year on the throne, it’s fascinating to look at the technology and telecommunication evolutions she’s lived through (and used herself).

THE FIRST ROYAL TWEET

TELEVISED CORONATION

Charities, leaders, even countries have long vied for a brief interaction with the Queen. A Royal visit is often seen as an unmistakeable sign of importance on the world stage.

That’s why, when she visited the Google headquarters in 2008, it was obvious just how powerful the tech giant had become.

During the visit the Queen and her late husband, Prince Philip, were reportedly

The decision to televise then 27-year-old Elizabeth’s ascent to sovereign in 1953 is often credited as ushering in the advent of every UK home having a TV. For many Britons the landmark broadcast was the first time they would glimpse moving images of the Royals, with thousands buying televisions specifically to watch.

130

Twitter got its (unofficial) royal seal of approval in 2014 when the Queen composed her first ever tweet. While visiting London’s Science Museum, she posted: “It is a pleasure to open the Information Age exhibition today at the @ScienceMuseum and I hope people will enjoy visiting. Elizabeth R.” The short post maintained the Queen’s renowned brevity, but showed the world how she had truly embraced the digital age.

VISITING GOOGLE

CONNECTION ISSUES

Even the Queen isn’t immune from poor internet connection. While joining a video call with KPMGUK to celebrate the accounting firm’s 150th anniversary in 2020, staff were telling her stories about inclusion and diversity. In a moment all too familiar to the rest of us, board member John McCalla-Leacy was midsentence when the connection dropped out, giving everyone a frozen image of the monarch.

Moments later the connection was restored and the meeting continued, with the Queen explaining how everyone had temporarily “disappeared”. In the postpandemic world of video calling, the minor mishap was seen as a prime example of how reliable internet connection is vital to everyone, regardless of where they work from.

If you ever have important video calls, you’ll know how a fast broadband connection can make the difference between a smooth conversation and one interrupted by dropped connections and grainy visuals. Unlike many broadband providers, Swish Fibre offer a Full Fibre service, meaning lightning-fast fibre going right into your home, not just to your street. This gives you the fastest available download and upload speeds, giving you crystal-clear TV streaming and video call quality fit for a Queen, even if the whole family are using the internet.

Visit swishfibre.com to see if Full Fibre is available at your postcode

A B S O L U T E LY m a g a z i n e s

SWISH.indd 130

25/05/2022 22:15

Sited_FullPage_Advert.pdf

1

03/06/2021

21:19

LIVE THE DREAM

An aspirational site finding service.

At Sited we source exceptional sites for clients requiring a bespoke service – facilitating the dream of developing their own home.

See it, Source it, Sited.

Sited Limited 78 St Johns Road Tunbridge Wells Kent TN4 9PH 07739 514350 01892 579937

SJD PROJECTS.indd 131 Untitled-3 1

www.sited.land

25/05/2022 09/03/2022 22:15 13:57

Call Just Shutters today on

01932 500 270

n o i t c e f r e P r Shutte Enhance the style of your home

justshutters.co.uk A Local Family Business Based in Surrey A Local Family Business Based in Yorkshire T2990 JS MAY 2022 Absolutely Surrey 210x297.indd 1 JUST SHUTTERS.indd 132

17/05/2022 16:43 25/05/2022 22:15

H O M E | PARTNERSHIP

Light UP

Win a £600 gift of lighting from The Soho Lighting Company

T

he Soho Lighting Company was born in 2017 from a desire to have more choice when it came to period lighting while maintaining a blend of authenticity, quality, and finish. Co-founder Lee Lovett and her team designed and created their own range of timeless lighting products in an array of beautiful finishes and materials.

It began with a mission to design a completely screw-less collection of switches and sockets, meticulously hand-crafted from the finest materials. ‘‘We engage more with switches and sockets than with most other design features within an interior. Each time a light is switched on, or a charger or appliance plugged in, your design choices are being subconsciously viewed, used, and appraised,’’ explains Lee. “Our timeless switches and sockets are

Win a £600 gift of lighting from The Soho Lighting Company across any of their beautiful products. Renowned for their hand craftsmanship and quality, this company is born in London, made in Cornwall, and brings the very best of British to you in lighting. Stylishly screwless switches and sockets, beautiful Pendants, wall lights, bathroom lights, garden lights, stunning LED high CRI bulbs and downlights.

TO ENTER 1 .Make sure you’re following Soho Lighting’s Instagram page @thesoholightingco

designed to eliminate the use of unsightly screws and ugly plastic rockers.’’ Today, this proudly British brand meticulously and ethically sources high quality traditional materials from the UK and around the world. They design in London and then manufacture, handcraft and hand finish from their workshop in Cornwall.

Lee says: “There is a wealth of artisan talent in Cornwall, from metal to ceramic workshops and a passion for sustainable creativity, and together with our London design roots we strive to bring the very best of British to our customers.’’ As well as switches and sockets, they design and craft beautiful interior and exterior lighting, ultra – efficient LED, Edison-style bulbs and high CRI (colour render index) bulbs and downlights - all stylish and kind to the planet. soholighting.com

2. Like this post and tag a friend in the comments below who would love to enter too. The more tags who go on to follow Soho Lighting on instagram = the more entries

3 .For a bonus entry, share the competition post to your story and tag both Absolutely and Soho Lighting.

Good luck everyone.

T&C’s: UK only. Ends 12/07/22 23:59pm GMT. One winner will be picked at random after the closing date. Never respond to other accounts falsely claiming to be us. This competition is in no way associated with Instagram

A B S O L U T E LY m a g a z i n e s

SOHO LIGHTING.indd 133

133

25/05/2022 22:15

H O M E | PARTNERSHIP

H O L L O WAY S of

LU D LOW Timeless Design for Every Home

H Something for every designconscious homeowner and professional

HOME HOLLOWAYS.indd 134

olloways of Ludlow was founded in 1985 on the principle that good design is timeless and that things should be made to last. Starting as a family business, we have grown to become one of the UK’s leading suppliers of quality lighting and furniture from the best design brands around the world.

Whether you prefer to shop online or see beautiful designs in person at one of our showrooms, we have something for every design-conscious homeowner and professional. hollowaysofludlow.com

25/05/2022 23:15

Eltham

✓ Friendly in-home service

✓ Options for every budget

✓ Price includes measuring & fitting YOUR LOCAL BLINDS, CURTAINS & SHUTTERS SPECIALIST • I provide expert advice on the best window solutions • Flexible appointment times • Blinds & curtains tailor-made here in the UK

“My local advisor helped me find a blind to fit my budget.

The service was second to none”.

Laura Jackson, customer

• Ask me about multi-blind discounts • I won’t be beaten on price* • Electric blinds available

ROLLERS | ROMANS | VERTICALS | VENETIANS | CURTAINS | SHUTTERS | WOODEN BLINDS

Call me for a free in-home appointment: Kris Lewis 07456 845494 *Based on the same spec, size & levels of service.

HALVES 04.indd 135

25/05/2022 22:15

IN GLASS HOUSES This impressive lakeside house makes for a stylish getaway Words CA S PA R DAV I D

136

A B S O L U T E LY m a g a z i n e s

HOME_ADV_GLASS H.indd 136

25/05/2022 22:15

H O M E | INSPIRATION

Glass walls flood the rooms with light and offer spectacular lake views

T

he Glasshouse is situated on an estate in the Cotswolds, just one mile from the pretty town of Lechlade on Thames.

The estate offers 850 acres of lakes, meadows and woodland, as well as a great choice of leisure facilities, making it ideal for both family and adult holidays.

This unique holiday rental is in a wonderful position by a lake, and offers 600sqm of very light and spacious interiors spread across four levels, a basement, ground floor, first floor, and a roof terrace. There are wonderful views of the lakes and surrounding countryside from the roof ter-

race, which also features a garden, a wood pizza oven, barbecue and dining area. The bright and spacious basement features 3m high windows allowing for lake views, a relaxation/leisure area with private cinema, games/bar area, wellness/spa area). The ground floor has an open-plan kitchen/ dining/living/area, also with lake views, and huge glass doors opening to the wraparound decked terrace, providing access to the lake, lower deck and a private garden with picnic bench. There is also a TV room and a large double bedroom with en-suite bathroom. The first floor has three more en-suite bedrooms and a study. It is possible to accommodate up to four additional children in the cinema, using large furniture mattresses on the floor. All bathrooms feature heated floors and full height rain showers, In the basement there’s a private nineseat cinema (with fully reclining electric seats, projector and sound system), games/ bar area, wellness/spa area). The ground floor comprises an open-plan kitchen, dining area and living room, opening to wrap-around terrace. A wood-fired fireplace separates the living area from the dining/kitchen area. An en-suite large double bedroom features two-sided transparent glass walls to the outside space. On the first floor is the master bedroom and two more double bedrooms, all en-suite and with two-sided glass walls flooding the rooms with light and offering spectacular

lake views. A study also has lake views and a wood-fired fireplace.

A swimming pool, tennis court, basketball court, football pitch, canoeing/sailing, paddle boarding, cycling, fishing, and a restaurant/cafe are among the amenities available to guests. The on-site concierge service at the luxury property includes arranging child care, and a kids club as well as a choice of dining options ranging from a delicious meal cooked ready and waiting for your arrival, to a celebration with a private chef. A Spa is available from 2pm – 5pm daily, and also a heated swimming pool, sauna and gym. Spa treatments include holistic wellbeing and relaxation treatments, and personal training sessions.

Sleeping eight adults or 12 with children, The Glass House’s glass façade sitting over the lake distinguishes it from any other house on the estate, geared to evoke the feeling of living outdoors in almost every corner of the property. Glass doors wrap around the almost 360-degree terrace space, with access to the lake, lower deck and private garden with picnic bench. thelakesbyyoo.com

A B S O L U T E LY m a g a z i n e s

HOME_ADV_GLASS H.indd 137

137

25/05/2022 22:15

SUNDAY 3RD JULY O P E N S 1 0 AM - 3 P M £2 ADMISSION

(CAS H ON L Y ON THE G ATE) (CHIL D R EN UN D ER 1 6YR S F R EE)

F R E E P AR K I N G SHIPPERS/COURIERS ON SITE H OT & C O L D R E F R E S H M E N T S O N SI T E O U T S I D E S T AL L S & SILVER RING BUILDING

THE

RHS T O

D

AY

JO

IN

AY

RHS members go free

JO

Jazz Saturdays

IN

TH

O E RHS T

D

Every Sat, 11 Jun – 30 Jul Listen to the sounds of Chi Jazz, at beautiful RHS Garden Wisley, from 1– 4pm in the Butterfly Lovers’ Pavilion.

Your visit supports our work as a charity rhs.org.uk/wisley

QUATERS 02.indd 138

25/05/2022 22:15

H O M E | PARTNERSHIP

Set in stone

Admiring the beautiful selection of stone, porcelain and decorative tiles at Mandarin Stone

By CA S PA R DAV I D

E

stablished in 1989, Mandarin Stone offers an unparalleled selection of natural stone, porcelain and decorative tiles. Showcasing the very latest surface designs to the UK market, key ranges include large format stone and concrete effect porcelains, stylish patterned tiles and outdoor porcelains as well as timeless limestones and marbles.

Importing worldwide, high stock levels are held in the UK so deliveries can be made within short time frames. Mandarin Stone is a family-run company with its headquarters in Monmouthshire and 14 inspirational showrooms around the UK, including Fulham Road and Primrose Hill. Experienced and knowledgeable consultants are always on hand to help with all design and technical aspects of your projects.

The collection includes both natural stone and man-made porcelain and ceramic

Natural stone has inherent natural beauty and a timeless feel tiles as well as a comprehensive range of ancillary products. Natural stone offers an inherent natural beauty and a timeless feel and includes limestone, marble, slate, sandstone, travertine which are available in a vast array of formats and finishes. Manmade porcelain tiles often cleverly replicate other materials such as stone, wood and concrete but without the need for sealing and with generally less maintenance. They have recently expanded their outdoor stone and porcelain ranges, including a wide array of porcelain tiles in both indoor and outdoor thicknesses so perfect for seamless indoor-outdoor flooring. mandarinstone.com A B S O L U T E LY m a g a z i n e s

HOME MANDARIN ST.indd 139

139

25/05/2022 22:15

A TA S T E O F THE CO UNT RY The relaxed setting. The breathtaking view.

A feast for the senses. A moment to savour.

Dining at Coworth Park.

COWORTH PARK.indd 140

A S C OT + 44 (0)134 4 8 7 6 6 0 0 D O R C HES T ER C O L L E CT I ON .C OM #DCmoments CoworthPark CoworthParkUK CoworthPark

25/05/2022 22:15

TRAVEL

ISLAND LIFE CYPRUS

Whether your idea of a holiday is lying by the pool, wandering around ruins, eating local specialities or braving extreme watersports, you'll find it all and more in Cyprus.

Our writer and family sample all the island's delights.

Cyprus – a fabulous destination to suit all needs 142 A B S O L U T E LY m a g a z i n e s

TRAVEL OPENER.indd 141

141

25/05/2022 22:15

Cyprus' got

TALENT

Whether you're after watersports or ruins, Cyprus has it all – plus lots of sunshine and friendly faces too

By ROB MCGIBBON

142

A B S O L U T E LY m a g a z i n e s

TRAVEL CYPRUS.indd 142

25/05/2022 22:15

TRAVEL • CYPRUS

“It’s not every day you meet a living Greek god”

T

he bald head, cheeky grin and the London accent are big clues, but the famous tattoo across his well-irrigated beer belly quickly gives away the man’s identity.

The unmistakable outline of our holiday island beneath the fuzz can belong to only one person: take a bow Stavros Flatley, the legend of Britain’s Got Talent 2009.

It’s not every day you meet a living Greek god, but when it comes to Cyprus, Stavros is as close as you can get and he’s here, in his trunks, on a beach in Paphos.

Not so much Heracles, the god of sport and saviour of mankind, but Lardus, the god of good living and laughter. He charges €1 for selfies for a local charity and last summer alone he coined in €3,000 from star-struck holidaymakers.

Four years ago Stavros - real name Demi Demetriou (“Call me Fatty if you want,” he chuckles) - sold up in London to move back to his motherland and be with his

beloved son and co-dancing hero Lagi.

He has set up a beachside water sports business and he is offering me and my 13-year-old son Joseph and our holiday friends a ride of a lifetime – on a giant inflatable sofa. It’s clear that Stavros is a sofa aficionado, so how can we refuse?

We are buckled into lifejackets and moments later our intrepid group is whooping with laughter, clinging on for dear life as the sofa hurtles across the waves behind a speedboat. A good slice of cheesy holiday fun is essential and this hits the spot perfectly.

Cyprus is not everyone’s most obvious choice for a European break, but I have been coming here on-and-off since the mid 1990s and I can vouch for the warmth of its welcome, the guarantee of its sun and the scope of the offerings. It may lack the sophistication and charm of, say, France or Italy, but it always delivers when you want a relaxing and uncomplicated break.

This time we stayed at Athena Beach hotel, a few miles along the coast from the centre of Paphos on the west side of the A B S O L U T E LY m a g a z i n e s

TRAVEL CYPRUS.indd 143

143

25/05/2022 22:15

TRAVEL • CYPRUS

PAPHOS OLD TOWN

“Athena is a vast family-friendly hotel with a big pool and sweeping views”

144

island. Athena is a vast family-friendly hotel with large rooms, a big pool and sweeping views across the Med. It’s a firm favourite with Brits and particularly popular with pensioners who go there on bowls tours to use its tournament-quality artificial lawns.

My wife, Emma, is an artist and the last thing she wants is daft sofas rides, or sleepy games of bowls. Give her culture, churches and crumbling ruins and she couldn’t be happier. With this in mind, we took a break from our loungers and set off on a pleasant stroll along the esplanade into Paphos central.

By the harbour you find the impressive Paphos Castle, which was re-built by the Ottomans around 1592 after the original Byzantine fortification was finally destroyed in an earthquake. A few minutes away is Paphos’ expansive archaeological park that has been a UNESCO World Heritage treasure since 1980.

Across nearly 300 hectares, there are ancient ruins of a Roman city with its palaces, fortresses, villas, theatres and tombs. To be honest, Joseph was nonplussed by these old wonders and went for a solo walk to a pretty whitewashed lighthouse overlooking the sea, leaving Emma and me to explore in peace.

We walked through the ruins and sighed at the beauty of a series of immaculately preserved mosaics dating from the Hellenistic period (3rd-1st centuries

BC) in a protective building called the House of Dionysus. You tread over raised gangplanks to view intricate mosaics depicting mythology, worship, hunting and geometrical decorations. They are truly stunning. My pick was the one of Phaedra and Hippolytus. Cupid is looking on as an embarrassed Hippolytus reads a love letter from Phaedra, his step-mum. A somewhat complicated love story, all told in fragments of tile.

Also on this archaeological site are the Tombs of the Kings, which are monumental underground Roman tombs carved out of stone. They're dark and creepy, but nonetheless fascinating. Not far from here we found a far more welcoming establishment: Hondros Taverna. It dates from 1953 and is billed as the oldest taverna in Paphos. It is certainly the best. We feasted like gods on smokey grilled octopus, succulent kebabs and enormous salads, with wine and beer and even dessert, all for €60. A bargain.

There are countless other cultural gems to explore across Cyprus, but there was enough for us in Paphos this time.

The rest of the week ebbed and flowed around the beach and pool. We discovered a pretty stretch of coast at Arapis Coral Bay, a 20 minute drive west of the city, which is worth seeking out. One afternoon I took a lesson with the pro at the Elea Golf Academy in the hills overlooking Paphos, and Joseph and I ended the week with the perfect sign off to any sunshine holiday - a water park expedition.

Our last day coincided with the first day of the new season at Aphrodite Water Park, a 15 minute amble from our hotel. After a warm up on the gentle flumes, Joseph and I hit the Twister and Kamikaze chutes, followed by an exhilarating ride called Zero Gravity Free Fall. Surely, there can be no better way to prepare for the dreaded journey back to London than the adrenaline burst from a split second of free fall.

I love Cyprus because it is sunny, easy and friendly. You can have fun and you might even learn something. Cyprus has got talent. So that’s three YESs from us.

Athena Beach Hotel: athenacbh.com/the-hotel/

A B S O L U T E LY m a g a z i n e s

TRAVEL CYPRUS.indd 144

25/05/2022 22:15

Luxury Holiday Rentals at Glenmor Make yourselves at home in the heart of Gleneagles The Gleneagles experience is one of a kind – you can now enjoy it from the comfort of a Glenmor luxury holiday home, located in the heart of Gleneagles. On your stay you can enjoy complimentary golf for one person, plus access to all of the leisure, dining and pursuits of the 5 star estate. We have 2, 3 and 4 bedroom properties available, perfect for all the family. With prices starting from £3,500 for a 2 bed, £4,410 for a 3 bed and £4,840 for a 4 bed for 7 nights.

Find out more: GLENEAGLES.COM/GLENMOR +44 (0)1764 694321 OWN@GLENEAGLES.COM

The Timeshare, Holiday Products, Resale and Exchange Contracts Regulation 2010 requires Gleneaglesto provide you with certain key information in relation to the proposed seasonal ownership contract. A standard information form which contains this key information in relation to that contract may beobtained by contacted us via the above methods.

HALVES 05.indd 145

25/05/2022 22:15

Set in more than 220 acres of beautiful North Yorkshire countryside

Welcoming day students from 3 months to 19 years and boarders from Year 3

Over 80% of our students go on to their first choice university | Rated ‘Excellent’ by ISI 2019 81% of our students achieved A*/A at A-Level

Queen Ethelburga’s Collegiate “To be the best that I can, with the gifts that I have.” www.qe.org | admissions@qe.org | 01423 333330 | York YO26 9SS

QUEEN ETHELS.indd 146

25/05/2022 22:15

E D U C AT I O N

STUDY LEAVE SY D E N H A M H I G H S C H O O L

With exam season in full swing, households across the UK are managing heightened emotions and stress levels. Teenagers everywhere are revising frantically and parents are trying to help in any way they can. Providing good nutrition is one way in which we can make a difference, say staff at Sydenham High School.

Holidaying with a nanny - what are the rules? 148 • Nutrition at school 153 A B S O L U T E LY m a g a z i n e s

EDUCATION OPENER.indd 147

147

25/05/2022 22:15

148

A B S O L U T E LY m a g a z i n e s

HOLIDAYS WITH NA.indd 148

25/05/2022 22:15

EDUCATION • FEATURE

HOLIDAY

NANNY GUIDE It’s not only the super-rich who take a nanny on holiday – so what are the ground rules for hiring vacation childcare?

Wo r d s R A C H E L H O G G

W

ith end-of-term dates rapidly approaching, many parents have thought about packing for the summer holidays. But there may be one more thing you would love to take with you – adding considerably to the luggage allowance – a holiday nanny. While these may once have been for the super-rich, more families are considering this option.

We spoke to both nannies on the ‘front line’ and Louise Taylor, consultant and director of long-established London nanny agency Kensington Nannies, to find out more.

There are a number of reasons why parents hire nannies to travel on holiday with them, say our insiders, but a key motivator is so

that parents can have a holiday themselves.

It’s a great solution for parents who need a little bit of extra support as this can give them the freedom to actually relax, finally – even finish that book or have an uninterrupted meal. The greatest advantage of hiring a holiday nanny over a babysitter is the flexibility to design your own schedule.

Holiday nanny jobs are often a divide and conquer situation, particularly where families are made up of younger and older children. Having an extra pair of hands means, for instance, parents might be able to take older children sightseeing or sailing while the nanny stays behind to look after the younger ones. It can be a valuable opportunity for parents to spend one-on-one time with children and ensure everyone’s having fun.

You may be thinking, this all sounds great, but how much is it going to cost? The A B S O L U T E LY m a g a z i n e s

HOLIDAYS WITH NA.indd 149

149

25/05/2022 22:16

average holiday nanny salary depends on the individual, the hours, how many children there are and supply and demand when you book, but around £200 per day for a solecharge nanny is a typical ballpark. Bear in mind you will also be responsible for paying for everything related to the holiday period, including flights and travel insurance. It adds considerably to the cost of the holiday, but factor in the price of children’s clubs and evening babysitters – and the value of relaxation time for parents – and it can be a viable and flexible extra. Nanny-sharing between two families is, say our insiders, an increasingly popular choice and can be great if you’re in one hotel or villa, or staying close to another family in one complex.

Even with all the benefits help brings, for those who have never done so before the concept of taking a perfect stranger on a holiday can be daunting. So, Louise Taylor and our ‘nanny panel’ have shared their top five tips on holiday nanny etiquette to make this experience as stress-free as possible.

1. SET THINGS UP FOR SUCCESS

Where friction occurs between nannies and families on holidays it tends to be as a result of the two sides being on what Louise Taylor tactfully describes as, “different pages”. Her advice is to give clear information in advance about what you expect, the holiday schedule, and so on, to ensure a harmonious experience.

It’s also really helpful to provide a thorough guide to your family’s rules and routines. “You wouldn’t hire someone to be your secretary and do your filing without showing them how your filing system works, and it’s the same thing with a nanny,” says Louise Taylor.

2. TIME OFF IS VITAL

Because normal routines can vary so significantly on holiday, it is even more important to make sure your nanny is getting

“For families, a key motivator for hiring a nanny is so that parents can have a holiday themselves” 150

NANNY AND FAMILY CAN HAVE A GOOD TRIP IF YOU REMEMBER KEY GROUND RULES

the appropriate amount of rest and time off and isn’t accidentally being overworked or starting to feel taken advantage of.

Our insiders all suggest it’s important to agree on hours of work beforehand – a written contract is recommended – and then everyone is on the same page.

3. BE INCLUSIVE

Holiday nanny jobs can be lonely, particularly in more rural areas. Our nannies talk about the value of a car or access to public transport (even a lift to the local town during time off) so they can experience a bit of free time alone or meet up with people their own age. “Parents have each other for company, the children have each other, but the nanny has no one,” says Louise Taylor. The more inclusive and understanding you are, the more comfortable your holiday nanny is likely to feel.

4. ENSURE HOME COMFORTS

With a holiday nanny, you have a duty of care. This means making sure she or he is fed properly and has a comfortable bedroom.

It’s usually written into the contract that you provide (and pay for) three meals a day and suitable accommodation. Louise Taylor also recommends asking about any dietary

requirements and other food preferences before you go. Our nannies add that it’s a really good idea to give your nanny an opportunity to do some grocery shopping for themselves.

5. NANNY IS NOT ON HOLIDAY This is the most important piece of nanny etiquette. Very occasionally families believe a nanny should feel grateful – indebted even – to be on their holiday. “Whether they are on duty in Mallorca or London, it makes no difference. Work is work, it’s not their holiday,” says Louise Taylor. Our nanny panel add that expecting a nanny to behave as if she’s lucky to be with you is bad form, however exotic the location.

Ultimately, a nanny can be an invaluable addition to your holiday, ensuring a fun and relaxing experience for the whole family.

Louise Taylor’s advice for parents thinking of trying this for the first time is simple: be realistic about how much you can expect one person to do and think about how you would feel if you were in their shoes. Do this and your family escape with a nanny could be the best holiday yet. And just think, you might even be able to catch up on some sleep.” kensington-nannies.co.uk

A B S O L U T E LY m a g a z i n e s

HOLIDAYS WITH NA.indd 150

25/05/2022 22:16

MOAT.indd 151

25/05/2022 22:16

DISCOVERMORE

An independent co-educational senior school for students aged 11-18 in West London

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.

KEW HOUSE Untitled-10 kh.indd 1 1 SCHOOL.indd 152

Book your place at one of our Open Events at www.kewhouseschool.com/ openevents T: 020 8742 2038 W: www.kewhouseschool.com @KewHouseSchool

25/05/2022 14/12/2021 22:16 18:52 24/11/2021 11:50

EDUCATION • FOCUS

Eat, Sleep, Learn, Repeat Dr Elyse Waites, Deputy Head Pastoral at Sydenham High School, discusses nutrition and sleep

H

ave you ever had “butterflies in the stomach” or “a gut feeling”? These are well known phrases that demonstrate the intrinsic link between our brain and our digestive system. With over 100 million nerve endings, this ‘second brain’ can communicate with our large brains to help control digestion. It has historically been thought that mental health issues contributed to digestive issues but more recently researchers are finding evidence that irritation in the gastrointestinal system may send signals to the central nervous system (CNS) that trigger mood changes, explains Jay Pasricha, M.D., Director of the Johns Hopkins Centre for Neurogastroenterology. This leads to the question: if it all starts with the digestive system, then how can we use this to help support adolescent brain development?

At Sydenham High School’s annual Brain Bootcamp, we aim to inform pupils and their parents about the importance of nourishing

The lunchtime offering is balanced and conducive to learning and memory your brain through what you eat. This year, we welcomed back Sydenham Prep School alumna and Nutritional Therapist, Sophie Trotman who discussed eating for a good night’s sleep and how to ensure that adolescents are taking in the optimum amount of macro and micro nutrients in their diet, and Dr Jenna Vyas-Lee, a Clinical Psychologist, who spoke about the importance of sleep for the adolescent brain and how to develop and maintain healthy sleep patterns. Our in-house caterers, Accent Catering, highlighted the variety of important nutrients needed for a healthy brain across the menu available at school.

Speaking to young people about the benefits of eating broccoli and walnuts may seem like an impossible endeavour, but when you bring science and research into the argument, they can’t help but trust the facts. In a nutshell (pardon the pun) the simple yet impactful advice we share involves recommending foods such as: • Whole grains - for slow and steady energy release • Omega 3 fatty acids - essential for increased bloodflow to the brain • Choline - an essential nutrient present in broccoli, lean chicken and fish, essential for the formation of new brain cells and a sharp memory.

• Zinc - useful for memory and thinking skills, found in pumpkin seeds • Magnesium - has a calming effect on the brain and is abundant in avocado, almonds and brown rice.

Working closely with our catering team ensures that the lunchtime offering is balanced and conducive to learning and memory. Many schools are nut-free so walnuts and almonds are off the menu, but we ensure that pumpkin seeds are always ABOVE Healthy eating at school

available as a topping and the vegetables and salad offerings are wide and diverse - and full of leafy greens.

On the flip side of all this brain stimulation is how we manage to calm down at the end of a busy day of cognitive activity.

The myth that a sleeping brain is a resting brain is debunked in adolescents, who need a lot more sleep than other demographics.

While our young people are asleep, their brains are going through a process of ‘pruning’. Studies have shown that sleeping brains are almost as active as waking brains; they are busy growing, repairing, integrating, reinforcing, maintaining, and otherwise processing neurological connections.

Poor sleep habits can lead to myriad other problems, from heart disease to depression, so it is imperative that we support adolescents in building good sleep patterns and also that we simply let them sleep. In our Brain Bootcamp sessions we share research around the use of camomile, rosemary and lavender for their calming properties. Eating and sleeping properly are essential for maintaining good brain health and development. Education around these areas for both young people and adults is a way to embed these good habits at a young age and hopefully sustain them for life.

SY D E N H A M H I G H S C H O O L 19 Westwood Hill, SE26 sydenhamhighschool.gdst.net A B S O L U T E LY m a g a z i n e s

EDUCATION_SYDENH.indd 153

153

25/05/2022 22:16

YES, IT’S A CRYING SHAME…

…that she left it too late to apply for Hurtwood House, because it’s simply the best for acting, dancing, singing, film-making – “A utopia for creative minds” – as the Good Schools Guide says.

And crucially, this exciting school is equally successful academically. In fact, it’s statistically one of the top co-ed boarding schools in the UK. So, if you’re looking for a really exciting and rewarding change of school at 16 – don’t leave it too late.

Contact Cosmo Jackson or visit our website for more information.

T: 01483 279000

E: info@hurtwood.net

hurtwoodhouse.com

HURSTWOOD HOUSE.indd 154

25/05/2022 22:16

EDUCATION • CHARITY

HOST YOUR OWN FUN AND GAMES

L E T T H E G A M E S B E G I N ELEANOR'S TIME AT GOSH HAS BEEN HELPED BY THE PLAY TEAM

T

his July, Great Ormond Street Hospital Children’s Charity (GOSH Charity) will challenge children, family and friends to come together in the name of fun to raise money to support seriously ill children treated at Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH).

Taking place for the first time this year, GOSH Charity Play Date will involve people across the country hosting a Play Date at home, in a garden, at a park, school or nursery on a day of their choosing during the month of July. Guests will be asked to make a small donation to their host before joining in with the fun.

We take a closer look at GOSH Charity Play Date: play time that changes lives

The concept is simple, but the impact your fundraising will have could be huge.

Anyone who signs up to host a Play Date will receive a fundraising pack complete with stickers and print-at-home bunting, posters and invitations. Also in the pack will be a collection box and a QR code to direct guests to the host’s fundraising page. And if that’s not enough, there’ll be plenty of game ideas available on the GOSH Charity Play Date website.

Each donation will help fund GOSH’s dedicated Play team who help children make sense of their treatment and recovery through games and other activities. Play is a vital part of a patient’s hospital stay and ensures they feel in control, calm and informed every step of the way. It simply allows children to be children during what can be a difficult and worrying time.

ELEANOR AND THE PLAY TEAM Eleanor, now seven, was admitted to GOSH at three-years-old and was diagnosed with hyperinsulinism, a rare condition where the body produces too much insulin. She knows first-hand how much the Play team, funded by GOSH Charity, support children during difficult times.

Eleanor says: “I like the Play team because they set up lots of fun things

for me to colour in and make. I’ve made a t-shirt for my brother, I’ve done cupcakes, I’ve done lots of crafts and I’ve made a lion head to scare the nurses with! The Play team helped me feel better about my treatment because they made it really fun.”

Eleanor’s mum, Rebecca, adds: “The Play team are an essential part of our visits to GOSH. Eleanor’s first question about any upcoming visit is when she’ll get to see the Play team.

They bring fun, laughter, distraction and support to Eleanor and our family.

“The wonderful doctors and nurses work to better the treatment of Eleanor’s illness. The Play team work to better Eleanor’s experience of being at GOSH and having to face the tests and treatments we hope will improve her quality of life.”

G R E AT O R M O N D S T R E E T H O S P I TA L C H I L D R E N ' S C H A R I T Y Keen on being part of the action? Sign up to host your own Play Date at gosh.org/playdate Any donation(s) received in relation to the GOSH Charity Play Date event(s) will be used to fund the Play Services at Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Foundation Trust. The target for this appeal is to raise £101,250. In the event that additional donations are received over and above the target and/or the needs of the hospital or patients change, they reserve the right to redirect funds for use against the hospital’s most urgent needs.

A B S O L U T E LY m a g a z i n e s

GREAT ORMOND STR.indd 155

155

25/05/2022 22:16

North Bridge House

New tion 4+ Recep ep, r entry to P Regent’s Park

North Bridge House is on a constant journey of getting to know and understand every child as an individual, realising their true academic and personal potential through specialist provision at every school stage.

NURSERY & PRE-PREP WEST HAMPSTEAD 2 - 7 YEARS FRIDAY 10 JUNE SATURDAY 17 SEPT

NURSERY & PRE-PREP HAMPSTEAD 2 - 7 YEARS TUESDAY 7 JUNE (NURSERY 2+) THURSDAY 9 JUNE (PRE-PREP 4+)

PREP SCHOOL REGENT’S PARK 4 - 13 YEARS SATURDAY 24 SEPT

SENIOR HAMPSTEAD 11 - 16 YEARS SATURDAY 17 SEPT

SENIOR CANONBURY 11 - 18 YEARS SATURDAY 24 SEPT

Book an open day or private tour at northbridgehouse.com/open

NORTHBRIDGE.indd 156

25/05/2022 22:16

Where originality meets open minds Open Mornings 15 June 22 June 14 September 6 October 19 October

morehouse.org.uk

HALVES 06.indd 157

25/05/2022 22:16

LECLERC.indd 158

25/05/2022 22:16

SPECI A L ISSUE

absolutely-mama.co.uk

MILK TIME

In this section:

FATHER’S DAY

Twinning doesn’t get much cuter than these matching mama and mini sweatshirts from Claude and Co. Made from the softest organic cotton, they are super comfy to wear – making them perfect for postpartum snuggles with your little one. Check out the British brand’s ‘Mama Edit’ for other cool designs. claudeandco.co.uk @claude_and_co

Stylish gift picks for cool dads IMAGE: HAN NAH R E NAU D @ HAN NAH R E NAU D PH OTOG R APHY

•

WEANING EDIT

Everything you need to start solids

•

SLEEPING BAGS

The best summer bedding

•

TOT GEAR

The latest parenting launches

A B S O L U T E LY m a g a z i n e s

MAMA OPENER.indd 159

159

25/05/2022 22:16

Silky soft to touch and perfect for newborn baby skin, discover our new range of organic cotton and bamboo muslin swaddles.

Exclusively at silvercrossbaby.com

SILVERCROSS.indd 160

25/05/2022 22:16

mam a WELCOME

BABYBJÖRN P.166

ICANDY P.165

Editor’s

LETTER

W

ith Father’s Day coming up this month, we’re celebrating all the brilliant parenting teammates who get up in the night to cuddle, rock, and settle their little ones back to sleep, who make endless cups of tea and bring us snacks during the night feeds, and change more than their fair share of stinky nappies. Our Daddy’s Day gift guide has something to please everyone.

This issue also has lots more to enjoy, including everything you need to start your little one on solids; a round-up of the best summer sleeping bags; and the coolest new launches in the parenting world on our ‘10 Things We Absolutely Love’ page.

And finally, as usual, our Tot Gear section has all the latest essentials for you and your minis, including stylish new strollers, potties, and bike seats. We hope that you and your family have a great start to the summer!

CAM CAM COPENHAGEN P.162

PATCH WORLD P.162

C a rly Gl e n di n n i n g E DITOR

CAM CAM COPENHAGEN P.173

@carlyjglendinning carly@zest-media.com

ON TH E COVER: @claude_and_co claudeandco.co.uk

Photographer: HANNAH RENAUD @hannahrenaudphotography

HAY P.166

Models: AMY AND ZOLA @amzjackson

A B S O L U T E LY m a g a z i n e s

MAMA EDITOR'S LE.indd 161

161

25/05/2022 22:16

10 things we Absolutely

LOV E The products and brands getting our attention this month

BUMP STYLE BOOB DESIGN Easy-to-wear, this airy cotton dress from Boob Design is perfect for dressing the bump this summer. We love that it’s designed to be worn before, during and after pregnancy too. £110; boobdesign.com

Softly softly S MALLS M E R I NO

Merino essentials brand Smalls has been certified ULTRAFINE by The Woolmark Company. Research has shown that wearing ultra-fine Merino wool significantly improves the severity and symptoms of eczema. Arora Base £45; smallsmerino.co.uk

FEET FIRST LIEWO OD In a range of muted colours, these Liewood sandals couldn’t be easier to get on and off with their velcro fastening. Perfect for holidays and summer days in the park. £27; liewood.com

162

Jump in

P ET IT E S P O M M E S Perfect for helping your little ones build confidence in the water, we love this swim ring and armbands from Petites Pommes. Take them to the beach or swimming pool this summer.

Swim Ring £20, Armbands £19; mamashack.co.uk

A B S O L U T E LY m a g a z i n e s

MAMA LOVES.indd 162

25/05/2022 22:45

ma m a LOVE S

Make a splash

MORI Made using recycled nylon, this super cute striped suit from MORI will keep your little ones safe in the sun with UPF 50+ protection.

The zipper closure also makes changing quick and easy. £29; babymori.com

CRISS CROSS

CA M CA M COPE NHAG EN Cam Cam Copenhagen is releasing its award winning Harlequin changing table in a sustainable oak edition as part of their 10th anniversary celebrations. The classic design converts to a dresser for extended use. £915; camcamcopenhagen.com

L E T ’ S E AT Art attack

D RAWI N’ TA BLE With its minimal aesthetic, the Drawin’ Table looks just as good in your living room as it does in the kids’ playroom. The ingenious design comes with a removable black board as well as various sheets of paper to allow your little ones to colour outside the lines. £190; drawinkids.co.uk

BI B S Inspired by classic baby dungarees, the BIBS Overall Bib fastens at the front, making it comfortable and easy to get on. The clever design is also resistant to oil and grease and has a deep pocket for dibbles and spills. £13; kidscavern.co.uk

MAMA COOL B EYO N D N IN E If you’re expecting this summer, check out the new collection from Beyond Nine. Filled with easy-towear jumpsuits and breezy dresses, each piece can be worn through pregnancy and afterwards too. beyondnine.co.uk

or’s Editick P

Dressing up PATCH WO RL D The brainchild of Little Beacon founder Rachel Walker, Patch World is a new eco-friendly costume and dressing up concept. The brand’s patch kits encourage little ones to upcycle existing clothes, using their imagination whilst they play. £17; wearepatchworld.com

A B S O L U T E LY m a g a z i n e s

MAMA LOVES.indd 163

163

25/05/2022 22:45

KEW GREEN preparatory school

An Independent School for Boys and Girls aged 4-11 Quality of Pupils’ Achievement and Learning - “Excellent” Quality of Teaching - “Excellent”

Quality of Extra-curricular Provision - “Excellent” Quality of Pastoral Care - “Excellent”

Quality of Links with Parents - “Excellent”

Quality of Pupils’ Personal Development – “Excellent” “Pupils of all ages benefit from a rich and exciting curriculum.”

Independent Schools Inspectorate Report - July 2015

To book your place on an open morning, please go to www.kgps.co.uk/openmornings or phone 020 8948 5999

Kew Green Preparatory School

Layton House, Ferry Lane, Kew Green, Richmond TW9 3AF

www.kgps.co.uk KGPS.indd 1

22/07/2020 12:52

RAVENSCOURT PARK

preparatory school

An Independent School for Boys and Girls aged 4-11 Quality of Pupils’ Achievement and Learning - “Excellent” Quality of Teaching - “Excellent”

Quality of Extra-curricular Provision - “Excellent” Quality of Pastoral Care - “Excellent”

Quality of Links with Parents - “Excellent”

Quality of Pupils’ Personal Development – “Excellent” ‘’The curriculum is excellent for all ages and abilities, and is expertly matched to meet the needs of the range of pupils in the school.’’

Independent Schools Inspectorate Report - March 2016

Open Mornings Open Mornings

9.15am Tuesday 14th November To book your place on an open morning,

9.15am Thursday 9th May 2019 please go to www.rpps.co.uk/openmornings 9.15am Thursday 18th January 2018 9.15am Tuesday 11th June 2019 or phone 020 8846 9153

9.15am Thursday 1st February 2018

To your place on an open morning, pleasemornings, go to To book register your attendance at one of our open rpps.co.uk/admissions phone 020secretary@rpps.co.uk 8846 9153 please phone 0208 846 or 9153 or mail

Ravenscourt Park Prep School 16 Ravenscourt Avenue, London W6 0SL

www.rpps.co.uk RPPS_PRINT.indd 1 RPPS.indd 1

HALVES 07.indd 164

19/11/2020 12:48 16:12 23/04/2019

25/05/2022 22:17

mam a

TOT GEAR

GOING POTTY BABYBJÖRN

BabyBjörn’s bathroom favourites launch this month in black and white; the Potty Chair, Smart Potty and Step Stool. The collection is designed to be comfortable, practical and easy to clean and is made from BPA-free plastic. babybjorn.co.uk

TOT GEAR

Inspired kit to make parenting easier

LOVED

by MAMA

by Carly Glendinning

What we’re using for our own babies this month

TH U LE YEPP

W

DINNER TIME C OV E Cove Baby has added two new colours to its range of placemats: Blossom and Ballet pink.

Shown here in Blossom, the clever mats are made from BPA free silicone, fit the IKEA Antilop highchair, and are designed to make baby-led weaning easier. £12; covebaby.co.uk

NICE WHEELS ICAN DY

British pushchair brand iCandy has launched the Orange 3 in a sleek ‘Black Crush’ edition. Seamlessly blending style and function, the luxurious padded seat will ensure your little one is comfortable on any family adventure. Pushchair and carrycot, £1,149; icandyworld.com

e live five minutes from Victoria Park in east London and we see babies whizzing by on their parents’ bikes every day. I confess I haven’t been brave enough to get a seat for our one year old until now, but I had a feeling that she would enjoy it. We chose the Yepp seat from Dutch brand Thule as we had heard so many good things about it, and it certainly didn’t disappoint. Super easy to install, it took us about 10 minutes to attach it to my husband’s bike and all of the tools were provided. It can also be removed easily if you don’t want to leave it on your bike whilst it’s locked up. The seat itself is comfortable, with a five-point harness that my daughter feels secure in. The foot rests and harness are both adjustable so that it grows with your little one. My husband has really enjoyed riding around the park with our daughter and it’s been very sweet to hear her squeals of joy! We love this seat and couldn’t recommend it more.

Thule Yepp Bike Seat £104.99; johnlewis.com

A B S O L U T E LY. L O N D O N

MAMA TOT GEAR.indd 165

165

25/05/2022 22:17

Father’s

Day

Carly Glendinning rounds up the most stylish gifts for dads this June...

Carry Me BABYBJÖRN

One for new dads (or dads who have given too many piggybacks recently), the BabyBjörn Carrier Move can be used for little ones up to 15 months.

We love the sporty mesh fabric, and the unisex colour options. £130; babybjorn.co.uk

Coffee Please HAY

This stylish HAY coffee pot is a thoughtful gift for worn-out papas running on caffeine. With an innovative SoftBrew™ brewing device that enhances the flavour, gift it with a bag of his favourite blend. £95; earlofeast.com

166

FEET FIRST ERWANS

It wouldn’t be Father’s Day without a pair of socks, and these have to be some of the coolest. No clashing colours or cringy motifs here. £15; cissywears.com

A B S O L U T E LY m a g a z i n e s

FATHER'S DAY.indd 166

25/05/2022 22:17

mama FATHER’S

DAY

Hold Up JEM + BEA

Wise Words

Because we all know Dad is going to end up carrying it anyway, you might as well get him a changing bag he’ll actually like. A perfect present for a new papa or papa-to-be. £140; jemandbea.com

EMILY ROLLINGS

Work It ARKET

This easy-to-wear worker jacket won’t fail to help Daddy up his style-game. It gets extra points for the comfy, loose fit and the fact that it will go with practically anything. £69; arket.com

Beautifully bound, this journal would make a lovely gift for a new dad or daddy-to-be. A special place to write down funny stories, happy memories, and words of wisdom for your little ones to remember forever. £34.99; scandiborn.co.uk

JUST RELAX FERM LIVING

We might not be able to promise any peace and quiet, but this stylish chair from Ferm Living would be the ideal place for Dad to at least try and relax.

Perfect for sun-lounging or indoor snoozes. £630; kinhome.co

we love

HATS OFF HOSSY

Designed by a parent duo, these matching dad and mini caps are the cutest way to say ‘I think you’re pretty cool Dad’. Twinning, but made stylish. Dad Cap £29.90 and Mini Cap £25.90; en.hello-hossy.com A B S O L U T E LY m a g a z i n e s

FATHER'S DAY.indd 167

167

25/05/2022 22:17

Epsom Playhouse www.epsomplayhouse.co.uk Box office 01372 742555/742227

EPSOM PLAYHOUSE.indd 168

25/05/2022 22:17

mam a E SSENTIALS

Weaning ESSENTIALS Everything you need to start them on solids

editor’s pick

COVE Sage Bib, £10; and Sage Green Placemat, £12 covebaby.co.uk

LIEWOOD Iggy Bowls 4 Pack, £28.95 liewood.com

TODDLEKIND Splat Mat, £62.99 toddlekind.co.uk

OYOY LIVING DESIGN Mellow Handle Spoon Set, £18.75; Placemat Little Finn, £16.95; Tiny Inka Bowl Set, £14.50; Mellow Cup Set, £18.75; Bamboo Silicone Straw Set, £10.25; oyoylivingdesign.co.uk

we love

STOKKE Tripp Trapp, High Chair, £199 stokke.com

NOBODINOZ Eco Lunch Bag, £24.95 scandiborn.co.uk

A B S O L U T E LY. L O N D O N

MAMA WEANING.indd 169

169

25/05/2022 22:17

QUATERS 03.indd 170

25/05/2022 22:17

ma m a REVIEWS

3. HOOP Best for: Baby and children’s activities near you How it works: Stuck for fun things to do with your little one?

Then Hoop is the easy access app for you. Find and book activities from newborns to 11 years old within your local area. You’ll never have to watch a re-run of Peppa Pig again!

4. CLEMENTINE

1. SOUND SLEEPER: WHITE NOISE APP

5

of the best

APPS for N EW M U M S Being a new mum can mean wishing you had several extra hours in the day and a set of octopus hands. So when time is precious, the last thing you want is to be fishing around on complicated websites for instant information! Enter the world of time-saving apps – parent hacks at your fingertips, that every new mum needs. From sleeping aids to new mum meet ups and developmental trackers, these apps will give you more time and less stress.

Best for: Helping baby sleep How it works: White noise is a mix of different pitches blended together and is a great tool to soothe fussing babies while boosting sleep. Popular sounds include a whirring fan, aeroplane hum or the ever-reliable ‘ssh’. If you’ve ever used YouTube for a free white noise playlist, you’ll know when an advert suddenly plays mid-sleep it’s game over!

So a fail-safe option (and a less bright screen) is to use Sound Sleeper. Other sounds include the vacuum cleaner, gentle rain, comforting womb, and soothing lullabies, with traditional favourites and modern renditions.

2. PEANUT Best for: Meeting new mums How it works: Dubbed the Tinder for mums, Peanut enables you to meet other mums near you. With a filter for baby’s age and mum’s interests, it swiftly matches you with other ‘Peanuts’ close by. An app made for connecting within the community – you’ll soon be laughing, crying and comparing each other’s sleepless nights over a double shot espresso in your local café.

Best for: De-stressing and relaxing How it works: Created by a mum, Clementine has a range of hypnotherapy sessions designed to help women when they have a specific need. For example: when you can’t get back to sleep after a night feed, when you need a day time snooze when the baby is napping, or when you’ve had a tough day with the kids and need to reset. The sessions are different lengths so they are easy to fit around a busy schedule.

Great for helping tired out mamas relax and get a boost of energy.

5. THE WONDE R WEEKS Best for: Recording your baby’s developmental stages and milestones How it works: The Wonder Weeks is the number one bestselling baby app worldwide.

Charting the developmental leaps your little one will go through, it gives you expert advice to help you through each stage. You’ll get notifications when your little one is making a leap, and there’s also a personalised chart to help you track their milestones. It also explains changes in behaviour such as clinginess and crying and details what your little one will be able to learn and understand after their leap.

A B S O L U T E LY m a g a z i n e s

APPS FOR MUMS.indd 171

171

25/05/2022 22:17

We are your one stop shop to help you sell your buggy or donate it to charity!

All of our prams are pre-owned, preloved or second hand, however you prefer to say it, and we like to think of ourselves as the good push, want to know why?

Good for the planet by reducing the amount of prams ending up in landfill Good for your wallet by giving you great buggies at a fraction of their original price tags Good for supporting families in need by donating yours through our charity partners www.buggypark.co.uk BUGGY PARK.indd 172

25/05/2022 22:17

mam a E SSENTIALS

Sleeping Bags Help your little ones get a sound night's sleep this summer...

editor’s pick

MORI Multi Tog Clever Sleeping Bag, £79.50; babymori.com

CAM CAM COPENHAGEN Flowing Leaf Sleeping Bag, £45; camcamcopenhagen.com

HALO SleepSack® Sleeping Bag, £22.87; halosleep.co.uk

ADEN + ANAIS Animal Kingdom Organic Cotton Sleeping Bag, £38.50; adenandanais.co.uk

NOBODINOZ Cloud Sleeping Bag, £79.95; scandiborn.co.uk

we love

WILLA AND THE BEAR Featherweight Sleeping Bag, From £50; willaandthebear.com

MAMA SHACK Woodland Baby Sleeping Bag, £25; mamashack.co.uk

A B S O L U T E LY m a g a z i n e s

MAMA SLEEPING BAG.indd 173

173

25/05/2022 22:17

ai165045863815_Absolutely magazine June22.pdf 1 20/04/2022 13:44:02

Since 1989

PROU DLY IND EP END ENT

AWA R D W I N N I N G

B AT H R O O M S H O W R O O M & T I L E G A L L E R Y

C

M

Y

CM

MY

CY

CMY

K

Over 50 Bathroom Displays

l

Working Displays

Tel: 0 1 7 8 4 426900

l

4D Design Service

l

Quality Brands

l

Large Car Park

193 London Road I Staines-upon-Thames I TW18 4HR

E-mail: sales@batheandbeyond.com Monday - Saturday: 9.00am - 5.00pm

ASHFORD HEATING.indd 174

w w w. b a t h e a n d b e y o n d . c o m

25/05/2022 22:17

PROPERTY

WARREN ROAD KT2

£6,000,000

his beautifully presented doublefronted detached house on one of the most prestigious private roads in the Coombe Estate is finished to an incredibly high standard throughout and extends to over 8500 ft2/790 m2 across four floors with lift access to all floors. Features include secure parking behind electric gates, garage, home cinema, gym and a games room.

T

FULLER GILBERT

020 8016 9700 fullergilbert.co.uk

A B S O L U T E LY. L O N D O N

PROPERTY OPENER.indd 175

175

25/05/2022 22:18

www. ohnmartinestates.com 1995-2020

TO T W K E NE AR M

EALING W5

£ , 00,000 FREEHOLD

A stunning end of terrace s uare bay fronted family home in the heart of Pitshanger illage, extensively extended and modernised throughout by the current owner. The property offers spacious living accommodation and an array of period style features. There is a large lounge and expansive open plan modern kitchen/diner/ family room to the ground floor. To the first floor are three good sized bedrooms and modern family bathroom.

The second floor has a further bedroom with en suite shower room. Other benefits include gas fired central heating, double glazing and a sunny west facing rear garden. Energy Performance Certificate E.

8 Pitshanger Lane, Ealing 5 mesales ohnmartinestates.com JOHN MARTIN DPS.indd 176

25/05/2022 22:18

“PITSHANGER’S COMMUNITY ESTATE AGENT”

TO T W K E NE AR M

EALING W1 3

£ , 00,000 FREEHOLD

A beautifully updated, traditional period style villa full of character within easy walking distance of Pitshanger illage. The accommodation, which retains an array of period features, offers a spacious intercommunicating reception room, L shaped kitchen/dining area and ground floor cloakroom. To the first floor are three good sized bedrooms and family bathroom and to the second floor, in the extended lo space, is a large bedroom and en suite shower room. The property has gas fired central heating and a private rear garden with direct access to Pitshanger Park. Energy Performance Certificate C.

T: 020 8998 3333 JOHN MARTIN DPS.indd 177

25/05/2022 22:18

www. ohnmartinestates.com 1995-2020

EALING W5

£9 5,000 FREEHOLD

An attractive bay fronted period villa on the ever popular Brentham arden Estate. The property is well presented and offers spacious intercommunicating reception rooms and traditional fitted kitchen to the ground floor, two bedrooms and large family bathroom with separate shower cubicle to the first floor and further bedroom to the second floor. There is an array of period features including fireplaces and coved ceilings, good storage throughout, gas fired central heating and a lovely south facing rear garden. Energy Performance Certificate E.

8 Pitshanger Lane, Ealing 5 mesales ohnmartinestates.com JOHN MARTIN DPS.indd 178

25/05/2022 22:18

“PITSHANGER’S COMMUNITY ESTATE AGENT”

EALING W5

£895,000 FREEHOLD

A charming end of terrace Brentham cottage in the heart of the popular Conservation Estate. The property is offered in good decorative order and has a bright and airy feel throughout. The accommodation is larger than average comprising two reception rooms, ground floor cloakroom, modern fitted kitchen, three excellent sized bedrooms and modern family bathroom to the first floor and further bedroom to the second floor. There are a number of period features and an excellent sized, well stocked, split level rear garden as well as garden room/ office. Energy Performance Certificate E.

T: 020 8998 3333 JOHN MARTIN DPS.indd 179

25/05/2022 22:18

A l w yn A ve nue, W4

£1,442 per week R usthal l A ve nue, W4

This semi detached dwardian family home has five bedrooms, two spacious reception rooms with original period features, a large kitchen and a pretty garden, energy rating d.

Arranged over three floors, this charming home offers five double bedrooms and four bathrooms, two of which are en suite. n addition, there is a large kitchen and a study, energy rating e.

020 8742 4100 chiswicklettings@fletcherestates.com

A i redal e A ve nue, W4

020 8742 4100 chiswicklettings@fletcherestates.com

£2,076 per week Bedf ord R oad, W4

ocated close to transport links, a si bedroom house with a modern kitchen and two reception rooms, one of which leads out onto a garden, perfect for those summer months, energy rating d.

020 8742 4100 chiswicklettings@fletcherestates.com

£1,730 per week

A Th ga

£1,961 per week

Situated on a corner plot in Bedford ark, a semi detached five bedroom home with over 3,200 s . ft of accommodation, providing plenty of space for a growing family, energy rating e.

020 8742 4100 chiswicklettings@fletcherestates.com

fletcherestates.com

FLETCHERS.indd 180

Wh

25/05/2022 22:18

B

Se fiv sp

ek

n,

00 m

Wh

i tehal l P ark R oad, W4

A five bedroom Victorian house providing plenty of period features with a contemporary finish.

There is a double reception room and an open plan kitchen which leads onto a landscaped rear garden, ideal for entertaining, energy rating d.

£1,600,000 020 8987 3000 chiswicksales@fletcherestates.com

ek

00 m

Barton R oad, W14 Set in a sought after location in the Barons Court Conservation Area, an immaculately presented, five bedroom family home arranged over four floors. There is a dining room which leads onto a spacious reception room overlooking the garden, energy rating e.

£2,500,000 020 7603 1415 brookgreensales@fletcherestates.com

fletcherestates.com

m

FLETCHERS.indd 181

25/05/2022 22:18

HOMEWOOD GROVE CHERTSEY

Exclusive PREVIEW EVENT

A stunning collection of 1, 2 and 3 bed apartments in a brand-new lifestyle community for the over 60s located near desirable Chertsey in Surrey. Join our team and be one of the first to see why Homewood Grove is proving so desirable. With modern spacious homes, state-of-the-art amenities and a wealth of activities, you really can enjoy the lifestyle you deserve.

Join us at our event on Thursday 30th June 2022 between 10am – 4pm at Foxhills Country Club & Resort Refreshments provided

Reserve your place today!

call us on 01932 645 572 and start your journey with us.

EXCLUSIVELY FOR THE OVER 60s

RANGEFORD.indd 182 20495 Rangeford Homewood Grove_Absolute Surrey_Full Pg Ad_210x297mm.indd 1

25/05/2022 19/05/2022 22:18 15:14

Shinto, Ullswater Close Kingston Vale SW15

£4,000,000

An exquisite Huf Haus set within its own private, gated grounds. 6 bedrooms, 4 bath/shower rooms, double garage and beautifully landscaped gardens. Open plan reception room with vaulted ceilings with stunning views over a Zen garden, sleek modern kitchen with high quality Gaggenau integrated applian es uperb dis rete, entertaining spa es, underfloor heating throughout a reall spe ial family home. ER/B. Wimbledon Village Office Sales: 020 8947 9833 Lettings: 020 8879 9669 ROBERT HOLMES.indd 183

25/05/2022 22:18

West Side Common, Wimbledon Common

£9,500,000

Princes Way, Wimbledon

£4,450,000

n elegant and harming house en o ing an east/west aspe t with views a ross the ommon and towards the illage re eption rooms, it hen/ dining/famil room, main bedroom suite, 5 further bedrooms, 4 further bath/ shower rooms, st floor anne e, ellar, lands aped garden, garage gated drivewa /

st lish and spa ious i torian house with large garden near imbledon ar and imbledon illage re eption rooms, it hen/ dining/famil room, main bedroom suite, guest bedroom suite, further bedrooms, 4 further bath/showers, garden, garage /

Drax Avenue, Wimbledon

Culmpine, Beverley Lane, Coombe Estate KT2

£6,000,000

A delightful house located in the sought after Drax Estate with the added bene t of a bedroom self ontained apartment re eption rooms, stud , it hen/brea fast room, games room, g mnasium, bedrooms, 5 bathrooms, lands aped garden, garage /

£4,500,000

wonderfull modernisti house set in prestigious oombe ill illed with light this ontemporar home has a superb balan e of bedroom spa e and living spa e whi h is arranged over three floors n one of the prettiest private roads in oombe and stret hing to 5 4 sf with 5 bedrooms, wine store, g mnasium and a beautifull lands aped garden

Coombe Office Sales: 020 8947 1100 ROBERT HOLMES.indd 184

25/05/2022 22:18

Parkside, Wimbledon Common

£17,000,000

A tasteful, fully renovated and modernised 6 bedroom family home offering timeless elegance with delightful open views across Wimbledon Common, with its acres of woodlands and walks. Grand entrance hallway, formal living room and Study, dining room, stunning sun room, kitchen/dining room, media room, gymnasium, main bedroom suite with individual e/s bathrooms and dressing rooms, 5 further bedtrooms, 4 further bath/shower rooms, top floor playroom, 2 guest cloakrooms, utility room and plant room, landscaped garden, double garage, OSP

Wimbledon Village Office Sales: 020 8947 9833 Lettings: 020 8879 9669 ROBERT HOLMES.indd 185

25/05/2022 22:18

Cambridge Road, Wimbledon SW20

£3,950,000 freehold

Lambton Road, Wimbledon SW20

£2,500,000 freehold

A magnificent 6 bedroom detached family home with large garden and garage, situated in the Lambton Conservation Area in West Wimbledon, opposite Holland Gardens. 6 Bedrooms, 4 bathrooms, 3 reception rooms, large kitchen, garden, summer house, garage and off-street parking

Exceptional double fronted 4 bedroom house with a beautiful south west facing garden, with ample secure parking and garage. 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 4 reception rooms, kitchen/breakfast room, utility room, integral garage, off-street parking, garden

Coombe Lane, Wimbledon SW20

Coombe Lane, Wimbledon SW20

£1,695,000 freehold

Spacious and elegant 5 bedroom period property with high ceilings and a 115ft approx.. rear garden and off-street parking for two cars. 5 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 4 reception rooms, kitchen, utility room, garden, off-street parking

£1,600,000 freehold

A beautiful 5 bedroom detached house having a magnificent open-planned kitchen, dining and living room which leads out through bifold doors onto a large attractive rear garden. 5 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, 3 reception rooms, kitchen/ dining room, utility room, garden, off-street parking

West Wimbledon office: 316 Worple Road, Wimbledon SW20 8QU Tel: 020 8947 4764 westwimbledon@fullergilbert.co.uk FULLER GILBERT.indd 186

25/05/2022 22:45

Parkside, Wimbledon SW19

£17,000,000 freehold

Homefield Road, Wimbledon SW19

O.I.E.O. £3,000,000 freehold

A tasteful, beautifully renovated and modernised 6 bedroom family home that is ideal for family living and entertaining, set in over 0.5 acre of landscaped gardens. 6 bedrooms, 6 bathrooms, 5 reception rooms, gym, bespoke kitchen/breakfast room, large garden, double garage, secure off-street parking

A well-presented and spacious 4 bedroom semi-detached period house located in the heart of Wimbledon Village with exceptional entertaining/ family space. 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 3 reception rooms, spacious kitchen/dining/family room, utility room, south westerly walled garden, 2 off-street parking spaces

Greenoak Way, Wimbledon SW19

High Street, Wimbledon SW19

£4,695,000

A substantial detached 6 bedroom house with extensive lateral living space, tucked away in a quiet residential cul-de-sac, with a great garden.

6 bedrooms, 5 bathrooms, 4 reception rooms, large kitchen/breakfast room, garden, double garage, off-street parking

£2,400,000 share of freehold

Beautifully appointed 2 bedroom, 2 bathroom first floor apartment finished to the highest standards, featuring the latest technology in this Grade ll listed Jacobean mansion. 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, bespoke kitchen, cloakroom, communal garden, private off-street parking for 2 cars

Wimbledon Village office: 95 High Street, Wimbledon Village, SW19 5EG Tel: 020 8016 9700 wimbledonvillage@fullergilbert.co.uk FULLER GILBERT.indd 187

25/05/2022 22:45

SALES

5- 7 Tur n h a m G ree n Te rra ce, C h isw ic k , Lon don , W 4 1R G Te l 0 2 0 8 7 4 7 8 800 · Fa x 020 8995 7275 E - ma i l i n fo @ wh itma n a n dco.com · We bsite w w w. w h i t m a n a n dco. co m

FAIRFAX ROAD, W4

FAIRLAWN AVENUE, W4

GUIDE PRICE £2,750,000 £465,000

LETTINGS

An imposing beautifully presented and generously proportioned period property located on this premier road in the Bedford Park Conservation Area. Totalling 3056sqft and offering excellent balance of living and entertaining the benefit accommodation comprises 30’7 kitchen/breakfast with newly fitted bathroom, bespoke An amazingly light,an well presented triple aspect flat with thespace added of a balcony anda private garden. Threeroom bedrooms, luxury kitchen, an 18’9 room, reception room with interconnecting 17’11 dining room, conservatory, westbalcony facing garden, huge master bedroom withaccess. fitted Ideally 14' reception fully integrated kitchen, gas fired central heating, share 41’ in landscaped the freehold, and private garden with side wardrobes, four further double bedrooms with fitted wardrobes, twoextensive bathroomsshopping (both with and separate showers), cloakroom, large cellarHigh withRoad. plenty of storage situated within close spacious proximity of Chiswick Park tube station and the restaurant facilities on Chiswick and space for utilities, front garden with store, 3m high ceilings on the ground and first floor and a host of period features. Fairfax Road is a quiet tree-lined street within a short walk of Chiswick High Road’s shops, cafes and restaurants. Transport links include Turnham Green and Stamford Brook stations, local bus routes and the A4/M4 for routes in and out of London. No onward chain.

LINDEN GARDENS, W4

PARK ROAD, W4

£330 PER WEEK

GUIDE PRICE £2,750,000

A newly decorated lower ground floor garden flat with private west facing garden. Large double bedroom with wardrobes, reception room with An exceptional semi-detached villa offering a perfect balance living entertaining located onmoments this soughtfrom afterthe roadshops, wood floors, bathroom withfive-bedroom shower over,Victorian fitted kitchen, garden.

The flat is onofone of and Chiswick's best space located roads, in the Grove Park Thisand five-bedroom house comprises a 17’9x16’5 dining room, 22’ kitchen/breakfast room, large restaurants cafésarea on of theChiswick.

High Road 5 minutesperiod from Turnham Green station.

The drawing propertyroom, is available early September, furnished. entrance hall, large loft, bathroom, separate WC, cloakroom, 2.98m high ceilings, off-street parking and a beautiful 100’ landscaped garden backing onto Chiswick House and Grounds. The house offers the potential to extend into the loft and on the ground floor STPP. The property is situated in one of the best positions on this sought after tree-lined residential street offering close proximity to numerous amenities. No onward chain.

WHITMAN.indd 188

25/05/2022 22:40

LETTINGS LAMB COTTAGE, W4 BURLINGTON GARDENS, W4 POINT WHARF LANE, TW8

GUIDE PRICE £1.600,000 £4,250,000

£350 PER WEEK

A spectacular seven-bedroom semi-detached Victorian townhouse offering an excellent balance of living and entertaining space combined with a Beautifully presented two double bedroom second floor flat in thissix highly sought afterfive riverside Boasting stunning open plan private 60’ west facing landscaped garden.

Offering a luxury master suite, further bedrooms, furtherdevelopment. bathrooms, large entrancea hall, 30’ through reception room, 32’ games/media room,balcony utility room, private 60’ west facing garden with covered access.

Ideally situated in work this kitchen reception room, a river side and acloakroom, master ensuite bedroom.

Large landscaped open plan reception room, fullyside fitted kitchen with granite prestigious street proximity to the extensive bar and restaurant facilities on Chiswick High Road. Transport links include tops, fittedresidential wardrobes and offering riversideclose views.

Underground parking shopping, space included.

Turnham Green tube station, local bus routes and access into central London and the West via the A4/M4. No onward chain.

QUEEN ANNES GROVE, W4

LAMB COTTAGE, W4W4 WELLESLEY ROAD,

£430 PER WEEK

GUIDE PRICE £2,750,000

A large, light and beautifully presented two double bedroom flat on this highly desirable road in the heart of Bedford Park, just minutes from First time on the market for over 50 years, this majestic double fronted, detached, Victorian house occupies an exceptional plot with the added benefit Turnham Green underground station. Top floor position ensures beautiful views from the reception and bedrooms. £1.600,000 garaging and off street parking. This exceptional six bedrooms, two bathrooms property also offers a large loft, large entrance hall, formal drawing room, dining room, kitchen/breakfast room, study, scullery, cellar, impressive 116x58’ landscaped garden, double garage and off street parking. A truly unique opportunity to purchase this timeless house offering scope to adapt to an individual’s requirements. Ideally located in this tree lined residential road offering close proximity to all amenities. No chain.

WHITMAN.indd 189

25/05/2022 22:40

Drowning in IT problems?

WE ARE OUTSIDE HELP. YOUR IT SUPPORT LIFELINE! • 24/7 Help Desk • Fully Customised IT Support Set Up • Data Back up and GDPR Compliance • Proactive Cyber Security • Remote IT Solutions

Schedule a free consultation getonwithit@outside.help outside.help | 020 4551 8234 OUTSIDE HELP.indd 190

25/05/2022 22:41

PROPERTY • PARTNERSHIP

Home TRUTHS John Martin of John Martin Estates in Ealing gives his take on the property market with the benefit of over 30 years in the industry

JOHN MARTIN

I

n my last article, there was still some concern regarding Coronavirus, in particular the number of cases, and we had seen one small interest rate rise and wondered what the energy price hikes might bring.

Little did I think then that my next article would start by talking about a conflict in Ukraine, further energy supply issues as a result, three further interest rate rises in consecutive months and a cost of living crisis. I will also add to this that it has just been announced that inflation is at its highest rate for 40 years and the media now fears the “R” word as opposed to the “R” rate.

So what everyone wants to know is how all of this has affected the property market.

In my experience, there is still a good level of activity from prospective buyers and a steady supply of stock, although I know that the level of stock is not the same for colleagues in London nor across the country.

There is still more interest in respect of houses than flats, but the patient flat seller will still see the required result eventually as more buyers come to the market. There was, without doubt, a slightly quieter period in the lead up to Easter as people digested what was happening both nationally and globally (data shows that fewer mortgage applications were approved in the period), but the general feeling is that, with spring in the air, people have decided to get on with

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

their lives as best as possible and perhaps take advantage of current mortgage deals before anything else drastic happens.

As for prices, the level of stock has, of course, played its part but as I have always said, there is always an affordability level especially when you take into consideration the recent interest rate rises and the mortgage deals available. Sellers still have to be realistic if they genuinely wish to agree a sale – but so do buyers.

As for lettings, stock is incredibly low and there are high levels of enquiries for each property. It is, therefore, more important than ever that referencing is properly undertaken by or on behalf of all landlords to ensure that prospective tenants are able to afford not only the rent but all of the costs of occupation, not least in respect of

energy supplies, as any tenancies agreed now will see further energy price increases in October. The last thing that any landlord wants is to be dealing with rent payment difficulties, especially as we await legislation in respect of changes to the Section 21 regime as announced in the Queen’s Speech.

This is where a trusted high street agent with full knowledge of all compliance issues and the necessary experience of dealing with prospective tenants is invaluable.

Overall, I still see a buzz about the market, despite all that has been thrown in its path in the first quarter of the year.

We all know that construction costs have increased dramatically, driven by the same factors which the property market has had to weather, so staying put and extending may not currently be as attractive an option as moving to a bigger property. While remaining my usual positive self, my only note of caution is for everyone to be realistic.

For advice on the property market, Pitshanger Village and Ealing and to view the properties available, please contact John and his team.

J O H N M A R T I N E S TAT E S 020 8998 3333 johnmartinestates.com

A B S O L U T E LY. L O N D O N

PROPERTY_JOHN MARTIN EDIT.indd 191

191

25/05/2022 22:41

HOUSE.indd house..indd Untitled-2 2 1192

25/05/2022 22:41 26/06/2018 19/01/2022 16:17 14:42

house..

Untitled

18 22 16:17 14:42

country house town house period house modern house dream house moving house?

Estate agency has moved on. house. is different We know people are starting to consider online only estate agents, but still want the reassurance of face-to-face help from local experts.

You get both with us, because we provide that personal service without expensive high street locations that customers have to pay for.

We also go further to ensure your property and the lifestyle it enables is shown in the best possible light.

Sumptuous photography and video, and a contemporary web experience not only shows buyers how your home looks, but how it feels to live there. It’s the new, innovative way to add value when selling your house.

The premium online estate agency.

London, Surrey and Sussex 0800 917 0447 info@housepartnership.co.uk

housepartnership.co.uk

HOUSE.indd house..indd Untitled-2 2 2193

25/05/2022 22:41 26/06/2018 19/01/2022 16:16 14:41

YOU HOME.indd 194 YH.indd 12 Untitled-2

25/05/2022 22:41 22/07/2021 19/01/2022 10:36 14:43

YH.indd Untitled

21 22 10:36 14:43

YOU HOME.indd 195 YH.indd 22 Untitled-2

25/05/2022 22:41 22/07/2021 19/01/2022 10:36 14:43

A BESPOKE AGENCY FOR THE DISCERNING CLIENT

Sandbanks, Bournemouth Sole Agency - Coming Soon Guide Price - £6,500,000 Direct Access to the Beach

5 & 6 Crescent Stables, Upper Richmond Rd, London SW15 2TN 020 4524 9345 | 07931 771760 FINE and COUNTRY.indd 196

25/05/2022 22:41

PROPERTY • LOCAL

“The once chaotic and dated room was gutted, redesigned and transformed”

Young READERS

Acorn Book Club creates another school library

E

ltham coffee hotspot Taste had been acting as an Acorn Book Club (ABC) drop off point for just a few weeks when local Headteacher Laura popped in to grab her caffeine fix.

Laura’s school, St Thomas More on Appleton Road, had a neglected library-come-storage space with many of their books out of date and undesirable.

Taste owner, Kate, was delighted to introduce Laura to ABC, and within just a few days, the team had visited St Thomas More and hatched a plan.

Armed with a plethora of ideas from the school council, and support from the senior leadership team, ABC set to work.

Enlisting the help of award-winning film and television prop and set builder, Dave Blacker, and a multitude of other local companies, the team created a magical and inspiring space for children from

reception through to year 6 to enjoy. The once chaotic and dated room was gutted, redesigned and transformed into a park and nature-themed haven and the brand new library, housing over 2,500 pre-loved books, was officially opened by Clive Efford the MP for Eltham, at the end of April.

Laura, St Thomas More Head Teacher, commented: “Acorn Book Club have been a dream to work with, since the moment I met the team everything has been seamless.

We have been able to work together, collaborate, they listened to our ideas and our vision has really come to light” Acorn Book Club was delighted to have been able to help this worthy local primary school, where pupils will enjoy and be inspired by their library for years to come.

The charity depends almost entirely on books donated by the public. You can donate your pre-loved children's books suitable for ages 3-11, to find out how, just visit acornbookclub.co.uk.

A B S O L U T E LY. L O N D O N

ADV PROPERTY ACO.indd 197

197

25/05/2022 22:41

Here for your property journey, wherever it takes you. acorngroup.co.uk/journey

Brownhill Road, SE6 £375,000 L/H

Brand new one bedroom apartment with an amazing open-plan living area and large bedroom with high ceilings.

1

1

1

Contact New Homes 020 8315 6996

Aulton Place, SE11

Woods Road, SE15

Beautifully presented three bedroom terraced townhouse on a pedestrian lane in one of Kennington’s most sought-after areas.

The property offers huge potential for further improvement.

:HOO SURSRUWLRQHG KLJK VSHF JURXQG ŴRRU DSDUWPHQW ZLWK open-plan kitchen/living space and a private garden. Located in a prime position overlooking Cossall Park.

Guide Price £1,250,000 F/H

1

3

1

£525,000 L/H

D

Contact Kennington 020 7820 6090

1

2

2

B

Contact Peckham 020 7771 6777

Visit us online at acorngroup.co.uk

ACORN.indd 198

25/05/2022 22:41

NOW COMPLETE AND READY TO MOVE IN A striking collection of brand new three-storey, three/four bedroom townhouses for sale in SE6. All homes come with beautiful open-plan living spaces, spacious bedrooms and private courtyard gardens.

Arrange a viewing today: 020 8315 6996 acorngroup.co.uk/newhomes

Prices from £625,000

ACORN.indd 199

25/05/2022 22:41

Here for your property journey, wherever it takes you. acorngroup.co.uk/journey

Ide Hill, TN14 £1,950,000 F/H

Located in the picturesque village of Ide Hill surrounded by the private Montreal Estate is this four bedroom uniquely designed home.

2

4

4

C

Contact Sevenoaks 01732 443 333

Julian Road, BR6

The Spinneys, BR1

5HFHQWO\ FRQVWUXFWHG ƓYH EHGURRP IDPLO\ KRPH )LQLVKHG WR DQ H[FHSWLRQDO VWDQGDUG WKURXJKRXW WKH SURSHUW\ RIIHUV ŴH[LEOH DFFRPPRGDWLRQ DUUDQJHG RYHU WZR ŴRRUV DQG D ODUJH UHDU JDUGHQ

Occupying a large plot on this much sought-after development LQ %LFNOH\ LV WKLV H[WHQGHG ƓYH EHGURRP GHWDFKHG IDPLO\ KRPH Ideally located for both Bickley and Chislehurst train stations.

Guide Price £1,650,000 F/H

2

5

5

£1,550,000 F/H

C

Contact Locksbottom 01689 882 988

3

5

3

C

Contact Chislehurst 020 8295 4900

Visit us online at acorngroup.co.uk/lr

ACORN.indd 200

25/05/2022 22:41

Over 50% now sold 1 bedroom prices from: £325,000 2 bedroom prices from: £425,000 3 bedroom prices from: £545,000

Now complete and ready to move in, Vixen Heights is a brand new development of 1, 2 & 3 bedroom apartments for sale in Grove Park.

Featuring modern, high-tech specifications, open-plan living spaces and private balconies or terraces to all apartments.

Available with a 5% deposit on Help to Buy.*

*Subject to terms and conditions

To arrange a viewing, call 020 8315 6996 or visit acorngroup.co.uk/vixen

ACORN.indd 201

25/05/2022 22:41

Here for your property journey, wherever it takes you. acorngroup.co.uk/journey

Eliot Place, SE3 £2,000,000 F/H

7KLV DWWUDFWLYH ƓYH VWRUH\ WRZQKRXVH LV ORFDWHG in a superb position just off the heath and has a 'Mediterranean' style garden.

2

5

3

D

Contact Blackheath Village 020 8318 1311

Horn Park Lane, SE12

Westcombe Hill, SE3

Large 1930s, three bedroom detached house situated in a popular residential road, within easy reach of Lee train station and Colfe's School.

Spacious, semi-detached Victorian home boasting plenty of RULJLQDO FKDUP DQG FKDUDFWHU WKURXJKRXW )XUWKHU EHQHƓWV LQFOXGH an 85ft garden with off-street parking and garage.

Guide Price £849,950 F/H

2

3

1

Contact Lee 020 8852 8633

Guide Price £960,000 - £975,000 F/H

E

3

4

2

D

Contact Blackheath Standard 020 8858 6101

Visit us online at acorngroup.co.uk/jp

ACORN.indd 202

25/05/2022 22:41

70% now sold – new plots released Hillcross Place is a stunning new collection of 2 bedroom apartments for sale.

Prices starting from £425,000, available with a 5% deposit on Help to Buy.*

Computer generated image

Perfectly positioned on Sidcup Hill, each apartment has been designed with attention to detail and features an enviable specification to bring you the best of spacious, modern living.

Hillcross Place is located a short walk from Sidcup High Street, where you can enjoy a kaleidoscope of shops and a delicious selection of restaurants.

Commuting from Hillcross Place is easy with quick access to the A20, leading into central London. You are also within a 20-minute walk of Sidcup Railway Station, with trains to London Bridge in under 30 minutes.

Show home open Thursday-Monday, 10am-5pm.

Call 020 8315 6902 or visit acorngroup.co.uk/hillcross

ACORN_LONDON JUNE 2022_ABSOLUTELY LONDON.indd 203

Developed by:

Subject to terms & conditions

*

Selling agent:

25/05/2022 16:45

OBC South 1East_LONDON JUNE 2022_ABSOLUTELY LONDON.indd 211 ACORN.indd 7 Untitled-4

26/05/2022 21/05/2021 09:11 25/01/2022 09:35 12:19