PUTNEY & WANDSWORTH JANUARY 2016

PUTNEY & WANDSWORTH

JANUARY 2016 / £3.95

THE ILLUSIONIST QUEEN OF HEARTS

THE WONDERFUL WORLD OF M.C. ESCHER

HELEN MIRREN ON PLAYING IT MEAN

BRIT OF ALRIGHT ROBERT ANGELL’S LOVE FOR LONDON DESIGN

LOOK FORWARD TO THE NEW YEAR STYLISH / INTELLIGENT / ELEGANT COVER JAN16.indd 2

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MAKE THE MOST OF JANUARY WITH JACKSONS. Make the most of the New Year and let or sell your home with Jacksons this January. Entrust your property with Jacksons and we’ll make sure it’s seen by as many people as possible. Not only do we use all of the most popular websites like PrimeLocation, Rightmove and Zoopla, but you can also expect your property to be in magazines, online advertising, direct mails, emailers, our window displays and across our network of 12 offices. Contact Jacksons’ lettings or sales teams today and experience the Jacksons personal touch.

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Januar y 2016

68 07 EDITOR’S LETTER c u lt u r e

08 ABSOLUTELY LOVES What we’re coveting this month

12 14

WHAT’S ON

Diary dates for January

MAJESTIC MIRREN

The screen and theatre icon on getting nasty for Trumbo and her love for Bryan Cranston

20 WORLD OF WONDER

We take a look at the work of M.C. Escher, the master of illusion and perspective

30 fa s h i o n

26 FASHION CONFIDENTIAL

48 BEAUTY CONFIDENTIAL

58

44 LA VIE EN ROSE

68 VILLAGE PEOPLE

This month’s hottest trends and products

28 NEW YEAR, NEW GEAR Revamp your wardrobe this January

39 TELL THE BRIDE

Win tickets to the National Wedding Show

H E A LT H & B E AU T Y Best beauty buys of the month

Add a slick of pink to spice things up

46 FITNESS CONFIDENTIAL

Trends and gadgets to help get you fit in 2016

49 GOOD SPORT

Fitness model Hannah Saul shares her secrets

Food & Drink

58 KITCHEN CONFIDENTIAL Tasty happenings from the local area

Cover Georg Jensen 89 Mount Street, W1K 2SR, 0203 824 8430 georgjensen.com

62 FOOD FOR THOUGHT

We talk to food revolutionaries Bompas and Parr

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t r av e l

Pendle Harte discovers family destination, Forte Village in Sardinia

interiors

82 INTERIOR INSPIRATIONS

Minimalistic furniture and design pieces for a clean slate in 2016

87 ALL CHANGE

Jessica Klingelfuss’ latest list of interior products

PROPERTY

126 PROPERTY NEWS News and views on the area

JANUARY 2016

08/12/2015 17:52

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The new Zip HydroTap速 design range is available in various contemporary designs.

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EDITOR CATHERINE HALES SENIOR EDITORIAL ASSISTANT ELIZABETH HUTTON EDITORIAL ASSISTANT STEPHANIE KING EDITORIAL INTERNS CHARLOTTE GOLZARI, MIRANDA SIWAK, ANDREW ZUCCALA CONTRIBUTING FASHION EDITOR CHARLOTTE ADSETT CONTRIBUTING INTERIOR EDITOR JESSICA KLINGELFUSS MEN’S EDITOR TEO VAN DEN BROEKE WINE COLUMNIST JANE PARKINSON KIDS’ EDITOR HELEN BARON EDUCATION DIRECTOR AMANDA CONSTANCE PROPERTY DIRECTOR ANDY ELMER PROPERTY EXECUTIVE ABIGAIL BATEMAN PROPERTY EDITOR HUGO HUNTER ADVERTISING MANAGER LUKE WEBB BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT EXECUTIVE ROSE MORRIS MAJOR ACCOUNTS DIRECTOR TAMSIN LUCK ART DIRECTOR RAY SEARLE SENIOR DESIGNERS PHIL COUZENS, PAWEL KUBA PRODUCTION MANAGER STEWART HYDE MID-WEIGHT DESIGNERS EKREM YILMAZ, GEMMA ISTEED JUNIOR DESIGNER REBECCA NOONAN FINANCE DIRECTOR ALEXANDRA HVID PA TO THE DIRECTORS MARIANNE MCFADDEN DIRECTORS GREG HUGHES, ALEXANDRA HUNTER MANAGING DIRECTOR SHERIF SHALTOUT For editorial enquiries please email: catherine@zest-media.com For advertising enquiries please call 020 7704 0588 or email: advertising@zest-media.com Subscriptions are available simply by emailing christina@zest-media.com You can receive an online subscription for FREE or a postal subscriptions for 12 months, £30 respectively (to cover postage and packaging). Please email us with your preferred option and details.

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EDITOR’S letter

J

anuary is traditionally seen as a fresh start. A time to transform, suddenly start running two miles every morning before work and to finally give up chocolate. In my personal experience, this never happens. So, my resolutions for 2016 are a little more realistic; not to entirely change who I am but instead to make small improvements here and there and mostly, to remember to enjoy myself.

In that vein, we have an issue packed with ideas for excursions in the new year to pique interests and widen cultural horizons. Firstly we take a brief glimpse into the wonderful world of M.C. Escher on page 20, whose work is instantly recognisable for its cunning illusions and intricate tessellations. We have also taken a tour of the British Museum of Food on page 62, the latest grand experiment of notorious culinary innovators Bompas and Parr. If you’ve ever wondered what it feels like to be chewed, swallowed and digested, then this is the exhibition for you.

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Our lead profile is the inimitable Dame Helen Mirren, who refreshingly claims that the secret to her seemingly boundless youth and beauty is not some miracle cream or terrifying diet but the ability, at the age of 70, to ‘not give a toss’. Find out more on page 14.

For those who feel the need to kickstart their metabolism after the gluttony of Christmas, both our fashion and our fitness pages offer some inspiration, with workout gear that’ll look good even if you decide to wear it on the sofa.

All this, along with our usual brilliant education content from Amanda Constance on page 95, fashion from Charlotte Adsett on page 26, news, reviews and interviews as well as our outstanding property section starting on page 130. Enjoy the issue! u

Catherine Hales Editor

JANUARY 2016

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FUR FANCY

At Absolutely Absolutely, we’re all lusting after Shrimps’ faux fur coats. Whimsical and wonderful, the Winter 15 collection is bright and fluff y so will keep you warm on the coldest of January’s January mornings.

Glinda Coat, £695; shrimps.co.uk

10 Things We

ABSOLUTELY CITY CHIC

In the 1930s, New York sparkled.

This reclaimed pendant light by Menu is inspired by the city in that charmingly glamorous time. £141; clerkenwell-london.com

Compiled By

ELIZABETH H U T TO N

DRY JANUARY

With a recipe taken from a distiller’s handbook written in the 1840s, Jensen’s Old Tom gin is crisp, unsweetened and earthy. thewhiskyexchange.com

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SAINT LAURENT

Simple in design, this bold cornflower-blue leather cardholder is understated but cool. £170; ysl.com

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ABSOLUTELY / LOVES MIDNIGHT MADNESS

Dark and daring, Zadig et Voltaire’s winter campaign sees a mix of texture and shine resulting in the ultimate “I’m With The Band” aesthetic. zadig-et-voltaire.com

SADDLE UP

Brighten up the most miserable day with this mustard-yellow saddle bag by Chloé.

With gold chain links and detailing, it’s a much-needed addition to your collection. £1,100; matchesfashion.com

SWEET SOUND

Crafted from black leather and gold hardware, these stylish headphones are cleverly angled so that they can be worn with earrings. Ideal for any fashion-forward music lover. £250; net-a-porter.com

COUNT DOWN

Enter the new year with this timepiece by Montblanc. With diamond indexes and blue hands, it’s a stylish but timeless accessory.Boheme Date Automatic, £2,200; montblanc.com

TWINKLE TOES

PLAN AHEAD

There’s only one diary we’ll ever use, and that’s a Smythson. This year we’re going to go bold with this yellow Soho planner. smythson.com

Dazzle your way into 2016 with these glittery round toe pumps. Featuring the iconic Louboutin red sole, you’ll be the envy of the party. £445; christianlouboutin.com

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JANUARY 2016

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COATS AND COLLARS

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WORLD OF WONDER

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> WHAT’S ON

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NYD PARADE

1 Ja n u a r y S ta r ts a t P i cc a dilly s one of the world’s greatest parades, A you really must head to Westminster to see the brilliant array of street performers welcome in the new year with happy music and energetic dance. u Westminster to Greenpark; lnydp.com

LONDON WINTER RUN

Mime London

3 1 Ja n u a r y C e ntra l L o ndo n un off those excess pigs in blankets and R conquer the cold with Cancer Research UK’s 10k run. Starting from Trafalgar Square you’ll make your way through fake snow past St Pauls Cathedral before finishing up with a polar bear hug at Whitehall. u winterrunseries.co.uk

From 9 Jan uar y Across L ondon

Bringing together the world’s best visual artists for one of the most insane performance festivals.

With 18 productions coming from nine different countries this promises to be one of the most eclectic and exctiting line-ups. We’re particularly looking forward to Kite at Soho Theatre which tells the adventures of a lonely girl who has to leave her life at the seaside behind to go and live with her grandmother. mimelondon.com

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HOGWARTS IN THE SNOW

T h ro u gh o u t Ja n u a r y Wa r ne r B ro s . S tu di o s there anywhere more magical than I Hogwarts over the holidays? We think not. So, head to the movies’ most iconic sets decorated for the festive scenes. u Studio Tour Drive, WD25; wbstudiotour.co.uk

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ARTS & CULTURE / WHAT’S ON

OVERSHADOWED

1 1 -16 Ja n u a r y T he a tre 5 0 3 mogene used to be full of life, fond I of food and sociable, until she meets Caol, her new 'best friend', a bad influence who leads her into the path of extreme diets and over-exercising. What is left of Imogene is a dark shadow of her former self, withdrawn and gaunt, unable to recognise the person she was before. As a result, she must attempt to battle her demons in order to save her own life. This moving performance aims to provoke compassion and debate surrounding eating disorders, written and performed by former sufferer Eva O'Connor. ◆ 503 Battersea Park, SW7; theatre503.com

The Decorative Art Fair

must do

COCK

1 9-24 Januar y

19- 23 Jan uar y P utne y T he at re C om pa ny hen John takes a break from his W boyfriend, he would never predict what happens next, when he finds himself falling for the girl of his dreams. Faced with guilt and indecision, he must deal with the difficulties of making a choice. First seen at the Royal Court Theatre in 2007, Mike Bartlett’s Cock explores themes of love, confusion and sexuality through its 'smart, prickly and rewarding' storyline.

A candid look at relationships and how life can take an unexpected turn. ◆ Ravenna Road, SW15; putneytheatrecompany.org.uk

This is the UK’s most unusual interior design event and it attracts interior designers and discerning private buyers who want an individual look in their home. More than 140 exhibitors from across Europe will attend.

Battersea Park, SW11; decorativefair.com

SAMUEL WALSH AUTUMNUS X (BÉNODET), 2014

SHOW OF THE MONTH

LONDON ART FAIR 20-24 January Business Design Centre he 28th edition of the London Art Fair will bring together some of the best museum quality art for you to purchase. While established companies, such as Oliver Sears Gallery, will be showcasing the work of well-known artists, including that of Wimbledon-born Samuel Walsh, two curated sections will focus

T

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of younger, more contemporary work.

Known as Photo50 and Art Projects, these two will showcase an incredible array of photography and film alongside more bizarre and experimental installations.◆ Islington, N1; londonartfair.co.uk

JANUARY 2015

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Majestic

MIRREN London local Dame Helen Mirren talks Trumbo and taking over the world Wo r d s K a r e n A n n e O v e r t o n

D

ame Helen Mirren is more than just a national treasure: She has conquered some of the toughest roles, demonstrating her natural wit, elegance and humility, but above all her undeniable acting talent. From playing Cleopatra to portraying Queen Elizabeth II, Mirren is at the height of her career, and despite turning 70 recently, doesn't look set to slow down anytime soon.

Working successfully as an actress for 50 years, Helen Mirren got her big break in her mid-forties, when she was cast as DCI Jane Tennyson in Lynda La Plante's Prime Suspect. The show was a huge hit and made her a household name. When pressed about her talent and triumphs, Mirren stays characteristically humble, putting her success down to luck: “I’m just very fortunate. I’m lucky that I’ve been able to hold on for as long as I have. And from time to time, people ask me to be in their films. That’s it really. My career is all about luck!”

Born to working class parents in Leigh-on-Sea in Essex, Mirren's path

seemed set out from a young age, or so she thought. With teaching in mind, her heart was clearly elsewhere, and it wasn't until she auditioned for the National Youth Theatre at 18 that her plans changed. Shortly after being accepted into the National Youth Theatre, Mirren was playing a key role in Antony and Cleopatra at the Old Vic. Her career grew gradually but the past 20 years have seen Mirren's career and influence take on a whole new trajectory. Sought after for countless films, making apperances in TV shows on both sides of the Atlantic, and walking the boards at some of the best theatres in the world, Mirren's ability to adapt and convince is so good she won her first Oscar in 2007 for her performance in the Queen.

Her most recent challenge was to play notorious American gossip columnist Hedda Hopper in Trumbo. Based on the true story of Dalton Trumbo, a Hollywood screenwriter who was blacklisted and jailed for his political beliefs, the film is an exposing portrait of McCarthy-era America and the Cold War fear that gripped Americans.

The fear of communism during this time, saw many people whistle-blow, or

I’VE ALWAYS quite fancied PLAYING A DANGEROUS evil Bond villain WHO HOLDS the world to ransom. THAT WOULD BE my ideal

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ARTS & CULTURE / INTERVIEW

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JANUARY 2016

08/12/2015 09:55

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ARTS & CULTURE / INTERVIEW more commonly point the finger (often in fear of their own fate) at suspected communists. Hedda Hopper built herself a reputation as someone who spilled the beans on supposed ‘commies’ in her thenpopular gossip column for the Los Angeles Times. “She was ghastly, utterly ghastly,” Mirren says. “She thrived on the gossipy underwire and used it to hurt and destroy a lot of people. But I must say, while I found her tactics and ideals completely abhorrent, she was ultimately a lot of fun to portray!”

Indeed, Mirren truly captures the callous yet effervescent Hopper. “She is one of those characters who is a joy to play because there’s such a stretch of emotions and extremes. So extreme that on paper it’s almost fictional, but she was stranger than fiction. If you invented her, she could be seen as completely unbelievable.”

Trumbo is set in the late 1930s and early 1940s, with all the Hollywood glamour you'd expect from that era. Breaking Bad’s Bryan Cranston plays Dalton Trumbo, a man who was once the highest-paid screenwriter in the world, but in 1947 was blacklisted for refusing to name names before the House Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC).

The film is slick and elegant, and Mirren has the opportunity to dress up in classic 1940s attire: “She [Hopper] loved a good hat, so that was largely the reason I wanted to do this film,” she joked. “The real reason was so I could work with Bryan Cranston, who is one of America’s finest working actors.”

Cranston’s role in Trumbo has been hailed his finest silver screen performance to date. Helen Mirren is a

Dame Helen Mirren as Hedda Hopper in Trumbo (2015)

SHE WAS utterly ghastly. SHE THRIVED ON THE gossipy underwire AND USED IT TO HURT a lot

of people

huge fan of his work, admitting she was ‘obsessed’ with Breaking Bad and “saw him on the stage as President Lyndon B. Johnson on Broadway and he was incredible. I’ve always thought he was brilliant in any part he took on. I was a fan for many years before the mass public were introduced by Breaking Bad. The pure strength of his performance, it’s masterful.”

The Queen (2006)

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Like most women in the spotlight, Mirren has faced plenty of sexism from critics and the media. During an interview in 1975 with Michael Parkinson, he seemed determined to talk about her ‘reputation’ as a sex icon, going so far as to suggest that her ‘equipment’ could stop her from being taken seriously.

“When I first arrived in Hollywood, it was totally dominated by men,” she sighs.

“Women have come a very long way since then in this business. There are more good parts being written for women now and although we still have some way to go it’s remarkable to see how much things have progressed and I’m happy to have witnessed that change.”

But there is no denying Mirren's beauty – coming into her eighth decade, Mirren looks youthful, real and is clearly confident in her own skin, despite the pressures of her image-obsessed industry.

“When I think about it [being 70], it seems impossible!” she laughs. “How can that be? Fortunately I’m someone whose nature it is to live very much in the present and not get depressed about my age or appearance. I would rather get on with my life,” she says. “One good thing about getting older is that even though you might not look as good as you once did, you don’t give a toss!”

With an Oscar and a Tony for her portrayal of Her Majesty in The Queen and The Audience respectively, but is there any part she'd really like to play? “I’ve always quite fancied playing a Bond villain,” she smiles. “A dangerous evil Bond villain who holds the world to ransom, that would be my ideal. Hopefully that will reach the ears of the powers who decide, and you’ll see me torturing Daniel Craig in some dastardly manner!” u

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ARTS & CULTURE / SOCIAL

Dr Christian Jessen

Dame Jacqueline Wilson

Sue Barker

Rosie Marcel

Camilla Arfwedsen

Coats & Collars Supported by Henry Wiltshire International

enry Wiltshire International, a leading estate agent in London who work across local, national and international markets providing expert Sales, Lettings and Property Management were delighted to support Battersea Dogs & Cats Home’s annual world famous Collars & Coats Gala Ball in November 2015.

Celebrating its seventh successful year,

H

this high-profile event is a highlight of the autumn social calendar and included eclectic performances by music legend and Roxy Music frontman Bryan Ferry and classical cross-over singer Camilla Kerslake.

Kelly Gallagher, Director of Henry Wiltshire International said: “This year’s star studded evening was a huge success raising over £340,000 for the thousands of

vulnerable animals that Battersea care for every year. Their work in transforming the lives of abandoned cats and dogs is incredible and it was a pleasure for us to support such a prestigious event to help raise money for a fantastic cause. We are absolutely thrilled to announce that we will continue our support by sponsoring Collars & Coats next year on the 3rd November 2016.” u

Anthony Head & Sarah Fisher

Camilla Kerslake

Debbie Sledge Jeremy Hackett

Jackie St Clair

Paul Sculfor

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JANUARY 2016

08/12/2015 09:58

1. M.C. Escher, Hand with Reflecting Sphere (Self-Portait in Spherical Mirror), January 1935, Lithograph, 31.8 x 21.34 cm, Collection Gemeentemuseum Den Haag, The Hague, The Netherlands © 2015 The M.C. Escher Company - The Netherlands. All rights reserved. www.mcescher.com 2. M.C. Escher, Relativity, July 1953, Lithograph, 29.1 x 29.4 cm, Collection Gemeentemuseum Den Haag, The Hague, The Netherlands. © 2015 The M.C. Escher Company - The Netherlands. All rights reserved. www.mcescher.com

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ARTS & CULTURE / EXHIBITION

WORLD OF WONDER Dulwich Picture Gallery is hosting the UK’s first major retrospective of graphic artist M.C. Escher, the ‘master of illusion’ Wo r d s g e m m a b i l l i n g t o n

M

ention the name M.C. Escher and you’re often met with a blank expression.

Escher’s name alone may not evoke the same kind of recognition as da Vinci or Picasso, yet his art is equally renowned and pioneering, if not more so.

The world of Maurits Cornelis Escher (1898 - 1972) is one populated by intricate tessellated animals, spellbinding optical illusions and paradoxical landscapes. The Dutch graphic artist was a true original; a one-man art movement who paved the way for countless others. Iconic imagery such as never-ending staircases and surreal mirror self-portraits have inspired everything from video games to album covers and movies. The popular 1953 lithograph Relativity, for example, directly inspired famous scenes in the films Labyrinth, Harry Potter and Inception. Put simply, Escher’s influence on art and popular culture can’t be underestimated.

Yet despite creating some of the 20th century’s most memorable artworks, Escher has always operated on the outskirts of the fine art world. Instead, his work has often found appreciation from those outside of these establishments. Children, in particular, adore Escher’s wondrous optical illusions. The artist himself acknowledged the necessity of ‘childish wonder’ in his creations, describing wonder as the ‘spice of life’.

Escher’s influence on ART and popular CULTURE can’t be underestimated Escher was an artist of untold imagination, yet his skill as a draughtsman was unsurpassed. His remarkable technical abilities are perhaps most obvious in his pioneering tessellation series. These prints were inspired by a visit to the Alhambra in Spain in 1936, where Escher studied the intricacies of Moorish tiled surfaces.

Escher’s own designs were painstakingly complex, comprised of interwoven shapes and animals such as birds, fish and salamanders. Despite failing most of his high school exams and denouncing his own

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mathematical abilities, Escher regarded tessellation as his most important theme.

It provided the ultimate platform in which to express his fascination with the idea of infinity through a single image. To produce his most ambitious creations, Escher often consulted with professional mathematicians who found a natural connection with his work. Most notably this includes British mathematical physicist Sir Roger Penrose, whose ‘impossible triangle’ figure was directly incorporated into masterpieces such as Waterfall (1961) and Ascending and Descending (1960).

By the 1960s, Escher had attracted the attention of the hippy counter-culture movement and the rise of psychedelia.

Escher’s optical illusions enjoyed renewed interest, and his prints were used on several popular album covers of the time, including Mott the Hoople’s eponymous debut and L The P by The Scaffold.

Even today you’re more likely to find Escher’s work adorning the walls of student halls than museums. In fact, there is only one Escher print in existence in any of Britain’s permanent art collections.

Now, more than 40 years since the artist’s death, it’s time to redress the situation.

Following a hugely-successful run earlier this year at the Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art, The Amazing World of M.C. Escher has transferred to Dulwich Picture Gallery. This comprehensive exhibition is the UK’s first Escher retrospective. Judging by the critical

JANUARY 2015

08/12/2015 10:26

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ARTS & CULTURE / EXHIBITION TH E H AG U E :

HOME OF M.C. ESCHER

ituated only a half hour train journey from Amsterdam, The Hague is a breath of fresh air in contrast to the country’s frenetic capital.

The Hague is the political heart of Europe and has been the seat of the Dutch government since 1588. It is the International City of Peace and Justice and the second city of the United Nations, home to no less than 160 international organisations.

Outside of its regal and political prestige, there’s plenty on offer in this charming and historic city. Everything is easily accessible by bicycle or tram, including a surprising stretch of pristine sandy beach.

Whilst he didn’t originate from the city, The Hague also boasts unique ties with M.C. Escher. Since 2002, the former winter palace of Queen Emma, which is located in the heart of the picturesque Old City quarter, has been used to house a permanent collection of Escher’s work.

Known as ‘Escher in het Paleis’ (‘Escher in the Palace’) the exhibition attracts over 140,000 visitors every year. The museum is a double celebration of Dutch heritage as it also retains many of the palace’s historical and regal artefacts. The comprehensive Escher exhibition is chronologically ordered and spread across four floors. It includes a brilliantly interactive area of modern installations and optical illusions inspired by the genius of Escher.

Another cultural must-do in The Hague is The Mauritshuis museum. Located next door to the historic Inner Court, this imposing 17th century mansion is home to a wonderful collection of paintings by the Dutch and Flemish Masters. It offers visitors the chance to stand face-to-face with Vermeer’s iconic Girl with a Pearl Earring and to marvel at Carel Fabritius’ diminutive masterpiece The Goldfinch, a painting which has enjoyed renewed popularity through Donna Tartt’s bestselling 2013 novel of the same name.

If you don’t have the time (or patience) to battle the queues at Dulwich Picture Gallery this winter, a weekend getaway to The Hague provides the ultimate Escher fix and so much more. u For more information see holland.com S

M.C. Escher, Reptiles, March 1943, Lithograph, 33.4 x 38.5 cm, Collection Gemeentemuseum Den Haag, The Hague, The Netherlands © 2015 The M.C. Escher Company - The Netherlands. All rights reserved. www.mcescher.com

reception and sold out audiences, it’s one that’s been long overdue.

The Amazing World retrospective comprises over 100 drawings, prints and archive material including rare and previously unseen works. Dulwich Picture Gallery has organised a host of Escher related activities and events to coincide with the exhibition, including screenings of the aforementioned films Inception and Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone.

The strength of the retrospective lies in the way it visually charts Escher’s journey and developing style, providing a fascinating and fully-rounded insight into the life of this extraordinary artist.

In the first room we see Escher’s earliest prints inspired by Japanese woodcuts and Art Noveau. They bear little resemblance to the iconic works of the ‘master of illusion’, yet, studying the vertigo-inducing Tower of Babel (1928) and depictions of mountainous villages along the Amalfi coast (Escher and wife Jetta lived in Italy for 10 years), we see how central themes of perspective and architecture first began. The exhibition takes us through the meaning and motivations behind Escher’s most recognisable masterpieces. These develop from his ‘impossible realities’ series, where ostensibly normal landscapes are revealed to be anything but, through to the abstract fantasy realms of Another World (1947) and Bond of Union (1956).

In spite of his

OBVIOUS TECHNICAL PROWESS, Escher was a DREAMER at heart

M.C. Escher, Drawing Hands, 1948, Lithograph, 28.2 x 33.2 cm, Collection Gemeentemuseum Den Haag, The Hague, The Netherlands © 2015 The M.C. Escher Company - The Netherlands. All rights reserved. www. mcescher.com

In spite of his obvious technical prowess, Escher was a dreamer at heart.

The Amazing World of M.C. Escher succeeds in bringing his visionary talents to an audience of enthusiasts and newcomers alike. Moreover, it is a fitting tribute to an artist of limitless imagination and wonder.

The wait has certainly been worthwhile. u

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The Amazing World of M.C. Escher runs from 14 October - 17 January 2016. Book tickets at dulwichpicturegallery.org.uk

JANUARY 2015

08/12/2015 10:26

for the moment you want to sparkle

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12:59 07/12/2015 12:48

JIMMY CHOO, NEW BOND STREET TOWNHOUSE, 27 NEW BOND STREET, W1S

> FASHION CONFIDENTIAL

p. 26

TRENDS: WORK IT OUT

p. 28

GREY EXPECTATIONS

p. 30

SNOW BUSINESS Jimmy Choo's 'Moonlight' Cruise collection has just launched for the winter holiday season and features mirrored paillettes and luxe embellishments such as crystals and feathers. jimmychoo.com

25 JAN16_Fashion_Opener.indd 25

JANUARY 2016

08/12/2015 10:28

st y l e C e n t r a l

Tuxedos, statement sleeves and berets are top of our shopping list this month Wo r d s c h a r l o t t e a d s e t t

THOMAS TAIT Wo r d s S T E P H A N I E K I N G

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anadian by birth, British by choice, designer Thomas Tait recently scooped up 2015's British Fashion Awards Emerging Womenswear Designer for his conceptual ready-to-wear garments. Now 28 years old, the Montreal transplant remains the youngest ever designer to graduate from Central Saint Martins’ prestigious MA Fashion course aged 22. For his final university collection (SS11), he was awarded the 2010 Dorchester Collection Fashion Prize and has since established himself as one of the Noughties’ most innovative creative talents. Tait’s avantgarde pieces earned him 2014's LVMH Young Designer Prize, where he put these winnings to good use in his latest London Fashion Week efforts: The evocative, suspiria inspired AW15 collection was right out of a Dario Argento “disco-horror” film, and his debut SS16 line for Swarovski Collective presented neomod, Courrèges-like looks. Its solar system theme, unusually placed circular cut-outs and grommet ‘cages’ were further examples of Tait’s elegant integration of unexpected materials. With his signature curvilinear aesthetic, London’s irreverent style could not be a better place for Tait to foster his experimental tailoring. Thankfully we only have to wait a few more weeks to see what he does next. ◆

● T H O M A S TA I T thomastait.com

ABSOLUTELY MAGAZINES

CH_NOV15_Fashion_Confidential.indd 26

Tuxedo Chic Racil

Le Smoking, the iconic tuxedo suit created by Yves Saint Laurent in 1966 remains a groundbreaking classic due to its masculine silhouette. Emerging designer Racil’s debut collection has reinterpreted the trouser suit with luxurious silks from Saville Row and Swarovski stones. Already a hit with the fashion pack, Racil is fast becoming the go-to tailoring label.

Available from avenue32.com & farfetch.com

26 08/12/2015 10:39

FASHION / NOTES

8 OH, LA LA

of the best

Gucci

The French beret hat is the ‘It’ accessory that was all over the catwalks. Gucci’s creative director Alessandro Michele styled her ‘Geek Chic’ beret wearing girls with pussybow blouses and clashing prints.

Knitted cotton beret £205; mytheresa.com

WINTER WARMERS Wrap up with faux fur and cashmere knits

02

01

editor’s

PICK

OVER THE RAINBOW Anya Hindmarch

If London’s grey skies are getting you down, then the ‘Bathhurst Rainbow’ bag by Anya Hindmarch is sure to cheer you up. Part of the 70’s inspired Resort 2016 collection, the rainbow is a key motif that runs throughout the line to represent ‘carefree happiness’.

‘Bathhurst Rainbow’ calf leather bag £1,295; anyahindmarch.com

04 03

SLEEVE Ellery

Australian label of the moment Ellery is best known for its statement sleeves – be it wide bell shape or ruffles. The current collection was based on David Bowie’s Ziggy Stardust era, apparent in the avantgarde silhouette of the ‘Dolores’ top. £442; matchesfashion.com

06

05

08

MODERN MILITARY

07

Burberry

The coat trend that never quite goes away, the Military look is back at the top of the hot list this season. This mid length cashmere Officer’s style ticks all the trend boxes and is sure to be a classic staple for years to come.

Cashmere blend ‘Officer’ coat £2,695 burberry.com

27 CH_NOV15_Fashion_Confidential.indd 27

01. INVERNI Cashmere bobble hat, £195; avenue32.com 02. CHARLOTTE SIMONE Lambswool 'Candy floss' wrap £350; charlottesimone.com 03. STELLA MCCARTNEY Faux fur mini 'Falabella' bag £660; mytheresa.com 04. CHINTI AND PARKER Cashmere 'Star' sweater £375; chintiandparker.com 05. JIMMY CHOO Metallic leather 'Haze' boots £695; mytheresa.com 06. GRACE & OLIVER Boucle wool 'Florence' coat £600; graceandoliver.london 07. JOHNSTONS OF ELGIN Cashmere reversible cape £895; johnstonscashmere.com 08. ME + EM Merino cashmere jumper £148; meandem.com

JANUARY 2016

08/12/2015 10:40

FASHION / TRENDS ADIDAS BY STELLA MCCARTNEY 'Barricade' trainers £100; adidas.com

WEAREHANDSOME.COM

HOLISTIC SILK Yoga rug mat £160; holisticsilk.com

ASQUITH Organic cotton 'Blissful' wrap £62; asquithlondon.com

MONREAL LONDON Stretch jersey vest £90; matchesfashion.com

HPE 'Elite' running shorts £48; stylepb.com

VARLEY Marble print sports bra £45 & leggings; stylepb.com

N E W Y E A R , N E W YO U MICHI Stretch body suit £230; stylepb.com

WORK IT OUT Gym, yoga or running aficionado, welcome to your new workout wardrobe B y Charlot te Adset t

FRENDS Rose gold 'Layla' headphones £140; avenue32.com

EVERY SECOND COUNTS Crop 'Time' top £54; everysecondcounts.co.uk

STELLA MCCARTNEY Faux leather 'Falabella' backpack £645; stellamccartney.com

ABSOLUTELY MAGAZINES

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GREY

EXPECTATIONS From soft dove to graphic granite, grey is the new neutral

JAN16_FashionShoot_6pp.indd 30

08/12/2015 10:56

ISABEL MARANT ÉTOILE Anthracite Linen Trench Coat £475 PHILLIP LIM Fringed Wool Sleeveless Top £355 PHILLIP LIM Fringed Wool Wrap Trousers £455 All available at avenue32.com

JAN16_FashionShoot_6pp.indd 31

08/12/2015 15:57

:OSMAN Jacquard Midi Skirt £725 CARVEN Wool Double Breasted Coat £690 PHILLIP LIM Alpaca Sleeveless Turtleneck £305 All available at avenue32.com

JAN16_FashionShoot_6pp.indd 32

08/12/2015 10:56

REJINA PYO Wool Tie-Back Rora Top £540 REJINA PYO Wool Sasha Pencil Skirt £550 VANESSA BRUNO Cotton Pintuck Blouse £275 All available at avenue32.com

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08/12/2015 10:56

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08/12/2015 10:56

ISA ARFEN Harris Tweed Flares £675 JAMES PERSE Heather Grey Cotton T-Shirt £125 ISABEL MARANTÉTOILE Linen Blend Hali Jacket £290 ISA ARFEN Harris Tweed Top £325 MAKE-UP Emma Broom using Bobbi Brown HAIR Maki Tanaka using Bumble & Bumble FASHION ASSISTANT Ella Cutter EDITORIAL ASSISTANT Felicia Pennant All available at avenue32.com

JAN16_FashionShoot_6pp.indd 35

08/12/2015 10:57

JOSEPH AZAGURY HAND MADE IN LONDON

SALE NOW ON JOSEPH AZAGURY 2 Church Road, Wimbledon Village, London SW19 5DL // T. 0208 944 9772

FOLLOW US ON

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JOSEPH AZAGURY JAN.indd 1

08/12/2015 12:39

FASHION / JEWELLERY

Treat Yourself 1

2

3

8

6

4

7

5

1. GEORGE PRAGNELL, ‘CINNAMON DIAMONDS’ CLUSTER RING IN ROSE GOLD, £4,175; pragnell.co.uk 2. CARTIER, PANTHÈRE EARRINGS IN PLATINUM, ONYX, EMERALDS & DIAMONDS, £POA; www.cartier.co.uk 3. HARRY WINSTON, CASCADING SAPPHIRE & DIAMOND DROP NECKLACE, £POA; harrywinston.com 4. BOODLES, ‘VINTAGE PALACE’ YELLOW DIAMOND EARRINGS IN PLATINUM, £POA; boodles.com 5. GRAFF, 34.26CT ‘FANCY VIVID YELLOW’ RADIANT CUT DIAMOND RING, £POA; graffdiamonds.com 6. BACKES & STRAUSS, ‘THE PICCADILLY RENAISSANCE’ 33 MECHANICAL MOVEMENT YELLOW GOLD TIMEPIECE WITH WHITE DIAMOND SETTING, £28,400; backesandstrauss.com 7. DIOR, 18CT WHITE GOLD ‘ARCHI DIOR’ NECKLACE WITH WHITE DIAMONDS & EMERALDS, £POA; dior.com 8. KIMBERLY MCDONALD, 18CT WHITE GOLD, OPAL & DIAMOND EARRINGS, £41,200; net-a-porter.com

37 NH_Dec15_JEWELLERY.indd 37

JANUARY 2016

08/12/2015 11:00

t h e c r e at i v e u s e o f s p a c e

CHAMBEr furniture The Old Timber Yard • London Road • Halstead • Kent • TN14 7DZ • 01959 532553 • chamberfurniture.co.uk

CHAMBER FURNITURE.indd 1

04/12/2015 09:58

FASHION / WEDDINGS If you’re all about the aesthetics of your venue, a host of wedding planners and stylists will be there to advise you on lighting, tableware, band/DJ ideas and anything else that is part of your vision.

The Designer Flower Market offers displays and advice from top florists, with a variation of themes and colour schemes to suit the desired ambience of your wedding.

Keen to beat the crowds and indulge in extra perks? VIP tickets are on offer with features such as fast tracking, reserved seating at the Catwalk Show, VIP lounge access and a goody box with plenty of beauty pampering products. ◆ The National Wedding Show, 26 - 28 February 2016 London Olympia; nationalweddingshoow.co.uk

TELL THE BRIDE The National Wedding Show returns, bringing with it everything a bride could possibly need Wo r d s e v e h e r b e r t

T

he UK’s biggest wedding show arrives just in time for the approaching wedding season, giving enough time for stressedout brides to organise their perfect day. The National Wedding Show houses endless exhibits under one roof; an opportunity for guests to discover a magical venue, a chance to sample possible food options, choose among exquisite floral arrangements and of course, find the dress of their dreams.

The day begins with the Catwalk Show, in which top designers and boutiques will showcase style options for the whole bridal party. Be inspired by exquisite designs from the likes of Jenny Packham,

Ted Baker and Maids to Measure.

Have a particular style in mind, but haven’t yet found the dress for you? Head to the Bridal Boutique and Designer Boutique to browse a selection of dresses that range from high street to high end, ranging in styles from short to long and extravagant to understated. The diverse selection of beautiful dresses will cater to every style, shape and budget. The Wedding Theatre is your hair and makeup mecca for ultimate big day beauty.

Experts from the teams of bareMinerals and Charles Worthington will be joined by the National Wedding Show’s ‘glam squad’ which includes celebrity hairdresser Cinta Miller, there on hand to provide her top 10 tips for a flawless wedding day finish.

39 C&A_Jan16_Weddings.indd 39

competition We have teamed up with The National Wedding Show to offer 10 lucky readers a pair of tickets to the spring 2016 show, which takes place at London Olympia on 26-8 February. To enter, simply email victoria@zest-media.com with TICKET OFFER in the subject field. The first ten entries to be chosen at random on 15 January will win.

Don’t worry, if you’re not a lucky winner, The National Wedding Show is also offering Absolutely readers two tickets for £25 to the London show (26 - 28 February 2016 at London Olympia). To redeem the offer, visit nationalweddingshow.co.uk or call the ticket hotline on 0844 874 0486 and enter the code ABS2016 at checkout.

JANUARY 2016

08/12/2015 17:44

NEW HAIR RESOLUTION Look great for the New Year!

A boutique salon with a chic and stylish environment - offering revolutionary new techniques to achieve gorgeous hair Find out more at anthonylabanhome.com or call 020 3475 6644 for an appointment.

For latest news & offers join us @LabanHome

ANTHONY LABAN JAN.02.indd 1

3 Bennet Court, 1 Bellevue Road, London SW17 7EG

07/12/2015 14:16

> BEAUTY CONFIDENTIAL

p. 42

LA VIE EN ROSE

p. 44

FITNESS CONFIDENTIAL

p. 46

CLEAN & B RIGHT Fresh, dewy skin doesn’t come naturally to all, especially after the excesses of Christmas, which is why bareMinerals’ Complexion Rescue is such a lifesaver. Oil free and with SPF, it’s a 2016 essential. £26; bareminerals.co.uk

41 Chis_Jan16_Beauty_Opener.indd 41

JANUARY 2016

08/12/2015 11:04

B E AU T Y R e v i e w

A fresh take on beauty for the new year and luscious lacquers to keep your nails in check W o r d s R o m y va n d e n B r o e k e

MICHELLE LOUISE Wandsworth

Wo r d s r o s e m o r r i s

E

very now and then, you need to give your hair a little TLC. Whether it be excessive dyeing, weather damage or general wear and tear, winter can be seriously tough on your follicles. That’s where Michelle Louise comes in.

Located in the heart of Wandsworth, this smart, stylish salon offers a range of treatments, one of which is Olaplex.

Newly instated at the salon, it rebuilds the hair after being dyed, especially with bleach, and leaves it glossy and strong.

I decided this was the treatment for me and, after being welcomed and offered a drink, I sat down while my lovely stylist Dani got to work.

She explained clearly what the treatment was and gave me advice about what to do next, making sure I was totally at my ease and enjoying the experience.

I WOULDrecommend this to ANYONE WHO WANTS to inject a BIT OF VITALITY into their HAIR As I sat, nibbling on a biscuit, I watched the activity in the salon which was buzzing full of clients, all of whom seemed to be regulars.

There was a great atmosphere and, in what felt like barely any time at all, my cut and blow dry were done and I was ready to go. Revived and strengthened, my hair had a whole new lease on life, bouncing around my shoulders; I would recommend this treatment to anyone wanting to inject a bit of vitality into their hair. ◆

Clean Slate Bobbi Brown

Look at things differently with Bobbi Brown’s new eye-opening mascara. Promising to lift each individual lash, it coats them with intense colour and leaves them looking both longer and thicker. bobbibrown.com

●MICHELLE LOUISE 208 Trinity Road, SW17; michellelouise.co.uk

ABSOLUTELY MAGAZINES

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42 08/12/2015 14:52

HEALTH & BEAUTY / NOTES

7 of the best

SHINE BRIGHT Burberry

Not available to buy until February, and part of Burberry’s SS16 collection, the white runway palette Ω pictured to the right Ω illuminates and defines the most pallid of complexions for an effortless, pearly glow. £45; burberry.com

NATURAL NAILS

A BED OF ROSES Frédéric Malle

Dans Mon Lit from Frederic Malle does what it says on the tin and leaves your duvet smelling like a bed of roses. The fragrance, filled with floral notes, is guaranteed to leave your room feeling fresh. £80; fredericmalle.com

01

best

BUY

editor’s

PICK REVERSE EFFECT

02

Sisley

Sisley are tackling anti-ageing with its new Sisleÿa global L’Intégral Anti-Age face cream, which works to stimulate, regenerate and restructure the skin, all while protecting it from physical signs of behavioural ageing. £330; sisley-paris.com

03

05

04

DEEP SLEEP this works

New from this works, the sleep plus pillow spray promises to soothe restless sleepers into a deep slumber. Containing lavender, the spray has aromatherapeutic powers to help you wake properly refreshed. £25; thisworks.com

43 YES CHIS_Jan16_Beauty_Notes.indd 43

06

07

1. BOBBI BROWN, GLITTER NAIL VARNISH IN BALLET PINK, £12.50; bobbibrown.com 2. CHANEL, LE TOP COAT VELVET, £18; selfridges.com 3. LEIGHTON DENNY, BRIEF ENCOUNTER,£11; ld-boutique.com 4. TANYA BURR, PEACHES & CREAM, £5.99; lookfantastic.com 5. EVE SNOW, NUDIST, £14; evesnow.com 6. TOM FORD, MINK BRULE, £27; selfridges.com 7. ESSIE, TYING THE KNOT, £8.95; hqhair.com

JANUARY 2016

08/12/2015 14:52

HEALTH & BEAUTY / PRODUCTS BOBBI BROWN

Rich Colour Gloss, £19; bobbibrown.co.uk

MAC

Matte Lip in Steady Going, £15.50; maccosmetics.co.uk

PERRICONE MD

No Lipstick Lipstick, £25; perriconemd.co.uk

MAC

Pigment Pot in Fuchsia, £16; maccosmetics.co.uk

MAC

Pro Lip Palette in 6 Preferred Pinks, £35; maccosmetics.co.uk

STILA

Stay All Day Liquid Lipstick in Rosa, £16; feelunique.com

REVLON

ColorBurst Matte Balm in Showy, £7.99; boots.com

STILA

NARS FOR MICHAEL COSTELLO SS16

Stay All Day Liquid Lipstick in Rosa, £16; feelunique.com

CLINIQUE

Pop Lip Colour in Papaya Pop, £16; clinique.co.uk

CLARINS

ILLAMASQUA

Lipstick in Immodest Vivid Pink, £19.50; illamasqua.com

LA VIE EN ROSE For a fresh look, add a slick of peach, pastel pink or magenta B y R O M Y VA N D E N B R O E K E

Rouge Eclat in Sweet Rose, £19.50; clarins.co.uk

LIPSTICK QUEEN

Cupid’s Bow in Nymph, £20; spacenk.com

TOM FORD

Lip Colour Shine in Chastity, £38; selfridges.com

ABSOLUTELY MAGAZINES

USE left Chis_Oct15_Beauty_Products_v2.indd 44

NARS

Pure Matte Lipstick in Carthage £20; narscosmetics.co.uk

CHANEL

Rouge Coco Shine in Liberte, £36; chanel.com

44 08/12/2015 11:13

Enjoy the convenience and privacy of a gym in your own home Technogym, the Wellness Company, invites you to view its range of home fitness equipment at the beautifully equipped, brand new showroom in Bracknell, Berkshire.

Health and Wellness are important, but time pressures and busy lives often mean our good intentions to move more and be active are overlooked.

Technogym works with you to design and create the perfect Wellness area, tailored to your home, space, budget and – most importantly – you and your family’s health goals.

To book your visit, please call a Technogym Wellness consultant on 0800 316 2496 or email uk_info@technogym.com Or visit us online at www.technogym.com

TECHNOGYM.indd 1

02/12/2015 16:37

Fitness

CONFIDENTIAL Get in shape with the latest fitness trends, tips and gear Wo r d s E l i z a b e t h H u t t o n

GET FIT ONLINE Thanks to .com classes there’s no reason why you shouldn’t move a little bit more in 2016 barrecore

veryone - from supermodels and actors to new mothers and personal trainers Ω loves Barrecore. Renowned for giving clients that enviably long and lean ballerina body, you will work your muscles so hard that you’ll shake uncontrollably. Having now launched their online workout library, members will receive unlimited access to videos as well as monthly challenges. Perfect for those who want to work hard but in private. u £25 per month; barrecore.co.uk E

body.net work

ant to have the same trainer as Tom Ford? With this new online fitness platform, you can. Created by celebrity PT and best-selling fitness author, Matt Roberts, you can download classes and tutorials wherever and whenever you want or need to. With exclusive ‘live’ training sessions and nutritional advice from the England rugby team’s nutritional coach you can be sure of a well-rounded health and wellbeing programme. u £15 per month; body.network W

BE GOOD

the tracy anders on method

ive stream the legendary Tracy Anderson straight from LA into your living room and enjoy her classes alongside her American clients. Taking place every Wednesday, you’ll benefit from the real in-class experience and a tutorial from one of Tracy’s favourite trainers. Unedited and real, this is just like taking a live class with Tracy in one of her state-of-the-art studios. So, now you can workout like Gwyneth Paltrow and Madonna without having to even step outside. u £60 per month; tracyanderson.com L

ABSOLUTELY MAGAZINES

B&C_Jan16_Fitness.indd 46

We A r e H a n d s o m e

January is the month of good intentions. If you find it hard to stick to your healthy resolutions we recommend investing in some cool activewear by We Are Handsome.

Beware Ω you’ll actually want to go to the gym. hipandhealthy.com

46 08/12/2015 11:08

HEALTH & BEAUTY / NOTES

8 of the best

PERSONAL TRAINER elvie

Work on your pelvic floor smartly with this clever little tracker.

Simply pop in place and record your LV strength score using the app and game while doing kegels for just five minutes a day. £149; elvie.com

editor’s

WEARABLES

PICK

GARMIN Vívoactive, £200; garmin.com

OIL SLICK Russie Blanche

Detox from the outside in with this bath and shower oil containing a mix of sweet essential and plant oil concentrate. With juniper, siberian pine, mandarin and amyris oils, this will decongest and stimulate your circulation. russieblanche.com

best

BUY

SENSORIA Fitness Sock, £150; sensoriafitness.com

LUMO BODY TECH Women’s Capris, £169; lumobodytech.com

FITBIT Charge HR, £119.99; fitbit.com

VIRTUOUS Sweet Virtues

Forget overly processed chocolate spread, this one by Sweet Virtues is a super tasty and nutritious treat with chia, cacao and coconut oil. High in omega, magnesium and ginseng. harveynichols.com SWAROVSKI Shine Collection, £45; misfit.com

PRESS PAUSE UsT wo

Using the ancient principles of Tai Chi, this mindfulness app uses touch screen technology to make you focus upon the moment. With calming audio and visuals, stress is proven to decrease. itunes.apple.com

WITHINGS Activité Connected, £320; madeindesign.co.uk

MOOV NOW Multi Sport, £59; very.co.uk

JAWBONE UP2, £89.99; amazon.co.uk

47 B&C_Jan16_Fitness.indd 47

JANUARY 2016

08/12/2015 11:08

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THE WONDERFUL WORLD OF M.C. ESCHER

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

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FASHION • SHOPPING • FOOD & DRINK • WHAT’S ON • CULTURE • INTERIORS • PROPERTY

CREATIVE MINDS

TOP ART HOLIDAYS IN EUROPE

DAVID NASH MAKING SHAPES IN KEW GARDENS

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07/12/2015 12:45

08/12/2015 10:04

HEALTH & BEAUTY / Q&A

GOOD SPORT Model and fitness entrepreneur, Hannah Saul, reveals her secrets to a healthy life I n t e r v i e w a b s o l u t e ly

muesli with coconut yogurt and fresh fruit. Lunch is salad and meat or a light pasta. Dinner is steamed vegetables with seafood or meat.

ABSOLUTELY: Have you always been sporty?

HANNAH SAUL: I have yes. I grew up in a small coastal town on the east coast of Australia.

We were very active kids, we were always either surfing, life saving or running cross country.

I’ve always known what my body is capable of doing, so it was only natural for me to continue living an active and healthy life.

ABS: What does your weekly workout schedule look like?

HS: I start every day with a 5-10km walk or run. My gym training always depends on where I am in the world and what I have on with work. A week for me at home in Sydney is two to three strength and body weight sessions a week from my app, one to two pilates classes and three to four HIIT sessions.

ABS: Your new app offers subscribers workout plans and tips to help get them in shape: do you talk about nutrition?

HS: Yes, there are three ebooks within the app to help women with things like diet, including recipes and weight loss plans for those wanting more.

ABS: How important is nutrition in your life?

HS: Nutrition is just important as exercise is. You can’t fill your body with empty calories and expect maximum performance.

ABS: What’s your food vice?

HS: Chocolate!

ABS: Do you have a favourite restaurant in London?

HS: Coya in Piccadilly. The best Peruvian food in London.

Grab a girlfriend & WORKOUT together – it is harder to SKIP when you HAVE SOMEONE RELYING on you ABS: What are the three ingredients you couldn’t live without?

HS: Avocado, pasta, fresh herbs.

ABS: Give me a day’s food diary?

HS: My diet is quite simple – I have my carbs in the day. Breakfast is usually boiled eggs and toast with avocado or

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ABS: What advice would you give to someone who struggles to find the motivation to work out?

HS: I think that if you want to make a lifestyle change, you have to make achievable changes that suit your lifestyle. Start off with small goals and work your way up. Maybe grab a girlfriend and workout together – it is always harder to skip out of a workout when you have someone relying on you.

I would also recommend mixing up your workout to keep yourself excited about going to the gym.

ABS: What’s the best secret/tip you have for those trying to get in shape?

HS: Up your cardio routine, add in more HIIT sessions. Cut out excess salts, sugars, refined carbs and alcohol. Also I use a supplement called l-carnitine which I find really helps with that last 10% body fat.

ABS: Who is your fitness inspiration?

HS: Candice Swanepoel. Her body is amazing! u hanxfit.com

JANUARY 2016

08/12/2015 10:59

HEALTH & BEAUTY / PROMOTION Ten Dental OFFERED me the

PERFECT SOLUTION - I couldn’t be HAPPIER! Parmjit Singh (Specialist Orthodontist) said: “We are seeing more adult patients who want to take advantage of the discreet, comfortable braces we have available. It’s great because you are never too old to get braces and we treat every client on the basis that they truly deserve a beautiful, natural smile.”

GET THE SMILE

YOU DESERVE Visit Ten Dental to discover adult orthodontics b y Pa r m j i t S i n g h

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ABSOLUTELY MAGAZINES

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H ow lo n g d o e s it ta k e ?

Treatment times vary depending on which of your teeth need to be moved and how quickly they respond. As a rough guide, treatment duration varies from 6 to 18 months.

I s it e x p e n s i v e ?

The exact cost will depend on the type of brace you choose and the length of treatment. The expense of the treatment should be weighed up against the longterm quality of life that the straighter, whiter teeth will give you.

t is not too late for adults to get the straighter smile they have always dreamt of. Orthodontist Parmjit Singh at Ten Dental explains how Adult Orthodontics is a great way for adults who thought they were stuck with crooked teeth to achieve a straighter smile.

Ten Dental in Balham and Clapham offers modern systems to help patients: • look and feel great • improve the function of their smile • maintain aesthetics during treatment • get the smile they deserve

H ow h av e b r ac e s c h a n g e d ov e r th e y e a r s?

Many adults still assume they will have to wear uncomfortable, clunky braces if they want straighter teeth, but modern systems mean this is no longer the case. There are now clear aligners such as Invisalign, quick braces like 6 Month Smiles and the Inman Aligner, discreet options like Incognito Lingual Braces and a great alternative to metal braces in Damon Braces. To make adult orthodontics even more appealing, at our Balham and Clapham practices we are offering up to £500 off orthodontics. This offer is valid until the 31st January 2016.

E x p e rt a dv i c e & tr e atm e nt Parmjit Singh (GDC number: 79431) is a specialist orthodontist who has a vast amount of experience in providing adult orthodontics. u

● ten dental

10 The Pavement, SW4, 0203 3553660 156 Balham High Road, SW12, 0203 3553660 tendental.com

After having had Incognito braces, I smile a lot more

50 08/12/2015 14:39

INTELLIGENT WEIGHT LOSS Give us six weeks and we will re-shape your body and re-wire the way you eat – once and for all. For nearly two decades our clients have lost weight, found true fitness and discovered a balanced way of living that will outlast a thousand fads.

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The Optimum Weight Loss Programme personally coaches you for 12 weeks from our Belgravia Clinic, wherever you are in the world.

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HEALTH & BEAUTY / PROFILE

ONE STOP SHOP Tana Ramsay on what makes Wandsworth salon All About the Girl unique Wo r d s a b s o l u t e ly

ABS: What treatment do you recommend for pre-party?

TR: Definitely a Sienna X tan and some lashes – a tan is so quick and easy, but gives an instant healthy glow (something we all need by then!). The lashes are a great way to hide a multitude of sins like late nights and hangovers and give instant glamour.

ABSOLUTELY: What inspired you to open All About the Girl?

TANA RAMSAY: We have lived in Wandsworth for over 10 years and during that time I had been to lots of different salons that specialised in different treatments, but there wasn’t one that I could go to for everything. With time being ever more precious I thought that it would be great to have somewhere that combined everything from something quick to something indulgent!

ABS: What sets it apart?

TR: I think that our main difference is that we are a ‘one-stop shop’, we have been known to do nails during eyelash extension appointments, pedis during highlights and blowdrys during manis.

ABS: How would you describe your ethos?

TR: My vision for the salon has always been that it is somewhere for our clients to come that is friendly and welcoming with great treatments from great staff.

WE HAVE BEEN KNOWN to do PEDIS during HIGHLIGHTS & blowdrys DURING MANIS ABS: Why Northcote Road?

TR: Northcote Road has changed so much since we first moved here, but still manages to maintain its ‘villagey’ feel. It is perfectly placed between the commons, has a wonderful selection of shops, restaurants and businesses and is full of families and young professionals – the perfect place to be.

ABS: What is your favourite beauty product?

TR: The Bioeffect range. I love that it has a natural base and love the simplicity of not having too many products – the exfoliator is so gentle and Bioeffect serum can be used for face, neck and eyes so you only need to have one product with you.

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ABS: What kind of events do you hold at the salon?

TR: We have developed a range of events that we love holding at the salon and usually have a selection of them running throughout the year, from Teen Evenings, Hen Parties, Mum’s Nights to Hair Masterclasses and ‘Make-over your make-up’.

ABS: You recently had a big refurbishment - how would you describe the look of the All About the Girl?

TR: We wanted to celebrate four years of ‘All about the girl’ and give ourselves a bit of a facelift, whilst introducing a few new features but at the same time keeping the salon’s fun feel. The hair chairs have been moved to the front of the salon to take advantage of the light and space while the new pedi chairs have been incredibly well received and add that little bit of comfort and luxury that we all enjoy.

ABS: What is your top beauty tip?

TR: It’s the one that everyone knows but we don’t always do: take your make-up off before you go to bed, it really does make all the difference to your skin! u 141 Northcote Road, SW11; allaboutthegirl.info

JANUARY 2016

08/12/2015 12:09

20% OFF January & February for all new clients.

‘Quote ABSOLUTELY’ Ter ply ms & Conditions ap

Your body deserves more Nestled in a private road in West Wimbledon, Hawkins Beauty Clinic has been established since 1974 under the same ownership. With a selection of treatments, high end products and highly skilled staff we hope to offer something to everyone.

Hawkins Beauty Clinic wishes everyone a Happy New Year!

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Hawkins Beauty Clinic Wimbledon 0208 946 1201 364 Coombe Lane, West Wimbledon, London, SW20 0RJ

www.hawkinsclinic.co.uk

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HEALTH & BEAUTY / COLUMN

NEW WAVE

03

THE INDIE DARLINGS OF PERFUME W o r d s L AW R E N C E R O U L L I E R W H I T E

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t is unsurprising, given the maverick and enterprising nature of this cool isle, that Britain is spearheading the global rise of the indie perfume house moment. The past few years have seen the arrival of some truly remarkable brands.

In fact, it was the lovely Sarah McCartney of ‘4160 Tuesdays’ (one of the aforementioned brands) who directed me to the door of dashing new brand ‘Handsome London’. Founded by Jason Leonard and Richard Holmes, the duo is inspired by their patch of East London. ‘Master Jojo’ [01] is a modern mix of sandalwood and patchouli that is elegant and refined, whilst ‘Redchurch’ [02] with its spiced cardamom, apples, green tea and cedarwood is, to my mind, Britishness in a bottle.

Also based in creative East London Timothy Han, who launched his first ‘Editions Perfumes’ fragrance ‘She Came to Stay’ [04] last year, has just released his second scent, ‘On the Road’ [03]. I am in love with this brand and the exquisite attention to detail that has been paid to it by its self-effacing creator – whose talent 07

05

06

TIMOTHY HAN

The past few

YEARS HAVE SEEN the ARRIVAL of some remarkable BRANDS was spotted many years ago by Francis Kurkdijan when Han was displaying the candles he was the making at a Paris trade show.

‘She Came to Stay’ quite literally turns traditional perfumery on his head, inverting the perfume pyramid and opening with what would usually be the base notes; labdanum, patchouli and oakmoss. The middle notes of cedarwood and vetiver remain where they would at the heart, before the typically top notes of basil and lemon take your breath away with a sharp surprise.

Also riding the waves of the indie boom is the beautiful ‘Beaufort London’ with its triumphant trio of fragrances, ‘Come Hell or High Water’, that explores and expounds upon Britain’s maritime history. This is uncharted water in terms of fragrance inspiration and the results are – a witty literary device would be to say ‘admirable’

55 DUL_Nov15_Perfume.indd 55

but that would be doing a great disservice to these gloriously epic and enigmatic scents. ‘1805’ [05], referencing the Battle of Trafalgar, is an explosive mix of smoke, gunpowder, irony blood and brandy with a splash of sea spray and the limey citrus after which British sailors were given the nickname that transferred into popular parlance. ‘Coeur De Noir’ [06] summons images of Admiralty House and naval campaigns being planned; parchment nautical charts spread over leather lined desks, the air heavy with tobacco and dying embers smoldering in the fireplace. ‘East India’ [07] imagines the notes blown by the trade winds as the majestic clippers cut through the crested waves, their holds full of precious tea, tobacco, spices and that most contentious of cargoes; opium.

Recently, Australian-born, London-based, artist Paul Schütze launches his eponymous perfume line. As an artist Schütze is one of the few to work in the medium of scent, captivated by the notion of capturing the ephemeral. His collection of evocative and remarkable scents are olfactory snapshots of three fleeting moments.

All I can say is, thank you for the memories! ◆

04

01 02

● R ou lli er W h ite 125 Lordship Lane, SE22; roullierwhite.com

JANUARY 2015

08/12/2015 10:57

19 High Street, Wimbledon Village, SW19 5EG +44 (0)20 8946 3539 info@konigkitchens.com

25% OFF FURNITURE

www.konigkitchens.com

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> KITCHEN CONFIDENTIAL

p. 58

REVIEWS: FOXLOW & MARKET PORTER

p. 61

FOOD FOR THOUGHT p. 62

CLEAN LIVING Our favourite healthy eating stop, Detox Kitchen, is opening a new restaurant in Fitzrovia. The large all-day eatery will serve eat-in salads and small plates, including this cashew and avo salad. Yum. thedetoxkitchen.co.uk

57 Chis_Jan16_Food_Opener.indd 57

JANUARY 2016

08/12/2015 10:56

What to drink

kitchen

CONFIDENTIAL London’s food news and delicious things to see you through January W o r d s R O M Y VA N D E N B R O E K E

A GREAT MATCH Wine & Food Pairings for the Month of January B y J a n e Pa r k i n s o n

SPICED PARSNIP SOUP

talian white grapes work well with vegetable soup and even more so here because this grape, Vermentino – which usually makes Tuscany’s best white wines – is grown and made in California, the warm climate giving it extra flavour. The almond nuttiness pairs the earthy parsnip while the herbal freshness cools the spice. Delicious!

Uvaggio Vermentino 2013 £11.95, bbr.com

I

BEEF WELLINGTON WITH HORSERADISH MASH

e’re spoilt for choice with the range of big and meaty reds that work well with beef wellington, the difference here being the seasonal addition of peppery horseradish, which always loves a red from Portugal’s most famous wine valley, the Douro. The intense fruitcake flavours of spice and fruit marry up the meat and mash a treat.

Quinta dos Frades Vinha dos Deuses 2011 £19.35, bottleapostle.com

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BLOOD ORANGE TART

his cheeky take on tarte au citron is more wine-friendly than its lemon version, and it’s also a blindingly good match with Cream Sherry (which is something many people might have left over from Christmas). The key flavour in this sweet Sherry is tangy orange rind which, together with its smooth texture melts in the mouth with the tart.

Barbadillo Cream Sherry £11.99, selfridges.com

T

Home Comforts Fa r m D r o p

The future of sustainable food shopping, Farm Drop is an efficient way of eating green. Choose produce from over 70 farmers and local producers and have it delivered to your door in no time, and for no extra charge. farmdrop.co.uk

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ABSOLUTELY MAGAZINES

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58 08/12/2015 10:52

FOOD & DRINK / NOTES JA N UA RY cocktail

Created by Hotel ChanTelle

STUCK IN A JAM Arabica

Until recently raspberry jam was my choice of conserves, but that was before tasting Arabica’s brilliant strawberry and rosewater jam, which is the perfect combination of sweet, sticky and delicately flavoured. £5; arabicafoodandspice.com

Penicillin C

NEW YOU

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Presscription

Rid your body of all the excess fat and toxins of the Christmas period with one of Presscription’s juice cleanse programmes.

Intense, but so worth it. presscription.co.uk

INGREDIENTS

50ml Bowmore Scotch 2 bar spoons muscavado 20ml lemon juice 6 slices young ginger ◆

METHOD

Pour the Scotch and add the muscavado. Add in the lemon juice and garnish with the slices of young ginger editor’s

PICK

WINE

EASTERN DELIGHTS

of the month

Simply Chocolate

Forget flowers, Danish chocolate advocates, Chokodays, are celebrating every type with its new Simply Chocolate Instead of Flowers boxes, which contain treats such as almond spiked and moca chocolate concoctions. harrods.com

W o r d s R O M Y VA N D E N B R O E K E

BOTTOMS UP We B r o u g h t B e e r

Fans of craft brews, rejoice – a branch of We Brought Beer has opened up in Clapham junction to put paid to Dry January once and for all. The everchanging collection champions local breweries and is a must-visit.

78 St John’s Hill, SW11, 020 7228 4775; webroughtbeer.co.uk

59 Chis_Jan15_foodNotes.indd 59

f you’re doing dry January, look away now, because this wine may steer you off track. From the Sonoma Coast in California, this 2011 multi-layered wine is bursting with red berry, plum and cranberry notes, complemented by subtle hints of orange zest, anise, cedar and green tea. Wild Rige have created the perfect Pinot Noir. ◆ I

Wild Ridge Pinot Noir 2011, £34; wildridgevineyards.com

JANUARY 2016

08/12/2015 10:52

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FOOD & DRINK / REVIEWS

market porter

Deli dining in Nine Elms Wo r d s c h a r l o t t e g o l z a r i

ituated in the heart of the new Embassy Gardens development, Market Porter is exactly what I needed on a chilly Saturday afternoon. Compact but cosy, this new restaurant combines all the essentials of a delicatessen store (complete with cheese, meat and bread offerings) with an appetising brunch menu.

I was welcomed by Lars, who gave me a run down of the menu. Although it was well past breakfast time, I couldn’t resist the idea of a delicious brunch and found myself unable to decide what to choose from the overwhelming options Market Porter had to offer. After a refreshing Lemon Grass & Ginger Tea, Lars suggested I have taster portions of my three favourite brunch meals, and I was immediately sold - the go-to option for a terrible decision maker!

I began with two small bowls of granola and porridge. The granola was fruity and fresh, while the porridge was perfectly warming for the winter day.

For the next part of the meal, I chose a savoury option - a classic smashed avocado on toast with a poached egg, sprinkled with flavoursome sea salt.

After having the chance to enjoy a combination of my all-time favourite brunch foods, It’s safe to say I was well and truly satisfied with my meal, deciding that the restaurant was somewhere I could see myself returning to. Whether you’re looking for a quiet spot to work with your laptop or a new local deli, Market Porter may just be your answer. ◆

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FOXLOW Wholesome food in Balham Wo r d s c at h e r i n e h a l e s

S

ometimes, all you really want is plain good food. Nothing served with champagne snow or bone marrow foam, drenched in truffle oil and served in tiny piles; just hearty, tasty, unfussy food, prepared simply and well. If you are on such a quest in south west London, look no further than Foxlow Balham. Joining three other branches located in Clerkenwell, Chiswick and Stoke Newington, this latest addition can be found a stone’s throw from Balham Station on Bedford Hill.

The restaurant is humming with activity when we arrive, the wooden chairs and unclothed tables full of twenty-somethings.

The main reason for this, I discover a little later, is because on Tuesdays diners can bring their own bottles; a brilliant idea that makes eating in a good restaurant so much more appealing for the inevitably strapped younger generation. The food is excellent.

We tuck into rich, creamy burrata and sorrel salsa verde which is served in a substantial portion, drizzled with oil and has me closing

my eyes in bliss and sighing after the first bite. My friend’s crispy five pepper squid is equally good, the tart lime and fiery chili adding a zing to the perfectly cooked and crisply battered seafood.

This is swiftly followed by some of the best fried chicken I have ever tasted. Tender and moist, it slips away from the bone, given just the right amount of crunch by the sinfully delicious (and abundant) batter.

My companion’s ten hour beef shortrib with kimchi is spicier than expected, but all the better for it, and is melt in the mouth. We share fries and some token steamed greens, as a half-hearted nod to healthy eating amid the meat feast.

Miraculously we have room for pudding and are instantly glad we perservered.

The memory of my bourbon caramel soft serve sundae stayed with me for days to come and made a return visit to this excellent local eatery inevitable. ◆

● foxlow balha m

15-19 Bedford Hill, SW12, 020 7680 2700; foxlow.co.uk

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● m arket p orter

Nine Elms, SW8, 020 7630 1411; ninelmslondon.com

JANUARY 2016

08/12/2015 10:51

XXXXXX / XXXXXXX

FOOD for Thought

Bompas & Parr have opened the British Museum of Food and there’s quite a bit to digest W o r d s c at h e r i n e h a l e s

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he British Museum of Food sounds like something that already exists. On first hearing about it, I had to double check that it wasn’t in fact one of the innumerable London institutions I had been dragged around on school trips as a child. And that is sort of the point. Why isn’t there a British Museum of Food?

Sam Bompas and Harry Parr are the people asking this question, having set up a pop-up version of what they hope to turn into a permanent fixture, next to Borough Market. The pair first achieved a degree of notoriety in the food world by creating ingenious and gravity defying jellies including luminous, neon confections and an entire jelly-scape capturing the London skyline in wobbly technicolour. They have since expanded their empire (not in jelly, you’ll be relieved to hear) with projects that range from sending coffee into space to filling a room full of a breathable cocktail cloud. Having seen their latest venture listed on every culture site as a must-visit this winter, I decided to see for myself just what the British Museum of Food was all about.

ABSOLUTELY MAGAZINES

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The British Museum of Food in Borough Market

SUFFICE IT to say, I HAD A NEWFOUND appreciation FOR WHAT MY food goes

through

Located next door to their other ongoing project (Alcoholic Architecture, the aforementioned cocktail cloud), the museum looks more like a smart Southwark townhouse than your average museum. I am greeted at the entrance

and ushered into the first room which is dominated by a large screen and two slightly sinister-looking chairs. This section of the exhibition is called Be the Bolus: The Peristaltic Experience and its blurb begins, ‘Ever wondered what happens to the food you chew?’ As I slip off my shoes, slide my feet and arms into the plush leather recesses of the chair, I feel like I’m about to find out. What follows is a video and a sensation that needs to be experienced to be believed; suffice it to say that by the end I had a newfound appreciation for what my food goes through.

Next up is Choco-Phonica, which is all about how sounds affect the way we taste.

Visitors become part of the experiment as they record the relative bitterness and sweetness of the chocolate in each booth before submitting their answers.

Munching away and feeling like a bona fide scientist, I walk up the stairs through the Atelier of Flavour, a gallery of art and photography centred around the theme of food and the tradition of the Full English Breakfast. The pièce de résistance, however, is at the top.

For The Butterfly Effect, Bompas & Parr have actually set up a fully functioning

62 08/12/2015 09:58

FOOD & DRINK / SPOTLIGHT Sam Bompas and Harry Parr

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JANUARY 2016

08/12/2015 16:57

L’Isola Wimbledon

NEW CHEF & MENU

UNDER NEW MANAGEMENT AUTHENTIC SICILIAN FOOD 28 Ridgway, Wimbledon, London SW19 4QW T: 020 8286 1229 www.lisolawimbledon.com

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07/12/2015 14:00

FOOD & DRINK / SPOTLIGHT WE’RE JUST ABOUT to start YOGA WITH THE butterflies which will BE A unique EXPERIENCE hot-house filled with butterflies. But what has this to do with food? Heralded as the ‘unsung heroes of pollination’, the UK Government has recently placed a particular emphasis on the importance of these beautiful winged creatures in global food security; The Butterfly Effect serves to draw attention to this.

As I walk through the humid, rose-hued room, butterflies flit through the air and perch on leaves. Particularly fascinating is the box filled with hanging chrysalises, some yielding butterflies as I watch. The tour ends with The British Menu Archive, an exhibit that gives a glimpse into the food served not only throughout the ages but in a myriad of different places.

Entertaining and informative, I can only hope that this brilliant enterprise becomes a permanent addition to London’s cultural landscape. ◆

The Butterfly Effect

Five minutes with

SAM BOMPAS o f B o m p a s & Pa r r

CATHERINE HALES: What initially inspired to you to open the British Museum of Food?

SAM BOMPAS: It’s something that has been percolating in the studio’s consciousness for quite a long time now. I think food has become such a central part of the way people present themselves and the way they define their identity – it almost seems absurd that the British Museum of Food hasn’t existed before. After all, how many people spend their waking hours at work thinking about what they’re going to cook when they get home? What restaurants and bars they’re going to go to? It was just a matter of time and honestly it’s been a race against time; if we didn’t do it, someone else would.

CH: If it were a permanent feature, where would your ideal location be?

SB: I would say Southwark – I was born there and it’s where I’ve always lived. Having it in Borough Market is absolutely ideal, as the market itself is over a thousand years old. It has a real resonance there.

The British Menu Archive

l 1 Cathedral Street, SE1; bmof.org

CH: The butterfly house is amazing, what was involved in setting that up?

SB: I guess the first thing is the intention: how do you make rather abstract but very important subjects interesting to people? I think the best way is something intriguing and entertaining that makes them curious. We wanted to make the important, not very sexy, subject of global food security a bit more accessible and relevant to people. Our way into doing that was butterflies.

CH: What has the response been like since you’ve been there?

SB: Well, people absolutely love it.

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We’re just about to start yoga with the butterflies which will be a unique experience – thinking about global food security as you’re stretching. Yes, it’s been utterly delightful. I have friends with kids who asre still talking about it after visiting.

CH: Did they love the chairs that chew and digest you as you sit?

SB: Yes; it’s fun, it’s playful but it’s also educational. The way that we approach eveything at Bompas and Parr is: serious research goes into a project but then, ultimately, it’s very easy to enjoy it for what it is. Then, hopefully, you’re intrigued and inspired to learn more.

CH: You’re known for pushing the boundaries of food and drink; what has been your most ambitious project?

SB: Oh, gosh – whatever’s most recent!

Anything from flooding Selfridges with 60 tonnes of liquid (which was definitely enough to make the building collapse if we hadn’t done the right engineering calculations), to cooking with lava, to making a chocolate climbing wall that Peter Andre used to conquer his fear of heights.

CH: What have you got planned next?

SB: All the programming for the British Museum of Food and for Alcoholic Architecture. Unlike most of our projects, it is a long term thing so we can have lots of events that happen there, as well.

For instance, we’re just about to launch our New Year’s Eve plans for Alcoholic Architecture which will involve a medieval foam party. We’ve got a wet room in there so we can use mandrake-infused foam. It will be outrageous, hallucinogenic and we can party like it’s 1399. ◆

JANUARY 2016

08/12/2015 16:57

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14:19 17/11/2015 09:40

> VILLAGE PEOPLE: PENDLE HARTE IN SARDINIA

p. 68

UK GETAWAY: LUCKNAM PARK

p. 77

PURE SHORES Pendle Harte discovers luxury and family fun in Forto Village, south Sardinia.

Think sun, sand and clear blue seas, all on page 68...

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JANUARY 2016

08/12/2015 09:56

VILLAGE PEOPLE Crowned the world’s leading resort, Sardinia’s Forte Village is a luxurious utopia where everything is flawless Wo r d s P e n d l e H a r t e

I

f your idea of being on holiday is not having to do anything resembling a chore or make any decisions more demanding than what to eat next, Forte Village is for you. And if you’re keen to do these things in an environment that’s beautiful and stylish – and especially if you have active, sporty children – then this spot in the south of Sardinia is hard to beat.

The statistics on Forte Village are impressive. 15,000 trees; two million plants; 55 acres of lushness; 21 restaurants; over 700 bedrooms; more than 1,500 guests at a time. Named the World’s Leading Resort in the 2014 World Travel Awards, this is a sprawling world of its own, a destination that’s designed for an immersive luxury experience. And absolutely everything at Forte Village is

world class. Its restaurants are run by celebrity chefs – Gordon Ramsay has an outpost here, as does Alfons Schuhbeck, and there’s a Hells Kitchen staffed by winners of the Italian reality TV show.

Boutiques on site include Bulgari, Galliano and Missoni and the spa counts as one of the world leaders. Even the children’s football club is a soccer school run by Chelsea Football Club and staffed by world standard coaches.

The beaches are among the world’s finest, the pools are impressive; the weather is faultless.

Arriving at the main gates, we are swept off in a golf buggy down terracotta-tiled pathways through lush gardens. Our destination is Hotel Castello – a five-star beachfront site and the resort’s only ‘vertical hotel’.

Most accommodation here is in villas, small ones for couples and huge ones

Its restaurants are

RUN BY CELEBRITY CHEFS and the KIDS' SOCCER school belongs to CHELSEA FOOTBALL CLUB

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TRAVEL / WANDERLUST The thalassotherapy wellness circuit

for extended families – but in Castello our family of four is housed in stylish connecting rooms, which as everybody knows is the best way to travel with children. A wall of glass doors leads to a sunny terrace with views of the sea and the rooms are full of luxurious touches and high-tech specs (multiple ipod docks are standard, but here there’s even a charger for my kindle). Bathrooms come with jacuzzis and what can only be described as disco lights in the shower, while nightly turndown brings a pot of chamomile tea and pillow sweets.

We are here with our two daughters, aged nine and six, and they are booked into the Superskills Academy, an organisation that is all about paring children with actual sporting Legends

WE ARE swept off in a golf buggy DOWN TERRACOTTA-TILED PATHWAYS through

lush gardens

(thereby freeing up their parents to lie on the beach in peace, or hit the spa, of which more later). Options span cricket, netball and rugby, with coaches including Will Greenwood, Austin Healey and Philip DeFreitas. The girls are down for netball, which is led by Karen Atkinson from the senior England team, no less. The games are taken seriously and children are required to report at 9am prompt every morning, wearing their kit and ready to work hard. Which, of course, they are all delighted to do, especially since there’s a lot of emphasis on making friends and socializing. This includes the parents; we’re invited for an introductory drink with the Superskills team and throughout the course of the week various planned activities are devised to get the families together. The highlight for our children

is the final prizegiving ceremony, at which each child is presented with an impressive medal and certificate along with a photo op with the Legends.

Forte is a sprawling site, best understood with the help of the fabulous 3D model map found near the main square, and navigated by bicycle.

There are several pools, including our favourite, the small diving pool (which at five metres deep keeps us endlessly entertained with touching the bottom) and an entire children’s village with its own pool and special Barbie/Thomas

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world for pre-schoolers (here there’s a crèche too) while at the outer reaches of the resort there’s rumoured to be a go-karting track (this we never visit).

Options for dining are many, even before the season is properly underway: there’s a big buffet that serves a huge variety of different dishes every day and which can’t be faulted, but there are also the celebrity chef restaurants and a high class traditional Sardinian option, all of which need to be booked (and paid for) separately to the standard halfboard arrangement. For lunch, there’s a pizzeria on the beach, while breakfast is

a generous affair with lots of fruit, cold cuts, cereals and yoghurt in addition to classic cooked fare.

If children come here for the sports academies, adults come here for the spa. This is where the Italian school of thalassotherapy was founded and leading international specialists are based here.

Thalassotherapy uses seawater as a cure for virtually all ills and the spa’s stylish wellness circuit takes in six seawater pools at different temperatures and with different salt concentrations, with specific timings for each. It takes over an hour to complete, and starts with a bizarre

Sea views from Hotel Castello

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pool that’s so salty that you’re defying gravity as you float on its surface – and it feels more like bathing in olive oil than anything else – but despite looking like Thames water and tasting unspeakable, it is deeply relaxing and otherworldly. The following pools vary in size and temperature, some of them with strong massage jets and currents, and the final stop is a large relaxation pool. We emerge feeling lighter, faster and happy, my skin soft and glowing.

At 40 years old, Forte Village is still leading the way for luxe holidays, though due to local laws it can’t actually expand. Instead, there’s a move towards creating more bigger villas for larger groups, at the expense of some of the smaller accommodations.

So organise your extended family and make a booking. ◆ ¢ Forte Village Resort, Sardinia offers a 7 night stay at Hotel Bouganville from £7,699 for a family of four booked through Classic Collection (0800 294 9324; classic-collection. co.uk) based on 2 adults and 2 children sharing a family bungalow on a half-board basis. Price includes return flights from London Gatwick to Cagliari (other UK departure airports & airlines available) and private transfers. Departs 23rd July 2016. fortevillageresort.com superskillsexperiences.co.uk

JANUARY 2016

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ABSOLUTELY COMPETITION

WIN a 5 star two night stay at Chewton Glen Absolutely are offering readers a two night mini break in one of the UK’s finest hotels, Chewton Glen Hotel & Spa, courtesy of luxury hotel group Relais & Chateaux.

To win a break in the luxury Chewton Glen Hotel & Spa on the edge of the historic New Forest National Park, Hampshire, go to

www.absolutely.london and fill out the short readership survey.

Terms and conditions apply.

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TRAVEL / UK GETAWAY THE HOTEL

T

he drive up to Lucknam is quite something. At a milelong, the driveway sets the scene for your weekend ahead.

The vast grounds (500 acres to be precise) frame the house and, what with the woodland, make it ideal for hacking. The exact history of Lucknam Park is unrecorded, but the ham in the former name ‘Luckenham’ implies it was a Saxon settlement dating from before the Norman invasion in 1066.

The hotel is a short drive from the historical city of Bath, so guests can head out to the city, while the rolling countryside can keep it a peaceful escape. Along with beautiful historical rooms, a Michelin-starred restaurant and an award-winning spa, there is a fully-functioning equestrian centre and bikes to take out. ◆

LUCKNAM PARK C H I P P E N H A M , W I LT S H I R E W o r d s R O M Y VA N D E N B R O E K E

THE SPA

I

THE RESTAURANT

took my mum away to Lucknam as we both needed a break. As part of the package, I was entitled to a spa treatment which I gave to her instead, opting for the hot stones massage. Afterwards when I quizzed her, her response was nice and vague: “It was the best massage I’ve ever had.

Just brilliant!” I dug a little deeper and found out that the massage had been flawless. Hot stones brought a warmth to the masseuse’s movements and healing to my mum’s weary back.

Meanwhile, I made the most of the spa facilities, enjoying a long swim in the indoor pool, a steam in the Japanese salt room and sauna, before joining my mum in the brasserie for lunch. ◆

T

he Park restaurant is a dining destination in its own right.

Securing itself a Michelin star in 2006, under the helm of Executive Chef Hywel Jones, the Park restaurant sources all of its ingredients from top local suppliers with the herbs picked fresh from the kitchen garden. I went for fish Ω the braised fillet of turbot with buttered iceberg, Cornish crab, hand-rolled macaroni and Wiltshire truffle butter. My mum tested the restaurant’s skills with her vegetarianism and ordered the rolled lasagna of butternut squash, fondant winter vegetables and tomato chutney. Apparently, it was the “best meal she’s had out in ages.” ◆

THE DAMAGE Lucknam Park Hotel & Spa offers Classic Rooms from £260 per night based on two adults sharing on a room only basis, inclusive of VAT and full use of the spa facilities. One hour Instructional hack is £116 per person. 01225 742 777; lucknampark.co.uk ABSOLUTELY MAGAZINES

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A4_Caption, A4_Caption, A4_Caption,

Jaguar F-Pace

2016’S NEW CAR HIGHLIGHTS If you’re in the market for a new car in 2016, hold off making a decision until you’ve seen some of the new models coming our way Wo r d s c r a i g t h o m a s

R a n g e R ov e r E vo q u e Convertible

he Evoque is the fastest-selling car in Land Rover’s history and has proved hugely popular with customers since its launch in 2011. British car buyers are also big fans of a convertible, so a drop-top version of the Evoque will tick a lot of boxes for many consumers.

The Evoque Convertible has a fully automated fabric roof that stows in just 18 seconds and can be raised in 21, at speeds up to 30mph – which is pretty handy when a shower strikes. And when the roof T

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is up, a layer of acoustic insulation will ensure the interior comfort on a par with a standard five-door Evoque, according to Land Rover.

The Evoque is available to order now in your choice of 11 colours (another two are £600 options) from £47,500, with deliveries starting from April.

B e n t l e y B e n tayg a

he SUV is most definitely back in vogue – and with a vengeance, if this year’s new launches are anything to go by. A 4x4 is now essential for any manufacturer’s model line-up, to T

the extent that even a luxury carmaker such as Bentley feels the need to jump on the bandwagon.

So, say hello to the Bentayga (no, it’s not a misprint), Bentley’s first-ever SUV. However, while it’s a new type of car for the Crewe-based carmaker, it will still uphold the luxury principles that have made its models so admired. So the interior will be filled with the finest highly detailed materials, hand-finished by skilled craftsmen and women.

The Bentayga will be priced from around £160,000 (depending on how you specify it) and on sale in the late spring.

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TRAVEL / MOTORING J ag u a r F - Pac e

nother British car company with a fine heritage, another first-ever A SUV, Jaguar will also launch a new 4x4 in 2016, called F-Pace.

The company’s design team have certainly made a good fist of the styling, producing a car that, while not exactly sleek, it does have the sporty curves we expect to find on a Jag – it certainly rivals the Porsche Macan in the looks department.

With prices starting at £34,170, this should prove a popular choice as a family car when it goes on sale in the spring.

Tesla Model X

esla has been something of a disruptor in the car market.

Its all-electric cars have shaken the traditional manufacturers to the core, so it’s safe to assume that its Model X – described as an SUV, but not really looking like one – is going to continue to push the boundaries again.

The ground-breaking Falcon Wing rear doors are the most obvious manifestation of how it differs from other SUVs, but there’s also its 250-mile all-electric range and seven seats in its favour.

If the Model S is anything to go by, this should be an impressive, futuristic machine that will set owners back £65,000 when it arrives in mid-summer.

T

THE SUV is back in vogue WITH A VENGEANCE

Mercedes-Benz SClass Cabriolet

he S-Class has established itself as one of the cars to be seen arriving anywhere in, so a convertible version of the luxury saloon should be one of the most important prestige launches of 2016.

A full four-seater, the S-Class Cabriolet is a true boulevard cruiser, with what should be high levels of onboard comfort, the latest technology, plus chic features such as optional Swarovski crystalencrusted LED indicators and daytime running lights.

The long bonnet, rear-sloping creases on the side and muscular rear mean that the Cabriolet will certainly cut a dash on London’s streets when the weather is good enough to lower the fabric roof.

Prices are not yet confirmed, but expect them to be north of £100,000.

T

Vo lvo S 9 0 / V 9 0

015’s Volvo XC90 is the first product of a complete overhaul of the Swedish company’s model range, with two more arriving this year.

First is the new S90 saloon, which will be seen for the first time at this month’s Detroit Motor Show, before going on sale in the late spring.

This will be followed a few months later by an estate version, the V90, which we’ll see at the Geneva Motor Show in March before arriving in the summer.

Although we don’t know yet what they’ll look like (or what they’ll cost), the Volvo Concept Estate shown in Geneva in 2014 will be a good indication. If it is, expect more of the Scandi design goodness that has become the brand’s calling card. u

2

And the others...

Toyota P r i u s ● A new version of the Prius is good news for all eco-conscious motorists, so this third-generation model should be very popular. Expect to see lots of the futuristic-looking hybrid saloons on the road. u Au d i Q 2 ● Audi jumps on the downsizing bandwagon with this compact SUVstyle crossover, which we’ll see for the first time at the Geneva Motor Show in March, before going on sale later in the year. u R o ll s - R oyc e Daw n ● The most luxurious of luxury convertibles, the Rolls-Royce Dawn is both highly stylish and something of a behemoth. Driving around in its beautiful cabin will soon take your mind off that contradiction. u

Volkswagen Tiguan

Vo lkswag e n Ti g ua n ● A bolder, more muscular SUVlike design should make this second generation of the Tiguan even more popular than the original. Shame about the crazy name, though. u L a n d R ov e r D i s cov e ry ● Possibly one of the mostanticipated cars of 2016, the all-new Discovery will arrive at the end of the year, improved, better-equipped, more premium but still with the allterrain abilities of a Land Rover. u M a s e r ati Le va nte ● We’ll finally see Maserati’s vision of an SUV, called Levante, at the Geneva Motor Show in March. With their repuation, we’re curious to see what they’ll come up with. u

Mercedes-Benz S-Class Cabriolet

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DINING LIVING OFFICE

London & Surrey

KITCHENS

020 7253 3206 or 01372 379810

BEDROOMS

www.wharfside.co.uk

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> INTERIOR INSPIRATIONS

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ALL CHANGE

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MOOD BOARD

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ZOE MORE O'FERRALL

STREET VIEW This detailed and beautifully penned map of Battersea by talented illustrator Zoe More O'Ferrall is the perfect addition to your living room wall. Visit her website to discover more. ÂŁ60; zoemof.com

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JANUARY 2016

08/12/2015 09:44

10 of the best for a

clean slate

Minimalistic pieces for a clean look the New Year

OLIVER BONAS

Luxe Marble Drink Trolley; £350, oliverbonas.com

Wo r d s J e s s i c a k l i n g e l f u s s

GRAHAM & GREEN

Bamboo Lampshade in Black; £125, grahamandgreen.co.uk

MINT

Pixel Table; £POA, mintshop.co.uk

BODIE AND FOU

must

Kaeko Table; £790, bodieandfou.com

HAVE

Tress Code JONATHAN ADLER

Rutledge Sofa; £3,250, jonathanadler.com

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Pinch London-based design brand Pinch is bringing a renewed sense of pleasure to routine grooming with its ‘Iona Chevil Mirror’. The fulllength, pivoting elliptical mirror – available in oak with a white oiled finish – features a shaker-style joint and brass rivet detail on one side, supported in an A-frame with a lacquered drawer box below. £2,055; pinchdesign.com

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HOMES & INTERIORS / NOTES ROSE & GREY

Marble White Wallpaper; £199, roseandgrey.co.uk

SHINE YOUR LIGHT

Tom D ixon Extraordinary objects for everyday use; this is the Tom Dixon way. Even something as simple as a tea light holder can be turned into a wood grain shadow maker. Consider us impressed, again. ‘Etch’ Tealight Holder, £50; tomdixon.net

A STITCH IN TIME

editor’s

PICK

STEPEVI Originating in Istanbul, 1919, this luxury carpet company has been creating some of the most inspired rugs, runners and home accessories. Now, STEPEVI combines modern technology with traditional construction techniques and the resulting products are sheer works of art. stepevi.com

NICK FRASER

Geometric Pendant Half Glazed; £36, culturelabel.com

POUR IT UP

Alessi This iconic 9093 stainless steel kettle by Michael Graves is synonymous with Alessi. To mark its 30th anniversary, Graves has redesigned it, replacing the tweeting bird with a Tyrannosaurus rexshaped whistle. £99.95; alessi.com

ARCHITECTMADE

Finn Juhl Clock; £649, skandium.com

HABITAT

Tatsuma White Dressing Table; £150, habitat.co.uk

STREAM STYLIN’

Zip Form meets function with Zip’s popular HydroTap G4 range.

Now available in three striking designs – Arc, Cube, and Elite – get filtered boiling, chilled and sparkling water, instantly, from a tap that complements your kitchen thanks to the four finishes to choose from. zipwater.com

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OKA

Kumozu Bedside Table; £585, okadirect.com

JANUARY 2016

08/12/2015 09:40

We create, design and build truly inspiring kitchens and living spaces. Our team combines traditional workmanship with the latest technological innovations. You can be assured when choosing Neil Norton Design that our projects will be completed to the highest standard. Our truly bespoke service is limitless, tailored specifically to your vision and requirements.

@neilnortondsign

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167 Arthur Road | Wimbledon Park | SW19 8AD | +44(0)20 8715 5575 | info@neilnortondesign.com

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HOMES & INTERIORS / INSPIRATION DRUMMONDS

Thames Vanity Unit, from £6,300; drummonds-uk.com

SWOON EDITIONS

NATUZZI

Scott Sideboard in Mango Wood, £449; swooneditions.com

Mapa Bowl, from £720; natuzzi.co.uk

THE SOFA & CHAIR COMPANY

RIEDEL

Bowen Side Table, £1,395; thesofa andchair.co.uk

Black Tie Decanter, £495; amara.com

ARTHUR ARBESSER

Wool Throws, from £90; hem.com

ORCHID FURNITURE

19th Century Tall Cabinet, £2,395; orchidfurniture.com

REIKO KANEKO

Large Cylinder Vase, £140; reikokaneko.co.uk

JONATHAN ADLER

Antibes Four Drawer Dresser, £2,450; jonathanadler.com

HENRIK PEDERSEN

Adelaide Chair, £683; boconcept.com

ALL CHANGE

ROSE & GREY

Round Brass & Marble Drinks Trolley, £325; roseandgrey.co.uk

Refresh your home in the New Year with these recent design finds By jessica klingelfuss

SONYA WINNER

Tree Trunk Silk Rug, £7,525; sonyawinner.com

BOCA DO LOBO

VITRA

Occasional Table, £212; skandium.com

Eden Series Centre Table, £POA; bocadolobo.com

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08/12/2015 09:36

The Fireplace Specialists

“We are the UK’s leading suppliers and installers of luxury fireplaces and stoves manufactured by DRU, Faber, Spartherm, Stovax and many more.

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08/12/2015 10:05

HOMES & INTERIORS / PROFILE

MOOD BOARD Internationally acclaimed interior designer Robert Angell talks his inspirations and love of London Wo r d s S t e p h a n i e K i n g

STEPHANIE KING: Describe your design aesthetic in three words.

ROBERT ANGELL: Timeless, unique, experiential.

SK: What’s been the proudest moment in your career to date?

RA: It has to be setting up Robert Angell Design international in 2010.

SK: When starting a new project, do you prefer to have free reign or work to a specific brief?

RA: It is a mixture of both. I love working with my clients and together we challenge each other. However, at the end of the day, it is always about collaboration, working together to realise dreams. I do not believe in designing in the bubble of my own world. Yes, it is my role to lead on the creatives, but I like the journey of getting to the end result with everyone.

SK:What building in London do you find particularly inspiring?

RA: The dome of St Paul’s to the steeple of the Shard, I love the London Skyline and the streets below. London has a soul that has built up over the centuries and I am proud to be working in the creative space where I can draw on the history on London and let it influence and inspire our 21st century designs.

SK: Where’s your favourite place in London to wander through?

RA: I love the markets - from Alfie’s Market to Broadway Market. I also love the shops on Bond Street.

SK: Natural or man-made, what is your favourite landmark in the world?

BRITISH design is innovative, EXCITING

and we produce some of THE BEST DESIGNERS in THE WORLD

RA: I would probably say Stonehenge, it’s a beautifully proportioned, 3000 year old, globally recognised monument that is still being uncovered and discovered today.

SK: After working on projects across the globe, how would you say British design differs from the rest of the world?

RA: I think British design is a major leader on the global stage. British design is innovative, exciting and we produce some of the best designers in the world. The creative gene pool which Great Britain houses has a unique expertise and creativity which is sought after from across the world.

SK: What’s next for Robert Angell? Any exciting projects you can share with us?

RA: We have a very busy and exciting 2016 ahead. We have a fabulous luxury retail store coming to Knightsbridge, an amazing London Hotel refurbishment with exciting new additions where we are collaborating with a world renowned British architectural practice. Also a Pan Asian restaurant which is set to capture global dining in a single space. There are a few other exciting projects we are working on which I cannot talk about just yet, but watch this space… u robertangelldesigninternational.com

SK:Does art play a role in your design process?

RA: Absolutely, art is a very significant part of my work. It can be one piece of art, it’s colours and shape, that inspires me for the whole interiors scheme. Or a narrative behind the particular piece that has is just perfect for the interior – you need a story behind it.

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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

Open Days January 12th (9.30am) February 5th/9th (9.30am/9.30am)

a place where you would want to be – a place of learning and

March 8th (9.30am)

discovery, laughter and friendship.

April 26th (7pm)

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

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> SMALL TALK

p. 93

AMANDA CONSTANCE: TUTOR TRAIL

p. 95

ON POINT Add some magic to the last months of winter with help from French kids fashion house Bonpoint. The latest collection marries vibrant colour, rich texture and elegant cuts to enchanting effect. bonpoint.com

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JANUARY 2016

08/12/2015 09:32

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07/12/2015 10:49

Preparatory School for girls aged four to eleven

“One school, two buildings, great teaching and tip top facilities.”

The Good Schools Guide

• A leading South West London Prep School on the borders of Wimbledon Common • A happy, supportive community with excellent opportunities in music, sport and the performing and creative arts • High academic standards with scholarships and places at top senior schools at 11+ We offer an assisted places scheme for girls aged 7+

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04/12/2015 09:24

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KIDS & EDUCATION / NOTES WINTER WARMERS

3 o f the b e s t

Amaia Kids clothing doesn’t come much cuter than the timeless AW15 collection by independent, awardwinning Chelsea-based brand Amaia. The old fashioned knits are definitely on our wishlist; perfect winter attire. amaiakids.co.uk

APPS

N i gh t y Night HD Fo x a n d S h e e p G m b H

An interactive bedtime story featuring spoken narration and soothing ‘sleepytime’ music, Nighty Night is lovely way to foster a bedtime ritual. £2.49; available for iPad.

SMALL TALK

Old-fashioned knits, slumber bags for sleeping babes and our pick of this month’s best apps

N oi sy Neighbours Tate G aller y

Based on Ruth Green’s children’s book, Noisy Neighbours lets kids explore a richly animated garden world. £3.99; available for iOS devices

BAGS OF STYLE JEM + BEA

JEM + BEA is a new British luxury baby changing bag brand, launched by childhood friends with design backgrounds. The collection is stylish, yet practical with internal compartments and even a thermoinsulated bottle pocket, but we love the luxe finishes and embossed leather keyrings.

Prices start at £79; jemandbea.com

Di s co F ingers Propell AS

Not specifically for children but tots will love it all the same: Disco Fingers is a fun, interactive way to make music. Free; available for iPad.

COOL CASUAL

SLEEPY HEAD

¢ This limited edition range from cult French brand émoi émoi include sweatshirts for the kids but also mum and dad. Fashion functionality is key as a parent; luckily with this collection, your style credentials won’t take a hit. ◆ Navy sweatshirt, €45; en.emoi-emoi.com

¢ Increasingly popular in colder months (when blankets won’t cut it), these slumber bags are ethically-sourced using the softest premium cotton, come in four bright colours (as well as a more minimal grey) and a name tag for baby. ◆ £39.95; mybabysnameis.com

émoi émoi

M y B a b y’s N a m e I s

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JANUARY 2016

08/12/2015 09:31

Lovingly hand crafted, & carefully made to measure.

Our understanding of wood & stone flooring runs deep.

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PORTER

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KIDS & EDUCATION / SCHOOL TALK

Tutor trail Finding a tutor for your child can seem as overwhelming as finding the right school.

Here are some tips on where to start Wo r d s A M a n d a C o n s ta n c e

Does my child need a tutor?

Extra support can be invaluable for a child who needs help academically or has missed school through illness. For international families with children in the British education system, a tutor can be invaluable for getting a pupil’s English up to speed, exam preparation, or making up for differences in the curriculum.

Lucy Cawkwell of tutor agency Osborne Cawkwell says: “A tutor who can tell a child what school is like, particularly boarding, will provide emotional support as well as preparing them academically.”

At what age should tutoring start?

Tutors often prepare children for specific exams: the 7+, the 11+ and the 13+ or Common Entrance. Tutors will also be called on for GCSE, A-Levels (or IB) and Oxbridge examinations. As Charles Bonas, of blue-chip tutor agency Bonas MacFarlane says: “Everybody needs tuition because the schools system is so competitive and tutoring gives you a clear advantage. To get into the top senior and independent schools – particularly in London – gets more difficult every year.”

How long before exams should tutoring begin?

Two years before the 11+ is the ideal.

“This makes it a more relaxed process,” says Stephen Spriggs, managing director of William Clarence Education. “It means we have time to cement good learning habits.” As a minimum, tutoring should start no less than six months before the 11+ exams.

How do I find a top-notch tutor?

Talk to people who have been through the process. Interview owners of several

to know you and understand how the whole family is placed. “It is important to get an idea of the personality of the child,” says Stephen Spriggs, “because all too often, even parents will ignore it.” Agencies will devise a bespoke tutoring plan and a shortlist of possible schools. Spriggs says: “ It’s about having a partner in the process. It is not about someone ringing us up and we give them a place at Eton.”

To get into the TOP SENIOR & independent SCHOOLS gets more difficult EVERY year top agencies. Question the agencies’ safeguarding protocols. Can you trust them with your child’s education? Ask for parent references and follow them up.

Talk money. And meet the tutor without your child.

How do I know the tutor will be up to scratch?

An agency is as only as good as its tutors.

Some will have a relatively small number of professional tutors, some a vast database of contacts, from jobbing Oxford graduates to career tutors.

How will they assess my child?

All good agencies will want to meet you and your child. They will want to get

95 CHIS_Jan16_Education.indd 95

How do we avoid putting too much pressure on our child?

“The key is finding the balance between hothousing and giving support,” says Charles Bonas. “We might start at 5 or 6 to prepare a child for 7+ but often that’s too young, it all depends on the child.”

What about online tuition?

Online tuition is a booming business and companies vary hugely. There is a big difference between reputable agencies relying on Skype for overseas students and tuition agencies that only exist online. Many are good, some not so; it is a largely unregulated market. The obvious bonus is that it’s much cheaper.

Lucy Cawkwell says: “You can’t beat one-to-one teaching but our specialist tutors who teach via Skype are able to engage with the pupil and create that relationship virtually.”

Be realistic Don’t push your child towards a school where they won’t make the academic standard. Take advice from your agency.

Don’t be attracted by only the starriest schools. “There are so many fantastic ones that are less well-known,” says Charles Bonas. Stephen Spriggs cautions: “Getting your child into a particular school is one thing, them staying there and being happy is another.” u

JANUARY 2016

08/12/2015 09:28

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KIDS & EDUCATION / ENTERTAINMENT

MINI

MADNESS Absolutely attends a party organized by Gabriella & Octavia Wo r d s P e n d l e H a r t e

W

ho knows what a Martian walking into the room would conclude about this human ritual. It’s very dark, save for a throbbing green light, and there’s a lot of screaming over a fast bassline. Once their eyes adjusted, the Martian would be able to make out a lot of small shadowy forms hanging onto a rope and pulling with an intensity that borders on the violent, but would notice also that the screams are actually laughter. This is a disco party for a ten year-old child. It’s not a situation that many adults would find appealing but it is a necessary rite of passage in many London circles.

At the centre of what is in fact a game of tug-of-war is Gabriella Rankin, managing the situation with the skill of a major league referee and the assurance of a headmistress as well as the boundless charm of a CBeebies presenter. This is a woman who has come a long way since donning a Snow White costume and walking around Portobello handing out business cards. When not on stage (her one-woman show Dumped was a smash hit at this year’s Edinburgh Festival), the

actor-turned-standup comedian runs a successful business in children’s parties. And you can see why she’s good at it. Gabby speaks in a fast, breathless way, energy and enthusiasm radiating from her smile.

‘People love parties,’ she says,

The actor-turnedstandup COMIC RUNS a sideline in children’s PARTIES

and clearly so does she. Though her standup act is definitely not suitable for children, her general manner is very much in tune with the way their minds work.

So, she and her team offer a variety of parties designed for London’s well-heeled tots.

‘A lot of our business started out among the Wetherby mums,’ she explains, but these days their services are on

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demand all over London, from Hampstead to Wimbledon and the home counties. Options include the disco party, which – in addition to a high-energy tugof-war and an equally shouty game involving wrapping children, mummy-style, in loo paper – encourages guests to develop their own routines and show them off to each other (yes, even the boys) and compete for an award. Gabriella and her assistant Freddy provide lights, music, sweets, make-up and glow-sticks, and two hours of non-stop fun leave even the least excitable guests pink-faced and starving. But it’s not all about the disco – the company’s party options include the theatrical party (staging an actual production), the treasure hunt (roaming around finding clues), the adventure party and for preschoolers the storybook party and the soft play one.

Plus of course they can provide decorations, entertainment, catering, party bags, cake and everything a party needs. With clients ranging from Trotters to Facebook via Candy Crush and Tiffany, these are the only people you need to call next time your offspring are approaching a milestone. u gabriellaandoctavia.com

JANUARY 2016

08/12/2015 09:17

We are open: Mon - Sat 10am - 6pm, any other times by appointment only Kitchen Revolutions Ltd 580 Kingston Road Wimbledon SW20 8DR

T 020 3302 6266 E info@kitchenrevolutions.co.uk W www.kitchenrevolutions.co.uk

MADE IN GERMANY TO MEET YOUR DESIGN NEEDS

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Built in Kitchen Specialist

08/10/2015 12:47

IN THEIR OWN WORDS p.112 PROPERTY NEWS

PARKFIELDS SW15

£2.5

NIGEL LEWIS: FAMOUS PLACES p.132

ffering just under 3,100 sq ft of accommodation, this is a substantial and highly distinctive five bedroom semi-detached family home. Retaining many of the original features from Henry Scarth’s development of the road in the mid-19th century, this handsome property is full of character. Local shops are situated at the end of the road while major rail and road transport links and the amenities of Putney High Street are a short walk away. u

O

PUTNEY 020 8780 1100

Million

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p.126

warrenputney.co.uk

JANUARY 2016

08/12/2015 14:47

COMPASS HOUSE, RIVERSIDE WEST, SW18 A magnificent sub-penthouse apartment with truly spectacular 180’ views of the Thames and a 58’8” x 14’9” wrap-around terrace that provides an expansive roof garden and al fresco entertaining space.

Approx. 1,517 sq ft. Energy Rating: D. 3 bedrooms, 2 bath/shower rooms, 31’ reception/dining room, kitchen/breakfast room, utility room, 58’ river facing roof terrace, lift, concierge.

Leasehold Guide Price £1,395,000

WANDSWORTH 020 3151 6344 wandsworth@johndwood.co.uk

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02/12/2015 02/12/2015 11:55 08:57

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MELROSE ROAD, SW18 Located on this prime residential road offering excellent access to Putney, Southfields and Wimbledon is this exceptional family home. Having undergone a major works program this charming home offers a quite exceptional level of accommodation. The high ceilings and picture windows provide a great feeling of natural light and space throughout. Approx. 2,856 sq ft. Energy Rating: D. 5 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, en suite shower room, reception room, family room, kitchen/dining/living room, utility room, rear garden.

Freehold Guide Price ÂŁ2,795,000

SOUTHFIELDS 020 3151 6317 southfields@johndwood.co.uk

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johndwood.co.uk

02/12/2015 02/12/2015 11:55 08:57

CAVENDISH ROAD, SW12 An impressive, beautifully proportioned raised ground floor apartment in an imposing semi-detached property on the edge of Abbeville Village. Approx. 1,517 sq ft. Energy Rating: D. 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms (1 en suite), reception room, dining room, garden, off-street parking.

Freehold Share Guide Price £1,299,950

DINSMORE ROAD, SW12 This outstanding home is located in the Dinsmore Road Conservation Area and features the trademark lion finial of the builder J Nichols who was also responsible for the well known ‘Lion Houses’ found in Fulham.

Approx. 1,765 sq ft. Energy Rating: D. 5 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms (1 en suite), reception room, kitchen/breakfast room, cloakroom, garden.

Freehold Guide Price £1,225,000

CLAPHAM 020 3151 6240 clapham@johndwood.co.uk

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johndwood.co.uk

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BATTERSEA CHURCH ROAD, SW11 A substantial house close to Battersea Bridge Road, which has been fully extended to create the most wonderful and contemporary property. Of particular note is the basement excavation, which provides additional accommodation and living space. Approx. 2,093 sq ft. Energy Rating: E. 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, reception room, kitchen/dining area, basement flat, garden, roof terrace.

Freehold Guide Price ÂŁ1,950,000

BATTERSEA BRIDGE ROAD, SW11 A very well presented 1st floor flat with a wonderful balance of living and bedroom accommodation throughout. In addition, there are views over the communal gardens from the principal rooms.

Approx. 1,282 sq ft. Energy Rating C. 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms (1 en suite), reception room, dining area, utility room, balcony, communal gardens, garage.

Lease to 2201 Guide Price ÂŁ1,195,000

BATTERSEA 020 7293 0348 battersea@johndwood.co.uk

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ON WHITE

ON GREEN

Burland Road £ 00 per week smart and charming five bedroom family house, with original period features, located on this popular street between the commons. The property comprises of a bright double reception room with functioning gas fireplace. The Kitchen has been extended into the side return and feels particularly spacious, with hard wood floors and a modern kitchen creating a fantastic family entertaining space. French doors lead out to a lovely patio garden.

Five double bedrooms ouble reception room Kitchen/ breakfast room Shower room Family bathroom ownstairs ellar Patio garden nfurnished W n

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anford Road £

5 per week

n dwardian style house with a wider than average double reception room with wooden floors and a kitchen with a double oven and huge merican fridge/free er. The reception room opens out to the lovely patio garden, which is very well maintained. The house has four double bedrooms, with ama ing built in wardrobes and a further single bedroom/study. The house has two bathrooms, one which includes a separate shower. There is good cellar storage.

Four double bedrooms Single bedroom/study Two bathrooms ouble reception room Kitchen Patio garden nfurnished n

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ON WHITE

ON GREEN

RAMPTON BASELE Y Broomwood Road £510 per week

RAMPTON BASELE Y

superb two bedroom flat arranged over the second floor of this substantial converted ictorian house. The accommodation is spacious and airy with good proportions in all of the principle rooms. The attractive reception room measures approximately 15 x 1 1 and boasts a feature fireplace and built in shelving.

Both bedrooms can accommodate double beds and there is a well equipped kitchen/breakfast room measuring approximately 11 x 11 and has plenty of space for a dining table. The family bathroom is also on this level.

Two double bedrooms Reception room Furnished/unfurnished n

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St Johns Hill £450 per week Measuring approximately 1000 sq ft, this bright and spacious two bedroom flat offers excellent living space that is finished to an extremely high standard. The kitchen reception room is open plan with windows on three sides. There is plenty of space for a sitting area as well as a dining area. The kitchen itself is beautifully finished with integrated appliances and granite work surfaces. The bedrooms are situated on a separate floor, both of which can easily accommodate double beds. The bathroom is also situated on the second floor with a bath and separate shower cubicle. Plenty of storage can be found in the loft eaves.

Two bedrooms Open plan Kitchen/ Reception room Bathroom Wooden floors in reception room Furnished n

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ON WHITE

ennerley Road

,

ON GREEN

5,000

This beautiful Victorian house is presented in immaculate decorative order. The property has been extended into the side return and into the loft space, retaining lots of its period features. The house is positioned on the southern side of this superb residential street and as such boasts tremendous natural light particularly through the kitchen and garden. n the ground floor there is a double reception room with a bay window, oak floors and a period fire place. The rear section of the reception room opens to a spacious kitchen family room.

Four double bedrooms Double reception room Kitchen breakfast room Family bathroom En suite bathroom South facing patio garden Cellar Chain Free n

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Situated on this popular development between the commons is this superb semi detached town house. The property currently measures , s ft and is presented in excellent decorative order throughout with accommodation arranged over four floors. n the ground floor there is a spacious kitchen/breakfast room with an ad oining conservatory and double doors open to an attractive 35 ft garden.

Five bedrooms Reception room Kitchen breakfast room Family bathroom En suite bathroom En suite shower room Conservatory Home office in the garden South facing garden Garage & two off street parking spaces n

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ON WHITE

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RAMPTON BASELE Y Thurleigh Road

,

5,000

RAMPTON BASELE Y

This beautiful semi detached double fronted house is positioned on one of the most sought after residential roads between the commons and a short walk from Clapham South underground station. This stunning house benefits from excellent lateral space and a huge amount of period charm. The orientation and layout give the internal space fantastic natural light. ne of the huge draws to this superb property is its lovely mature garden that measures over 3 ft in width.

Five double bedrooms Three reception rooms Kitchen reakfast room Conservatory Ensuite bathroom & dressing room Two further bathrooms Cellar Garden Side access n

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Honeywell Road 3,500,000 This absolutely stunning double fronted detached Victorian house has been completely refurbished by the current owners to an extremely high standard. The building has been cleverly and behind the classic Victorian facade there is an extremely impressive contemporary interior. Not only does the house boast excellent lateral space, there is also two levels of living/ entertaining space that are linked by a fabulous glass gallery and curved staircase.

Five double bedrooms Reception room Kitchen dining room Gymnasium/Playroom Study & media room Ensuite bathroom Shower room & Family bathroom Dressing room/ 5th bedroom Wine Cellar Garden n

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PROPERTY / STYLE BIBLE

NEW DIGS Rampton Baseley arrive on Bellevue Road

Who is going to be in charge of the new office?

If we had any concerns about opening a sister branch it would be that we didn’t want to dilute the skill set and talent base of the Northcote Road operation.

Having established our leading position in the market for some years now, we have found it easier to hire quality people than some of our competitors. We went out to look for the best people in the industry and we really believe we have achieved our aim. A good estate agency starts and finishes with the quality of the people it employs. All agents have the same tools; Rightmove, Zoopla, email and telephones etc., it’s the people that use them that matter.

Which brings us on to Rupert Nicholson who will be managing the new office. We were desperately keen to work with Rupert (formerly Knight Frank Clapham) and we were thrilled when he accepted our offer to head up the new office.

We reckon good estate agents need three qualities in abundance –

YOU GET AN UNRIVALLED SERVICE FROM US BECAUSE WE TRULY CARE AND BECAUSE WE ARE TRULY ANSWERABLE TO OUR LOCAL COMMUNITY

R

ampton Baseley have decided to open a sister office on Bellevue Road.

“Aren’t there enough estate agents on Bellevue Road already?” we hear you cry “and what about our local businesses?”

Well, the short answer to the first question is yes, there probably are enough agents. However, we feel that there are enough of the same agents offering the same service.

We can offer an alternative.

We are a niche, boutique estate agency owned and run by two local guys, who sit and work alongside their staff day in, day out. We meet our clients walking down the high street, at school pick-ups, and in local pubs. You get an unrivalled

ABSOLUTELY MAGAZINES

B&C_Jan16_prop_PP.indd 108

service from us because we truly care and because we are truly answerable to our local community. If we do not provide a good service or get the maximum market value, we hear about it.

It would be extremely difficult (untenable even) and extremely embarrassing for both Joel and I to live and work around here if we didn’t perform. If we screwed up, we’d hear about it, because Wandsworth and Battersea are that most unusual thing in London; an inner suburb with a real sense of community.

Our Northcote Road office has long been established as the leading agent in the middle upper end of the market Between the Commons and we fully intend to expand this remit across the other side of Wandsworth Common.

knowledge, people skills and drive, and Rupert is a qualified chartered surveyor with eight years’ experience in the property industry so we knew he had the knowledge bit covered. He had come highly recommended by mutual clients, so it was evident that he was good with people and his track record in endurance sports gave us a pretty good idea that he wouldn’t mind putting the effort in.

Before he gets too big headed about this, one of us is sure that we can beat him on a circuit of Wandsworth Common, even if he is twenty years younger and has made it to the North Pole and back! u Rampton Baseley open at 30 Bellevue Road in 2016. Get in touch to hear about the opening fee offer; ramptonbaseley.com

108 08/12/2015 14:41

New Show Apartment now open Beautifully designed 1, 2 & 3 bedroom apartments & duplexes available from £699,995.

Contact the sales team today to book your appointment to view our stunning new Show Apartment.

0800 883 0153† tilemanhouse@crestnicholson.com www.tilemanhouse.com

131-133 Upper Richmond Road, SW15 2RF Sales & Marketing Suite open daily

Price correct at time of going to press. Show Apartment photography. †Calls to this number are subject to an additional call charge - for details, please refer to www.bit.ly/callcharges

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St James’s Drive SW17 £1,450,000 A delightful four-bedroom family home with fantastic living space and the further potential to extend into the loft, located on a prime road moments from Wandsworth Common. Freehold. EPC=D

• Four bedrooms • Semi detached • Off street parking • Moments from Wandsworth Common

BATTERSEA SALES: 020 7228 9292 sales.bat@marshandparsons.co.uk

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Mysore Road SW11 £675 per week A truly unique two-bedroom corner house, situated moments from the open spaces of Clapham Common. EPC=E BATTERSEA LETS: 020 7228 9292 CLAPHAM SALES: 020 7501 3666

lets.bat@marshandparsons.co.uk sales.clp@marshandparsons.co.uk

Bowood Road SW11 £495 per week A spacious and well presented two-bedroom apartment located close to Clapham Junction station. EPC=D BATTERSEA LETS: 020 7228 9292

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£3,349,000 leasehold

Enterprise Way

Wandsworth SW18

An opportunity to own this beautiful split level penthouse apartment with over 1,800 st ft of luxury living space & breathtaking views across London from every room. All set within this exclusive riverside development.

EPC rating C

A stunning 4 bedroom house located on sought-after & neighbourly Swaffield Road, within close proximity to Earlsfield station. The property is surrounded by fantastic schools as well as local shops & amenities.

EPC rating E

chestertons.com

CHESTERTONS.indd 1

020 8104 7530

sales.wandsworth@chestertons.com

£669.23 per week / £2,900 per month

Swaffield Road

Wandsworth SW18

Wandsworth

Wandsworth

020 8104 7540

lettings.wandsworth@chestertons.com

Additional tenant charges apply: Tenancy agreement fee: £222 (inc. VAT) References per tenant including credit check: £42 (inc. VAT) References per guarantor including credit check: £42 (inc. VAT) Inventory check (approx. £100 – £250 inc. VAT dependent on property size) chestertons.com/property-to-rent/applicable-fees 01/12/2015 12:22

Albion Riverside

Battersea SW11

A superb example of a newly renovated & interior designed 5th floor apartment within the award winning Albion Riverside development. This large 1 bedroom apartment enjoys views over Ransome’s Dock & Battersea Park.

EPC rating C

Waterside Point

Battersea SW11

A newly refurbished 2 bedroom apartment in this sought-after Riverside Development, benefiting from 24 hour concierge & off-street parking.

EPC rating C

£895,000 share of freehold Battersea Park

020 3040 8700

sales.batterseapark@chestertons.com

£800 per week / £3,466.66 per month Battersea Park

020 3040 8269

lettings.batterseapark@chestertons.com

chestertons.com

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Mysore Road

Battersea SW11

A stunning 3 bedroom, 2 bathroom Victorian house located close to Clapham Junction. The property offers a kitchen/reception room with direct access to the west facing garden. A key feature of the house is the central staircase with galleried landings.

EPC rating D

Barnard Road

Battersea SW11

A well presented 1st floor 2 bedroom maisonette located on a popular residential road in the heart of Clapham Junction. The property is spacious throughout offering double bedrooms & a further study, eat in kitchen & a roof terrace.

EPC rating E

£1,400,000 freehold Battersea Rise

020 7924 4400

sales.battersearise@chestertons.com

£465 per week / £2,015 per month Battersea Rise

020 7298 5630

lettings.battersearise@chestertons.com

Additional tenant charges apply: Tenancy agreement fee: £222 (inc. VAT) References per tenant including credit check: £42 (inc. VAT) References per guarantor including credit check: £42 (inc. VAT) Inventory check (approx. £100 – £250 inc. VAT dependent on property size) chestertons.com/property-to-rent/applicable-fees CHESTERTONS.indd 3

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B A R R I N G T O N B A L H A M , A

D E V E L O P M E N T O N E

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S P L I T- L E V E L

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A PA RT M E N T

P RI C ES F ROM ÂŁ1,09 5 ,00 0 READY TO MOVE INTO WITH YOUR STAMP DUTY PAID!*

020 8 0 1 2 2 0 3 7 W W W . B A R R I N G T O N G A R D E N S . C O . U K The computer generated illustrations are for general guidance only. *Terms and conditions apply. Price correct at time of going to press.

BARNARD NEW HOMES.indd 1

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IN THEIR OWN

WORDS

JAMES WESTON

Sales Manager at Hamptons International Earlsfield and Southfields Photography

R E B ECCA N O O N A N

H

aving grown up in a very small village in Somerset I have always been used to a sense of community, whether that is people helping out their neighbours on an icy day or knowing that you had a small car accident the day after it happened. Some might find this close knit community a little claustrophobic or even brand their neighbours “nosy” but I found it endearing. That very same sense of community is what I have discovered in Earlsfield and Southfields, whether it is around the school gates, at the tennis club or at the latest Cross-Rail 2 meeting, people care passionately about the community here. I have spent the last 14 years working as an agent in some of the most prestigious parts of London, Mayfair, Marylebone, Hyde Park and South Kensington before moving to SW18 about five years ago. Whilst the stress levels are no less, the sense of pride and satisfaction of seeing families, couples and individuals moving in and out of a much loved home

COMMUNITY IS WHAT I HAVE DISCOVERED IN EARLSFIELD AND SOUTHFIELDS

is immeasurably greater as you can see how excited and relieved they are.

Over my years as an agent I have worked for four different firms including Hamptons International and I have been made to feel incredibly supported and welcome by not only the firm but my neighbouring offices.

Whether it is the loan of a Santa outfit for our grotto or joint marketing of properties, the dialogue and support from all our offices is unlike anything I have experienced before, it is most definitely another little community.

Since we opened our doors on the 22nd of June we have been made to feel very welcome by the neighbourhood, whether it is little comments like, “Oh, hasn’t Earlsfield gone up market now that Hamptons are here!”

Or praise from clients who had

unfortunate prior experiences with agents and have been pleased with our service. It is this warm welcome, along with the fact that we are now established in the Hamptons network with a database of good buyers that we are thrilled to be offering a 0% fee for a limited period over Christmas and the New Year.

This is a first for Hamptons and will be followed very closely but we sincerely hope that as many residents as possible take advantage of this offer.

This warm welcome has not come as a total surprise as not only did I work in the area before but I also live here between Earlsfield and Southfields.

My wife and I are both active and make full use of the facilities on our doorstep with bootcamps in Wimbledon Park and tennis and squash at the Spencer Club. We are also expecting our first child in February and could not be in a better place with the abundance of nurseries, play groups.

I honestly could not feel luckier to live and work in an area that reminds me of where I grew up albeit 120 miles away and with lots more to do. u

HAMPTONS / 020 8939 2377 / hamptons.co.uk

ABSOLUTELY MAGAZINES

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PROPERTY / PROFILE

117 B&C_Jan16_Prop_ITOW.indd 117

JANUARY 2016

08/12/2015 12:18

DOROTHY ROAD, BATTERSEA A light and spacious two bed period maisonette. The property is offered to the market chain free and with vacant possession. EPC = D.

2

2

1

ASKING PRICE

£725,000 BATTERSEA 020 7228 2278

LUMIERE APARTMENTS, ST JOHNS HILL Stunning two bed, two bath penthouse with large south-facing roof terrace and superb views.

Available immediately on a furnished basis. EPC = B.

2

2

1

TO LET PCM

£2,816 BATTERSEA 020 7228 2378

FSL.indd 1 FSL5267 Featherstone Leigh ABSO BATTERSEA.indd 1

03/12/2015 02/12/2015 12:16 20:28

Battersea Clapham Putney Barnes Richmond

Chiswick Hammersmith West Kensington Fulham Chelsea

Kew Sheen Twickenham Teddington Kingston

featherstoneleigh.co.uk

MYSORE ROAD, BATTERSEA A beautifully presented three double bedroom two bathroom family home, situated on one of Battersea’s premier roads.. EPC = E.

2

2

1

ASKING PRICE

£1,250,000 BATTERSEA 020 7228 2278

LAVENDER BUILDING, LAVENDER HILL Stunning penthouse apartment in a central location within walking distance to Clapham Junction mainline station. Available immediately.

EPC = E.

2

2

1

TO LET PCM

£2,816 BATTERSEA 020 7228 2378

TENANT FEES

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•

£48.00 (incl VAT) per person for referencing

•

£195.00 (incl VAT) per property for the tenancy agreement

03/12/2015 02/12/2015 12:16 20:28

acorn.ltd.uk @AcornGroup /AcornEstateAgency

Lewin Road, Streatham SW16

£2,150,000 F/H

Imposing detached home measuring 3,764 sqft with an amazing rear garden. The property comprises five double bedrooms, three reception rooms, conservatory, three bathrooms, kitchen/diner, gym and walk-in closet.

• • • •

Five bedrooms Stunning rear garden Imposing Victorian home Energy Efficiency Rating D

Contact Streatham 020 8768 6373

A member of

The Group, incorporating: TheAcorn Acorn Group, incorporating:

ACORN.indd 1

08/12/2015 09:09

1000% 100% service

0% fee*

As a thank you for the amazing reception we have had since opening, Hamptons International would like to extend an offer to rent or sell your property COMPLETELY FREE.* Along with our established neighbouring offices we have developed an extensive database of prospective tenants and purchasers. This database, partnered with our local, national and international network, local knowledge, passion and expertise has enabled us to achieve some great results for our customers already.

To take advantage of this never to be repeated offer contact us today and book a sales or lettings market appraisal. *This offer applies to all new clients to Hamptons International Earlsfield & Southfields who instruct us to carry out a market appraisal in the area covered by this branch between the 1st of December 2015 and the 31st of January 2016 and subsequent instructions to market a property received by the 28th February 2016. Exchanges on any sale instruction within those dates must take place prior to the 31st of December 2016 and all lets on any letting instruction must be commenced by the 31st March 2016. Full terms and conditions apply.

James Weston Sales Manager

Rocco Archidiacono Lettings Manager

Henry Salmon Sales Negotiator

Marco Feraldi Lettings Negotiator

Cormac O’Kane Senior Negotiator

Samyul Halfpenny Sales & Lettings Administrator

Hamptons Earlsfield and Southfields 350 Garratt Lane, Earlsfield, London, SW18 4ES Sales. 020 3092 2927 earlsfield@hamptons-int.com Lettings. 020 3092 5352 earlsfieldlettings@hamptons-int.com www.hamptons.co.uk Please dial in full. If you have already appointed another agent, you may be subject to a restrictive contract.

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Beyond your expectations

25/11/2015 20/11/2015 17:22 10:04

Beyond your expectations www.hamptons.co.uk

Coombe Estate, KT2 A superb detached family home in the prestigious Coombe Estate that has been refurbished and extended to a very high standard. The house, set over 3 floors, includes five bedrooms, excellent family/entertaining space, a south-westerly garden and a generous gated driveway. EPC: B

Guide Price £2,495,000 Freehold • • • • •

Coombe Private Estate 3996 SQ. FT ( 371.2 SQ. M ) Air conditioned main bedroom suite South – Westerly garden Generous gated driveway

Hamptons Wimbledon Sales. 020 8454 7249

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07/12/2015 14:49

Wimbledon Village, SW19 Situated in the heart of Wimbledon Village, a beautifully presented Edwardian family home with a south facing garden. The semi-detached property offers five bedrooms, excellent family/entertaining space and off-street parking. There is planning permission for a basement extension. EPC: E

Guide Price £3,250,000 • Village Location • Edwardian Property • Five Bedrooms • Parking • South Facing Garden

Hamptons Wimbledon Sales. 020 8454 7249

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07/12/2015 12:39

PROPERTY / NEW TO THE MARKET

Prime

PURCHASE LONDON’S FINEST ASSETS

TYRAWLEY ROAD  SW6

£1.975m

wonderful three bedroom house full of character with an abundance of original features, an open plan reception and dining room with a triple sash bay window to the front and a feature fireplace. At the rear of the property, separate dining room and kitchen lead on to a mature garden. Upstairs there is a master bedroom, glittering bathroom and two further double bedrooms. The property is located a five minute walk from Fulham Broadway Station. u  Featherstone Leigh, Fulham, 020 7610 9755; featherstoneleigh.co.uk

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2

THURLOE HOUSE

impressive custom built contemporary wine cellar and six bedrooms, all with storage, arranged over the top two floors. u  Hamptons, Wimbledon 020 3369 4396; hamptons.co.uk

 Lancaster Gardens, SW19

£5.3m

ituated on one of Wimbledon Village’s most sought-after residential roads, this detached gated residence offers excellent accommodation over four floors with six bedrooms with views over the garden. The study with fireplace, includes fitted storage. The kitchen/family room on the lower ground floor, provides an excellent range of Poggenpohl units with integrated appliances by Miele.

In addition, there is an

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ABSOLUTELY MAGAZINES

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CAMBALT ROAD  SW15

£425,000

fantastic one bedroom top floor flat for sale.

Boasting 413 sq ft of space, this beautifully presented flat comes with one double bedroom, bathroom, kitchen and reception room.

Superbly located off Putney Hill, this property is just moments from the High Street

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with an abundance of restaurants, cafes and pubs. In addition, nearby Putney Heath and Wimbledon Common provide wonderful outside spaces and activites such as cricket and golf, while the National Tennis Centre is also

a mere 10 minute drive away.

Putney mainline station is only 0.2 miles away, and East Putney Underground station is only 0.4 miles away. u  KFH, Putney 020 3792 4535; kfh.co.uk

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INSTANT VALUATION INTERACTIVE Get a Free Instant Valuation at www.portico.com/valuation Call to arrange a Free Valuation on

0207 099 4000 or email Abigail@portico.com

SALES

MAINTENANCE

LE T TINGS

portico.com

PORTICO_CORP.indd 1 Absolutely Magazine ad_AWK.indd 1

12:02 15/06/2015 11:46

HARDWICKS SQUARE, WANDSWORTH, SW18 ÂŁ465,000

KE Y FE AT URES Newly Converted Open-Plan Mezzanine Level Modern High-Spec Interior No Onward Chain Great Location

PORTICO.indd 1

04/12/2015 15:36

Acton 020 8993 6767 Battersea 020 7738 1538 Bloomsbury 020 7291 0650 Camden 020 7482 1060 Clapham 020 7501 0454 Dulwich 020 8299 6066 Fulham 020 7731 7788 Hammersmith 020 8748 3630 Highbury 020 7288 9440 Islington 020 7354 3283 West Hampstead 020 7794 1000

portico.com

CHATFIELD ROAD, BAT TERSEA, SW11 ÂŁ495 PW

KE Y FE AT URES Gated Riverside Apartment Newly Refurbished Throughout Two Bedrooms Two Bathrooms Balcony with Riverside Views Underground Parking

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Need more space?

More and more people are catching on to the appeal of SE London. Green space, great schools, café culture and, most importantly, value for money. So if you’re interested in pastures new, maybe it’s time you came and spoke to the local experts.

Pedder. Nobody knows SE London like we know SE London.

www.pedderproperty.com

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31/03/2015 26/03/2015 10:38 16:53

An exclusive development of six 5 bedroom homes with large open-plan kitchen/living/dining areas across the entire ground floor with bi-folding doors leading out into private gardens. The development is just minutes walk from Streatham Hill train station. Prices starting from ÂŁ995,000.

50% Sold. Stamp Duty paid on selected units.

Location: Pakefield Mews, Wavertree Court, Brixton, SW2 4TL To download the brochure or to register your interest visit pakefieldmews.com.

Call 02077386839 or visit: www.pakefieldmews.com www.peddernewhomes.com Pedder New Homes 167 Herne Hill London, SE24 9LR

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New Homes specialist

07/12/2015 07/12/2015 17:36 09:54

PROPERTY ROUND UP The inside scoop in your area

NARBONNE AVENUE, SW4

JUST SOLD

HANNAH WATKINS Associate

Knight Frank Clapham

INSIGHT

CLARA COCKERTON

Head of Corporate Services Douglas & Gordon

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children and grandchildren.

We found the perfect buyers for them. A young, newly married couple with two little boys who are beginning their journey in the big family house. The vendors were delighted and felt the house would now be enjoyed once again, recreating their happy memories. u

s we welcome in the New Year and pack away the Christmas tree, lots of us are making resolutions and decisions.

Suddenly it’s apparent quite how generous Santa has been and there are new toys everywhere, it’s time to move!

We recently sold a beautiful house for a couple who have lived there for over 30 years. They were moving to the country to be closer to their

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orporate tenants are good news for landlords. They pay their rent on time, typically take out longer leases and normally remain in the same property.

Over the past seven years, the single major trend has been that corporate tenants have started to live outside the boundaries of Prime Central London areas such as Chelsea. In the postfinancial crisis, world budgets have tightened significantly, which is why Battersea, Clapham,

Knight Frank Clapham, 020 3667 6751; knightfrank.com

CORPORATE TENANTS HAVE STARTED TO LIVE OUTSIDE THE BOUNDARIES OF PRIME CENTRAL

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Wandsworth and Putney now have a higher proportion of corporates than 10 years ago.

Further corporate belttightening is shaping the current market. Companies are either relocating single employees or encouraging weekend commuting. We are now seeing

an increasing number of enquiries for properties with fewer bedrooms, which has severely impacted the house market. With the US and Dutch embassies moving to Nine Elms, the local rental market will be a major beneficiary – a situation that we are closely monitoring. u

Douglas & Gordon, Corporate Services 020 7313 6121 douglasandgordon.com

130 08/12/2015 12:26

PROPERTY / NEWS

NEWS

COMMENT

ESTAS Absolutely sponsor unique agency awards, the ESTAS

Moving house can be one of the most stressful things many of us will ever experience. So finding the right estate or letting agent is incredibly important.

That’s why Absolutely is sponsoring the London region of the ESTAS, a unique awards body with shortlisted and winning agents determined purely on ratings from customers.

The ESTAS not only give

WINNING AGENTS ARE DETERMINED PURELY ON CUSTOMER RATINGS

agents the chance to be recognised for their excellent service but also provide valuable feedback that enables firms to review their performance and improve in the future.

This year’s best agents will be announced by the country’s favourite property expert Phil Spencer at the 13th annual ESTAS ceremony next April held in Grosvenor House. u

To find out more about The ESTAS and how your firm can get involved go to theestas.com

NEW OPENING

M&P COMES TO TOOTING

JANE JENRICK Area Manager

John D Wood & Co.

arsh & Parsons is celebrating the opening of their 25th branch this month. The new Tooting office will further strengthen the business in South West London and complement its existing coverage in Balham, Battersea and Clapham. The office on Upper Tooting Road will be extensively remodelled, in order to mirror the elegant design of all Marsh & Parsons offices.

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To celebrate the opening, they will be offering homeowners in the area a special 0% sales fee in the first three months, until 24th March 2016. This is an impressive discount and will save local customers an average of £12,600. u Marsh & Parsons, Tooting Road, 020 8022 1209 marshandparsons.co.uk

LOCAL NEWS

HAMPTONS INTERNATIONAL PARTNER WITH SNOOPY AND CHARLIE BROWN: THE PEANUTS MOVIE amptons International is proud to announce a partnership with Twentieth Century Fox to mark the release of Snoopy and Charlie Brown: The Peanuts Movie.

Hamptons launched a competition for local primary school children, who were encouraged to design the dog house of Snoopy’s dreams. Their designs were assembled and displayed in the local Hamptons International branch window for visitors to come in and vote for their favourite.

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One winner from each branch was awarded a goody bag while the overall winner will soon receive a giant personalised playhouse inspired by Snoopy’s famous red kennel.

hamptons.co.uk

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he start of a new year is always an exceptionally busy time in the London lettings market, with properties of all sizes and in all price brackets in great demand. January brings a rush of corporate tenants who often arrive to start new jobs in the new year. There is also an influx on what we refer to as “New Year Resolution Tenants” who are looking for a move to something bigger or better value for money.

If you are looking to rent your property, it is wise to have had the property photographed ready to go live before Christmas to ensure it gets maximum exposure over this period.

If you are thinking of buying a property as a first time landlord then I would advise you to move quickly and aim to have completed before the end of the tax year. The Chancellor has raised the Stamp Duty land tax payable on second or buy-to-let properties from April 2016, so an extra 3% is levied. If you are buying a property at £450,000 this will increase your tax bill by £13,500.u

THERE IS AN INFLUX OF WHAT WE CALL ‘NEW YEAR RESOLUTION TENANTS’ John D Wood & Co. 020 3151 5710; johndwood.co.uk

CHANGE IN ACHIEVED PRICES

SPOTLIGHT ON SW LONDON AVERAGE £ PER SQUARE FOOT & CHANGE IN ACHIEVED PRICES

ONE YEAR

TWO YEARS

THREE YEARS

£803 -3.1% 35.5% 38.0% Data provided by LonRes

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JANUARY 2016

08/12/2015 12:26

LOUISVILLE ROAD SW17

5/6 BEDROOMS, 4 BATHROOMS AND EXCEPTIONAL RECEPTION SPACE CONTACT: BALHAM 020 8675 6565 | www.jacksonsestateagents.com/Balham

£1,695,000 FREEHOLD

THE PROPERTY A fully renovated and extended terrace Victorian house forming part of the popular Heaver Estate. The house has a full basement conversion which could be employed for a number of uses including home office, gym, playroom and virtually self contained flat. The open spaces of Tooting Bec Common are literally at the end of the road.

THE AREA The Heaver Estate mainly comprises substantial houses built around the turn of the twentieth century by local builder Alfred Heaver. Described at the time as ‘The Finest Estate in London’ the area is now undergoing a sustained period of regeneration and gentrification. There are now many established independent shops, bars and restaurants, transport facilities are excellent and the 218 acres of Tooting Bec Common border the Estate.

info@jacksonsestateagents.com | www.jacksonsestateagents.com

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COLEFORD ROAD SW18

5 BEDROOMS, 2 BATHROOMS AND 20’ GARDEN

CONTACT: WANDSWORTH 020 8875 8899 | www.jacksonsestateagents.com/Wandsworth

£1,600,000 FREEHOLD

A charming terrace Victorian house which has been fully renovated and extended by the present owners to the highest of standards. To the rear is a fabulous contemporary kitchen/breakfast/family room which leads onto a decked and newly fenced garden via full width bi-fold doors. Forming part of the increasingly popular ‘Tonsleys’, numerous bars and restaurants and Wandsworth Town railway station are close to hand.

QUEENSTOWN ROAD SW8

2 BEDROOMS, RECEPTION ROOM AND ROOF TERRACE

CONTACT: BATTERSEA 020 7924 2255 | www.jacksonsestateagents.com/Battersea

£420 PER WEEK

A first floor purpose built flat forming part of a substantial Victorian property in this popular location. Beautifully presented and furnished this flat is equally suited to a couple or professional sharers. Queenstown Road is the main approach road to Chelsea Bridge and The West End beyond.

Queenstown Road railway station and the open spaces of Battersea Park are close by.

BALHAM 020 8675 6565

BATTERSEA 020 7924 2255

DULWICH 020 8875 7999 TOOTING 020 8767 0522 JACKSONS.indd 2

CLAPHAM 020 8875 7995

EARLSFIELD 020 8971 7070

WANDSWORTH 020 8875 8899

CLAPHAM COMMON 020 7924 8955

STREATHAM 020 8677 9900

WANDSWORTH COMMON 020 8672 9077

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CROCKERTON ROAD SW17

6/7 BEDROOMS, 4 RECEPTION ROOMS AND WIDE 45’ GARDEN CONTACT: WANDSWORTH COMMON 020 8672 9077 | www.jacksonsestateagents.com/WandsworthCommon

£2,400,000 FREEHOLD

THE PROPERTY Totalling over 3,250 sq.ft. a beautifully presented double fronted late Victorian house retaining a wealth of original features and well laid out accommodation suitable for both entertaining and family living.

THE AREA Crockerton Road occupies an excellent location between Wandsworth Common and Tooting Bec. The whole area is now flooded with an eclectic mix of restaurants and bars many of which have become legendary including the Michelin starred Chez Bruce. Transport links into central London are provided by Wandsworth Common Network Rail station, Tooting Bec Northern Line underground station and the 319 bus route into Sloane Square. The open spaces of both commons are nearby.

info@jacksonsestateagents.com | www.jacksonsestateagents.com

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STRATHVILLE ROAD SW18

2/3 BEDROOMS, 1/2 RECEPTION ROOMS AND PATIO GARDEN CONTACT: EARLSFIELD 020 8971 7070 | www.jacksonsestateagents.com/Earlsfield

£875,000 FREEHOLD

A two storey semi-detached, double fronted Victorian house situated in a popular road in the heart of Earlsfield. The house is in need of complete modernisation and represents an ideal opportunity for purchasers wishing to renovate to their own taste. The shops, bars and restaurants of Garratt Lane are close by and Earlsfield Railway Station offers frequent services into Waterloo.

WEIR ROAD SW12

4 BEDROOMS, EXTENDED KITCHEN / BREAKFAST ROOM AND 55’ REAR GARDEN CONTACT: BALHAM 020 8675 6565 | www.jacksonsestateagents.com/Balham

£808 PER WEEK

A delightful three storey terrace Victorian house with an extended kitchen/breakfast room with full width bi-fold doors leading onto the attractive rear garden. The house is ideal for both family living and entertaining or for sharers. Weir Road is conveniently located within easy reach of Balham Town Centre and its multitude of shopping, eating and transport facilities.

BALHAM 020 8675 6565

BATTERSEA 020 7924 2255

DULWICH 020 8875 7999 TOOTING 020 8767 0522 JACKSONS.indd 4

CLAPHAM 020 8875 7995

EARLSFIELD 020 8971 7070

WANDSWORTH 020 8875 8899

CLAPHAM COMMON 020 7924 8955

STREATHAM 020 8677 9900

WANDSWORTH COMMON 020 8672 9077

WIMBLEDON 020 3750 9111 04/12/2015 15:37

PROPERTY / COUNTRYSIDE

FAMOUS PLACES

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

WHERE LENNON PENNED SOME OF THE BEATLES’ BEST KNOWN WORK moved her family to LA. It’s now on the market for £11.5m. u Ian Green Residential 020 7586 1000; iangreenresidential.com

LENNON’S SONG WRITING RETREAT

uring the late 1960s this respectable family home was home to John Lennon, wife Cynthia and son Julian, where Lennon penned some of the Beatles’ best known work, including much of the Sgt. Pepper album.

Lennon had a room at the top of the house where he kept most of his musical equipment, writing and recording on tape recorders. The cover photograph for Rubber Soul was taken here, and Lennon parked his garishly decorated Rolls-Royce in the drive.

The house, which is in Weybridge, Surrey, cost the singer £20,000 in July 1964, but he’d sold it by 1968 after starting a relationship with Yoko Ono. Set over 1.5 acres with large gardens and new indoor swimming pool complex, it’s on the market for £10.5m. u Knight Frank 020 7861 1378; knightfrank.co.uk

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Words NI G EL L EWI S

DRAMATIC ADDRESS FOR RICHARD E GRANT

ichard E Grant is currently making headlines in the gory version of Jekyll and Hyde on ITV. Some viewers recoiled when a half-man, half-dog monster was shot by members of a shadowy organisation led by his characters, Bulstrode, with characteristic comic relief and a hint of menace.

Grant’s most famous turn was as a failed actor in Withnail & I, but he also won good reviews for his role as a grieving widow in in the 1995 film, Jack & Sarah.

This was Jack’s house in the romcom: a grade II-listed four bedroom house in Holland Park with views over a communal garden and St James’s Church.

The terraced property, which has been in the same family for 58 years, comprises three bathrooms, two studies, and two cloakrooms, which are in need of updating, according to agent Savills.

It also has a lift shaft and front basement access that would need to be removed within three months of moving in. It’s on the market for £5.25m. u Savills 020 7727 5750; savills.com

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alongside Des O’Connor and reportedly had an affair with Marlon Brando when she was 15 and he was 29. She and sister Joan started appearing in British B movies, but Collins largely gave up acting in the 1960s.

The novelist, who died of breast cancer in September aged 77, sold more than 500 million copies in 40 countries with her tales of the rich and famous, in a career spanning four decades.

This tasteful five-bedroom property in St John’s Wood was her home in the 1980s with second husband, gallery and nightclub owner Oscar Lerman, before she

HOME TO THE ‘QUEEN OF STEAM’

uthor Jackie Collins had a private life almost as colourful as some of the characters in her raunchy novels. As a young stage singer she appeared

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£5.25 Million

136 08/12/2015 12:17

PROPERTY / STAR HOMES

£10.5 Million

£11.5 Million

WHERE MANY OF THE 007 BOOKS WERE WRITTEN BY IAN FLEMING

WHERE VICTORIA BECKHAM DESIGNED

ictoria Beckham was recently named the UK’s top entrepreneur by a magazine that praised her “finelytuned business acumen” for running her eponymous fashion brand, which now turns over millions each year.

While she opened her flagship store in London last year, her former design studio has been converted into two luxury apartments. The three-bedroom flats are on the first floor of a former industrial warehouse in Ransome’s Dock in London’s Battersea, and one’s now up for grabs at £3.5m.

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Right next to fellow Brit designer Vivienne Westwood’s fashion house, the 2,000 sq ft flat has been renovated with no expense spared.

It comes with upmarket furniture, a customised Italian kitchen, a large living space with polished concrete floors and wooden panelling. u Douglas and Gordon 020 7720 8077; douglasandgordon.com

THE BLOCK WHERE FLEMING CREATED BOND s the nation, and world, crams into cinemas to watch Spectre, so a flat is for sale in the block where many of the 007 books were written by Ian Fleming. He wrote the first book, Casino Royale, while living in this imposing building on Cheyne Walk in the early 1950s.

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£3.5 Million

137 Chis_Jan16_NL_DPS.indd 137

£6.459 Million

The writer is said to have begun writing to distract himself from his forthcoming wedding, and the property is nicknamed Writer’s Block because of the many famous authors who’ve lived in Carlyle Mansions.

As well as Fleming, other literary luminaries include Henry James, T. S. Eliot and W. Somerset Maugham, who spied for Britain during the First World War. This top floor flat in a Victorian portered block has been designed and kitted out by Fiona BarrattCampbell who currently owns it, along with husband, former England and Arsenal player Sol Campbell.

It has four bedrooms and three bathrooms, great views over the Thames, and is on the market for £6.495m. u Strutt & Parker 020 3553 7978; struttandparker.com

JANUARY 2016

08/12/2015 12:16

“Proving that BIG isn’t always better...”

Scott Avenue, SW15

£1,450 pcm

Nursery close, SW15

£1,895 pcm

Chamberlands are pleased to market this one bedroom apartment located within the Scott Avenue development and within walking distance to both East Putney and Southfields tube stations. The development offers access to an on-site gym and library, security entrance system and beautiful communal gardens.

A lovely three bedroom maisonette located in central Putney being only moments to the high street for all its shops and restaurants as well as the Train and Tube stations. The whole property is being freshly redecorated and further benefits include bike/pram storage, off street parking and communal gardens.

Schubert Road, SW15

Pelham Road, SW19

£2,400 pcm

A beautifully designed 2 double bedroom conversion flat offering a large private garden, two bedrooms both with built in storage and options for wall mounted TVs with SKY connections, a contemporary shower room and an open plan lounge kitchen with all modern appliances including dishwasher.

£2,500 pcm

A truly beautiful two bedroom apartment located within moments to South Wimbledon tube station. The property has recently just been refurbished and offers a large eat in kitchen with state of the art appliances, two double bedrooms, two bathrooms and access onto a private share of the garden with patio area.

*Tenant Charges - Tenant should note that as well as rent, an administration charge of £275 (Inc.VAT) per property and referencing charge of £55 (Inc VAT) per person will apply when renting a property. Please ask us for more information about other fees that may apply.

www.chamberlandres.co.uk | 020 8704 1313 lettings@chamberlandres.co.uk | sales@chamberlandres.co.uk 212 Upper Richmond Road, London, SW15 6TD

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p roud ly sup p or ting

LONDON

ABU DHABI

HONG KONG

SINGAPORE

NEW YORK

Sales

*Computer generated images

Camberwell on the Green, SE5

from ÂŁ450,000 leasehold

A selection of One, Two & Three bedroom apartments located on Camberwell Green. Each apartment is well equiped, meeting the demands of an active inner city lifestyle. Kitchens feature reconstituted stone worktops, with the overall look enhanced by under cabinet lighting. Living rooms provide connections for various Sky TV and internet packages, plus access to the balcony, spacious master bedrooms with an en-suite bathroom with modern finishes. Camberwell offers easy access to major transport routes, with such areas as Dulwich, Denmark Hill and Clapham.

61 Bondway, Nine Elms, London, SW8 1SJ HW.indd 1

020 3411 8388 04/12/2015 17:11

020 3411 8388

www.henrywiltshire.com LONDON

ABU DHABI

HONG KONG

SINGAPORE

NEW YORK

Sales

The Tower, SW8

The Tower, SW8

A stunning three bedroom apartment with panoramic views sweeping from Battersea Power Station to The Palace of Westminster.

A stunning three bedroom apartment with direct river views and superb views of Westminster Palace from the 4th floor.

£3,100,000 leasehold

£2,550,000 leasehold

Riverlight Four, SW8

Spinnaker House, SW18

A spacious two bedroom apartment on the 2nd floor benefits from an open plan reception room/kitchen and master bedroom w/ en-suite.

A duel aspect two bedroom, two bathroom apartment is located in the most prestigious building within the Battersea Reach development.

£1,150,000 leasehold

£835,000 leasehold

61 Bondway, Nine Elms, London, SW8 1SJ HW.indd 2

020 3411 8388 04/12/2015 17:11

PROPERTY / LUXE LETS

AT THE TOP

Nigel Lewis pays a visit to London’s extraordinary and unashamedly expensive central lettings market ABOVE THE REGENT, HALLAM STREET, W1W; £6,500 PER WEEK

Wo r d s N I G E L L E W I S

LEFT

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t’s not unusual to hear estate agents say that after New York, London is one of the costliest places on the planet to rent a home. This will not surprise most Londoners, many of whom already pay an average weekly rental of £340.

But what many won’t realise is that rents in central London have soared in recent years, so much so that some properties in Mayfair and Knightsbridge are now rented for up to 100 times the London average.

“To rent a large house in Knightsbridge, Belgravia or Mayfair can cost up to £30,000 a week, and for short lets this figure can

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CUMBERLAND TERRACE, NW1; £2,250 PER WEEK

hit £40,000 for the largest six or seven bedroom houses with a gym, pool and off-street parking,” says Nicole Ratzker of lettings agent Aston Chase. “There was a house on Brick Street in Mayfair recently that rented for £25,000 a week, but there aren’t that many properties in the area which can command that sort of money; our average is around £2,000 a week.

“Homes to rent for up to £5,000 are usually corporate lets; over £5,000 and the renters become more independently wealthy, for example, Russian and Middle Eastern families.” What does the market expect for £30,000 a week? In the

BELOW CADOGAN SQUARE, SW1X; £4,500 PER WEEK

most expensive areas, Mayfair and Marylebone, you’ll get a house with a swimming pool, a gym, at least six or seven bedrooms, underground or off-street parking and a size of approximately 10,000 sq ft.

But despite being a preferred place to live for millionaires and billionaires, “The prime central London rental market is intrinsically linked to the recruitment policies and relocation plans of these large corporate entities in the city,” says Peter Hermon-Taylor of lettings agent Maskells.

“Overall, both demand for properties and prices has dipped in the second half of this year.

There’s a lot of nervousness within banks about the economy and we’ve seen banks scaling back spending plans, recruitment and therefore relocation. Because it’s such a wealthy group of people who will only live in a handful of London’s postcodes, according to Nicole it’s “never going to the same as the normal market.”

It is not difficult to see, therefore, why London has won its reputation for high rental prices among the world’s wealthy business people.

But, apparently this is the price they have to pay to live in a global hub for the banking and IT industries. ◆

142 08/12/2015 12:27

A lovely mid terrace two double bedroom Victorian cottage situated in this historic pedestrianised residential enclave in central Putney.

| Entrance hallway |Two double bedrooms | Bathroom | Utility cupboard | Patio | Large reception room | Kitchen | Roof terrace | Cellar | EPC rating D

Quill Lane, SW15 ÂŁ975,000

An imposing and very handsome five bedroom Victorian family house with a 34 Ft west facing garden situated on an extremely popular residential road in East Putney.

| Victorian freehold house | Double reception room | Modern kitchen/breakfast room | 34 ft west facing garden | Luxurious master bedroom suite | Study | Downstairs W.C. | Utility room | Family bathroom | En-suite bathroom | Garden store | Loft storage | Cellar

Cromford Road, SW18 ÂŁ1,750,000

194 Upper Richmond Road SW15 2SH / 139 Lower Richmond Road SW15 1EZ WARREN.indd 1

03/12/2015 16:28

T: 020 8780 1100

Lower Richmond Road, SW15

warrenputney.co.uk

£795,000

Cardinal Place, SW15

£950,000

| Comprehensively renovated |1220 Sq Ft | Victorian split level period apartment | Master bedroom with en-suite bathroom | Two further double bedrooms | Large open plan kitchen/reception | Lower West Putney | EPC rating C | Chain free

Freehold Victorian cottage | Comprehensively renovated and extended | Reception room | Kitchen/breakfast room | Master bedroom | Guest bedroom | Two family bathrooms | Patio | Catchment area for a number of highly regarded schools | EPC rating C | Eaves storage | Central Putney location | Chain free

Paramount Apartments, SW15

Oakhill Place, SW15

£775,000

Two double bedrooms | Two bathrooms | Double height ceilings | Communal parking | Central Putney location | Double glazed windows

WARREN.indd 2

£1,150,000

Five bedrooms | 1555 Sq Ft | Double-reception room | Modern kitchen breakfast room | Modern family bathroom | Large en-suite shower room | 25 ft private rear garden | Catchment area for a number of highly regarded schools | EPC rating C | Chain free

03/12/2015 16:28

Akehurst Street, SW15 5DR

£6,000 PCM

Manorfields, SW15 3NQ

£3,300 PCM

| Luxury family home | Two reception rooms | Kitchen/dining room | Master suite with terrace | Four further bedrooms | Three further bath/shower rooms | Large garden | Utility room & guest WC | EPC rating C | Tenant fees £180pp

| Top floor flat | Double reception room | Kitchen/breakfast room | Four bedrooms | Two bath/shower rooms | Underfloor heating | Acres of gardens | 24hr security | Parking | EPC Rating D | Tenant fees £180pp

Carmalt Gardens, SW15

Dryburgh Road, SW15

£5,000 PCM

Stunning town house | Drawing room | Family room | Kitchen/ dining room | Six bedrooms | Two luxury bathrooms | Guest wc | Private Garden | Off-street parking | Prime Location | EPC D | Tenant fees £180pp

£3,450 PCM

Unique garden flat | Reception room | Kitchen/dining room | Master suite with terrace | Two further bedrooms | Further bathroom | Wood floors | Close to Putney Common | EPC rating D | Tenant fees £180pp

194 Upper Richmond Road SW15 2SH / 139 Lower Richmond Road SW15 1EZ Tel: 020 8780 1100 / sales@warrenputney.co.uk / warrenputney.co.uk WARREN.indd 3

03/12/2015 16:28

PUTNEY SW15

NOW OVER 90% SOLD

PUTNEY ON YOUR DOORSTEP, LONDON ON YOUR HORIZON. With 90% of the development already spoken for, it’s clear there is something special about London Square Putney.

The views are spectacular – all available apartments have a balcony or a winter garden, some with a London panorama, ideal for a relaxing drink at the end of the day. The interior styling is superb: two spacious bedrooms, two bathrooms, designer kitchens and living spaces ideal for entertaining. In an excellent Putney location between the mainline and Underground stations, close to the High Street and with a 24 hour concierge service, this is an outstanding place to live. Call now for your appointment to view.

2 BEDROOM, 2 BATHROOM APARTMENTS WITH OUTSIDE SPACE FROM £720,000 The London Square Sales Suite and Show Apartments now open daily. 113 Upper Richmond Road, SW15 2TL

VIEWING BY APPOINTMENT ONLY. CALL 0333 666 2838

www.londonsquare.co.uk

Photograph shows the Penthouse Show Apartment at London Square Putney. Details and price correct at time of going to press.

LDNSQ.indd 1

09/11/2015 13:44

Lost Consonants #smallthingsbigdifferences © Graham Rawle

James impressed his lady friends with his pethouse apartment

Not quite what you expected?

It’s amazing how the littlest of omissions can have the hugest consequences, which is why when you buy, sell or let property through Aspire there are no unwelcome surprises. We’ve got you covered.

Aspire.co.uk

ASPIRE.indd 1

01/12/2015 09:57

PROPERTY / PRICE COMPARISON £

NIGEL LEWIS

PRICE BANDS London’s astonishing new average house price

just after crossing the Thames, you have seen the Westmoreland Triangle. It’s a local term for the handful of streets at the south side of the bewildering grid of roads that make up Pimlico. This flat is on Westmoreland Terrace, where The Beatles’ manager Brian Epstein is said to have had his first LSD trip.

APARTMENT OVERLOOKING THE RIVER

PRICE: £500,000 LOCATION: Kingston-upon-Thames WHAT YOU GET FOR YOUR MONEY: Two bedroom

I

n London's property market, an extraordinary milestone has been reached. It’s one that speaks volumes about how unusual and it is.

The capital now has an official average house price of just over £500,000 following the latest House Price Index published by the Land Registry. Such figures generally prompt aghast bewilderment outside the capital.

For example, in the UK’s second city, Birmingham, the average house price is just £121,700 and the national average is £186,350. But despite London pulling away so fast from the rest of the country, what does £500,000 buy you in London?

Here we explore the different, and sometimes astonishing, properties it can secure.

CENTRAL LONDON PAD

Chis_Jan15_Prop_Price_Bands.indd 148

PRICE: £500,000 LOCATION: St Johns, SE8 WHAT YOU GET FOR YOUR MONEY: Three bedroom

PRICE: £500,000 LOCATION: Pimlico borders WHAT YOU GET FOR YOUR MONEY: One bedroom

ABOVE

basement flat with a patio garden. f you’ve ever sat on the right hand side of the train I chugging into Victoria, then

ELVERSON ROAD, SE8

OLD DOVER ROAD, CT4

LEFT BELOW WESTMORELAND TERRACE, SW1V

Victorian terrace. o can you buy a family home with a garden within S striking distance of central London? This Victorian semi could do with an upgrade and the garden is minute, but St Johns has been undergoing gradual gentrification since the arrival of the DLR in 1999.

PENTHOUSE FLAT

PRICE: £500,000 LOCATION: Upper Tulse Hill, SW2 WHAT YOU GET FOR YOUR MONEY: Two bedroom

apartment covering entire top floor of a Georgian mansion. his property was once the London home of Lord T Mountbatten. It is half way between Brixton and Tulse Hill but not near any train or tube stations, which probably explains the price.

Because the property is on the heights of Tulse Hill the apartment offers amazing views.

DETACHED HOUSE

PRICE: £500,000 LOCATION: Blackheath, SE3 WHAT YOU GET FOR YOUR MONEY: One bedroom

THE CAPITAL NOW HAS AN OFFICIAL AVERAGE HOUSE PRICE OF JUST OVER £500,000

ABSOLUTELY MAGAZINES

HOUSE IN ZONE THREE

apartment overlooking the Thames at Kingston Bridge. his apartment may be modest but it’s good value T for money if you want Thames views. A similar flat down the river at Battersea, for example, can cost £200,000 more.

detached house t is probably a bit of a cheat to call this property a house I – a detached studio house would be better.

148 08/12/2015 12:30

CLAPHAM old town, are you looking to

buy sell? or

Call Knight Frank to discuss how we can help.

Knight Frank Clapham 11 The Polygon London SW4 0JG 020 8022 6115 clapham@knightfrank.com KnightFrank.co.uk/clapham

KNIGHTFRANK.indd 331279_KF_CityAngel 1Dec15.indd 1

05/11/2015 05/11/2015 15:49 10:56

Ramsden Road SW12 £2,350,000 Freehold Balham Sales 020 8673 0191 | balhamsales@dng.co.uk

Bemish Road SW15 £1,750,000 Freehold West Putney Sales 020 8785 6666 | wputneysales@dng.co.uk

South

Balham

Battersea

North

Chelsea

Fulham

DNG.indd 1

Battersea Park

A family home offering a tremendous sense of both period and contemporary grandeur throughout. Covering over 3,300 sq.ft of living space this house works exceptionally well for entertaining friends and family.

6 double bedrooms, 3 bathrooms (1 en suite), 2 reception rooms, Kitchen/ dining room, Media room, Utility room, Garden, Eaves storage, EPC: D

A detached property, arranged over 2,153 sq.ft, which has been thoughtfully refurbished over the last few years to create a contemporary home. The property is perfect for modern living, whilst retaining beautiful period features.

5 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms (1 en suite), Double reception room, Kitchen/dining room, Utility room, Garden, Large garage, EPC: E

Clapham

East Putney

Hammersmith & Shepherd’s Bush

Kensington

Southfields & Earlsfield

West Putney

Kensington Gate

South Kensington

Notting Hill

Pimlico & Westminster

01/12/2015 10:38

douglasandgordon.com

Winthorpe Road SW15 ÂŁ1,250,000 Freehold East Putney Sales 020 8788 3000 | putneysales@dng.co.uk

Briarwood Road SW4 ÂŁ1,250,000 Freehold Clapham Sales 020 8675 4400 | claphamsales@dng.co.uk

DNG.indd 2

A beautifully light and spacious family home, covering 1,650 sq.ft. Situated on this popular residential road in the heart of central Putney the property has been recently extended and finished to a very high standard throughout.

4 double bedrooms, 2 bathrooms (1 en suite), Double reception room, Kitchen/ dining room, West-facing garden, Balcony, EPC: C

This family home offers brilliantly proportioned living and entertaining space. Located on a popular road in the Abbeville Village, near the wide open spaces of Clapham Common, it is also moments from Clapham Old Town.

4 bedrooms, 2 bathooms (1 en suite), Reception room, Kitchen/dining room, EPC: D

01/12/2015 10:38

Comyn Road SW11 £1,100,000 Share of Freehold Battersea Sales 020 7924 2000 | battsales@dng.co.uk

Battersea Park Road SW11 £950,000 Leasehold Battersea Park Sales 020 7720 8077 | battpksales@dng.co.uk

South

Balham

Battersea

North

Chelsea

Fulham

DNG.indd 3

Battersea Park

A stunning, substantial, home which has been beautifully maintained by the current owners. Boasting a mix of original features and everyday living the property offers a stylish space, perfect for family living.

3 double bedrooms, 2 bathrooms (1 en suite), Double reception room, Dining room, Kitchen, Utility room, Garden, EPC: D

Stretching to over 1,000 sq.ft, this stunning penthouse boasts breath-taking views across London. The property, arranged over two floors, is located in a beautiful Grade II listed former college.

Master bedroom with en suite shower room, Further double bedroom, Family bathroom, Open-plan reception room/ dining room, Kitchen, Roof terrace, Balcony, Parking, Concierge, EPC: C

Clapham

East Putney

Hammersmith & Shepherd’s Bush

Kensington

Southfields & Earlsfield

West Putney

Kensington Gate

South Kensington

Notting Hill

Pimlico & Westminster

01/12/2015 10:38

douglasandgordon.com

Tideswell Road SW15 £1,500 per week + admin fees* Unfurnished Putney Lettings 020 8788 3333 | putneylets@dng.co.uk

Rodenhurst Road SW4 £1,300 per week + admin fees* Unfurnished Clapham Lettings 020 8675 0888 | claphamlets@dng.co.uk

This generously proportioned family home boasts high ceilings and many of the original period features throughout.

The accommodation is arranged over three floors and offers off-street parking for two cars.

5 double bedrooms, 3 bathrooms (1 en suite), 2 reception rooms, Kitchen, Utility, West-facing garden, Off-street parking for 2 cars, EPC: F

An immaculately presented double fronted house, on one of the most popular roads in the Abbeville Village.

The property benefits from off-street parking and a well-stocked 41 ft, westfacing garden.

6 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms (1 en suite), Double reception room, Kitchen, Study, Utility room, Lawn & patio garden, Offstreet parking, EPC: E

Good to know... *An initial one-off tenancy agreement fee of £240 (inc VAT) per property and a £45 (inc VAT) referencing charge per person will apply. At the end of the tenancy an inventory check-out fee will be charged, this amount will depend on the size of the property and whether it is furnished/unfurnished.

For more details visit www.douglasandgordon.com/tenants/infoandcharges

DNG.indd 4

01/12/2015 10:38

Fisher's Close SW16 £795 per week + admin fees* Unfurnished Balham Lettings 020 7042 3320 | balhamlets@dng.co.uk

Lavenham Road SW18 £727 per week + admin fees* Unfurnished Southfields Lettings 020 8874 8844 | sthfldslets@dng.co.uk

South

Balham

Battersea

North

Chelsea

Fulham

DNG.indd 5

Battersea Park

An attractive family townhouse situated within a private gated development. The property has stunning views over the beautiful Tooting Bec Common and is close to the local amenities of Streatham High Road.

5 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms (2 en suite), Double reception room, Kitchen, Store room, West-facing paved garden, Offstreet parking, EPC: C

A well-presented family home positioned on the popular Southfields Grid. The property is conveniently located for the shops, restaurants and underground station of Southfields and is a short walk to Earlsfield with its main line station.

5 double bedrooms, 2 bathrooms (1 en suite), Double reception room, Kitchen/breakfast room, Cloakroom, Garden, EPC: C

Clapham

East Putney

Hammersmith & Shepherd’s Bush

Kensington

Southfields & Earlsfield

West Putney

Kensington Gate

South Kensington

Notting Hill

Pimlico & Westminster

01/12/2015 10:38

douglasandgordon.com

Battersea Park Road SW11 £625 per week + admin fees* Furnished Battersea Park Lettings 020 7498 5243 | battpklets@dng.co.uk

Northcote Road SW11 £495 per week + admin fees* Unfurnished Battersea Lettings 020 7924 2002 | battlets@dng.co.uk

A beautifully presented flat in a new development, located only a short walk from Battersea Park. The property has a large open-plan kitchen which opens onto the decked roof terrace that wraps around the entire flat.

2 double bedrooms, 2 bathrooms (1 en suite), Open-plan kitchen/reception room, Balcony, Parking space available upon separate negotiation, EPC: B

A neutrally decorated, split-level apartment which is located on the popular Northcote Road. The property has the fashionable local amenities on its doorstep and is less than a ten minutes walk to Clapham Junction Station.

2 double bedrooms, Bathroom, Kitchen/ reception room, Roof terrace, EPC: D

Good to know... *An initial one-off tenancy agreement fee of £240 (inc VAT) per property and a £45 (inc VAT) referencing charge per person will apply. At the end of the tenancy an inventory check-out fee will be charged, this amount will depend on the size of the property and whether it is furnished/unfurnished.

For more details visit www.douglasandgordon.com/tenants/infoandcharges

DNG.indd 6

01/12/2015 10:39

in

London property

Residential Sales Lettings & Developments I Property Management I Corporate Services I Professional Valuations I Asset Management

OBC B/C.indd 1 C54899 GTK_AbsolutelyBattersea 297x210.indd 1

01/12/2015 30/11/2015 11:16 17:09