Absolutely Notting Hill & Kensington September 2017

NOTTING HILL & KENSINGTON S EPTEM B ER 2017

ABSOLUTELY

Notting Hill & Kensington SEPTEMBER 2017 / £3.95

MADE TO LAST

ARTS & CULTURE • FASHION • HEALTH & BEAUTY • FOOD & DRINK • INTERIORS • KIDS & EDUCATION • TRAVEL • PROPERTY ZEST.LONDON

Cordwainers and the craft of shoemaking

Take the

CAKE IN THE KITCHEN WITH CANDICE BROWN

BAC K TO SCHOOL

Education special

Fall Talk THE NEW SEASON’S SILHOUETTES

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

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NEW 2018 CATALOGUE OUT NOW Discover the new 2018 furniture and accessories collection in-store now.

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Sept e mbe r 2017

34

96 c u lt u r e

18

36 HEEL APPEAL

The history of Cordwainers

ABSOLUTELY LOVES

10 things we’re coveting this month

22 WHAT’S ON

Diary dates for September

41

CHIC CHINOISERIE

This season's most intricate trend

H E A LT H & B E AU T Y

24 SOPHIE SMALLHORN A lesson in colour

fa s h i o n

50 BEAUTY CONFIDENTIAL The month’s best beauty buys

53 DOWN TO EARTH

34 FASHION CONFIDENTIAL This month’s hottest trends and products

Mother Nature-inspired beauty

Food & Drink

56 KITCHEN CONFIDENTIAL NOTTING HILL & KENSINGTON S EPTEM B ER 2017

ABSOLUTELY

News from the industry

Notting Hill & Kensington SEPTEMBER 2017 / £3.95

MADE TO LAST

ARTS & CULTURE • FASHION • HEALTH & BEAUTY • FOOD & DRINK • INTERIORS • KIDS & EDUCATION • TRAVEL • PROPERTY ZEST.LONDON

Cordwainers and the craft of shoemaking

Take the

CAKE IN THE KITCHEN WITH CANDICE BROWN

BAC K TO SCHOOL

Life after Bake Off

65 FOOD REVIEW: OUTLAW'S

Education special

Fall Talk

The Capital Hotel's new fish expert

THE NEW SEASON’S SILHOUETTES

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58 CANDICE BROWN

24/08/2017 17:22

Covers:

TIBI RESORT 2018

interiors

68 INTERIOR INSPIRATIONS

58 70 TIFFANY DUGGAN

At home with the Studio Duggan founder

T R AV E L

96 SWITZERLAND A diamond in the Alps

101 UK GETAWAY

A beach break in Norfolk

News and views from the world of design

ti b i .c o m

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25/08/2017 14:31

EDITOR IN CHIEF PENDLE HARTE DIGITAL EDITOR HANNAH HOPKINS EDUCATION EDITOR AMANDA CONSTANCE ARTS & CULTURE WRITER HELEN BROWN FASHION & BEAUTY WRITER JOY MONTGOMERY GROUP SALES MANAGER CRAIG DAVIES ACCOUNT MANAGER ANABELA KOLECI MAGAZINE MANAGER ROLLO DENNISON PROPERTY DIRECTOR ANDY ELMER PROPERTY EDITOR TAMAR VANDERHOEK ART DIRECTOR PHIL COUZENS

Window shopping

SENIOR DESIGNER PAWEL KUBA PRODUCTION MANAGER CHRIS COUCHMAN MID-WEIGHT DESIGNER REBECCA NOONAN

Replacing beautiful timber windows and doors, beautifully

DESIGNER CATHERINE PERKINS MARKETING MANAGER NEFELI KRITIKOU FINANCIAL CONTROLLER JERRIE KOLECI CREDIT CONTROL MANAGER ALEXANDRA HVID DIRECTOR ALEXANDRA HUNTER MANAGING DIRECTOR SHERIF SHALTOUT

For editorial enquiries please email: pendle@zest-media.com For advertising enquiries please call 020 7704 0588 or email: advertising@zest-media.com

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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.

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We b si t e

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

25/08/2017 14:32

Editor’s LETTER

S

eptember comes round fast with its back-to-school urgency and the promise of a fresh start. It’s also a big month for all things fashion and design related, as London’s annual Design Festival coincides with Fashion Week and turns our attention to aesthetics just as everyone’s ready for a new look.

In honour of Fashion Week, we take a look at Cordwainers, the world-famous college that specialises in footwear, alma mater some of the world’s bestknown shoe designers. This is where traditional methods rule and beautiful pieces are made by stretching leather over lasts, millimeter precise, in new and creative ways. Clothes-wise, we are celebrating the 1970s: retro cord, rainbow colourways and throwback sportswear while coveting this season's most intricate trend: Chinoiserie.

And as we look forward to the London Design Festival and its many outposts and events throughout the city, we admire west London designer Tiffany Duggan's beautiful Queens Park home and take a few tips from her beautiful and practical ideas.

Meanwhile, in search of cake, we were excited to meet last year's lipstickloving Bake Off winner Candice Brown to discuss life after the tent and her new cookbook, Comfort. All this and the usual mix of events, inspiration and property news. We hope you enjoy the issue. ◆

pendle harte Editor

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25/08/2017 14:35

Theory

New York based Theory is renowned for creating sophisticated and comfortable modern clothing for the modern woman. The fall collection is a powerful expression of style, with non-traditional suiting, gorgeous dresses and exquisite outerwear. theory.com

Shouldering Suede

Crafted from buttery light-brown suede and textured-leather, Chloé's 'Lexa' bag will add a touch of bohemia to any ensemble. Carry yours by the detachable top handle or cross-body strap. £1,595; net-a-porter.com

Take a Pew

Compiled by

H E L E N B R OW N

ABSOLUTELY MAGAZINES

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Inspired by Turkish rugs, this handcarved respite sets the tone for the entire room with its modern shape and kaleidoscopic colours. £398; anthropologie.com

FASHIONED FURNISHING

Made from a sumptuous wool blend, Missoni’s bright and energetic Sandra cushion lends an eclectic splash of colour to interior designs. £240, selfridges.com

18 25/08/2017 14:36

ABSOLUTELY / LOVES GESTUZ

Elegantly traversing understated chic and directional statement pieces, Gestuz has become synonymous with a confident, covetable wardrobe. This Moxie Long Shirt is the perfect throw-over for the transitional season. £199, gestuz.com

ON THE ROCKS

Bulleit-10-Year-Old is the latest in Frontier's extensive collection.

Tasting notes of rich toasted oak, vanilla and dried fruits come together

SPECS APPEAL The DiorSplit1 sunglasses reinterpret a classic shape in a graphic style. Now all we need is an Indian Summer to rock them throughout September. £399; farfetch.com

URBAN HYMNS

Chris Floyd’s fascinating memoir pays tribute to The Verve’s seminal, Urban Hymns. Two decades since the colossal success of the album, Floyd’s imagery captures the golden era at the height of the band’s fame. £29.95; reelartpress.com

Pen to Paper

An elegant addition to your desk, this leather Liberty London address book adds a hint of character to your journaling. £49.95, libertylondon.com

Gilded Kiss

Be gilded in precious metals with MAC’s new lipstick collection. There are 18 lust-worthy, limited edition shades, each infused with sparkle and pearl to create a matte-metallic look. £16.50; maccosmetics.com

19 Chis_September17_AbsLoves.indd 19

absolutely.london

25/08/2017 14:36

ORIGINAL, LIMITED-EDITION ART DECO POSTERS

Limited to editions of 280, our newly-commissioned Art Deco posters feature glamorous holiday destinations around the world, ski resorts in the Austrian, French and Swiss Alps, and the world’s greatest historic automobiles. Over 100 designs to choose from, all printed on 100% cotton fine art paper, measuring 97 x 65 cms.

Priced at £395 each.

Private commissions are also welcome.

Pullman Editions Ltd 94 Pimlico Road Chelsea London SW1W 8PL www.pullmaneditions.com Tel: +44 (0)20 7730 0547 Email: georgina@pullmaneditions.com

Our central London gallery

All images and text copyright © Pullman Editions Ltd. 2017

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p.22

IN THE STUDIO WITH SOPHIE SMALLHORN

p.24

THEATRE PICKS

p.29

Girl With Balloon, Banksy

> WHAT'S ON

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TOO FAST, TOO FURIOUS O n go i n g QU E E N S : S k a te , D i ne , B o wl ce Karting is back at QUEENS, London's one-stop-shop for I thrill-seeking fun. Racing laps around the ice, drivers will put their drifting skills to the test. Heed the need for speed and race against like-minded adrenalin junkies. u 17 Queensway, W2; queens.london.com

DESIGN JUNCTION

Start Art Fair

2 1 - 24 Se p t e m b e r Va r i o u s L o c a ti o ns esign Junction is expanding across King’s Cross locations for London D Design Festival. Expect a mix of global furniture, lighting and technology brands alongside pop-up shops, installations and interactive features. Use the code ABSOLUTELY for 50% off on tickets; thedesignjunction.co.uk/tickets-absolutely u Kings Cross, N1; thedesignjunction.co.uk

14 - 17 September Saatc hi G aller y

Unearth tomorrow’s art today as the Start Art Fair returns to the Saatchi Gallery. On display are works from the world’s emerging art talent, such as Australia’s NG Art Gallery and Taiwan’s Yiri Arts. New exhibitors include French painter Eric Lacombe and rising Chinese artist Ye Hongxing whose kaleidoscopic landscapes juxtapose elements from East and West.

D uk e of York’s HQ, SW3 ; startartfair.c om

ABSOLUTELY MAGAZINES

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100 PRINTS 16 - 24 Se p t e m b e r Te a B u il di ng n artist, colourist and consultant, Sophie Smallhorn’s practise explores A the relationships between colour, volume and proportion across prints, sculpture and site specific installations. See her latest works on display at Shoreditch’s iconic Tea Building as part of London Design Week. u 56 Shoreditch High St., E1; sophiesmallhorn.co.uk

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ARTS & CULTURE / TALKING TOPICS THE ART OF STEVEN CAMPBELL Fro m 13 Se p t e m b e r Ma rl b o ro u gh Fi ne Ar t s a pioneer in the 1980s A renaissance of Scottish art, Steven Campbell is considered one of the most influential artists of our time. Campbell’s works present a highly distinctive and original aesthetic, in an intelligent, powerful and a sometimes autobiographical style of painting.

Marlborough Fine Art’s retrospective highlights the relevance of his work today with a selection of his complex, figurative works. u 6 Albemarle Street, W1S; marlboroughlondon.com

must see

100% DESIGN

DECOREX 17- 2 0 Se p tem ber S y o n Park

With a rich heritage of 40 years, Decorex is internationally renowned for being the destination where interior design professionals discover the finest and most sought-after luxury products from new, emerging and established talent.

20- 23 Se pte m b er O ly mp ia undreds of exhibitors are H welcomed each year to the burgeoning design district of West Kensington as the UK’s largest trade show for architects and designers returns. The theme this year is Elements, which considers everything from the fundamentals of design, the materials used, the processes of development and everything in between. u Hammersmith Road, W14; 100percentdesign.co.uk

Syon Park, Brentford, TW8 decorex.com

SHOW OF THE MONTH

ALL WORK & NO PLAY 6 - 3 0 S eptem b er F lo we rs G alle r y entred around the appropriation and alteration of found images, Julie Cockburn’s work appears familia and often nostalgic. She skilfully manipulates the surfaces of her source material, such as 1940s photography, to give these found

C

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images new significance. By reassembling, stitching into and over-painting the original photographs, her process can be enters a ‘conversation’ with the history of the image. u 21 Cork Street, W1S ; flowersgallery.com

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25/08/2017 14:38

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TRUE Colours Sophie Smallhorn’s work spans sculpture, screenprints and site-specific installations but she’s reluctant to call herself an artist.

ABSOLUTELY visits her north London studio Wo r d s p e n d l e h a r t e

S

ophie Smallhorn’s work is all about colour. Her projects are diverse, ranging from small sculptural pieces to large architectural installations via screen prints and corporate commissions. It was Sophie who created the coloured panels for Stratford’s Olympic Stadium, the large-scale colour wraps that defined the building’s zones, which she worked on concurrently with the little 3d models that she loves best.

Scale isn’t an issue for her; colour is.

Of course there has been no clear career path for this, and Smallhorn started work as a carpenter, ‘making furniture under slight duress’ – in retrospect, she says, the pieces she made ‘were actually overgrown pieces of sculpture with a bit of function thrown in’ and not actual pieces of furniture at all really. ‘Bloody hideous, they were – pieces

ABSOLUTELY MAGAZINES

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ARTS & CULTURE / INTERVIEW

I normally set RESTRAINTS IN MY HEAD. Like I’m not allowed to use ANY RED OR SOMETHING. OTHERWISE the open-endedness IS TERRIFYING

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that involved colour and I added some plastic parts.’ She was never interested in making furniture, but she was interested in the technical aspects of working with wood. Her degree was ‘like an extended foundation course’, a course at Brighton that no longer exists called Wood, Metal, Plastics and Ceramics, which allowed her to experiment with everything, so it was only in her final year that she specialized, majoring in wood and minoring in plastics.

Alongside the reluctant furniture she started making ‘small funny pieces of offcuts’ where she’d experiment with stains. ‘They were just sort of pieces and nobody took much notice of them but I guess they were sort of sculptural pieces – when I left college that was where my interest was.’ Was she calling them anything? ‘No, because I didn’t know what they were really.’

Clearly there’s a lack of available vocabulary to describe what she does.

And the semantics continue with a debate about whether she’s an artist or a designer – she’s reluctant to label herself as either. ‘Essentially I had done a design degree so I wouldn’t have had the confidence to call my pieces art or sculpture,’ but when antiques dealer Adam Bray spotted them and wanted to make a show of her ‘funny offcut pieces’, they became somehow legitimized.

By that stage they weren’t stained but painted wood and had evolved into geometric colour studies designed to be hung on the wall. From that first show, Smallhorn found a dealer. ‘It was him saying, okay, I’m a fine art dealer

absolutely.london

25/08/2017 14:40

CONSTABLE AND BRIGHTON 8 APRIL – 8 OCTOBER 2017

A major exhibition at Brighton Museum Admission payable Members free John Constable, R.A. (1776-1837) Seascape study: boat and stormy sky ca.1824-1828 © Royal Academy of Arts, London Photographer: John Hammond

REGENCY SEASON at the Royal Pavilion & Museums JANE AUSTEN BY THE SEA 17 JUNE 2017– 8 JANUARY 2018

Walking Dress, 1818 © Special Collections University of Sussex

The Royal Pavilion Free with Royal Pavilion admission Members free

#regencyseason

BUY DISCOUNTED ADMISSION TICKETS AT BRIGHTONMUSEUMS.ORG.UK ROYAL PAVILION.indd 1

09/05/2017 12:18

ARTS & CULTURE / INTERVIEW

During London Design Festival and as part of Shoreditch Design Triangle Sophie Smallhorn will be showing ‘100 Prints’ , an exhibition of one hundred one-off 400 x 400mm screen prints.

The exhibition will run daily from 16 to 24 September; 10am - 4pm at Tea Building, 56 Shoreditch High Street, E1 6JJ sophiesmallhorn.co.uk

and this is art that made it all begin.’

They still don’t really have a name but the small 3d pieces are arrangements in colour. ‘They’re purely intuitive, not rooted in any sort of method or system; they are about proportion and spaces between and the negative space between elements,’ she explains.

And everything else has followed from there. ‘As I’ve gone on they have grown in scale largely because of the opportunities I’ve been given, so a corporate space might allow you to do something site specific for a foyer. So my work is split into domestic scale and larger site-specific pieces. Because my training is basically design training and I apply a very design-led process to the way I work, it’s enabled me to keep a foot in both camps.’ Whereas a traditional artist might demand complete creative freedom, Sophie actively enjoys working with the constraints that come from

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working to briefs and budgets. ‘Even if I’m working on something for myself I normally set restraints in my head.

Like I’m not allowed to use any red or something. Otherwise the openendedness is terrifying.’

Much of her commissioned work comes through architects and her work on the Olympic Stadium was a huge project, taking four years and involving complicated politics and technical challenges. Her brief was to address the building with colour, which sounds like a world away from making small models in a studio – it’s hard to imagine how her skills transfer. But for her it’s not so different. ‘I literally broke it down into small components and made lots of models. I work in a low-tech way anyway so I’d go to them with funny collaged mockups. It was amazing to be part of that.’ Again, her design background came into the fore. ‘When I’ve been offered opportunities to work on very large projects, full of compromises and constrains and briefs, I’m happy to take that on when a pure artist might not be.’

From this work with colour, it’s a natural progression to screen printing, she says, because it’s ‘another vehicle to play with colour. You can achieve hardedged graphic structural compositions.’

With screenprinting you can print two colours and create three with the overlay.

‘I love printing with four colours and creating eight,’ she says. Her next project is an exhibition featuring 100 prints made in 100 days as part of the Shoreditch Design Triangle. Her work is very popular with Swiss collectors, she says.

‘They love a straight line. I’m not a tidy person but the work is very organized and contained,’ she laughs. 

absolutely.london

25/08/2017 14:41

The magnificent Kensington Palace, spectacular and truly unique events hrp.org.uk/hireavenue 0844 482 1466 Calls cost 5p per minute plus your phone company’s access charge

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THEATRE / WHAT'S ON

24

1. PRISM

Best in SHOW

3

A scorching selection of new theatre to see in London now

By H e l e n B r ow n

Eyre, the trailblazing protagonist, is as inspiring as ever. This dynamic production tells the story of one women’s fight for freedom and fulfilment. Jane Eyre’s spirited heroine faces life’s obstacles head-on, through orphanage, poverty and betrayal, before making the ultimate decision to follow her heart. national theatre.org.uk

Marianne is carrying a child no-one will account for. When a preacher and a boxer show up in the middle of the night, things start to spiral.

Award-winning playwright Conor McPherson beautifully weaves the iconic songbook of Bob Dylan into this show full of hope, heartbreak and soul. oldvictheatre.com

3. GIRL FROM THE NORTH COUNTRY

Now until 6 January Royal Court Theatre

Now until 7 October The Old Vic

 In 1934 Minnesota a community is living on a knife-edge, huddled together in the local guesthouse. The owner, Nick, owes more money than he can ever repay, his wife Elizabeth is losing her mind and their daughter

6 September - 14 October Hampstead Theatre

 Jack Cardiff's work established Marilyn Monroe and Katherine Hepburn as icons in the golden age of cinema. His career spanned the development of the medium, from silent film to filmmaking more than half-acentury later. Robert Lindsay stars as the prolific cinematographer in the delightfully witty and poignant new play, Prism. The story follows Jack in his retirement as he attempts to pen out his resplendent past. hampsteadtheatre.com

2. JANE EYRE

26 September - 21 October Lyttelton Theatre

 Charlotte Brontë’s story of Jane

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5

4. THE FERRYMAN  Jez Butterworth returns to the Royal Court after the multi-award winning Jerusalem. His new play The Ferryman.tells of 1981 Northern Ireland. The Carney farmhouse is a hive of activity with preparations for the annual harvest. A day of hard work on the land and a night of feasting and celebrations lie ahead. But when a visitor shows up unexpected, old traditions come under threat. royalcourttheatre.com

5. CAT ON A HOT TIN ROOF Now until 7 October Young Vic Theatre

 Sienna Miller stars as Maggie alongside Jack O’Connell as Brick in this poetic story of a family’s fight for survival. On a steamy night in Mississippi, a Southern family gather at their cotton plantation to celebrate Big Daddy’s birthday. The summer heat is almost as oppressive as the lies they tell. With the future of the family at stake, which version of the truth is real – and which will win out? youngvicwestend.com

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absolutely.london

25/08/2017 14:41

ABSOLUTELY / PROMOTION

SHIPTON AND HENEAGE Shipton & Heneage are high quality footwear retailers. They have extensive ranges of shoes, boots, brogues, loafers, deck shoes and hand-embroidered slippers for ladies and gents. Get 10% off with this ad in store, or using the code ABS on their website.

117 Queenstown road, Battersea & 631-633 Fulham Road shipton.com

SHOP ’TILL YOU DROP From brogues to booze: find all your shopping needs on Fulham Road

AU BON VIN

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Au Bon Vin’s aim is to bring quality wines from around Europe to your doorstep. Frustrated with the level of quality that most wine shops offer, Au Bon Vin wanted to create a place that sold delicious and little known wines from small vineyards. Au Bon Vin is the brain child of Jean-Claude, a wine enthusiast who often worked the harvest under the summer sun of Chablis where his parents were born.

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To feel good you need to look good. At Walker Slater they know that a sharp suit, bold men's or ladies' jacket, or simply a well-chosen accessory, can brighten up your self-image.

With over 25 years in the business, they are guaranteed to put a spring back in your step.

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ABSOLUTELY MAGAZINES

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ARTS & CULTURE / NEWS

Skate, Dine, Bowl QUEENS in west London has had a facelift to become a one-stop shop for all your night out needs Wo r d s H e l e n B r o w n

A

fter an extenive £4 million refurbishment, QUEENS: Skate-Dine-Bowl is celebrating an exciting new chapter in its 85 year history. As London’s only all-year-round skating rink, West Londoners have been gliding across its icy surface on Queensway since it opened in 1930. It’s been used as a venue for televised skating on the BBC and – over the best part of a century – has played host to elite athletes and high society partygoers, among 25 million other guests.

As well as restoring the ice, this facelift has stripped-back decades of old plasterwork to reveal original period roof beams, festooned with climbing plants and new lighting.

The thinking behind the renovation is that QUEENS is now an all-encompassing leisure destination and has expanded into an exciting new domain; with plans for exclusive events, as well as availability for

Set to become LONDON'S go-to

ENTERTAINMENT VENUE corporate bookings and private hire. It certainly looks set to become West London’s go-to entertainment venue. After a spin on the ice, visitors enjoy some seriously grown-up activities and QUEENS' new food partner, MEATliquor. Craft beer from the world’s best brewers, a choice of well considered wines, soft drinks and cocktails are available from the venues two buzzing bars, designed in an industrial, British-retro style.

The fun doesn’t stop there however.

Nostalgic games feature at QUEENS with old retro favourites such as PacMan, Asteroids, Point Blank and even the very first video phenomenon Space Invaders, to take you back to the good old

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days. Additionally, the venue boasts 12 competition-standard lanes, with the fastest pin technology for the best possible bowling experience. All that activity is bound to build up appetites, so a special Lanes Menu can be served direct to your team table from masters of meat, MEATliquor. They've become the exclusive food and beverage partner across the site, offering the everloyal MEATliquor following the chance to bowl and skate whilst enjoying classic dishes and signature cocktails.

On their quest for bringing the coolest activites to their 12,500ft2 rink, QUEENS has started Go Karting on Ice, for the ultimate drifing thrill. Also coming soon are Curling and DJs playing on the weekend evenings for the disco loving skaters and hipsters. They even did a one month pop-up with BUMP rollerdisco when the ice was melted in July. u

Open Mon - Thurs and Sun, 10am-11pm and Fri - Sat, 10am - Midnight. More information can be found at queens.london

absolutely.london

25/08/2017 14:58

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KING’S ROAD POP UP 225 - 227 King’s Road, Chelsea London, SW3 5EJ FLAGSHIP SHOWROOM 15 The Metro Centre, St John’s Road Isleworth, TW7 6NJ

17/08/2017 16:25

> FASHION CONFIDENTIAL

p.34

AW17 TREND: CHINOISERIE

p.41

SHINE ON The Tibi girl is a lover of stylistic staples - pieces that combine trendled details with simple silhouettes.

The brand's Resort '18 collection is no exception. Designer Amy Smilovic has announced the return of vinyl, except this time round it's worn high on the waist and loose on the leg. Finish with traffic-stopping, colour pop boots. tibi.com

33 NH_SEPT17_Fashion_Opener.indd 33

absolutely.london

25/08/2017 15:57

st y l e C e n t r a l

Organise your wardrobe Clueless-style, suit-up and wear the rainbow this September Wo r d s j oy m o n t g o m e r y

5 OF THE BEST

WARDROBE APPS STYLICIOUS

Organise your style and get sartorially inspired with Stylicious, the app that creates a digital wardrobe through storing pictures of your clothes. Features include the Style Planner, which allows you to schedule looks for the week.

styliciousapp.com ◆

C LOT H

Cloth is the app built around how you already use your phone to get dressed. Shoot, save and share your favourite outfits and with one tap categorise looks by everything from event to weather forecast.

clothapp.com

I STYLE MYSELF

Discover how to style anything in your wardrobe for any occasion. Need a wedding outfit? Set your budget and find the perfect look in seconds. Or, if you need some inspiration, take a photo of an article of clothing (from your wardrobe or in-store) and see the app instantly create countless outfits.

istylemyself.com

STYLE BOOK

Stylebook is the expert wardrobe management tool created by an ex-Vogue fashion assistant. With over 90 features to help you curate your closet, the app allows you to import your own clothes, plan what to wear, create packing lists and learn more about your wardrobe with features like cost per wear.

stylebookapp.com

ABSOLUTELY MAGAZINES

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Good Jeans King & Tuckfield

Minimalist and cool, King & Tuckfield is the premium Brit brand offering a respite from this year's print-clashing maximalism. Denim is the brand’s forte and for AW17 we have our eye on the Marion cut jeans. High-waisted and fitted on the hips but gradually widening through the leg - it's the silhouette of the season; £260. kingandtuckfield.com

34 25/08/2017 15:00

FASHION / NOTES editor’s

PICK SUITED & BOOTED Rockins

of the best

Clad in burgundy cord and fabulously flared; Rockins certainly knows how to nail the new season suit. Channelling plenty of ’70s glamour, this statement two piece is like a Sierra filter for your wardrobe. Complete the pairing with a vintage band tee, skinny scarf and platform sandals - ideal for those who want to try the suit trend without looking too corporate. matchesfashion.com

RAINBOW BUYS

SLEEP IN STYLE Yo l k e

Blurring the lines between nightwear and ready-to-wear, Yolke is the fashion label making loungewear seriously lust-worthy.

For AW17 the brand has been inspired by ’70s Los Angeles, taking fabrics classically used for menswear and giving them a feminine twist. The mandarin collar and oriental print of the Blossom Silk Lounge Suit gives a nod to this season’s chinoiserie trend. Too pretty to confine to the bedroom; £335. yolke.co.uk

PATENT APPEAL

MADELEINE THOMPSON

Rainbow Jumper, £280; selfridges.com

PAUL SMITH

Multicolour Striped Sunny Espadrilles, £150; ssense.com

MARK CROSS

Small Grace Rainbow Leather Box, £1,760; harrods.com

Robert Clergerie x self-portrait

September signals the start of the new fashion season, which officially gives us permission to lust after autumnal footwear.

Robert Clergerie’s collaboration with self-portrait is everything you could ever want from a winter boot - pointed toe, block heel and high-shine patent. The black and rust iterations will instantly elevate your weekend denim. robertclergerie.com

TOPSHOP

Hacienda Stripe Ribbed Waist T-Shirt

by Unique, £95; topshop.com

MIH JEANS

Rainbow Stripe T-Shirt, £135; farfetch.com

SPORTS DAY Golden Goose Deluxe

Retro sportswear has emerged as one of the most fun throwback fashion trends for AW17. Collegiate bombers, racing stripes and cheerleader sweaters are all ways to wear the look, but we’ve fallen for Golden Goose Deluxe’s metallic knit tee. Wear with tuxedo trousers and heels for a sporty spin on cocktail smart; £280. net-a-porter.com

35 • NH_SEPT17_Fashion_Confidential_02.indd 35

ROCKET DOG

Magic White Rainbow Sneakers, £42; rocketdog.co.uk

absolutely.london

25/08/2017 15:00

XXXXXX / XXXXXXX

Heel APPEAL Absolutely meets John Miller, of The Worshipful Company of Cordwainers, to talk shoes, style and scholarships Wo r d s J OY M O N T G O M E R Y

W

ith a rich history dating back to 1272, The Worshipful Company of Cordwainers is an institution with deep roots in British shoe education. One of the oldest remaining livery companies of the City of London, it has launched household names such as Jimmy Choo, Charlotte Olympia and John Church (of Church’s shoes) onto the starry stage of shoe design. We met John Miller, Chief Executive of the Cordwainers’ Company, to track the influence of this ancient institution and the role it has played in shaping the contemporary fashion landscape.

JOY MONTGOMERY: What is The Worshipful Company of Cordwainers and how did it start?

JOHN MILLER: The Worshipful Company of Cordwainers has a strong charitable ethos. As a world leader in the education and support of the shoe industry, our primary focus is to nurture young talent,

ABSOLUTELY MAGAZINES

Chis_April17_HENRY HOLLAND.indd 36

Cordwainers Alumni Georgina Goodman

providing bursaries to students and entrepreneurs enabling them to become top shoe designers.

The Worshipful Company of Cordwainers’ first ordinances – the rules that governed the craft of shoemaking in London – were drawn up in 1272. In medieval times, the guilds of the City of London existed to regulate trades – specifically the quality of products, rather than the aesthetics. Far from being paved with gold, the streets of London were filthy places, so shoes had to be practical, sturdy long-lasting items. The Cordwainers regulated both the shoe trade and the training of shoemakers within the city.

One of the most important points of this document in 1272 was the distinction between cobblers and Cordwainers. The former could use only low-grade leather to make and repair shoes, whereas the latter were restricted to cordwain, the finest goatskin leather, as well as sheepskin for the uppers of high boots. The 1272 Ordinances also laid down the regulations for training apprentices, the areas of trade and the organisation of the guild.

36 25/08/2017 15:03

FASHION / INTERVIEW

This year's winner: Rachel Hamill

There are a GROWING number of YOUNG PEOPLE who want to learn TRADITIONAL shoe making PRACTICES

Cordwainers Alumni Sophia Webster Photo, Hazlett Beard

Like other city livery companies, the Cordwainers continued to regulate their trade, more or less until the end of the 18th century, and acted as a kind of friendly society for shoemakers, supporting those families who had fallen on hard times. The company was funded by membership fees and by bequests of property and money, and it is partly these investments that enable the company to support the British footwear trade and education to this day. Since 2009, the Cordwainers have donated £1 million to charitable causes.

JOY: What role does it play in the fashion industry today?

JM: The Cordwainers support the three universities in Britain that offer graduate degree courses in footwear design: De Montfort University, the University of Northampton and the London College of Fashion at the University of the Arts, London. These British universities are renowned as world leaders in footwear education. Each year the Company

GG's by Georgina Goodman SS16

37 Chis_April17_HENRY HOLLAND.indd 37

endows more than 30 scholarships and awards: in the past five years over 150 students have benefited from more than £250,000. We are the biggest private provider of bursaries and scholarships to footwear students in the UK. In 2014 we established the prestigious Cordwainers National Footwear Student of the Year Award. Student submissions are judged by three leading members of the footwear trade and the winners are invited to an awards dinner in London.

The awards are presented by Jimmy Choo, who is a Liveryman of the Company.

In addition we support entrepreneurship in the footwear trade by sponsoring the Cordwainers Award for Innovation, a £5,000 prize aimed at developing an emerging designer’s business. It includes 12 months of mentoring from industry experts.

Britain leads the world in footwear design, and the Worshipful Company of Cordwainers, with its financial support, influence and unrivalled contacts, is a key partner in its success.

JOY: Do you think the art of traditional shoe-making is still relevant today?

JM: If you look into shoe making history,

absolutely.london

25/08/2017 15:03

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FASHION / INTERVIEW

GG's by Georgina Goodman SS16

NOTABLE CORDWAINERS ALUMNI S O P H I A W E B ST E R

A former assistant to celebrated Cordwainer Nicolas Kirkwood, Sophia Webster is the young dancerturned-designer making waves in the fashion industry with her feminine yet whimsical shoe designs. sophiawebster.com

Georgina Goodman

some of the traditions still continue today in the making of luxury shoes.

For example, the construction of men’s shoes has hardly changed over the last 100 years. Although many brands use mass manufacturing methods for shoes, there are a growing number of young people who want to learn traditional shoe making practises.

JOY: Which brands do you think exemplify good shoe design?

JM: There are so many exemplary shoe brands that it's hard to pick a few names. Many members of the Company are descended from families who worked for generations in the shoe and leather trade – names such as Lilley, Skinner and Church pepper the livery list. In addition we are very proud that some of the brightest and best in the footwear business are members of the company. They include graduates of Cordwainers College (now part of the University of the Arts, London) Jimmy Choo, Georgina Goodman and L.K. Bennett; bespoke shoemakers Dominic Casey and Caroline Groves, as well as Atalanta Weller and Guy West.

JOY: Do you think fashion is an elitist industry for those trying to enter it?

JM: I can’t answer for the fashion industry as a whole but I think there are lots of opportunities for students to study and join the shoe industry today and we have supported students from a range of backgrounds to enter the industry. Many of the best shoe designers around the world have come from humble origins.

One of our main aims at the Cordwainers is to bring together students and experts to make the industry more accessible and inclusive.

JOY: What would be your top tips for those wanting to pursue a career in shoe design?

JM: Firstly, start building your portfolio.

To get into a design school you will need to show them lots of drawings and mood boards. Secondly, start practising your sketching and computer skills so that you can master concept sketching and rendering skills. Finally, it’s important to learn about the industry. Follow other designers and see what they create, where they sell and how they manufacture. ◆

39 Chis_April17_HENRY HOLLAND.indd 39

R U P E RT SA N D E R S O N

Rupert Sanderson launched his eponymous shoe brand in 2001 after working in Italy for Sergio Rossi and Bruno Magli. With a ‘less is more’ philosophy, Sanderson’s designs are characterised by a focus on fit, length and shape. rupertsanderson.com

JIMMY CHOO OBE

There aren’t many people who haven’t heard of Jimmy Choo. Malaysian born and based in the UK, Choo shot to fame after catering to the global jet-set in the 1990s, including Princess Diana.

His iconic designs fuse fashionable silhouettes with timeless sex appeal. jimmychoo.com

C H A R LOT T E O LY M P I A

Charlotte Olympia is the luxury shoe brand founded by style icon Charlotte Olympia Dellal. First presented at LFW in 2008, the brand looks to old school Hollywood glamour for inspiration.

Loved by influencers and celebrities alike, the Kitty flat has become one of the brand’s most recognisable styles. charlotteolympia.com

absolutely.london

25/08/2017 15:03

FE AST YOURSELF ON D E S I G N , I N S P I R AT I O N A N D M O T I VAT I O N .

Take your seat at the interior design show for professionals. Visit Decorex.com 17-20 SEPTEMBER, SYON PARK, LONDON.

Freddy van Zevenbergen | Anna Burles | Joanna Wood | Marcin Rusak | Hassan Abdullah | Daniel Hopwood Victoria Meale | Luke Edward Hall | Sue Timney | Simon Hamilton | Francis Sultana | Sophie Ashby

6583 Decorex 2017 Advert -1320x300+3mm.indd 1 DECOREX.indd

18/08/2017 25/08/2017 11:04 3:40 pm

FASHION / TREND

NASTY GAL Swan Lake loafer mule, £22; nastygal.com

ALEXA CHUNG Mandarin collar dress, £450; alexachung.com

H&M Wide jacket, £49.99 hm.com

ATTICO Elena mini dress, £918; net-a-porter.com

KURT GEIGER Kensington bag, £129; kurtgeiger.com

RAQUEL ALLEGRA Oriental blouse, £588; farfetch.com

PRADA SS17

BIBA Jacquard oriental cropped trousers, £69; houseoffraser.co.uk

DRIES VAN NOTEN Jacquard ankle boots, £470; selfridges.com

CHIC CHINOISERIE 10 reasons to covet this season’s most intricate trend B y J OY M O N T G O M E R Y

41 Chis_September17_Fashion_Products.indd 41

ADAM LIPPES Opera floral-jacquard coat, £714; net-a-porter.com

MANGO Embroidered platform wedges, £29.99; mango.com

absolutely.london

25/08/2017 15:07

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25/08/2017 15:09

STEP UP Footwear take centre-stage this autumn weekend casual has never looked so cool R o g u e M a t i l d a AW 1 7 a v a i l a b l e from roguematilda.com

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25/08/2017 15:09

At At home home with with perfection. perfection.

Created Created with with simple, simple, clear clear forms. forms.

bulthaup Holland Park bulthaup Holland Tel. 020 7822 2800Park Tel. 020 7822 2800 www.hollandpark.bulthaup.com www.hollandpark.bulthaup.com bulthaup Mayfair bulthaup Mayfair Tel. 020 7495 3663 Tel. 020 7495 3663 www.mayfair.bulthaup.com www.mayfair.bulthaup.com bulthaup Clerkenwell bulthaup Clerkenwell Tel. 020 7317 6000 Tel. 020 7317 6000 www.clerkenwell.bulthaup.com www.clerkenwell.bulthaup.com

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13.03.17 11:07 13.03.17 11:07 18/04/2017 17:04

> BEAUTY CONFIDENTIAL

p.50

DOWN TO EARTH p.52

HARVEST OF PLENTY Dolce & Gabbana’s Fall In Bloom make-up collection invites us to embrace the lit-fromwithin beauty of delicate pastels, blooming burgundy, and lush Hortensia. A new palette for a new season - fall never looked so fresh. dolcegabbana.com

49 NH_Sept17_BEAUTY OPENER.indd 49

absolutely.london

25/08/2017 15:16

t r e atm e n t R e v i e w

Chanel’s iconic new scent, brow-taming buys and stylish workout gear...

W o r d s J OY M O N T G O M E R Y

GAZELLI HOUSE Chelsea, SW3 Wo r d s J OY M O N T G O M E R Y

S

ituated on the fashionable Walton Street, a five-minute walk from South Kensington station, Gazelli House is part of a new breed of members' clubs-come-wellness centres that are sweeping the capital. Housed on three stunningly decorated floors, the centre offers its members a host of specialists: from skincare experts to acupuncturists and everything in between.

Gazelli House’s spa is small yet perfectly formed, with two sizeable treatment rooms lit by long sky lights. A real home away from home. Our treatment starts with an in-depth lifestyle and skin analysis, covering everything from diet to happiness levels. This is followed by our chosen treatment, the Supercharged Facial. After being tucked into the world’s most comfortable bed we're given a gut massage (yes, that's right). Gut health, our expert explains, is inextricably linked to the appearance of healthy skin. Who knew?

To remove make-up and prepare for the peel, our skin is given a double cleanse and scrub.

The peel, which is made up of salicylic, citric and lactic acid, follows, gently tingling and exfoliating the outer layers of skin. After being left on for a few minutes a neutralising serum is applied, followed by an intensely moisturising hyaluronic acid mask. While the mask works its magic we enjoy a spine tingling neck and shoulder massage.

The final step is the LED light treatment, which blocks pigmentation and stimulates collagen. We instantly notice a brighter complexion and faded pigmentation. Dream skin here we come. ◆ GAZELLI HOUSE

174 Walton Street, SW3 2JL; gazellihouse.com

ABSOLUTELY MAGAZINES

NH_SEPT17_Beauty notes.indd 50

Lady of Leisure Chanel

For 2017, Chanel has announced the launch of its first new fragrance in over 15 years. Named after and inspired by the brand’s formidable founder, Gabrielle, the scent has been based on the idea of a ‘dream flower’, which draws upon all the floral varieties ever recorded in the history of Chanel fragrances. A sweet scent with a rebellious heart. chanel.com

50 25/08/2017 15:12

HEALTH & BEAUTY / NOTES

5

RAVE REDUX 3INA

Amp up your make-up bag this September with the UV collection from 3INA. The edit, which comprises of six fluoro products, will flatter your features by day and transform under the UV at night.

From a high-shine lip gloss and cream eyeshadow to pressed powder and nail polishes, this collection is ideal for both big nights out and fancy dress ‘dos. Take note for Halloween.

3ina.com

editor's

of the best

EYEBROW GELS

BIG HAIR DON’T CARE

PICK

Sam McKnight

Famous for his work with celebrities - Princess Diana, Kate Moss and Lady Gaga to name a few - Sam McKnight is one of world’s most respected hair stylists. Now you can get McKnight’s expertise from the comfort of your home with Hair by Sam McKnight, a range of four styling sprays, covering hold, texture and volume. Your onestop-shop for effortless glamour. sammcknight.com

FABULOUSLY FIT

2

ESTEE LAUDER Brow Now Stay-InPlace Brow Gel, £18.50; esteelauder.co.uk

3 4

EYEKO Shape and Define Brow Gel, £18; eyeko.com

MAYBELLINE Brow Drama Sculpting Mascara, £5.99; boots.com

Va r l e y x H a r r o d s

Style-up your workout with this year’s coolest athleisure collaboration.

Combining LA living with London’s urban aesthetic, fashionable fitness brand Varley has paired-up with iconic department store Harrods to create a limited edition workout look. Made from high performance technical fabrics, the outfit is comprised of a sports bra and leggings, both embellished with a Insta-cool marble print. The treadmill is calling. harrods.com

SCENT STORY Penhaligon Portraits

Penhaligon’s Portraits collection is a tribute to the English spirit, one that encapsulates both tradition and humour. The members of the Portrait ‘family’ are an eclectic bunch - from spicy and sweet Clandestine Clara to woody Duke Nelson - each one has a distinct character. What will yours be? penhaligons.com

51 NH_SEPT17_Beauty notes.indd 51

1

BENEFIT Gimme Brow Volumising Eyebrow Gel, £20; benefitcosmetics.com

NARS Brow Gel, £18; narscosmetics.co.uk

5

absolutely.london

25/08/2017 15:12

Try, buy, book and hire all you need for your perfect day

OLYMPIA LONDON 22-24 SEPTEMBER EXCEL LONDON 21-22 OCTOBER

SAVE!* 2 for £25 Quote

ABS17

BOOK TICKETS TO THE UK’S BIGGEST WEDDING SHOW

nationalweddingshow.co.uk *Offer expires Thursday prior to each show. Valid on standard tickets only.

Transaction fee applies. Images courtesy of Louise Bjorling Photography.

NATIONAL WEDDING SHOW.indd 1

18/08/2017 11:30

HEALTH & BEAUTY / PRODUCTS SMASHBOX

Colour Correcting Primer, Adjust, £28; smashbox.co.uk

KEVYN AUCOIN

The Sculpting Powder in Medium, £35; cultbeauty.co.uk

SMASHBOX

Always On Matte Liquid Lipstick in Out Loud, £19; smashbox.com

CHANEL

Les 4 Ombres in Candeur et Experience, £42; chanel.com

YSL BEAUTY

Full Metal Shadow the Mats in Fur Green, £22; yslbeauty.co.uk

TOM FORD

Ultra-Rich Lip Colour in Temptation Waits, £40; harveynichols.com

BOBBI BROWN

Skin Reviver - Power Greens Ferment, £29.50; bobbibrown.co.uk

NARS

Nail Polish in Bad Influence, £15; selfridges.com

BURBERRY

Complete Eye Palette in Sage Green, £40; burberry.com

URBAN DECAY

Naked Heat Eyeshadow Palette, £39.50; urbandecay.co.uk

Down to Earth

L’OREAL

Pure Clay Glow Face Mask, £5.99; boots.com

Embrace the elements with Mother Nature-inspired hues By sabrina nunez

CLARINS MARC JACOBS

Cover(t) Stick Colour Corrector in Co(vert) Affairs, £28; johnlewis.com

Summer Bronzing & Blush Compact, £30; clarins.co.uk

HOURGLASS

Modernist Eyeshadow Palette in Colour Field, £56; spacenk.com

53 • NH_Sept17_BeautyProductsUSE.indd 53

absolutely.london

25/08/2017 15:19

REALALE.indd 1

24/07/2017 09:17

> CANDICE BROWN ON HER NEW BOOK

p.58

FOOD TROLLEY TREND

p.56

COMFORT BAKES She stole the show on The Great British Bake Off, and now Candice Brown’s new book, Comfort, will steal the show at home, too. Her mouth-watering recipes are inspired by baking with her nan and are perfect for every occasion, from afternoon tea to birthday parties. £20 penguinrandomhouse.co.uk

55 YES.indd 55

absolutely.london

25/08/2017 15:59

What to drink

GRAPE NEWS Wine recommendations for the month

kitchen

CONFIDENTIAL London’s food news and delicious things to see you through September Wo r d s H A N N A H H O P K I N S

By B E R RY B R OS . & R U D D

2016 BERRY BROS. & RUDD RESERVE WHITE BY COLLOVRAY & TERRIER £8.75 The steep slopes of Limoux are especially kind to white wines, particularly Vermentino (aka Rolle), Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay, the last of which dominates this blend with its creamy complexity, courtesy of an element which has been barrel-fermented. ◆

2016 RHEINGAU RIESLING TROCKEN, EVA FRICKE, RHEINGAU £17.75 Scented and subtle, the wine has an acidic quality and a mid-palate of Riesling fruit.

Elegant and controlled, yet accessible and approachable, this is long on the finish.

Drink now to 2023 with a fillet of sole. ◆

2010 CH. TEYSSIER, MONTAGNE SAINTEMILION £14.00 Ch. Teyssier is located in the wine appellation of MontagneSt Emilion. This dense purple wine has oodles of creme de cassis and licorice, hints of barbecue smoke, terrific texture and a long, succulent finish.◆

Special Delivery

B E R RY B R OS . & R U D D

Sushi Shop

Berry Bros. & Rudd is Britain's oldest wine and spirit merchant, having traded from the same shop since 1698. Today the company also has offices in Japan, Singapore and Hong Kong, a Wine School and an exclusive fine wine and dining venue in St James's. bbr.com

Westbourne Grove’s new Sushi Shop delivers all over the area and is creative, fresh and exciting. Try the 58-piece Blackbox Gourmet, which includes the French roll with foie gras and fig, a truffled Tuscan spring roll, a delicious avocadowrapped salmon tartare tulip and the glazed salmon with avocado.

72 Westbourne Grove, W2; mysushishop.co.uk

ABSOLUTELY MAGAZINES

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FOOD & DRINK / NOTES

BREAKFAST MENU To m’s K i t c h e n

For breakfast dishes with a difference head to Tom’s Kitchen in Chelsea where new additions such as baked Turkish eggs with sumac yoghurt; sweetcorn fritters topped with grilled avocado and a side of chilli scrambled egg; and Tom's trio of breakfast bruschettas will satiate your appetite.

27 Cale Street, SW3; tomskitchen.co.uk

TO P 5

SUPER SEAFOOD The Beach Hut

Soak up the last rays of summer at The Beach Hut at Kensington Place. The popup (on until the end of September) has a beach theme, as well as special menus.

Sample the likes of salmon croquettes, lobster rolls, fish & chips and plenty of Nyetimber English sparkling wine.

201 Kensington Church Street, W8 kensingtonplace-restaurant.co.uk

VICTORIAN CLASS

For a touch of old school charm try this latest culinary trend.

Wo r d s H E L E N B R OW N

01 MAGPIE

At Magpie, from established eatery Pidgin, small dim sum plates of Chinese deliciousness are wheeled around on trolleys for your picking. The menu is ideal for sharing, with dishes including mackerel crudo and terrine with nukazuke pickles.

10 Hedone Street, W1B; magpie-london.com

02 SIMPSON’S IN THE STRAND

The Elgin

After a massive refurb, Grade II listed Notting Hill pub The Elgin has reopened with a dining room and dedicated gin bar that ooze old school elegance. Samples the likes of Camden Hells battered cod with hand-cut chips and mushy peas or cider glazed pork ribeye with tangy apple slaw, best washed down with a G&T from localdistillery Little Bird.

96 Ladbroke Grove, W11; theelginnottinghill.co.uk

After a recent renovation, Simpson's in the Strand is back and serving its signature dishes on wheels.

The venue's original trolleys from 1848 will be dishing out British classics like roast rib of beef with Yorkshire pudding and roast potatoes.

100 Strand, WC2R; simpsonsinthestrand.co.uk

03 LUTYENS GRILL AT THE NED

The clubby, old-school grill vibes of Lutyens Grill, on the ground floor of The Ned, are enhanced by the traditional trolley service, where meat is carved and fish are filleted right at your table.

27 Poultry, EC2R; thened.com

editor’s

PICK

AUSSIE BRUNCH The D ay rooms Cafe

Taking inspiration from the East Australian coastline, this new cafe serves up light and tasty dishes like the bagel royale with green hollandaise, poached eggs, flaked smoked salmon, beetroot purée and baja prawn corn tacos with slaw, avocado, pineapple salsa and jalapeño.

212 Kensington Park Road, W11; thedayroomscafe.com

57 NH_CH_Sept17_Foodnotes.indd 57

FOOD TROLLEY RESTAURANTS

04 CHILTERN FIREHOUSE

The Chiltern's famous oyster cart does the rounds each night, allowing guests to start their meals with a selection of fresh-as-you-like oysters.

1 Chiltern Street, W1U; chilternfirehouse.com

05 HIX SOHO

With the relaunch of HIX Soho as a seafood restaurant - guests can now enjoy the theatre of ’today’s catch' as servers fillet and debone it on a trolley at your table.

66-70 Brewer Street, W1F; hixrestaurants.co.uk

absolutely.london

25/08/2017 15:21

XXXXXX / XXXXXXX

A Stirring

Success Bake Off winner Candice Brown on her new book, family favourites and life after Britain’s favourite TV show Wo r d s

G

reat British Bake Off winner Candice Brown stole the show with her stylish soufflés and enviable lipstick collection. More than 15 million people watched her take the cake in 2016 when she pipped fellow contestants Jane Beedle and Andrew Smyth to the Bake Off crown in a whiteknuckle episode of meringue, sponge and a marzipan peacock showstopper.

Now, not even a year later, Candice is back with her first cookbook, Comfort. In a nod to her childhood and home-life, the book is jam-packed with comfort food, comfort baking and foods intended to make you feel warm and cosy inside.

“It’s completely nostalgic and full of the sort of cakes, bakes and food that makes you say ‘I remember eating that when I was younger,’” Candice explains. “I like things that evoke memories and I wanted to go down that route. They are warm,

ABSOLUTELY MAGAZINES

Chis_Sep17_Candice Interview.indd 58

H e l e n B r ow n

STOP worrying ABOUT BAKING; IT SHOULDN'T BE WORRYING, it

should be fun

hearty, ‘I can’t wait for it to cool down so I’m having a big slice now,’ kind of recipes.

That’s the sort of thing I wanted to do,” she says. “That’s how I like to cook - with sauce dripping down the side and crispy bits on top that my dad would pick at and my mum or me would tell him off because we’d not finished making it yet.”

Candice grew up in the pubs that her parents ran. She would watch her dad prepare meat - skinning rabbits, plucking pheasants - before her mum baked it

into rich, hearty pies. But the earliest memories Candice has in the kitchen are of baking with her Nan, Margaret.

“I remember she’d make a bakewell tart and then give me the leftovers. Or she’d make Yorkshire puddings and put jam in the scraps to make me a little jam tart,” Candice recalls. “I would drag our heavy leather dining-room chairs through to the kitchen and I’d stand on it next to her. I was a bit of a limit, wherever she was I was attached to her,” she jokes. The book is named after Margaret in testament to the influence she had on Candice growing up. “She was the absolute apple of my eye and when she died the bottom of my world fell out. Whenever I could spend time with her I would. She was the most modest, hard-working lady and she took so much joy in the family being there. She was constantly cooking and baking and making pastries,” Candice remembers, “If I could be half the lady she was I would be happy because she really was incredible.”

The book is peppered with tributes to Candice’s family members and memories.

58 25/08/2017 15:24

FOOD & DRINK / INTERVIEW

CANDICE TOOK THREE MONTHS TO COMPLETE THE BOOK, TESTING OUT EACH RECIPE HERSELF

59 Chis_Sep17_Candice Interview.indd 59

absolutely.london

25/08/2017 15:24

RAYMOND GUBBAY presents

Wednesday 13 December 7.30pm

CHRISTMAS CLASSICS Music and carols with readings by special guest TIMOTHY WEST and CAROLS FOR ALL

Saturday 16 December 12.30pm & 4.15pm Thursday 21 & Friday 22 December 2.30pm Saturday 23 December 12.30pm & 4.15pm

CHRISTMAS CAROL SINGALONG JONATHAN COHEN and LOUISE DEARMAN Favourite carols and Christmas hits.

Performed by the celebrated Royal Choral Society and the resplendent Fanfare Trumpeters of the Royal Logistics Corps Richard Cooke conductor Anna Devin soprano Richard Pearce organ London Concert Orchestra Royal Choral Society

Thursday 14 December 7.30pm

BT CHRISTMAS CONCERT THE

CHRIS HOLLINS is back to present carols and fun.

The Twelve Days of Christmas Santa Claus is Coming to Town Sleigh Ride and CAROLS FOR ALL John Rigby conductor LAURA TEBBUTT & OLIVER TOMPSETT guest singers Tiffin Boys’ Choir London Concert Chorus London Concert Orchestra

Friday 15 December 7.30pm

KING’S COLLEGE CHOIR The world-renowned choir makes a welcome return.

With highlights from: BERLIOZ L’enfance du Christ HANDEL Messiah BACH Christmas Oratorio and CAROLS FOR ALL Crouch End Festival Chorus Stephen Cleobury conductor Philharmonia Orchestra

Jingle Bells The first Nowell Hark! The herald angels sing Santa Claus is Coming to Town London Concert Chorus London Concert Orchestra

Sunday 17 December 12.30pm & 4.00pm Tuesday 19 December 2.30pm

Tuesday 19 December 7.30pm

MESSIAH

500 voices in monumental harmony

Handel’s choral masterpiece sung by four internationally renowned soloists.

Ailish Tynan soprano Renata Pokupic mezzo soprano Toby Spence tenor Sir Willard White bass Goldsmiths Choral Union English Concert Chorus Highgate Choral Society Brian Wright conductor Royal Philharmonic Orchestra

Wednesday 20 December 2.30pm & 7.30pm

CLASSIC CAROLS WITH ALAN TITCHMARSH O Holy Night Candlelight Carol Joy to the World Ave Maria Fantasia on Christmas Carols

JINGLE BELL CHRISTMAS

and CAROLS FOR ALL

It’s high-kicks for Christmas as The Jingle Belles® join the London Concert Orchestra, Capital Voices and West End stars for all your favourite Christmas hits.

Benedict Nelson baritone Toby Purser conductor London Philharmonic Choir London Concert Orchestra

LAURA TEBBUTT & TIM HOWAR star soloists

Thursday 21 December 7.30pm

Capital Voices John Rigby conductor London Concert Orchestra

Plus the full pomp and ceremony of the Band of the Coldstream Guards

THE GLORY OF CHRISTMAS

The true spirit of Christmas with CAROLS FOR ALL

Monday 18 December 7.30pm

CHRISTMAS WITH

KATHERINE JENKINS Seasonal music and songs.

Mark Vincent special guest Anthony Inglis conductor The London Chorus London Concert Orchestra

Darke In the bleak midwinter Handel Worthy is the Lamb from Messiah Head The Little Road to Bethlehem Adams The Holy City Bach Opening Chorus from Magnificat Widor Toccata Featuring the majestic Royal Albert Hall Grand Organ

Saturday 16 & Saturday 23 December 8.00pm Sunday 17 & Friday 22 December 7.30pm Sunday 24 December 2.30pm & 7.00pm

CAROLS BY CANDLELIGHT Carols and seasonal classics staged in full 18th Century costume in an evocative candle-lit style setting.

Handel Christmas sequence from Messiah, Let the Bright Seraphim Cullen Joy to the World Mozart Alleluia from Exsultate, jubilate Corelli Allegro & Pastorale from Christmas Concerto Gruber Silent Night Rutter The Twelve Days of Christmas and CAROLS FOR ALL With readings from Dickens and the Scriptures by special guest Bernard Cribbins MOZART FESTIVAL CHORUS MOZART FESTIVAL ORCHESTRA in full period costume Jennifer France soprano Steven Devine conductor

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RAYMONDGUB.indd 1

17/08/2017 15:54

FOOD & DRINK / INTERVIEW

BLACK PUDDING SAUSAGE ROLLS

the pastry rectangle, parallel to the 30cm sides.Push the sticks of black pudding into the filling in straight lines from end to end. 9 Lift one 30cm side of the pastry up to the middle over the sausage filling and brush the outside edge with beaten egg. Lift the opposite side of the pastry up to slightly overlap and squeeze the edges together to create a seal. Roll it over so the join is on the bottom.

Put on a tray and freeze for 10 minutes. 10 Remove from the freezer and cut across into 5cm pieces. Arrange these on a lined baking tray.

Return to the freezer while you preheat the oven to 180°C fan (200°C/400°F/Gas Mark 6). 11 Glaze the pastry with beaten egg and snip a small ‘V’ on top of each roll. Bake for 20–30 minutes until the pastry is golden brown and the sausage filling is no longer pink. 12 Remove from the oven and gently lift the sausage rolls from the baking sheet on to a wire rack to cool. 13 These taste great with my Sticky Red Onion Chutney dolloped on top! 14 If you’re not keen on black pudding, swap it for sticks of apple or chorizo or, just keep it simple and have nothing at all except sausagemeat.

Makes 6–8 sausage rolls INGREDIENTS

Pastry: 150g unsalted butter, frozen • 110g white bread flour• 110g plain flour• 2 tsp dried sage• 4–5 tbsp ice-cold water• beaten egg• sesame and poppy seeds. Filling: 400g pork sausagemeat • 100g smoked streaky bacon, finely chopped • 1 tbsp finely chopped fresh sage • ½1 tsp dried thyme • 2 shallots, finely chopped • ½1 tsp smoked paprika • 100g chestnut mushrooms, finely chopped • 1 tsp finely chopped garlic • 1 tsp finely chopped red chilli • 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce • 150g black pudding • salt and pepper

METHOD

1 To make the pastry grate the butter on to a cold plate. Return to the freezer. 2 Sift both flours into a bowl and mix in the dried sage, salt and pepper. Mix the grated butter into the flour to coat it all evenly. Mix in 2 tablespoons of icecold water. Then add a further 2–3 tablespoons of water until the mix comes together. 3 Mix by hand until the pastry leaves the sides of the bowl clean. 4 Flatten the pastry into a square shape, wrap in cling film and leave to rest in the fridge for 30–45 minutes. 5 For the filling put all of the ingredients, except the black pudding, into a bowl. Mix together by hand. Cover and set aside until needed. 6 Remove the black outer coating from the black pudding and cut into 1cm sticks. 7 Set the chilled pastry on a lightly floured surface and roll out into a 60 x 30cm rectangle, about 3mm thick. Turn the pastry as you roll to stop it from springing back. As you work, try not to handle the pastry too much. 8 Trim the edges of the pastry so they are neat. Spoon the sausagemeat filling into the centre and squeeze together to make a sausage shape that runs across

CANDICE WAS BROUGHT UP ON EDMONTON GREEN WHEN IT WAS A BUSY, BUSTLING MARKET AND IS PASSIONATE ABOUT USING LOCAL PRODUCE

61 Chis_Sep17_Candice Interview.indd 61

I WANTED Comfort to start off AS MINE BUT AS TIME GOES ON it becomes THE READER'S

Alongside Margaret’s Boiled Fruit Cake there’s Dad’s favourite Black Forest Gateau with lashings of extra cream, a Coconut, Banana and Dark Chocolate Loaf for mam and sister and Tottie Scones for partner Liam.

“I really wanted Comfort to start off as mine, but as time goes on it becomes the reader’s," Candice explains, “So if you don’t like a flavour or an ingredient, change it. If you don’t like a texture, change it. It’s okay to do that. Start making things your own and stop worrying about baking, because it shouldn’t be worrying. Baking should be fun and relaxing,” she says. True to her word, Candice heads to the kitchen for rest, recovery and a break from her busy schedule. “At the moment I’m trying to bake every day when I’m at home,” she says. “The other day I had two hours before heading over to my mum and dad’s.

I could have spent those two hours doing something constructive, like packing and getting ready for the next couple of days, or I could bake and then run late... And that’s normally what I do,” she laughs.

We’re all of course wondering how on earth she stays so svelte with all that sugar. “Well, we do eat a lot and I eat cake most days, so when I’m at home I try to balance it out with a decent lunch - I’ll have

absolutely.london

25/08/2017 15:24

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BOOK AT FUNTECH.indd 1

FUNTECH.CO.UK 25/08/2017 10:12

FOOD & DRINK / INTERVIEW a salad, spinach and rice, and for dinner it’s normally stir fry or something similar,” Candice says. It is also no doubt partly down to having a schedule that barely lets up. It’s not even 11am and Candice has already done a hefty stint on Radio 2.

She also writes for The Sunday Times and frequently appears on ITV’s This Morning, though things have calmed down considerably now that the book is done. “I wrote every single recipe and I tried out each one. I really wanted to do it by myself and I got it done in just under three months,” Candice says. “I don’t think I slept very much at all during the process.

One time, Liam came down to the kitchen; it was about four in the morning and I was making a fish pie. I had gone to bed but my brain was ticking over so much that I just had to get up and make this fish pie. We had interesting meals at interesting times,” she laughs.

Life before Bake Off saw Candice teaching at Ashlyns School in Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire. She trained in and taught PE at the school

ORANGE & HIBISCUS MADELEINES Makes about 32 INGREDIENTS

1 tbsp dried hibiscus petals • 100ml boiling water • 90g unsalted butter, melted and cooled, plus extra to grease the moulds • 50g soft light brown sugar • 100g golden caster sugar • 2 large eggs • grated zest and juice of 1 orange, plus extra zest to decorate • 100g plain flour, plus extra for the moulds • just under 1 tsp baking powder • pinch of salt • 1 tbsp orange blossom honey

METHOD

IT WAS FOUR IN THE MORNING

and I was making a fish pie

THE BOOK IS CRAMMED WITH TRIBUTES TO CANDICE'S FAMILY, INCLUDING MALTESER ICE CREAM FOR HER NAN

before moving over to the special needs department. “It was something I took great pride in and I worked really hard to get to where I was,” Candice says. A career in baking is quite the departure and the decision to give up teaching was tough. So does she miss it? “I do some days,” Candice muses, “especially now it’s the end of term and the kids are sitting their exams; I keep thinking I should be there to help them out and I wonder how they’re getting on,” she says. “But on the other hand, when I do demonstrations and I talk to children and to parents who’ll say ‘You’ve got my daughter or my son into baking,’ it's like I’m almost still doing that role of inspiring and teaching,” Candice continues.

Now with the release of Comfort, Candice will certainly continue to inspire and encourage people to get cooking. Her life since Bake Off has been on a sugar high that shows no sign of dipping any time soon. ◆

63 Chis_Sep17_Candice Interview.indd 63

1 Put the dried hibiscus petals in a small bowl and pour over the boiling water. Leave to soften for about 5 minutes. 2 Meanwhile, brush your madeleine moulds with melted butter, then dust them lightly with flour. 3 Combine the brown sugar, 50g of the caster sugar and the eggs in a large bowl and whisk with an electric hand whisk until light and fluffy. Add the orange zest, 90g cooled melted butter, plain flour, baking powder, salt, honey and 1 tablespoon of the hibiscus water, and mix together to make a batter. Leave for a minimum of 30 minutes. 4 Preheat the oven to 170°C fan (190°C/375°F/Gas Mark 5). 5 Spoon the batter into the prepared madeleine moulds (you will need to bake in batches).

Take care not to overfill the moulds. Bake for 10–12 minutes until risen and golden. 6 Remove the madeleines from the moulds and place on a wire rack. Cool the moulds, then brush with melted butter and dust with flour again before baking another batch of madeleines. 7 Once all the madeleines have been baked and cooled, mix together the orange juice, the remaining 50g caster sugar and 3 tablespoons of the hibiscus water in a small saucepan. Stir over a medium heat until the sugar has dissolved and you have a thick syrup. 8 Poke a hole in the underside of each madeleine and brush over the syrup. Wait for this to soak in, then brush on a second coat of the syrup. Finish with a grating of orange zest.

These are best eaten fresh on the day of baking.

Comfort: Delicious Bakes & Family Treats by Candice Brown Ebury Press, £20 penguinrandomhouse.com

absolutely.london

25/08/2017 15:24

BESPOKE ENGLISH KITCHENS www.connaughtkitchens.co.uk . London

CONNAUGHT.indd 1

22/08/2017 14:25

FOOD & DRINK / REVIEW

DISHES ARE

constantly evolving, CHANGING WITH

the seasons

Outlaw’s at The Capital An artfully understated restaurant where fish is the star ingredient

N

Wo r d s H a n n a h H o p k i n s

athan Outlaw: a name synonymous with exceptional seafood dishes and a penchant for extracting maximum flavour from ingredients.

As a Cornish chef, in-the-know foodies naturally flock to Outlaw’s eponymous twoMichelin star Restaurant Nathan Outlaw in Port Isaac, but there’s a way to try his cooking much closer to home - at the Michelin-starred Outlaw’s at The Capital Hotel.

Just steps away from Harrods on Basil Street, the charm of this boutique hotel feeds straight into the restaurant,

which can only be described as artfully understated. The warm and inviting space has some of the most comfortable chairs we’ve ever experienced in a restaurant, walls punctuated with coastal-inspired artwork and delicate crystal chandeliers.

There’s even a window into the kitchen so you can see Head Chef Tom Brown and the team hard at work creating dishes.

As you probably guessed, the menu has a focus on British seafood, caught mostly around the coast of Cornwall and delivered fresh to Knightsbridge.

We peruse the short but sweet menu over a glass of Champagne and with a view to saving our fish for the main course, opt for one meat and one veggie starter.

65 NH_sept17_FOOD REVIEW.indd 65

The meat dish is a lamb scrumpet with anchovy, parsley and lemon - slow cooked melt-in-the-mouth lamb in a crispy coating with punchy pieces of anchovy. The Cornish rarebit tart with beetroot, walnut and thyme is salty and utterly moreish.

This is followed by the star of the show - perfectly cooked, flaky turbot, accompanied by deep fried oyster, creamy smoked hollandaise sauce and broccoli.

The best thing about dining here is that dishes are constantly evolving, with ingredients changing with the season and tide. Wines are paired to each course, emphasising the delicate flavours of the dishes - we’re particularly impressed by a to-die-for Riesling.

Desserts are imaginative and offer something different to the usual crème brûlée and chocolate mousse. We recommend the warm custard tart with blueberries and vanilla ice cream, but if you watched the Great British Menu 2017 you cannot miss the chance to try Tom Brown’s ‘‘Sevi & Leti’’ - an indulgent combination of strawberries, clotted cream, lime and elderflower which made it to the final stages of the show. It’s as sumptuous as you’d expect and the perfect finishing note to a standout meal.

O U T L AW ’ S AT T H E CA P I TA L 22-24 Basil Street, SW3; 020 7591 1202 capitalhotel.co.uk

absolutely.london

25/08/2017 15:26

77-79 WESTBOURNE GROVE - W2 4UL LONDON - UK Tel: +44 (0) 20 7221 5137 london@devon-devon.com

FLORENCE ·

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ISTANBUL ·

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NAPLES

NASHVILLE · NICE · PADUA · PARIS · PRAGUE · ROME · SHANGHAI · TBILISI · TEL AVIV · WARSAW · WIEN

DEVON & DEVON.indd 1

21/06/2017 16:22

> INTERIOR INSPIRATIONS

p.68

TIFFANY DUGGAN AND HER STYLISH HOUSE

p.72

THE GUCCI HOME

p.77

MADE FOR YOU Heal's Made For You range is a made-to-measure furniture offering that will guarantee the right piece for your space. Pictured is the Sorrento table in wild oak, £1,699. heals.com

67 NH_SEPT17_INTERIORS OPENER.indd 67

absolutely.london

25/08/2017 15:58

10 of the best

TYPOGRAPHICAL pieces

Ideas, designs and styles for your home

OLIVER FURNITURE Alphabet cushions, £35 nubie.couk

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

LONDON TRANSPORT MUSEUM SHOP

Personalised Johnston mug, £9.99 ltmuseumshop.co.ukk

TALKING TABLES Truly Scrumptious lettered paper plates, £3.99 talkingtables.co.uk

TYPOGRAPHY ALPHABET LETTER PRINTS Arbol House, £29.95 ovohome.com

Life in Colour DESIGN LETTERS

Initial notebook, £12.50 printerandtailor.com

Wa l l a c e S e w e l l Celebrating 25 years of their stylish textile collaboration, Harriet Wallace-Jones and Emma Sewell are showing their graphic weaves at designjunction ahead of their solo show at the Fashion and Textile Museum in October.

wallacesewell.com

ABSOLUTELY MAGAZINES

NH_SEPT17_Interiors_NotesUSE.indd 68

68 25/08/2017 15:27

HOMES & INTERIORS / NOTES

must

HAVE

SOFT FOCUS

Anna-Lisa Smith In her studio in West Yorkshire, Anna-Lisa Smith designs simple, striking contemporary textiles for the home. All pieces are woven in local mills using the finest quality Lambswool and are hand finished in the studio. anna-lisasmith.com

DESIGN LETTERS

Letter hooks, £22 each designletters.dk

editor’s

PICK

SQUARE DANCE

RIDLEY'S JIGSAWS

PIPET DESIGN

Framed letter jigsaws, £20 amazon.co.uk

Pipet will present a new range of accessories in the Canopy at designjunction. Celebrating fine British craftsmanship, all their products are printed and handmade in England pipetdesign.com

OF LIFE & LEMONS Retro letter print, £13 oflifeandlemons.co.uk

BE SEATED OMK 1965

These classic chairs, originally designed by Rodney kinsman for Habitat, have been reissued with stylish new designs at designjunction.

Available in a number of colourways, they're an easy way to add a pop of colour to your kitchen interior. omkdesign.com

WALLS AND FLOORS

Cream Scrabble tiles, £8.25 each wallsandfloors.co.uk

SQUARE PEGS

Lara Gorlach Lara Görlach is a printed textile designer specialising in the traditional craft of silk screen-printing. From her East London design studio, Lara offers a bespoke screen-printing service focusing on translating patterns onto textiles for seasonal collections of interior, home and lifestyle products. laragorlach.com

69 NH_SEPT17_Interiors_NotesUSE.indd 69

IDENTITY PAPERS

Quick Brown Fox wallpaper, £65 limelace.co.uk

absolutely.london

25/08/2017 15:27

XXXXXX / XXXXXXX

COLOUR SCHEME At home with Tiffany Duggan, design director & founder of Studio Duggan Wo r d s P e a r l B oy d

PEARL BOYD: Your house is beautiful.

Did you work on it in one go as if it were a job? Or was it ongoing?

TIFFANY DUGGAN: Thank you! I approached it exactly as I would approach one of our projects, which meant working on it in one go. I think it’s really important to design holistically to achieve a balanced and harmonious look.

That said, it does take time to add the last few layers of a home, and artwork and accessories did follow later.

PB: How long have you lived there and what was it like when you bought it?

TD: We have lived in the house for around 2.5 years, and spent about 6 months refurbishing it before moving in. The house wasn’t in a terrible state but it wasn’t to our taste and it was lacking in character. It had one bathroom serving five bedrooms, so we added two more bathrooms, and went down to four bedrooms, using one bedroom as a playroom for the boys by making a few structural tweaks.

PB: What first attracted you to it?

TD: We loved its grand proportions, high ceilings and period features. Also, the layout which works really well for us.

The space is arranged over three really well-proportioned floors which means our two boys get a floor to themselves (where they can play with their toys and make a

ABSOLUTELY MAGAZINES

• NH_SEPT17_TiffanyDuggan.indd 70

70 25/08/2017 15:29

HOMES & INTERIORS / Q&A

I THINK that it’s REALLY IMPORTANT

to plan your home AROUND your ACTUAL LIFE – NOT the one that you ASPIRE TO mess), and we get a little sanctuary in the master suite below. However, the biggest attraction was probably that it needed some work and a lot of love…I don’t think I could ever buy something that didn’t.

PB: What is your favourite room?

TD: It’s so hard to choose but I think it would have to be our master bedroom.

We knocked two rooms together to create a large suite with an open plan dressing/ bathroom space. I remain totally in love with our canopy bed, bateau bath and open plan bathroom. It has a really peaceful vibe and is very much a sanctuary.

PB: You have a mix of dark and light walls. How did you work out which colour should go where?

TD: Choosing the paint colours was actually one of the first things I did. When choosing wall colours, I think the starting point should be the consideration of how you want a room to feel, which of course depends on how the space will be used.

I knew I wanted dark, moody inky hued walls somewhere and the entrance hall and staircase, being a transitional space, was the perfect place to do this. I chose a wonderful sludgy khaki paint (Pebble, Fired Earth) for the living room. It’s so warm and enveloping and it’s an easy transition from the moody hallway. I went lighter and brighter in the kitchen and master bedroom with Ceviche for a touch of relief. I painted all of the ceilings the same colour as the walls to give the rooms a cohesive, comforting and more contemporary feel…and also to allow for a calming base on which to layer interesting textures and patterns.

The colour scheme throughout the house consists of lots of greens, dusky pinks, deep blues with the odd pop of pillar box red and mustard.

71 • NH_SEPT17_TiffanyDuggan.indd 71

absolutely.london

25/08/2017 15:29

Grate Expectations - A Family run business established for over 30 years The UK’s leading suppliers of luxury gas fireplaces, wood burning stoves and bioethanol fires manufactured by DRU, Spartherm, Ebios, Dik Guerts, Gazco, Stovax and many more.

1-3 Station Buildings, Kingston Road, Wimbledon Chase, SW20 8JT 020 8540 8387 | info@grateexpectations.com | grateexpectations.com

GREAT EXPECTATIONS.03.indd 1

21/08/2017 10:33

HOMES & INTERIORS / Q&A

PB: It’s one thing making a house look finished and beautiful - but how does daily life impact on it? Do you live tidily? What about your children? How strict are you with keeping everything in order?

TD: I think that it’s really important to plan your home around your actual life – not the one that you aspire to. If you’ve got children, excellent storage solutions are a must-have to avoid the house becoming over-run with toys and we factored these sorts of practicalities in from the start. That said, I wouldn’t say I’m overly strict – the house does get messy and it’s impossible to keep it looking photoshoot ready at all times, but we do our best. Perfection isboth unattainable and overrated – life is too short.

PB: What are your favourite pieces of furniture?

TD: I have three – our velvet Chesterfield sofa, our canopy bed and the blue leopard print armchair in our bedroom.

PB: Do you have a signature style and can you describe it?

TD: Our projects are pretty varied as they are very much informed by our Clients, but the underlying thread that runs through all of our work is a carefully curated mix of old and new, a relaxed and liveable feel…and just a touch of the unexpected. ◆ studioduggan.com PB: Is there anything you want to change? Is a home ever finished?

TD: I wouldn’t say there is anything I want to change, but there are things I’d like to add and build on. I’m thinking about adding some wall mounted, Moorish, glass-fronted cabinets in the kitchen for extra storage. Also, the garden is still a work in progress and I’ve been searching for the perfect, vintage Paul Frankl bamboo lounge chairs to buy.

Inevitably a home will continue to evolve and adapt to the changing needs and desires of its inhabitants, but I do think it’s really important to get the base right at the beginning, and then everything else will follow. One way to keep a house looking and feeling fresh is to make a few seasonal tweaks. Nothing major – but swapping linens, scents, blankets/ cushions does make a surprisingly big impact.

73 • NH_SEPT17_TiffanyDuggan.indd 73

absolutely.london

25/08/2017 15:30

A life-changing education At one of the country’s leading fully co-educational schools for children aged 11–18

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Booking for open events and online registration at www.latymer-upper.org LATYMER.indd 1

23/08/2017 17:37

HOMES & INTERIORS / CLEANING LOW TECH

FERMLIVING

C LE A N F U N

Everybody wants a clean home but few of us enjoy cleaning. Absolutely seeks out the most stylish accessories for the job

Ferm Living’s range of stylish accessories includes several cleaning sponges, cloths and brushes along with clothes airers and laundry baskets. All these generally boring items are sprinkled with Ferm’s trademark Nordic style to make them highly covetable. fermliving.com

MENU

Menu’s funnel and sweeper is a better looking dustpan and brush with a simple, sleek design. Put the sweeper in the funnel and hang it up; it even looks decorative. menu.as

Words P E N D L E H A R T E

HIGH TECH VORWERK’S ROBOT HOOVER £749, kobold.vorwerk.co.uk/robot

W

atching a robot hoover work its way around a living room is a bit like watching a crawling baby.

It’s clear what it’s trying to do, and you can plainly see what’s stopping it achieve its aim, but you can’t do anything at all to help it. The robot is quietly and systematically covering ground according to a clear plan of its own, cruising niftily under the sofa and skimming the skirting boards. But for all its smooth manoeuvring, it is visibly confused by obstacles. There’s a chair leg in its path, which it happily crashes into. Undeterred, it performs

a neat reversal followed by a slightly laboured three-point turn that sets it off on a tangent, but of course the problem with chair legs, as we might explain to a baby, is that they come in fours. So, predictably, this happens four times, by which time we are feeling a bit sorry for the thing. Lifting it up with the aim of helping it escape the chair results in all the green lights turning red and the words ‘do not lift’ flashing on its little screen. We have made the baby cry. It’s hard not to anthropomorphise this machine, but its relentless eagerness is very cute and repeated attempts to scale the rug are endearing. The rug is what causes it the most trouble really, like trying to mount a kerb without lifting your foot up. Again, we watch helplessly.

Still, it’s very effective and its slim inside compartment opens to reveal an impressive dust haul. Really, they should make one that can communicate, so we can shout ‘mind the table’ at it. Then can they make one that feeds the cat too, please? ¿

75 Chis_August17_Cleaning_USE.indd 75

SK ANDIUM

Iris Handverk’s brushes have been handmade in Stockholm since the late 1900s. Their Instagram account makes cleaning seem aspirational.

Skandium.com

absolutely.london

25/08/2017 15:36

THE APP ALL PARENTS NEED

70 years of teaching children to fly

Download the Absolutely Education app to stay up-to-date with the latest news from the UK’s best schools

The Absolutely Education app covers every aspect of an independent education with insightful articles by leading journalists, tops tips from stellar heads and features covering the critical topics of the day.

Open evening 5 October 6pm - 8pm

Download the app now to receive every issue before it hits stores

Founded in 1947, Bassett House in Notting Hill is a proudly non-selective, co-educational prep school for 3 – 11 year olds.

We believe every child can learn to fly. Individual attention combined with our exciting curricular and extra-curricular activities encourage children to think fearlessly and creatively, producing excellent academic results.

In the words of Mrs Philippa Cawthorne, the headmistress: ‘The spirit and enthusiasm of our pupils has to be seen to be believed.’

OR Through our preferred partner

To arrange a visit, please call our registrar, Mrs Thalia Demetriades, on 020 8969 0313 or email registrar@bassetths.org.uk.

Bassett House School 60 Bassett Road London W10 6JP 020 8969 0313 bassetths.org.uk

ED HP VERTICAL.indd 1 BASSETTHOUSE.indd 1 _PC_ADVERT PLACEMENTS.indd 1

16/08/2017 16:31

27/07/2017 10:40 25/08/2017 16:08

HOMES & INTERIORS / FOCUS

FAUNA F & FLORA Introducing the first interiors collection from international fashion brand Gucci W o r d s J OY M O N TG O M E RY

77 Chis_August17_GUCCI_Turn.indd 77

ashion and furnishings collide this season with the launch of Gucci Décor. The King of quirk Alesandro Michele has brought his geek chic aesthetic to the line, which covers everything from cushions and chairs to tables and trays. The idea behind the collection is not to prescribe a particular decorative look but to provide elements that allow for living spaces to be customised. In other words: a more flexible and personal approach to decoration. It’s Gucci’s contemporary romanticism brought into the home.

The pieces in the new collection feature a number of motifs that are recognisable from Michele’s catwalks. All the patterns, colours and decorative tropes have been inspired by his fashion designs and reimagined for furniture, furnishings and crockery.

absolutely.london

25/08/2017 15:37

HOMES & INTERIORS / FOCUS Reflecting his magpie-like attitude to design, the pieces fuse traditional techniques and historic prints with trendled clashing colourways.

The smaller pieces of the collection are of porcelain and produced by Richard Ginori, the renowned Florentine company founded in 1735. With access to the skills of this historic porcelain factory, Michele has designed a range of distinctive, patterned crockery featuring a green and white Herbarium decoration. There are also idiosyncratic Richard Ginori-made porcelain scented-candle holders, which display House patterns. The Herbarium floral print is in evidence here, as are geometric chevrons, a striking, solid pink colour and the ‘eye’ design. Animals from the Gucci Garden – bees, butterflies and cockerel heads –

are rendered in porcelain in 3D and are attached to the pots and their lids.

There are also small incense holders where 3D stag beetles and bees support incense sticks.

There will also be a range of unconventional wallpapers, coming in silk, vinyl and paper, for those who want to make a bold decorative statement.

A postcard design taken from the pre-fall 2017 collection sits alongside a floral pattern from fall/winter 2015-16.

The premium wallpaper is in silk and displays Michele’s take on the famous Gucci Flora design.

Gucci Décor will be launched from September with a progressive global roll-out in Gucci flagship stores, online at gucci.com and selected specialty stores.

There will be no dedicated area for the collection within Gucci stores. Instead, to emphasise Alessandro Michele’s notion that these pieces are simply another way to dress in Gucci, they will be spread throughout Gucci store interiors, integrated with clothing, accessories and shop fittings.¿ gucci.com

ABSOLUTELY MAGAZINES

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78 25/08/2017 15:38

OPEN DAYS: 9AM-12PM SAT 7TH OCT AND 9AM-12PM SAT 3RD MARCH Bookings at - www.westonbirt.org/admissions/open-days Day Fee £4,995/term; Boarding Fee £9,750/term.

E: admissions@westonbirt.org T: 01666 881301 www.westonbirt.org WESTONBIRT.indd WBS - Absolutely Mag1 - 210x297h - 3.8.17.indd 1

25/08/2017 03/08/2017 11:01 13:50

I N D EPEN D EN T DAY S CHO OL FOR G I RL S AG ED 4 TO 18 — Queen’s Gate School offers girls a warm, supportive environment where individuality is nurtured, academic standards are high and a broad-based curriculum ensures a well-rounded education.

A range of scholarships and means-tested bursaries are available to assist girls to join us and parents are welcome to visit us throughout the year.

Details of Open Events for entry to the Junior and Senior Schools are available on our website.

For a prospectus or to arrange a visit, please contact the Registrar, Miss Isabel Carey: — registrar@queensgate.org.uk · 020 7594 4982 queensgate.org.uk/admissions

Queen’s Gate School, 131–133 Queen’s Gate, London SW7 5LE

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26/01/2017 15:42

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25/08/2017 16:08

HOME & INTERIORS / REVIEW

ABSOLUTELY'S VERDICT? The plate rack is as stylish as kitchen storage gets – quirky and fun with its identifiably Indian character, while remaining intensely practical, accessible and clever.

W

Cabinet of

CURIOSITIES How a simple steel wall rack from India became a kitchen must-have in the UK Wo r d s P e n d l e H a r t e

hen Jen Robinson and her husband Nick spotted simple metal plate racks in a Keralan hardware store, they immediately wanted one for her kitchen. As a visual merchandiser, she had a good eye and quickly realized that the traditional stainless steel wall-mounted rack would fit in with her contemporary British kitchen aesthetic, while also providing a versatile storage solution. These pieces are strong, stylish and practical, yet nobody was selling them in the UK. India is the world’s second largest producer of steel (after China) and steel tiffin boxes, balti dishes and jugs are commonplace. The plate racks are standard traditional pieces and their slightly uneven, imperfect look adds to the charm. Jen brought a few back home with her five years ago and sold them all immediately, so she started importing them as a kitchen table business. ‘The racks are so space-saving; you can empty an entire cupboard into one,’ she says.

‘The whole point is the simplicity of them.’ Since they launched their business, they have imported and sold thousands of them – and now they’ve launched an additional range of steel shelf units to match the racks and create a modular system. ‘The shelves are so versatile – they’re good for bathrooms, for books and as add-ons to the racks,’ says Jen. And since her daughter was born, this kitchen table business has provided a flexible solution for Jen’s working life.  theplaterack.co.uk

81 CHIS_September17_PLATE_RACK_USE 2.indd 81

absolutely.london

25/08/2017 15:40

B OAR D I N G & DAY SCH OO L FO R G I R L S AG E D 11 TO 1 8

“I chose

Mayfield” 50 MINUTES FROM CENTRAL LONDON BY TRAIN - WEEKEND RETURN BUS TO LONDON SET IN BEAUTIFUL SUSSEX COUNTRYSIDE EXEMPLARY PASTORAL CARE & NURTURING ENVIRONMENT OUTSTANDING ACADEMIC RESULTS - SCHOLARSHIPS AVAILABLE EXTENSIVE CO-CURRICULAR PROGRAMME STATE-OF-THE-ART EQUESTRIAN CENTRE ON CAMPUS JENNIFER GANDY

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31/07/2017 15:53 16:00 18/07/2017

> SMALL TALK

p.84

SERAPHINE p.87 EDUCATION p.89

SCANDI COOL Everyone's favourite minimalist cool interiors brand, Skandium, has the sweetest collection of kid-friendly pieces. The simple lines of this stylish storage house are sure to be a hit with children and adults alike. skandium.com

83 NH_SEPT17_Kids Opener.indd 83

absolutely.london

25/08/2017 16:00

KIDS & EDUCATION / NOTES

BOOK REVIEW

SMALL IS BEAUTIFUL Smalls

Au Natural is the latest line from merino wool label Smalls, with a beautiful duky blue tying in the entire range. A debut adult capsule range is coming for November – sign us up now! lovemysmalls.com

GOBBOLINO THE WITCH’S CAT A beguiling and classic tale, re-illustrated for a modern audience

SMALL TALK Skandi style, story books and adorable travel essentials...

N O RT H E R N S O U L

S kandium for smalls One of our favourite brands, Skandium, has launched a new children’s collection of furniture, toys and accessories; all reflecing the brand’s passion for design. Key pieces include a child-sized architects table, geometric poufs and a beautiful dolls house. skandium.com

G

ive your children a book they will really treasure this year, with Gobbolino the Witch’s Cat. The seventyfifth anniversary edition of Ursula Moray Williams’ classic and timeless tale has been beautifully illustrated by the award-winning Catherine Rayner. It tells the tale of Gobbolino; with his sparky whiskers and magic tricks no one could mistake him for a simple kitchen cat, but that’s just what the witch’s kitten wants to be.

Instead of learning how to turn mice into toads, Gobbolino sets out on an adventure to find a family and a home of his own.

A lovely story that children of all ages will enjoy. ◆

£9.99, MacMillian

BEAR NECESSITIES

RINK SIDE

Kooshi ¢ These cute little backpacks are perfect for tiny travellers. The cushion, which has its own rain cover, is detachable and ensures comfort on the go. Children love to have a familiar toy with them when travelling and Kooshi will be their constant companion ◆ £29.95. kooshi.co.uk

ABSOLUTELY MAGAZINES

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QUEENS: Skate, Dine, Bowl ¢ QUEENS, London’s one stop shop for thrill-seeking fun welcomes families to the rink for an exhilarating skating session. Recentley, renowned figure skater Fumie Suguri shared her brilliance with adults and children, from beginners to advanced skaters. ◆ Tickets from £5, queens.london

84 25/08/2017 16:11

In one year at MPW, James went from CC to A*A* and won a place to read Economics and Politics at the University of Exeter.

Don’t settle for A level Retakes second best.

We will help you achieve the grades for your first choice university. MPW is renowned for its exceptional Russell Group placement record for retake students and highly

www.mpw.ac.uk/retakes

flexible, short-course retake options.

Call us today or visit our website.

London Birmingham Cambridge 020 7835 1355 0121 454 9637 01223 350 158

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03/08/2017 16:11

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25/07/2017 17:23

KIDS & EDUCATION / INTERVIEW

FRENCH Flair

PRETTY, EASY-TO-WEAR DRESSES ARE A STAPLE OF THE BRAND

Absolutely meets founder of maternity wear label Seraphine, Cecile Reinaud W o r d s H O L LY K I R K W O O D

ABSOLUTELY: How did you come to work in women’s fashion?

CECILE REINAUD: I was always interested in fashion and style – my grandparents owned a factory which supplied the top Parisian fashion houses, and growing up, I remember my grandmother teaching me how to sew and customise my own clothes.

ABS: How did the brand come into being?

CR: I had lots of pregnant friends and colleagues at the time, and I would hear them complaining that they couldn’t find any stylish maternity clothes to wear to work. I did some market research and realised that there was a serious gap in the market and that’s when Seraphine was born.

ABS: How did you come to base yourself in London rather than France?

CR: I’ve always been split between London and Paris – I was born in France, but we moved to the UK when I was 10. I love both cities, but London has been my home for many years now. It was definitely the right place to set up my business – the city is a fantastic creative hub, where entrepreneurship is nurtured and encouraged.

I always say that WE DRESS EVERYONE from ROCK STARS to ROYALTY

ABS: What are your style inspirations?

CR: Our core aesthetic is Parisian chic, but we design for several different styles within that basic framework.

I always say that at Seraphine we dress everyone from rock stars to royalty, and when planning our range

87 Chis_Sep17_SERAPHINE Q&A.indd 87

THE LABEL PIONEERED STYLISH MATERNITY WEAR IN THE UK

we always incorporate styles to suit these different tastes.

ABS: What's been your biggest challenge?

CR: Finding the right work-life balance is something I’ve had to really work on. I’m a perfectionist by nature and have had to learn a few tough lessons about letting go of the things I can’t control.

ABS: What’s the most fun thing about your job?

CR: I thrive on new challenges, so for me the best thing is that no two days are ever the same. I think my favourite aspect of my job is getting to dress famous pregnant celebrities.

Seraphine is a favourite brand of a whole host of A-listers from Marion Cotillard to the Duchess of Cambridge.

ABS: What’s next?

CR: We’ll opened a new flagship store in Paris this summer, and I’m also looking into possible locations for new stores in New York and LA as well! ◆

CECILE SPLITS HER TIME BETWEEN LONDON AND PARIS

seraphine.com

absolutely.london

25/08/2017 15:42

Kensington Park School is a new independent school for boys and girls aged 11–18 in the heart of London. Whilst the school is new, its leadership and teachers have long, successful track-records at some of the best independent schools in the country with the core teaching team coming from St Paul’s School.

KPS is committed to academic excellence combined with strong pastoral care.

The school has developed an extensive offering of sports and co-curricular activities, making full use of the world-class facilities in and around its West London home.

KPS combines the best of British independent education with a genuinely international outlook and has strong academic, cultural

“

and social links with partners around the

Pupils benefit from some of the most experienced teachers in the country.

”

world at both school and university level.

We look forward to welcoming you.

Dick Jaine, Director of Education

A NEW INDEPENDENT SCHOOL IN THE HEART OF LONDON registrar@kps.co.uk • www.kps.co.uk • 0207 225 0577

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16/08/2017 12:18

KIDS & EDUCATION / TALKING HEAD risk - physical, social and emotional.

Given the right opportunities, children can rehearse a wide range of challenges, and their emotional responses to them, in preparation for a grown-up world they will eventually have to negotiate. In this way, we see children accrue, day by day, an increasing mastery of concepts, skills and habits of thought, upon which they can draw in the future.

Risk-taking represents an important part of the curriculum at Bassett House, especially if it means collaborating with others to solve problems. We encourage children to adopt a cando approach towards their everyday learning. Undertaking specific challenge activities in subjects such as English and mathematics, and acknowledging the fact that some of the most important lessons a child can learn occur outside the classroom, for example taking

CAN DO ATTITUDE

WE BELIEVE that children SHOULD NOT BE WRAPPED

in cotton wool

part in clubs, enrichment activities and residential trips, may push their boundaries and let their imaginations soar. Enrichment activities, such as orienteering, martial arts and fencing, are selected to encourage ‘thinking on one’s W o r d s P h i l i p p a C aw t h o r n e feet’: the development of leadership skills, team-building and active problem solving.

The destinations of our residential t is perfectly natural for parents adventurously. They should be able to trips are chosen carefully to introduce to want to protect their children experience first-hand the opportunities the children to new experiences, from and ensure that they have a and challenges in the world around learning how to rig and sail a boat to smooth path through life. It is them, whilst learning essential skills of bushcraft activities. also important, however, that safety and self-respect. It is partly for Children at Bassett House are children learn how to take these reasons that children’s play and encouraged to have a growth-mindset risks, in order to discover how exploration have long been understood when approaching their to manage these challenges to have a key role both in learning and not give up themselves. We believe in working with sustaining wellbeing and when they find something parents to help them learn how to let developing their difficult to achieve. If we want their children take risks, safely. future life skills. children to have the At Bassett House, we believe that Play and child-led, confidence and skills to children should not be wrapped in cotton independent learning, is at survive and thrive in an wool but be allowed to play and undertake the heart of the Montessori increasingly challenging activities to understand the opportunities ethos. It permeates world, we need to allow them and challenges in the world around them our school in the Early to learn how to develop their and learn how to be safe. For children, Years, giving children the PHILIPPA CAWTHORNE own awareness of limits and the best risk-taking finds its foundations opportunity to make finelyHeadmistress boundaries – to learn, in in a safe and secure environment, where tuned decisions to determine Bassett House School short, how to be safe. u they are allowed to play and explore and calculate the levels of

The Headmistress of Bassett House on teaching children to take risks

I

89 NH_Sept_TH Basset House.indd 89

absolutely.london

25/08/2017 15:50

XXXXXX KIDS & EDUCATION / XXXXXXX / TALKING HEAD The school also has superb boarding facilities in South Kensington, accepting pupils from other parts of the UK and from around the world.

In the Senior School, pupils will follow a broad traditional syllabus.

This is supplemented by four periods of sport each week. In the Sixth Form, our pupils will generally select three A-Level subjects, in some cases a fourth may be added. There is also an opportunity to add elective subjects. One is functional and conversational Mandarin, with the option of short programmes at a top university in Shanghai, enabling pupils to learn this important language without having to take it at A-Level.

With its senior staff recruited from academic powerhouse schools, KPS is committed to academic rigour and the highest standards of achievement. Life at KPS is about much more than academia,

Simon Clarke, Head of Chemistry at KPS and former St Paul's teacher

A CUT ABOVE

KPS will have TWO SITES on EITHER SIDE of Kensington Gardens

however. KPS has partnered with providers of exceptional sports facilities in and around its West London home. These include Imperial College’s Ethos Sports Centre with its state-of-the-art gym, pool and nine-metre climbing wall; expert coaches, including former Olympians, in fencing and riding; and Fulham Reach Boat Club, a superbly equipped new rowing facility on the Wo r d s D i c k J a i n e Thames. There will be an exciting outdoor education programme, including the Duke ensington Park School KPS operates from two buildings either side of Edinburgh award scheme. . We are aware is a new independent of Kensington Gardens: that many families find the process of school for boys and girls •KPS Sixth Form, in Queen’s Gate, opens this applying to the most selective independent aged 11-18 in the heart of month for pupils aged 16-18 schools increasingly stressful. At KPS, London. Whilst the school •KPS Seniors, in Bark Place, opens in pupils have the opportunity to be taught by is new, its leadership September 2018 for pupils aged 11-16 teachers who have extensive experience at and teachers have long, precisely these schools without successful track-records This configuration enables going through the extreme at some of the UK's best schools.

KPS to have a dedicated Sixth competition for places during A large contingent come from St Paul’s Form Centre so that A-Levels the admissions process.

School; I myself had a 30-year career and preparation for university I feel very fortunate to be at St Paul’s culminating as acting High entrance can be taught in a involved in the founding of a Master. Also joining from St Paul’s are specialist environment. Our new school which offers so Heads of Department for subjects including sixth formers have a tailored much to our pupils in terms of Mathematics, Chemistry and Economics. timetable which is more academic excellence, a dynamic These superb teachers each have more conducive to A-Level study and sports and arts programme than 25 years’ experience of helping their our Sixth Form teachers are a DICK JAINE and a prime London location pupils to achieve outstanding grades at team of true specialists, with Director of Eduction rich in culture and diversity.

GCSE and A-Level as well as entry into the several A-Level chief examiners Kensington Park School Registrar: j.lovell@kps.co.uk world’s top universities. among their number.

The Director of Education at Kensington Park School on why his new school stands out

K

ABSOLUTELY MAGAZINES

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90 25/08/2017 15:49

Tara joined MPW with AS results CCCC. In one year she achieved A*A*A in her A levels and won a place to read Medicine at University College London.

Don’t compromise Year 12 Transfers your future.

We will support you through the transition and help you achieve the grades for your first choice university. MPW is renowned for its exceptional Russell Group placement www.mpw.ac.uk/transfers

record and highly flexible, short-course retake options.

Call us today or visit our website.

London 020 7835 1355

MPW.indd 2

Birmingham 0121 454 9637

Cambridge 01223 350 158

03/08/2017 16:11

A SCHOOL FOR EVERY BOY AND GIRL Taunton School offers outstanding education to children from Nursery (aged 3 months) through Pre-Prep, Prep, Senior and on to Sixth Form (aged 18 years) as proven by our recent Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI) report.

Come to our Open Events Whole School Open Mornings: Saturday 30th September 2017, 09:30 - 12:30 Saturday 3rd February 2018, 09:30 - 12:30 Sixth Form Open Evening: Friday 6th October 2017, 18:30 - 21:00 Find out about Scholarships and Assisted Places.

www.tauntonschool.co.uk

Follow us @TauntonSchool

CHALLENGE

NURTURE

INSPIRE TAUNTON.indd 1

04/07/2017 09:13

ABSOLUTELY / PROMOTION

A PERFECT GEM An education at one of Ireland’s top boarding schools for boys

G

lenstal Abbey School stands out as one of the leading boarding schools in Ireland for boys aged 12-18.

Situated in County Limerick, in the heart of Munster, Glenstal Abbey is only 40 minutes drive from Shannon Airport and just over two hours from Dublin Airport.

Glenstal is a small school with small classes; there are approximately 250 students divided into groups mostly of 12 to 16 pupils, in line with the clear policy and academic vision of the school.

A Catholic school, Glenstal welcomes students from all traditions and sees itself as a partner with parents in the formation and nurturing of its students in a climate of learning.

Each student at Glenstal is encouraged to fulfill his potential. The school’s ethos is grounded in the values of reverence,

Academia, pastoral care, SPORT, ART AND MUSIC A re seamlessly woven into THE EDUCATIONAL FABRIC

Year 11 pupils at Glenstal Abbey

respect and responsibility drawn from a long monastic tradition.

The Irish Department of Education and Skills recently completed a whole school evaluation on the management, leadership and learning at Glenstal Abbey School.

The report warmly endorsed the school’s academic, pastoral, sporting, art and music programmes: “All these aspects of the students’ experience appear to be woven into a fabric of care, support and pedagogy to nurture the academic, social and personal development of the students while in the care of the school.”

Glenstal has regularly topped The Sunday Times ‘Parent Power’ survey over the last 10 years. These tables are based on the percentage of students progressing to universities.

There is no better way for parents to discover what life is like for a students here than to explore the school and its grounds for themselves. u

93 SE_ADV_glenstal.indd 93

The annual boarding fee is in the order of €23,500 For further information about Glenstal Abbey School see www.glenstal.com email admissions@glenstal.com or telephone +35361621044

absolutely.london

25/08/2017 15:50

TURKS & CAICOS • JAMAICA

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ALL-INCLUSIVE FAMILY RESORTS

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At Beaches all-inclusive resorts, absolutely everything you could think of for the ultimate family holiday is included and unlimited. The most thrilling waterparks and land sports in the Caribbean. Fabulous water sports including unlimited waterskiing and scuba diving^, even for the kids. 5-Star Global Gourmet™ dining at up to 20 restaurants. Up to 15 bars serving unlimited premium drinks for adults. Authentic island entertainment for everyone.

Cool hangouts for teens and Sesame Street® fun and games for the kids. And beautifully-appointed rooms and suites, some even with butler service. Take a closer look at Beaches and see why we were voted the World’s Leading AllInclusive Family Resort Brand at the World Travel Awards for 19 years in a row.

Activities vary by resort.^Scuba diving included for certified divers. PADI dive courses, night dives and kids’ dive programmes additional.

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16/08/2017 16:34

> SWISS MOUNTAIN RETREAT p.96 BEACH BREAK IN NORFOLK

p.101

COME RAIN, SNOW OR SHINE From the Swiss Alps, perfect for skiing, to the acres of green space for a summer hike, the gorgeous village of Andermatt makes the perfect weekend break, come sun or snow.

95 NH_Sept17_Travel_Opener.indd 95

absolutely.london

25/08/2017 15:59

ABSOLUTELY MAGAZINES

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96 25/08/2017 15:51

TRAVEL / WANDERLUST

A DIAMOND IN THE ALPS Not just for skiing, Andermatt’s picture-perfect setting makes it a luxury summer haven, too Wo r d s H a n n a h H o p k i n s

F

rom the Swiss Alps, perfect for skiing, to the acres of green space for a long summer hike, the gorgeous village of Andermatt makes the perfect weekend break, come sun or snow. Small enough to get around on foot and large enough to keep you interested, it has all the charm and beauty you’d expect from a historic Swiss village.

Inspired by the chalets and grand hotels of the past, the front of the five-star Chedi mirrors a traditional wooden chalet, with subtle injections of modern features.

Designer Jean-Michel Gathy had the tricky task of balancing the signature Asian style of the Chedi hotels with alpine chic, but he’s managed to pull it off with aplomb, creating a space that’s natural, grounded and stylish - think large fireplaces, wood panelling and terraces that blend indoor and outdoor spaces together. You feel yourself physically decompress as soon as you enter - a very good sign for a short but sweet weekend break.

We stay in a Junior Deluxe Suite with a balcony, lounge, bedroom and bathroom, but all the rooms or suites are a spacious 52-55 square metres in area giving you plenty of privacy and living space.

There’s a romantic mood to the rooms, with dark alpine wood, soft leather chairs, bronze lamps and fireplaces. The TVs, temperature, blackout blinds, lights and even the do-notdisturb sign can be controlled via an iPad

It has all the

Located in the midst of the Urseren Valley, at the foot of the Gotthard Pass, Andermatt has been given something of a luxe-over since 2013. Central to this was the opening of The Chedi Andermatt - a milestone in the development of the resort and now a member of The Leading Hotels of the World. A spectacular combination of apartments, chalets, hotels and leisure facilities, with skiing on its doorstep and world-class service all year round, the hotel and its under-the-radar location won’t stay secret for long.

CHARM YOU’D EXPECT from a SWISS VILLAGE

97 Chis_August17_ Switzerland_V2.indd 97

absolutely.london

25/08/2017 15:51

REACH YOUR PEAK

Experience the ultimate in fitness and relaxation at The Peak Health Club & Spa, Knightsbridge’s exclusive urban retreat. Enjoy unrivalled views of London whilst working out in the state-of-the-art gym, unwinding with a dip in the heated indoor pool or being pampered by one of our expert spa therapists.

For bookings, call 020 7858 7300 or visit peakhealthclub.com

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TRAVEL / WANDERLUST and the handmade Hastens bed (worth about 50,000 Euros) are the same as the King and Queen of Sweden's. Most wow-worthy are the bathrooms, which come with heated stone floors, rain showers and a huge bathtub.

Wrapping up in cosy robes (complete with hood), sipping red wine on our mountainview balcony and breathing in the fresh Swiss air is a real treat.

Early mornings are ideal for hiking or biking the signature mountain trails. We venture up an easy route but naturally go offpiste and end up on a slightly tougher medium route. Despite not being prepared with hiking boots - a rookie error - we manage to get high up the mountain, where we’re rewarded with Sound of Music-style views - wildflowers, snow-capped peaks and all. Of course, it’s not all about hiking and skiing in Andermatt – the 18-hole Andermatt Swiss Alps Golf Course, located in the beautiful Urseren Valley between Andermatt and Hospental, is also the perfect summer activity.

Back at the hotel we dine at the Chedi Restaurant, which showcases not one but four open kitchens specialising in cold cuts, desserts, Western and Asian Cuisine.

Surrounded by exquisite aromas, it’s fun to watch the food being prepared directly and freshly in front of you. A particular highlight in the restaurant is The Wine and Cheese Cellar. At five metres high it attracts cheese connoisseurs who marvel at its delights through the glass walls - you can

A trip to the

FINNISH SAUNA rounds off a BLISSFUL WEEKEND NICELY

pop in anytime to sample the huge variety of cheeses. Also very popular (and one of the top rated restaurants in Andermatt) is the hotel’s Japanese Restaurant which seats just 46 guests, either at the open Sushi and Sashimi Bar or the Tempura and Teppanyaki Bar. Venture into Andmeratt itself for dinner and you can eat onion soup and pappardelle with rabbit ragu at Italian Baeren or go traditional Swiss with fondue and raclette at Gasthaus zum Sternen.

After a smorgasbord of culinary delights at breakfast the next morning, we spend our final day sunbathing in luxurious surroundings by the Gemsstock Mountain, where as well as an indoor and outdoor pool (heated to a bathwater-style 30 degrees), there are bath towels, sun cream, beauty products, reading materials and light refreshments on tap. We visit the spa to try the classic full-body massage, designed to target the most overworked areas of your body. You can choose from a range of Alpienne-branded therapeutic products to deepen the massage’s efficacy. We opt for Propolis Massage Milk – ideal for dry skin.

A trip to the Finnish sauna and hammam rounds off a blissful weekend nicely.

As we wait to pick up the Bernina Express back to Zurich, we devour Swiss meat and cheese sandwiches and sip Aperol Spritz at a local cafe. With the sun beaming down and the snow-capped mountains surrounding us, it’s a reminder that the simplest things in life are often the best. u

THE CHEDI ANDERMATT Prices start from 500 CHF (approx £405) for a Deluxe Room on a B&B basis. thechediandermatt.com/en; Swiss Travel Passes are available at mystsnet.com/ grandtraintour

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absolutely.london

25/08/2017 15:51

Join us this autumn at 5 star boutique hotel, The Capital You’ll find us on a quiet street between Harrods and Harvey Nichols

For friends and family Your neighbourhood guest room Featuring Michelin starred Outlaw’s at The Capital Renowned hospitality and true English style BOUTIQUE HOTEL KNIGHTSBRIDGE

22-24 Basil Street, Knightsbridge SW3 1AT CAPITAL.indd 1

020 7589 5171

www.capitalhotel.co.uk 18/08/2017 10:50

TRAVEL / UK GETAWAY WHAT TO DO

If the beaches aren’t enough entertainment, or if it’s a rainy day, there are lots of options in this beautiful part of the world. Local crab and seafood is exceptional, shopping for antiques and vintage clothes in Holt is a joy and a visit to Langham Glass enables you to have a go at glass blowing. It's easy to hire bikes for rides into the countryside and golf courses, wildflife watching and horse riding are all available nearby. Back at the barns there’s a communal games room and a Jacuzzi, as well as a very well-equipped toy and games cupboard.

BARSHAM BARNS NORFOLK

Wo r d s P E N D L E H A R T E

THE AREA

North Norfolk’s beaches are some of the world’s best. The stretch of candycoloured beach huts at Wells is almost too perfect with its vast stretch of soft white sand, gentle waves and shallow water. Behind the sand dunes is a dreamy forest full of beautiful shady picnic spots. If the sun continues to stay, head to the dramatic Holkham Beach, fringed with pine trees, or family-friendly Brancaster beach.

THE BARN

Six barn conversions of varying sizes make up Barsham Barns, and if you book them all together you can sleep as many as 52 people at once. We’re in the Great East barn, the largest one, which used to be a massive 19th century granary and sits in a tranquil river valley. It comfortably sleeps 14 with lots of room for lounging and a vast dining table, as well as a large garden with a bbq and another huge table. Serious meals can be made in the kitchen, which features double everything – two dishwashers, two fridges, two ovens and endless crockery and cutlery as well as lots of cake-making equipment.

Our foodie group is delighted. A holiday cottage with a difference, it's the perfect blend of country meets city.

THE JOURNEY

North Norfolk isn’t the easiest place to get to from London, taking Friday traffic and the lack of motorways into account.

We hired a spacious Volvo XC90 for the weekend to ease the pressure with its comfortable seats, excellent sound system and powerful engine.

THE DAMAGE Three nights in Little Barsham, sleeping four, start at £575; three nights in The Great East Barn, sleeping 14, start at £2,210; Barsham Barns, Lower Farm Barns, North Barsham, Norfolk NR22 6AP

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absolutely.london

25/08/2017 15:52

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

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03/10/2016 12:05

The heart wants what the heart wants.

Discover penthouse flats with city views using keyword search.

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03/10/2016 12:05

ABBEY ROAD

FRAMING

Picture Frames, Mirrors, Prints, Cards & Gifts

020 7328 6915

67 Abbey Road St John’s Wood London NW8 0AE

ABBEY ROAD FRAMING.CO.UK ABBEY ROAD FRAMING NXNW.indd 1 AbsolutelyNorthByNorthWest-1612-AbbeyRoadFraming.indd 1

13/12/2016 14:13 07/12/2016 16:01

CREATORS OF THE WORLD’S MOST DESIRABLE FIREPLACES Winner of the HOMES & GARDENS PALMES D’OR design awards, we created our unique open flame flueless gas fires in 1999 using cutting edge burner technology

CVO Fire | Unit 4 Beaumont Square Newton Aycliffe | County Durham | DL5 6XN 01325 301020 | sales@cvo.co.uk www.cvo.co.uk

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25/08/2017 16:08

NIGEL LEWIS: FAMOUS PLACES

BISHOP MANSIONS SW6

LIVING THE DREAM p.128

his imposing three bedroom ground floor Mansion Block flat is situated on the ever popular Bishop's Park Road. Occupying over 950 sq/ft of ground floor space the accommodation comprises of a large reception room, three bedrooms, bathroom and kitchen/diner. The property is adjacent to Bishop's Park with further benefits including high ceilings, gas central heating, communal gardens. u

T

£925,000

LOCKETT ESTATES 020 7736 2810 lockettestates.co.uk

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p.114

absolutely.london

25/08/2017 16:24

Willesden Lane : 020 8459 1133 Queens Park : 020 7328 2828 enquiries@cameronsstiff.co.uk www.cameronsstiff.co.uk

EPC - D

STREATLEY ROAD NW6

EPC - D

£1,699,950 F/H CLIFFORD GARDENS NW10

£1,499,950 F/H

· Classic 3 storey Victorian property – 2079 sq ft · 5 bedrooms, reception room, 18ft kitchen/diner · 40 ft garden, cellar, high ceilings and terrace · Short walk from Kilburn High Road · Viewing recommended

· · · · ·

Contact : Willesden Office – 020 8459 1133

Contact : Willesden Office – 020 8459 1133

EPC - D

HOVEDEN ROAD NW2 · · · · ·

EPC - D

£1,450,000 F/H KINGS ROAD NW10

Situated within the Mapesbury Conservation Area Great views onto the stunning Mapesbury Dell 5 beds, 2 reception rooms, fully fitted kitchen Plenty of lateral living space Great position close to transport – Jubilee Line

Contact : Willesden Office – 020 8459 1133

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Beautifully refurbished 4 bed property on 3 floors 1723 sq ft, lateral living, d/g, fgch, original floorboards 24ft reception room, extended kitchen/breakfast room 25ft south facing garden & raised decking Early viewing is highly recommended

· · · · ·

£1,199,950 F/H

Spacious mid-terrace property – 5 beds, 2 bathrooms Stunning reception room & dining room Contemporary style modern kitchen Beautiful 68 ft rear garden Close to Willesden Green Station (Jubilee)

Contact : Willesden Office – 020 8459 1133

24/08/2017 16:31

EPC - D

BRONDESBURY VILLAS, NW6 · · · · ·

EPC - C

£649,950 F/H BRONDESBURY ROAD, NW6

Stunning FF 2 bed flat tastefully refurbished - 657 sq ft Bright living room, modern kitchen & family bathroom Extra high ceilings, storage space Professional soundproofing throughout Close to Queens Park & local transports

Contact: Queens Park office – 020 7328 2828

EPC - F

THE AVENUE, NW6

· · · · ·

£1,650,000 SOF

Fabulous conversion over 2 floors – seeing is believing 3 beds, 3 bathrooms (2 en-suites), Italian kitchen Oak wood flooring, Crittal Doors, Underfloor heating Attention to detail throughout – viewing a must Garden + separate terrace off master bedroom

Contact: Queens Park office – 020 7328 2828

EPC - E

£2,595,000 F/H KINGSWOOD AVENUE,

NW6 £3,850,000 F/H

· Detached residence of just under 3000 sq ft · 5 beds, 3 bathrooms, 2 reception rooms, kitchen · 152 ft south facing garden + studio, OSP, garage · Good transport links into Central London · Viewing is highly recommended

· Beautiful home overlooking Queens Park · Spanning 2433 sq ft, 5 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms · Reception room, dining room and family room · 45 ft rear garden with terrace · Viewing is highly recommended

Contact: Queens Park office – 020 7328 2828

Contact: Queens Park office – 020 7328 2828

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ANSELM ROAD, FULHAM Located just off the vibrant North End Road sits this immaculately presented Victorian family home. The house offers plenty of flexibility on how you could use the accommodation and could be extended further subject to the relevant planning permissions. Property being sold chain free. EPC = C.

5

2

2

ASKING PRICE

£1,695,000 FULHAM 020 7610 9755

NEW KINGS ROAD, FULHAM Situated in the heart of Parsons Green, this charming split level apartment offers an artistic style, naturally bright living space from creatively placed skylights throughout and entered via a staircase. This peaceful property has further potential to extend STPP. EPC = D.

2

1

1

ASKING PRICE

£745,000 FULHAM 020 7610 9755

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Chiswick Hammersmith West Kensington Fulham Chelsea

Kew Sheen Twickenham Teddington Kingston

Battersea Clapham Putney Barnes Richmond

featherstoneleigh.co.uk

DORIA ROAD, FULHAM A rare opportunity to purchase a wonderful house on the sought after Doria Road in Parsons Green. The house is situated over three floors and has potential to extend further STPP. Doria Road is one of Parsons Greens most prestigious roads just off The New Kings Road and a short walk from Parsons Green underground Station (District Line).

EPC = TBC.

ASKING PRICE

ÂŁ1,999,950

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FULHAM 020 7610 9755

15/08/2017 10:32

www.finlaybrewer.co.uk BROOK GREEN SHEPHERDS BUSH BROOK ACTON GREEN SHEPHERDS BUSH ACTON

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

www.finlaybrewer.co.uk www.finlaybrewer.co.uk

MERCHANT TERRACE W6 £1,600PW / £6,933PCM UPPER MALL W6 • 4 BEDROOMS / £6,500PCM •£1,500PW STYLISH CONTEMPORARY UPPER MALL W6 KITCHEN • SPACIOUS DINING AREA ••£1,500PW WONDERFUL FAMILY HOME FIRST FLOOR RECEPTION / £6,500PCM •• •• •• ••

4 DOUBLE BEDROOMSROOM CLOAKROOM/UTILITY MASTER SUITEFAMILY WITH MEZZANINE STUDY AREA WONDERFUL HOME 2 LIVING SPACE 4 FLOORS DOUBLE OF BEDROOMS 2 BATHROOMS & 2 SHOWER ROOMS MASTER SUITE WITH MEZZANINE STUDY AREA

• 2 FLOORS OF LIVING SPACE • 2 BATHROOMS & 2 SHOWER ROOMS

COVERDALE ROAD W12 £1,200PW / £5,200PCM HAARLEM ROAD W14 • 5 DOUBLE BEDROOMS / £2,708PCM •£625PW DOUBLE RECEPTION HAARLEM ROAD W14 • FULL WIDTH KITCHEN/BREAKFAST ROOM ••£625PW 2 DOUBLE BEDROOM FLAT FAMILY BATHROOM / £2,708PCM •• •• •• ••

RECEPTION 2 SHOWER ROOMS CONTEMPORARY KITCHEN/BREAKFAST ROOM 2 DOUBLE BEDROOM FLAT MASTER WITH EN SUITE BATHROOM & DRESSING AREA RECEPTION SHOWER ROOM KITCHEN/BREAKFAST ROOM CONTEMPORARY

LETTINGS 020 7371 4071 LETTINGS 020 7371 4071 • • • •• •• •• •• ••

2 BATHROOMS & EN SUITE SHOWER ROOM 2 TERRACES LETTINGS 020 UNDERGROUND PARKING 2 COURTYARD GARDENS EPC RATING B 86 EASY ACCESS TO HAMMERSMITH & CHISWICK AVAILABLE NOW UNFURNISHED 2 COURTYARD GARDENS EPC 57 HAMMERSMITH & CHISWICK EASYRATING ACCESSDTO AVAILABLE NOW UNFURNISHED

7371 4071

• EPC RATING D 57 • AVAILABLE NOW

LETTINGS 020 7371 4071 LETTINGS 020 7371 4071 • • • •• •• •• •• ••

WESTERLY FACING GARDEN WOOD FLOORS THROUGHOUT LETTINGS 020 7371 WELL LOCATED FOR SHEPHERDS BUSH BALCONY EPC RATING E 42 UNFURNISHED AVAILABLE NOW WALKING DISTANCE TO HAMMERSMITH BROADWAY BALCONY EPC RATING C 79 UNFURNISHED AVAILABLE NOW WALKING DISTANCE TO HAMMERSMITH BROADWAY

4071

LOCAL . INDEPENDENT . INVOLVED

• MASTER WITH EN SUITE BATHROOM & DRESSING AREA • SHOWER ROOM

• EPC RATING C 79

L O C A L . I N D E P E N D• EAVAILABLE N T NOW . INVOLVED

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LOCAL . INDEPENDENT . INVOLVED

24/08/2017 18:17

DEWHURST ROAD W14 GUIDE £2.25M FREEHOLD • • • • •

5 BEDROOMS DOUBLE RECEPTION KITCHEN/BREAKFAST ROOM 2 BATHROOMS SHOWER ROOM

ANLEY ROAD W14 GUIDE £1.675M FREEHOLD • • • • •

4 DOUBLE BEDROOMS DOUBLE RECEPTION FULL WIDTH KITCHEN/BREAKFAST ROOM 2 BATHROOMS SHOWER ROOM

BROOK GREEN 020 7371 4171

• • • • •

GUEST CLOAKROOM UTILITY/CELLAR GENEROUS UNDER EAVES STORAGE 47” GARDEN EPC RATING C 69

BROOK GREEN 020 7371 4171

• 18” PAVED & WALLED GARDEN • UNDER EAVES STORAGE • EPC RATING D 61

LOCAL . INDEPENDENT . INVOLVED

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PROPERTY / FAMOUS COUNTRYSIDE HOUSES

BEXLEY £825,000

FA M O U S P L AC E S New to the market are two very different celebrity homes

by N I G E L L E W I S

ROALD DAHL’S PEACHY COTTAGE MALLORCA €2.9 MILLION

LOVE ISLAND’S ‘OTHER’ VILLA

I

t would seem the whole of the UK was watching Love Island. The ITV show combined elimination, public popularity votes and potential for contestants to couple up.

One new feature of this summer’s series were two Mallorcan villas where the contestants competed for the £50k prize. The second of these was Casa Amore and now that

ABSOLUTELY MAGAZINES

NIGEL_SEPT_Famous Places 2.indd 114

the TV crew have packed up, the property is for sale.

Described by agent Chestertons International as “one of the most stylish homes to have been built in Mallorca for 20 years,” it is outside the rural village of Sant Llorenc des Cardassar in the eastern region of the holiday island. It’s for sale at €2.9 million and includes four bedrooms and four bathrooms.

More information from Chestertons International on 020 7201 2071.

A

uthor Roald Dahl's children’s books continue to be popular despite his death nearly 27 years ago. Over 250 million copies of his titles have been sold so far and a musical version of Matilda is currently running in London’s West End. Lesser known is that this property was one of his favourite childhood retreats. The house is for sale at £825,000 in Bexley, south London, where the Dahl family lived during WWII until they were bombed out of their home during an air-raid.

Dahl was sent to boarding school and the rest of the family decamped to Buckinghamshire. The address was said to be the nearest thing he had to a proper home in the chaotic war years. Making frequent visits to friends, local archives reveal that he was often photographed in the area.

“Dahl was also known to make visits to nearby Bexley Library, where he would perform readings to local children,” says Kevin Wooder of agent Robinson Jackson.  For more information call Kevin on 01322 559900.

“The address was said to be the nearest thing he had to a proper home”

114 25/08/2017 16:16

true associates ltd CHARTERED SURVEYORS

•

ESTATES AGENTS

Dundonald Road, NW10 Harrow Road, NW10

•

PROJECT MANAGERS

Price on£2,250,000 application

This rarely available freehold propertyfor has been in the same family sincerooms it was and builtainwonderful the 1890’sgarden. for employees of the Great This bright and airy home is perfect a growing family, with spacious The stained glass panelled Western Railway.

This particular building was provided for the use of the senior managers and their families and is therefore higher front door opens onto a wide entrance hall which features an attractive monochrome marble tiled floor leading through into the than most of the terrace it hasonto fourastoreys.

Since 1920’s theThe ground floor commercial premises hashave beenhigh a milliners, kitchen/dining room, withas doors stunning patiothe and garden.

2 interconnecting reception rooms ceilings and and an then an antique shop.

The fireplace entire building is over 2,500 there sq ft (239 and ready development, subject of course, to the usual impressive original period surround.

Upstairs are 4sqm) bedrooms and 2for generous bathrooms (1 en-suite). consents.

True Associates Limited 32 Chamberlayne Road London NW10 3JE

TRUE ASS.indd 1

T: 020 8960 3663 F: 020 8960 3883 E: info@trueassociates.co.uk W: www.trueassociates.co.uk

Find Us on Facebook & Twitter

25/08/2017 12:33

Harrods Estates brings

LONDON property to the world

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

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

HARRODSESTATES.COM @HarrodsEstates

3ads.indd 1 HARRODS.indd 5091 HE Absolute1

20/02/2017 16:03 14:00 27/09/2016 10:46 22/09/2015 22/07/2015 14:41

Established 1897

A sixth floor apartment in a sought-after development Trinity House, Kensington W14 • Large open-plan reception • Two / three bedrooms • Balcony with two access points

GUIDE PRICE

£2,300,000 TENURE

Leasehold: Approximately 993 years

• Swimming pool, spa and gym • 24-hour concierge and security • 1,150sq ft/ 106.84sq m

EPC RATING

B

CONTACT

KENSINGTON OFFICE 020 3650 4600 shaun.drummond@harrodsestates.com

H A R R O D S E S TAT E S . C O M

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Established 1897

A spacious, detached six-bedroom house in Wimbledon.

Coach House Lane, Wimbledon SW19 • Discreet residential location • Great scope to entertain • Two private garages

GUIDE PRICE

£5,000,000 TENURE

Freehold

• Six bedrooms & five bathrooms • Potential to add value and/or extend • Southerly aspect

EPC RATING

E

CONTACT

CHELSEA OFFICE 020 7225 6700 mark.greenway@harrodsestates.com

H A R R O D S E S TAT E S . C O M

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Established 1897

A two-bedroom flat on this exclusive Knightsbridge square.

Cadogan Square, Knightsbridge SW1 • Generous reception room • Separate kitchen • Two double bedrooms

GUIDE PRICE

£2,100,000 TENURE

Leasehold: Approximately 988 years

• Resident porter • Access to square gardens/Tennis Court • Approximately 995sq ft/88.72sq m

EPC RATING

B

CONTACT

KNIGHTSBRIDGE OFFICE 020 7225 6509 michael.harte@harrodsestates.com

H A R R O D S E S TAT E S . C O M

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Think London property experts.

Think KFH.

Our 60 London-wide branches agree a sale or let every 15 minutes*, working together to connect thousands of buyers and tenants with property like yours.

Trust London’s property experts to deliver the results you need.

kfh.co.uk/valuation

*Based on the annual average sales and lettings deals between July 2014 - June 2017.

KFH.indd 1 Absolutely_Central Campaign_Brand Ad_art.indd 1

24/08/2017 15:08 18:30 18/08/2017

Kensington Green, Kensington W8 £2,350,000

Set on the ground floor within the prestigious, gated Kensington Green development is this impressive purpose built apartment with three bedrooms, two bathrooms and glorious gardens.

Earls Court 020 7740 2020 earlscourt.sales@kfh.co.uk

This immaculate home comes with one secure underground parking space, 24 hour concierge and exclusive resident’s access to leisure facilities.

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• • • • • •

Three bedrooms Two bathrooms Immaculately presented Gated development Close to the tube EPC rating C

24/08/2017 14:56 18:30 21/08/2017

Kensington Gardens Square, Bayswater W2 £1,999,500 Bayswater 020 7724 1222 bayswater.sales@kfh.co.uk

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A great apartment for sale on a much sought after first floor position, opening on to a typical full width balcony and terrace overlooking this lovely garden square.

Kensington Gardens Square boasts a privileged position and benefits from being within a few moments of all the shops and restaurants of Queensway and Hyde Park.

• • • • • • •

Three double bedrooms Large reception room Full width balcony Access to communal garden Exceptional standard Moments from Hyde Park EPC rating D

24/08/2017 14:54 18:30 21/08/2017

Lillie Square, Fulham SW6 £4,333 pcm Fulham 020 3486 2290 fulham.lettings@kfh.co.uk

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A modern, newly developed three bedroom luxury apartment offering plenty of natural light and a private balcony. Situated on the fifth floor, this stunning property benefits from a bright and spacious open plan reception area with fully fitted kitchen, as well as a private balcony.

Situated just off Lillie Road and located moments from West Brompton and Earls Court underground stations, this stunning property is ideally located for links into and out of the city as well as a short ride away from Heathrow Airport.

• • • • • •

Three bedrooms Open planned living Prime location Multiple terraces Split level EPC rating D

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

24/08/2017 14:58 18:31 21/08/2017

Warwick Road, Earls Court SW5 £1,495,000

A superb home of tremendous style and taste with beautifully appointed accommodation throughout including two double bedrooms, two bathrooms and a separate, high quality kitchen.

Earls Court 020 7740 2020 earlscourt.lettings@kfh.co.uk

Set on the first floor of a highly desirable and beautifully maintained red brick mansion block. Residents also have access to immaculate, gated Nevern Square communal gardens via separate negotiation. Excellent amenities are within easy reach.

KFH.indd 09.17 KFH 5 Central.indd 2

• • • • • •

Two bedrooms En suite master bedroom Porter Lift Moments from tube station EPC rating D

24/08/2017 14:53 18:31 21/08/2017

Halford Road, Fulham SW6 £850,000 Fulham 020 7731 0051 fulham.sales@kfh.co.uk

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An immaculately presented, light filled top floor split level maisonette with two large double bedrooms, recently refurbished modern bathroom and three terraces.

Halford Road is within easy reach of local amenities and close to the vibrant North End Road with its daily street market. It is also within close proximity to Fulham Broadway providing an array of shops, bars, restaurants and cinema.

• • • • •

Two double bedrooms Open planned living Multiple terraces Close to amenities and transport EPC rating D

24/08/2017 14:55 18:31 21/08/2017

Do you know why estate agents charge 2% or more* to sell your home?

No, neither do we.

%

1.25 * Fees quoted are for Sole Agency excluding VAT.

YOUHOME.indd 1

15/08/2017 11:12

High estate agency fees are something that many people complain about….Until now.

Here are 5 good reasons why our fees are pleasingly low: 1. Very few people actually walk into an Estate Agents office any more. The way buyers shop and do business has changed. We do not pass on the cost of these expensive and pointless offices to you.

2. We’ve built an estate agency where technology is doing more. As a result, our business is more streamlined and we can pass on efficiencies through lower fees.

3. These days, people research properties online without relying on agents to do it for them.

So why should you still pay for that? Portals such as Rightmove, Zoopla and Prime Location have lowered the cost for Estate Agents to market properties to a wider audience and we advertise all our properties on all of these websites.

4. We do not have a fleet of branded cars that the client pays for.

5. Our Property Gurus will work late into the evening and any day to suit YOU the seller and YOU the buyer. We do not need to staff an expensive shop.

We’ve successfully sold properties that had previously been on the market with other agents who could not find a buyer and are continuing to exceed our clients’ expectations.

To find out more or to arrange a free market appraisal of your property in The Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea and Westminster, please contact one of our experienced property Gurus and Local Experts now.

SW1, SW3, SW10.

W8, W14.

Laurence Lai laurence.lai@youhome.co.uk 020 7908 9281

Alexandra Mathew alex.mathew@youhome.co.uk 020 7908 9284

W11, W10, W2.

SW5, SW7.

Jerry Epton, MRICS jerry.epton@youhome.co.uk 020 7908 9282

Davide Moi davide.moi@youhome.co.uk 020 7908 9256

W11, W10, W2.

Nick Sajid nick.sajid@youhome.co.uk 020 7908 9283

Telephone: 020 7908 9280 Email: nhg@youhome.co.uk RBK&C Office: 121 Notting Hill Gate, London, W11 3LB Westminster Office: 63 Jermyn Street, London, SW1

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PROPERTY / PROFILE KFH

I N T H E I R OW N WO R D S

Jonathan McCormack The London real estate world from the eyes of an insider...

Photography by R E B E C C A N O O NA N

W

hen I was younger I always wanted to be an estate agent... well no, not exactly. In reality I really wanted to be a footballer or an explorer. The latter is not surprising considering I grew up with Indiana Jones - he was, after all, the ultimate badass who always got the girl.

Growing up in the West of Ireland I had plenty of fields, lakes and mountains to explore so I genuinely thought I was the archaeologist adventurer of County Mayo, albeit aged ten.

I moved to London when I was 18 and started my working life at my Father's large construction company. I soon realised I was much better with my words than I was with my hands - as they say, the Irish have the gift of the gab. Naturally I was drafted into agency and have been in prime central London real estate for ten years in a variety of different roles.

The last four years at KFH have been wonderful. As there was already a very well established sales office on Leinster Terrace, I was tasked with opening up the lettings department. Over the years myself

and the team have formed some fantastic relationships with landlords, vendors, developers, investors and corporate clients.

I am proud to say they are still working with us to this day.

Last September was a big moment for us as we moved into our brand new flagship branch at 186 Queensway. It has been a truly phenomenal 12 months and we have certainly cemented ourselves as the preferred W2 agent. The location of the branch is incredible, with it being a large corner unit with lots of glass and brand new window displays. No wonder the local landlords and vendors want to show off their most prized assets in our window. The location has also led to lots of ‘applicant walk-ins’ and there is always a real buzz of positive energy in the office, which our clients enjoy. We have created a strong team of commercially minded individuals who really go the extra mile for all our clients on both sides of the coin, and that shows with the good feedback constantly coming my way.

KFH have also recently partnered with London Youth, an incredible charity that looks after disadvantaged children and encompasses nearly 200 youth clubs across

“I SOON REALISED I WAS MUCH BETTER WITH MY WORDS THAN I WAS WITH MY HANDS"

the capital. I've been chosen as ambassador for our prime central London division and will therefore be responsible for raising as much money and awareness as possible.

All our central teams have put up their hands up for events such as the Bear Grylls challenge, London marathon, duathlon, and on Sunday 30th July I completed the Prudential London-Surrey 100 mile bike ride which took me 7.5 hours and had me walking a bit like John Wayne for the days that followed. ◆

BAYSWATER • 020 3792 0997 • kfh.co.uk

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absolutely.london

25/08/2017 16:51

Lettings 020 7751 5100 www.farrar.co.uk

ELM PARK GARDENS, LONDON, SW10 A stunning two bedroom apartment with wood floors throughout and direct access to the communal gardens. This fabulous property also boasts high ceilings, excellent storage and two bathrooms (one ensuite) and is superbly located just off the Fulham Road with all the cafes, bars and restaurants along with being within walking distance to both South Kensington and Gloucester Road tube stations. Unfurnished subject to negotiation. EPC Rating: C. FURNISHED

£975

per week*

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

FARRAR.indd 1

24/08/2017 19:35

SEYMOUR WALK, LONDON, SW10 A pretty and extremely well presented 3 bedroom home (plus a study) situated on this quiet residential street just moments from the Fulham Road. This property enjoys lots of natural light throughout, wood oors to the double reception and master bedroom which also boasts excellent built in wardrobes. The bathrooms are modern and contemporary in design and the house is neutrally decorated throughout. In addition to enjoying a private garden, there is also access to the stunning communal garden square in The Boltons. EPC Rating: E. UNFURNSIHED

FARRAR.indd 2

ÂŁ1,475

per week*

24/08/2017 17:28

DISCOVERMORE

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

Open Days September 19th (9.30am) October 11th (9.30am) November 1st (9.30am)

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

T: 0208 742 2038 E: info@kewhouseschool.com W: www.kewhouseschool.com An independent co-educational senior school for students aged 11-18 in West London

KHS.indd 1

@kewhouseschool

03/08/2017 14:01