Absolutely City & East, North By North West December 2018

NORTH BY NORTHWEST

ABSOLUTELY North by Northwest City & East DECEMBER 2018 / £3.95

GLITTER

BALLS All the most fabulous decorations

DECEM B ER 2018

Christmas

TAB L ES How to feast in style

Gifts

GALORE ‘Tis the season to be gifting

Shine &

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GLAMOROUS C H R I S T M A S FA S H I O N

ST YLISH / INTELLIGENT / ELEGANT 26/11/2018 10:19

We’ll just put the television in the bedroom

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The heart wants what the heart wants.

Discover rural homes with sea views using keyword search.

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DESIGN & CONSTRUCTION • • • •

LOFT CONVERSIONS 3 BASEMENT EXCAVATIONS 3 REFURBISHMENTS 3 EXTENSIONS 3

SEE THE DIFFERENCE We are Normand Developments, a residential design and build company with an exemplary record. We specialise in extending homes with first-class basement excavations.

Your one-stop-shop for...

Concept design Planning Structural design Project management Construction Interior finishing

Call today for a FREE consultation 020 8541 2800 or email: enquiries@normand-developments.com

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normand-developments.com Normand Developments Limited, 133 London Road, Kingston Upon Thames, Surrey KT2 6NH

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ABSOLUTELY

Contents DECEMBER 2018

32 49

82 12

C U LT U R E ABSOLUTELY LOVES

FOOD & DRINK 50 KITCHEN CONFIDENTIAL

AGENDA

52 RECIPES

10 things we’re coveting this month

16

Diary dates for December

23 WINTER POPUPS All the Christmas specials

FA S H I O N 26 JINGLE BELL ROCK

Meeting the founder of Harry Rocks

32 THE SHOOT

Party pieces from Deborah Lyons

45 SCENT SPECIAL

INTERIORS 62 INTERIOR INSPIRATIONS News and views from the world of design

66 FESTIVE TABLES

Anna Barnett's designs for Habitat

T R AV E L 82 MOUNTAIN PASS Skiing in the Dolomites

PROPERTY 96 LIVING THE DREAM

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

ABSOLUTELY City & East

DECEMBER 2018 / £3.95

GLITTER

BALLS All the most fabulous decorations

DECEM B ER 2018

This month’s best beauty buys

Michael Nadra's Christmas menu

CITY & EAST

41

H E A LT H & B E AU T Y BEAUTY CONFIDENTIAL

News from the industry

The most luxurious London properties

Christmas

TAB L ES How to feast in style

Gifts

GALORE ‘Tis the season to be gifting

Shine &

SPARKLE

Perfume tales

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ON THE COVER

GLAMOROUS C H R I S T M A S FA S H I O N

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deborahlyons.co.uk

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EDITOR IN CHIEF PENDLE HARTE DIGITAL EDITOR HELEN BROWN EDUCATION EDITOR AMANDA CONSTANCE EDITORIAL ASSISTANT FLORA THOMAS GROUP SALES DIRECTOR CRAIG DAVIES GROUP SALES MANAGER ANABELA KOLECI MAGAZINE MANAGER TOLGA SAYLAN ART DIRECTOR PHIL COUZENS SENIOR DESIGNER PAWEL KUBA MID-WEIGHT DESIGNER REBECCA NOONAN DESIGNER CATHERINE PERKINS MARKETING MANAGER LUCIE PEARCE FINANCIAL DIRECTOR JERRIE KOLECI CREDIT CONTROL MANAGER ALEXANDRA HVID DIRECTOR JAMES FUSCHILLO NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR ALEXANDRA HUNTER MANAGING DIRECTOR SHERIF SHALTOUT PA TO DIRECTORS EVA LEHOCZKY For editorial enquiries please email: pendle@zest-media.com For advertising enquiries please call 020 3397 8706 or email: craig@zest-media.com

First Floor, 197 City Road, London EC1V 1JN T: 020 7704 0588 F: 020 7900 3020 zest.london Zest Media Publications Ltd. cannot accept responsibility for unsolicited submissions, manuscripts and photographs. While every care is taken, prices and details are subject to change and Zest Media Publications Ltd. take no responsibility for omissions or errors.

We reserve the right to publish and edit any letters.

All rights reserved.

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

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Editor’s

LETTER ABSOLUTELY’S December issue highlights

1

E

FESTIVE TABLES Anna Barnett's beautiful Christmas schemes for Habitat are inspiring us all. page 66

verybody loves Christmas, yet still we all complain when it seems to start earlier each year, and go on for longer, and involve more intense preparation. But there's no denying that decorations do get better every year: more stylish, more varied and more humorous. Some of my favourites this year include the hot dog stand bauble at the Conran Shop, the do-ityourself wooden elves at Skandium and the intensely colourful boiled wool creations at Anthropologie. Also this year, crackers have got serious with new offerings from Claridges and a huge range at Harrods – while a strong focus on sustainability is leading to a rejection of anything single-use (yes, including crackers). Almost everything in this issue is Christmassy, from lots of food talk – turkeys, of course, plus hampers and lots of booze – to Christmas trees and lots and lots of gifts. We're shopping for Christmas gifts at Old Spitalfields Market.

And for anyone booking holidays for next year, we're looking at skiing in the Dolomites and city breaking in Amsterdam.

Happy Christmas to all our readers!

5

4

STAR TREATMENT Anthropologie's tree toppers are the finest by far page 65

POILANE'S BISCUITS What's not to like about an edible garland? page 55

2

PRETTY CRACKERS

The prize for the prettiest cracker may have to go to Katie Leamon. page 71

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PENDLE HARTE EDITOR

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HARRY ROCKS Our new favourite jewellery brand. page 28

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Wish LIST 10 things we Absolutely love COMPILED BY

H E L E N B R OW N

12

Part y starte r This gorgeous sequin number is exclusive to Net-a-Porter and part of Laura Jackson’s new collaboration with RIXO. With all-over sequins and elegant puffed sleeves it’s a guaranteed showstopper at any soiree; from £395. net-a-porter.com

SCARLET FEVER This winter, Net-a-Porter’s ski and snow shop offers everything you need for a stylish stint on the slopes.

Simone Rocha's Moncler Genius glossy shell jacket is the cherry on top of a gorgeous edit; £1,405. net-a-porter.com

EDITOR’S PICK

FORBIDDEN FRUIT

Luscious and tempting, Lost Cherry is the latest in Tom Ford’s line of sought-after scents. Black cherry, bitter almond and turkish rose provide seductive top notes while roasted tonka and sandalwood add depth.; £895. net-a-porter.com

STAR STRUCK

Spun from the softest merino wool, this sweater from Perfect Moment is guaranteed to keep you warm. Layer it beneath a ski suit or wear it with jeans for a walk into town; £235. perfectmoment.com

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ABSOLUTELY • LOVES

SIP IN STYLE Not even the drinks cabinet is exempt from the obligatory Christmas jumper. Maker’s Mark prove themselves to be purveyors of exceptional whisky and festive cheer by adorning bottles of their small batch bourbon with an enviable Christmas knit; £30. morrisons.com

Feeling festive Net-a-Porter kicks off the party season with the launch of its holiday campaign. Shot by photographer Greg Harris and starring models Dilone and Hana Jirickova, the campaign features stand-out pieces from Halpern, Dolce & Gabbana, Gucci and Jenny Packham. net-a-porter.com

HAT TRICK City chic meets snow bunny in this rich cashmere beanie from Danielapi; the ultimate winter style staple to dress your tresses with this season; £247. farfetch.com

LIP SMACKER

You can’t get more classic than a red lip for the festive season. Treat yourself this Christmas to Chanel’s limited-edition Rouge Allure Velvet No5; £32. chanel.com

FESTIVE NOTES

Missed out on the Liberty Advent Calendar? Not to worry. The Liberty Beauty Cracker with Escentric Molecules commissions a Christmas tailored to the beauty-obsessed, with a travel-size Molecule 01 eau de toilette from the contemporary fragrance house; £36. libertylondon.com

WILD CHILD

Autumn saw designers incorporate leopard print into everything from blouses to track pants to maxi dresses. Team this Whistles number with lace-up boots for the evening and boxfresh trainers for day; £169. whistles.com

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C U LT U R E OLD SPITALFIELDS MARKET; OLDSPITALFIELDSMARKET.COM

What’s On 18 • Top Theatre Picks 20 •Winter Pop-ups 25 A B S O L U T E LY. L O N D O N

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The Agenda

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

T H E AT R E

Wolfgang’s Magical Musical Circus 12-22 December BARBICAN

The man behind the score makes it to the stage in Wolfgang’s Magical Musical Circus. Mozart appears amid a storm of musical mayhem and movement. Discover his irrepressible spirit as he rediscovers his own vibrant compositions through the physical comedy and mischievous antics of acrobats. Silk Street, EC2Y; barbican.org

T H E AT R E

THE SNOWMAN

Christmas Shopping Lates

U NTI L 6 JA NUA RY • TH E P EACOCK

28 November, 5 & 12 December, 5-8pm

Alive and twinkling with festive spirit, Raymond Briggs’ iconic story, The Snowman will once again transport audiences to the wintery wonderland of a boy and his snowy companion. Now in its 21st year at The Peacock, Birmingham Repertory Theatre’s gorgeous production returns with a magical mix of exquisite dancing and live music.

Portugal Street, WC2A; peacocktheatre.com

16

FESTIVE

OLD SPITALFIELDS M ARK ET

Get everything on your list crossed off at Old Spitalfields Market. The east London hotspot is hosting a series of Christmas shopping lates where you can peruse pop-up guest markets, make the most of discounts on gift wrapping and enjoy festive fare and Christmas lights.

16 Horner Square, E1; oldspitalfieldsmarket.com

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

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CULTURE • TALKING TOPICS

EX H IBITIO N

SMALL IS BEAUTIFUL From 14 December FLOWERS GALLERY

The annual Small Is Beautiful exhibition is back for a 35th edition, offering purveyors of fine art the chance to purchase smaller pieces by internationally known names and emerging talents. Established at Flowers Gallery in 1974, the exhibition invites selected contemporary artists working in any media to present works with a fixed scale of 7 x 9 inches.

21 Cork Street, W1S; flowersgallery.com

Around Town S E A S ON AL

TREE TIMES Ongoing PIN E S A ND NEED LE S

Pines and Needles is your one-stopshop when it comes to Christmas trees and decorations. Both online and instore at one of their stunning locations across London, you'll find the finest array of trees, wreaths, decorations and festive accessories. Harry and Meghan have bought from them so why don't you? pinesandneedles.com

BA L L ET

MAT TH EW BO U R N E’ S SWAN L AKE

This Month’s Must See

From 4 December Sadler’s Wells Matthew Bourne is back to give Swan Lake a fresh look for the 21st century.

While sticking to the iconic elements of the original, this production is perhaps best known for replacing the female corps-de-ballet with a menacing male ensemble. Thrilling and emotive, Bourne’s powerful interpretation is a masterpiece for our times.

Rosebery Avenue, EC1R; saddlerswells.com

D AY

OUT

HOGWARTS IN THE SNOW Until 27 January WARN ER BROS . ST UD IO TOUR

CREATE CHRISTMAS VA R I O US DATE S • GEFFRYE MUSEUM

T

he Geffrye Museum has gone all out to make this festive season the most creative one yet. Visitors to the iconic site this month can choose from a number of seasonal workshops such as wreath making and wrapping paper printing.

There are also a number of festive film screenings and a makers’ market in the beautiful front garden.

136 Kingsland Road, E2; geoffrey-museum.org.uk

Experience the festive season in the wizarding world as the snow falls over Hogwarts and the Warner Bros Studio tour. Along with the Yule Ball decoration, expect to see the Great Hall lined with Christmas trees, the tables groaning with roast turkeys and the Gryffindor common room decked out as per the films. Warner Bros. Studio Tour London, Leavesden, WD25 7LR wbstudiotour.co.uk

S E A S ON AL

HYDE PARK WINTER WONDERLAND Until 6 January HY D E PARK

Christmas isn’t complete without Hyde Park’s gigantic tribute to festive frivolity. Winter Wonderland is back with its winter stalls, food stands and fun, plus Raymond Briggs’ beloved The Snowman will be celebrated with a an immersive screening from Backyard Cinema. Hyde Park, W2; hydeparkwinterwonderland.com

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“ Christmas with character at East London’s most vibrant market place” Christmas Shopping Lates at Old Spitalfields Market

5pm - 8pm Weds 28th Nov, 5th Dec, 12th Dec

• FESTIVE LIGHT INSTALLATION • GOSPEL SINGERS • MULLED WINE AND MINCE PIES • POP-UP GUEST MARKETS • IN-STORE OFFERS AND DISCOUNTS’

GETTING HERE

U S UA L O P E N I N G H O U R S

F O L LOW U S

–

–

–

OLD SPITALFIELDS MARKET

MON, TUE, WED: 10AM - 6PM

16 HORNER SQUARE

THUR: 8AM - 6PM

@ oldspitalfieldsmarket

LONDON E1 6EW LIVERPOOL ST STATION/ ALDGATE EAST

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FRI & SAT: 10AM - 6PM

# christmaswithcharacter

SUN: 10AM - 5PM

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CULTURE • THEATRE

ROUND UP

Best in

MUST SEE

SHOW

Get the most out of London’s theatre scene with our top stage picks for the month

By H E L E N B R O W N

Sleeping Beauty

Austentatious

★★★★★

★★★★★

1 December - 12 January

Until 16 December

PARK THEATRE

Theatre Royal Stratford East is going all out for panto season with its hugelyanticipated production of Sleeping Beauty. In an entrancing twist on the classic, Sleeping Beauty wakes to find herself in a new city with a cruel fairy hot on her heels. Expect a buoyant blend of original songs, cracking jokes and a dusting of festive magic.

Gerry Raffles Square, E15; stratfordeast.com

SAVOY THEATRE

Following a resoundingly successful season, Austentatious: The Improvised Jane Austen Novel will extend its run at the Savoy Theatre. Entirely improvised, no two performances are the same as a cast of the country’s sharpest comic performers conjure up a lost Jane Austen novel based on a title suggested by the audience. Savoy Court, WC2R; atgtickets.com

SLEEPING BEAUTY IMAGES BY ROBERT VIGLASKY

Seussical the Musical

Circus 1903

★★★★★

19 December - 5 January

Until 29 December

ROYAL FE STIVAL HALL

SOUTHWARK PLAYHOUSE

Experience the thrills and daredevil entertainment of a turn-of-the-century circus this Christmas as Circus 1903 makes its European premiere at Southbank. Expect sensational puppetry from the award-winning team behind War Horse, as contortionists, jugglers and more transports audiences of all ages to the mesmerising Golden Age of circus. Southbank Centre, Belvedere Road, SE1; southbankcentre.co.uk

The fantastical world of Dr. Seuss bursts onto the stage in this largerthan-life musical extravaganza. Join the mischievous Cat in the Hat and a host of other much-loved characters on a magical, madcap adventure set to an electric score and co-conceived by Monty Python’s Eric Idle.

77-85 Newington Causeway, SE1; southwarkplayhouse.co.uk

★★★★★

The Nutcracker ★★★★★

3 December - 15 January ROYAL OPERA HOUSE

The Royal Ballet’s much-loved performance of The Nutcracker returns with a larger-than-life Christmas tree, a plethora of enchanting stage effects and Tchaikovsky’s illustrious score. It follows Clara and Hans-Peter on a glittering journey through the Kingdom of the Sweets, where they encounter the mysterious magician Drosselmeyer and the shimmering Sugar Plum Fairy.

Bow Street, WC2E; roh.org.uk

HADESTOWN

THE NUTCRACKER

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CULTURE • THEATRE

The Wider Earth

David Morton tells Charles Darwin's story in puppetry and projections

T

B y M A R K M AC K E N Z I E

he Wider Earth tells the story of the voyage made by Charles Darwin, in 1831, aboard HMS Beagle, part of a naval expedition to survey the coast of South America. Written and directed

by David Morton, the production artfully blends human players with ingenious puppet incarnations of the species Darwin encountered.

The venue, a purpose-built theatre at the Natural History Museum’s Jerwood Gallery, is poignant. The

great man is synonymous with the institution; his statue looks down on the main hall, while many of the real specimens he gathered still reside in its collections.

Originally planned as a two-year jaunt, Darwin spent half a decade at sea. The staging is impressive, the backdrop a vast, wraparound sail, on to which are projected elegant watercolours of the countless locations in which the Beagle made port. A revolving wooden carbuncle central to the action serves, variously, as the Darwins’ Shropshire home, the Beagle’s deck, and the

A wet earnestness morphs into a winning enthusiasm

ABSOLUTELY reviews…

rocky outcrops of the Galapagos Islands. That each rotation causes the structure to creak, like the timbers of a ship, is a classy touch.

If there is a wet earnestness in the early stages of Bradley Foster’s portrayal of the young Darwin, it morphs into a winning enthusiasm.

Almost everything Darwin saw piqued his interest: the discoloration of the ocean; the breathing mechanisms of fish; lightning; slavery; animal husbandry; dinosaur fossils; forms of government; and Inca culture. Morton does well to include so many but therein lies a conundrum. The puppetry will doubtless appeal to children but the dialogue, delivered as long-form exposition, will not. Credit is due for the attempt to cover so much of Darwin’s story but the inclusion of so many elements germane to his later work weighs heavily.

The choice of the Jerwood is intended as a homecoming of sorts, although at times it lacks the intimacy to work as a theatre.

VERDICT

Ambitiously staged Darwin saga ★★★★★ THE WIDER EARTH

Jerwood Gallery Natural History Museum, SW7 5BD, until 30 December, thewiderearth.com A B S O L U T E LY. L O N D O N

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RAYMOND GUBBAY presents

MUSIC, DANCE, LIGHTS AND A SNOW-FILLED FINALE WITH SPECIAL GUEST

KIMBERLEY WALSH AND THE NATION’S FAVOURITE BALLROOM COUPLE

ANTON DU BEKE & ERIN BOAG Toe-tapping tunes and seasonal songs including Sleigh Ride Last Christmas Merry Christmas Everybody The Christmas Song Santa Claus is Coming To Town and many more…

KERRY ELLIS & TIM HOWAR GUEST SINGERS THE JINGLE BELLES® JOHN RIGBY CONDUCTOR LONDON CONCERT ORCHESTRA

Book tickets at LWTHEATRES.CO.UK or 020 7087 7755

THEATRE ROYAL DRURY LANE Sun 16 & 23 Dec at 3pm & 7.30pm

THE LONDON PALLADIUM Mon 17 Dec at 7.30pm

A festive after-dark experience

CHRISTMAS AT

LONDON ZOO antastical agical, f illum m A in

ated trail

Magic Mountain • The Tunnel of Light Vortex of Light • The Sledge Tree Penguin Pool Panorama Father Christmas and his elves Seasonal food and gifts

UNTIL 1 JAN christmasatlondonzoo.co.uk 0844 995 1372 Calls cost 7p per minute plus your network access charge. Running selected evenings only.

Please note this is an after-dark experience exploring the magic of ZSL London Zoo’s historic site and therefore our animals will be in bed and will not be available to view.

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CULTURE • SEASONAL

ROUND UP

Winter

THE WINTER FOREST

WONDERLAND

Make the most of the festive season with our pick of the capital’s best winter pop-ups

By H E L E N B R O W N

ICELANDIC IGLOOS

Icelandic Igloos UNTIL 16 MARCH • AVIARY ROOFTOP

Swap the Northern Lights for the starlit city skyline this winter as Aviary transforms its rooftop into a glistening Arctic escape. 10 storeys up on the restaurant’s expansive terrace you’ll find Aviary’s stylish, Nordic-inspired igloos, an exclusive Reyka cocktail menu and an enticing selection of sharing platters. 22-25 Finsbury Square, EC2A; aviarylondon.com

Madison Chalet UNTIL 28 FEBRUARY • MADISON

Madison is bringing the après-ski scene to the city with festive winter warmer cocktails, live music and gorgeous views of St Paul’s Cathedral. Timberclad chalets decked out with twinkling lights, faux fur and tartan blankets bring alpine action to the famous rooftop, while a slope-inspired menu will keep visitors warm. 1 New Change, St Paul’s, EC4M; madisonlondon.net

Noel Chandon UNTIL 5 JANUARY • THE BLIND PIG

Jason Atherton has teamed up with Moët & Chandon to create a cosy winter snug out of his flagship bar, The Blind Pig. Guests to the speakeasy will see it adorned with mistletoe, plush blankets and wreaths - perfect for the party season. Two innovative cocktails have been created for the collaboration: the Cranberry Kir Royal and a ‘Christmas Pudding’ cocktail. 58 Poland Street, Soho, W1F; socialeatinghouse.com

NOEL CHANDON

The Frozen Island UNTIL 27 JANUARY • TROPICANA BEACH CLUB

Neighbourhood Cinema is inviting Londoners on a voyage to the shores of an enchanted Frozen Island where they’ll find a shipwrecked world of frosted palms, icicles and giant snow globes. Here you can snuggle up to watch classic Christmas movies, enjoy a frozen cocktail from the ice bar and nibble on popcorn and festive gourmet sliders. Parker Street, WC2B; neighbourhoodcinema.co.uk

The Winter Forest at Broadgate Circle UNTIL 24 DECEMBER • BROADGATE CIRCLE

Throughout the month of December, 300 snow-covered pine trees, twinkling MADISON CHALET lights and wood cabins will transform Broadgate’s buzzing restaurants and bars into a magical Winter Forest.

Visitors will be transported to a world of winter celebrations with special menus and cocktails from the all-new Mrs Fogg’s pop-up bar on the mezzanine level. Broadgate Circle, EC2M; broadgate.co.uk

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IF YOU DON’T LOOK GOOD | WE DON’T LOOK GOOD

FOR YOUR NEAREST SALON VISIT WWW.SASSOON-SALON.COM

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FASHION

PARTY DRESSING NET A PORTER

Net-a-Porter's holiday campaign features the ultimate in party dressing.

Shot by photographer Greg Harris, and starring models Dilone and Hana Jirickova, the campaign recreates a fantasy dress-up party in the fashion closet. net-a-porter.com

Gifts from Old Spitalfields Market 31 ¡ The shoot: Deborah Lyons' partywear 32

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I Rocks OFF

t's an increasingly well-trodden path.

Woman has baby, tries to return to her existing job and manage motherhood alongside the nine-tofive, but finds it overwhelming and instead sets up on her own. And often these are stories of success, both personally and professionally.

When Laura Rowan went back to work as a designer after having her son Harry, things had changed and the high street fashion brand she was working for wanted her to spend at least a week out of every month in China working with factories. Pre-kids she had travelled probably once a quarter, and the new regularity was too much for her as a mother.

Her background was in graphic design and she had worked in jewellery design for companies including Accessorize, Next and Marks and Spencer – so launching her own jewellery brand was a natural move.

'I'm kind of doing it backwards,' she tells me over coffee. Laura is a friendly and approachable woman with a natural sense of what women like. Her jewellery is simple and stylish yet it has longevity. She set out to create a small brand and to make everything in the UK – and at the start, her experience was exclusively in designing and not in making. That's what she means by backwards – when she went to evening classes in jewellery making at Central Saint Martins, she had already been putting her own designs into production for a long time, even though she knew nothing about the actutal craft. 'I wasn't very patient and it takes me a long time!' she says. Making jewellery is very painstaking work, involving precision and magnifying glasses. Laura works at a bench in Hatton Garden once a week, where she loves being able to learn from the experts. 'I've been hammering bangles and for the new collection I am

Absolutely meets Laura Rowan, founder of jewellery brand Harry Rocks b y PENDLE HARTE

LAURA ROWAN

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FASHION • INTERVIEW

“The brand took off very quickly, partly due to a chance meeting”

casting coins. It's really exciting.'

Harry Rocks was named party after her son Harry and partly after the Old Harry Rocks in Dorset, where Laura spent her summers as a child. 'It's a magical place and when I started I didn't want to use my own name so I chose that,' she says. The brand took off very quickly, partly due to a chance meeting with someone who bought some earrings and wore them that evening to an event where someone noticed them and liked them – who happened to be a buyer for Harvey Nichols. The next day she put in an order and for the next three years Harry Rocks had a lovely relationship. 'That was a great start,' says Laura.

Her collection is both on-trend and timeless, with its stars, moons, lightning bolts and coins as well as lots of personalised pieces.

The best-seller is the Entwined collection, a lovely idea whereby clients commission between two and five letters to be drawn in a linked design by Laura and then engraved in nine carat gold. These are completely

MINI HOOP WITH BOLT EARRINGS, £45

bespoke and come in a range of sizes and finishes. 'Every single one is different and I'm really proud of them,' says Laura.

She's also proud of her ingenius butterfly backs that come with charms hanging from chains, designed to fit on the back of any stud. 'They take a bit of explaining but they're proving popular,' she explains.

They're sold singly without a stud, because the idea is to mix and match. As part of a focus on longevity and waste avoidance, Harry Rocks sells hoop earrings that are designed to be worn with a variety of

compatible charms – so you buy one pair of earrings, then add charms separately.

'They're not throwaway like high street pieces. That's important to me.' she says.

She wants to know where everything comes from and to keep things as local and friendly as possible.

Laura went on to have a daughter, Maisie, who inevitably became outraged that her mother's business seemed to be all about her brother and not about her. 'So I had to start a children's range for her really. She's six and not very girlie but Maisie Bee is named after her'. This collection comprises cute mini hugs and kisses bracelets, dinky personalised charms and birthstone necklaces as well as christening necklaces.

This Christmas, a pound from each Maisie Bee sale will go to the Team Margot, a child cancer charity, set up for a girl local to Laura in south west London. Laura loves selling at local fairs and meeting her customers – she's keen to keep her prices accessible even though her margins are small. 'I suppose I should really put my prices up,' she smiles – and since she's been going for nine years now, it must be about time. harryrocks.com A B S O L U T E LY. L O N D O N

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Y

STORY Capture the unique facets of your story with a one-off bespoke engagement ring

www.hkjewellery.co.uk Hertfordshire Jewellery Centre +44 (0)1462 790 565 hertfordshire@hkjewellery.co.uk North Barn, Fairclough Hall Farm, Halls Green, Herts, SG4 7DP

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Cambridge Studio & Shop +44 (0)1223 461 333 cambridge@hkjewellery.co.uk 6/7 Green Street, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, CB2 3JU

London Studio & Shop +44 (0)203 886 0757 primrosehill@hkjewellery.co.uk 69 Regent’s Park Road, Primrose Hill, London, NW1 8UY

14/11/2018 12:02

FASHION • JEWELLERY

Trinkets & Treasures Top picks from Harriet Kelsall to put under the tree All Harriet Kelsall; hkjewellery.co.uk

BRILLIANT CUT EMERALD EARRINGS

RUBY AND DIAMOND ENGAGEMENT RING

DIAMOND STACKING RING SET IN PALLADIUM

9 Carat Yellow Gold and 0.65 ct Emerald

Fairtrade 18 Carat, 0.58ct Ruby & 0.1ct Diamond

9 Carat Yellow and Rose Gold

£1,475

£2,985

£2,775

ETERNITY RING WITH DIAMONDS TOTALLING 0.10CT

PENDANT WITH A STAR SET G-H SI2-3 DIAMOND

DIAMOND ENGAGEMENT RING

9 Carat Rose Gold

9 Carat Yellow Goldx

£1,345

£595

Fairtrade 18 Carat Yellow Gold, 0.67ct G-H VS Briolette Cut Diamond £3,249

9 CARAT ROSE GOLD BOMBE RING

ASYMMETRIC MIX OR MATCH EARRINGS

EARRINGS WITH STAR SET I PK1 DIAMONDS

1.9 ct Sapphire, Ruby, Tsavorite and 9 Carat Rose Gold

9 Carat Yellow Gold and Stirling Silver

9 Carat Yellow Gold, 1PKI Diamonds

£5,985

£345

£375

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

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Monica Galetti, chef

C R E A T I N G

B E A U T I F U L

K I T C H E N S

S I N C E

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Call 020 7486 1248 to make an appointment at your nearest showroom 120 Wigmore Street, London W1U 3RU 509 Uxbridge Road, Pinner HA5 4JS 77-79 Wycombe End, Beaconsfield HP9 1LX

www.halcyon-interiors.co.uk | info@halcyon-interiors.co.uk HALCYON.indd 1

27/06/2018 16:22

FASHION • GIFT GUIDE MADE IN LONDON

1. Pure Wool Coat in Camel: Marvin Browne Spitalfields (£120) Designed and made in London; oldspitalfieldsmarket.com/ shops-and-stalls/marvinbrowne 2. Red Leather satchel: Kashif London (£45) Made in small colour batches in their London workshop; oldspitalfieldsmarket.com/ shops-and-stalls/kashif-london

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3. Pinot Noir PN17: Renegade Wine (£20) Made in Bethnal Green, East London’s only Urban Winery; renegadelondonwine.com 4. Tranquility Candle: Vetivert (£27) Hand poured in North London; oldspitalfieldsmarket.com/ shops-and-stalls/vetivert-co

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5. I’ve lived in East London for 86 yrs: Hoxton mini Press at We Love Print and InSpitalfields (£12.95) Published in East London; https://oldspitalfieldsmarket. com/shops-and-stalls/ inspitalfields

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GIFT GUIDE

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GIFTS FOR HER

1. Cashmere Scarf: Maya’s Crown (from £30) Luxurious cashmere scarves at affordable prices; oldspitalfieldsmarket.com/ shops-and-stalls/mayas-crown

GIFTS FOR HIM

1. Vintage Leather Flight Jacket/ Bomber: Vintage jackets sourced by Walconcept (from £350) oldspitalfieldsmarket.com/ shops-and-stalls/walconcept

Unique present ideas and festive finds from Old Spitalfields Market

2. Leather Card case: Kashif London (from £10) oldspitalfieldsmarket.com/ shops-and-stalls/kashif-london 3. Tranquility body wash: Vetivert (£35) oldspitalfieldsmarket.com/ shops-and-stalls/vetivert-co

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2. Ladies gold watch: From Cybele (£15) The watchman has something for everyone; oldspitalfieldsmarket.com/shopsand-stalls/cybele-london

4. Croco Mag: We Love Print (£10) Magazine specialist with finest selection of print titles this side of the city oldspitalfieldsmarket.com/ shops-and-stalls/we-love-print

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3. Earrings: Nekewlam (£27.99), Handmade in gold plated sterling silver; nekewlam.com 4. Nordic Cedar Scent by Maya: From a selection at Independent boutique The Mercantile (£80) oldspitalfieldsmarket.com/shopsand-stalls/the-mercantile-london

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5. Uplift Face Oil: Vetivert (£35) Handmade in North London; https://oldspitalfieldsmarket.com/ shops-and-stalls/vetivert-co 6. Gold Sunglasses: Cutler and Gross (£320) https:// oldspitalfieldsmarket.com/shopsand-stalls/cutler-and-gross 7. Vintage Silk Scarf: From a selection sourced by Walconcept (from £15)

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5. Green Sunglasses: Cutler and Gross (£300) oldspitalfieldsmarket.com/ shops-and-stalls/cutler-andgross 6. Cashmere Scarf: Maya’s Crown (from £30) Seriously luxurious cashmere scarves at seriously affordable prices oldspitalfieldsmarket.com/ shops-and-stalls/mayas-crown

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PA RT Y PIECES Timeless styles meet statement chic in seasonal occasionwear from Londonbased designer Deborah Lyons S H O P T H E C O L L E C T I O N A T D E B O R A H LY O N S . C O . U K

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HEALTH & BEAUTY

CHANEL.COM

Beauty Notes 41 • Ask the experts 43 • Perfume 45 A B S O L U T E LY. L O N D O N

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BEAUTY

HEALTH & BEAUTY • NOTES

FITNESS REVIEW

NOTES

Sparkling winter scents and the means to create a classic red lip B y H E L E N B R OW N

EDITOR’S PICK

TIMELESS CLASSICS CA R O L I N E I S S A X K JA E R W E I S

Style icon Caoline Issa has collaborated with Kjaer Weis to create two standout red lipsticks to support Women for Women International. Available exclusively on Net-a-Porter, the shades one with blue undertones, the other with orange - have been carefully blended to suit all skin tones. £44; net-a-porter.com

LADY IN RED CHANEL

N°5, the very essence of femininity. A floral bouquet showcased within an iconic bottle. This legendary, timeless fragrance is now available in a limited edition bottle, dressed in Gabrielle Chanel's favourite colour: red. £130 for 100ml; chanel.com

MODERN MUSE E ST E E L AU D E R

Spoil yourself or your loved one with the fragrance that captures her style, her confidence, her creative spirit. An alluring contrast of sparkling florals and sleek, sensual woods, Estée Lauder’s Modern Muse is a contemporary classic and now available in a gorgeous gift duo. £52;

FirstLight Cycle

T

his brand-new studio, with a whole new concept, has popped up in Westfield London recently. Their USP is that there’s a huge screen behind the spin ‘maestro’ as they are called here, and the screen takes you on the journey from sunrise to sunset - and each week there’s a different city. It sounds pretty gimmicky, but when you’re there in the moment dripping with sweat as the sun shines brightly over the London cityscape, it is actually pretty awesome.

What makes the experience even better is the instructors. They have clearly been chosen for their enthusiasm and motivational prowess.

If you’re not tempted to throw your hands in the air or whoop at least once in this class, then you’re simply not doing it right.

It’s a shiny new spin studio, where the classes haven’t become overcrowded yet, so get in there quick before you’re battling for a bike.

LO C AT I O N Westfield London, White City

PRICE Two classes for £20 (new customer offer)

firstlightcycle.com

esteelauder.co.uk

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

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Get party confident s this season with Skinsmiths

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20/11/2018 13:49

HEALTH & BEAUTY • ADVICE

Q&A

Ask The E X P E RTS Absolutely seeks out wisdom from the area’s most trusted sources

ADELE MARIE

Ego Hair, Queen’s Park’s favourite salon egohair.co.uk

Q How can I achieve long, healthy, hair?

A We all want the long hair of our dreams, to have it cascading down our backs like a glossy curtain. Perhaps you’ve tried everything, but you’re not seeing results. Well, listen up, here are few tips and tricks I have to share with you to encourage those locks to grow:

1. Make sure you get your hair trimmed regularly. My best advice is to do so every three months.

2. Always use shampoo and conditioner that is free from sulphate and paraffin. There are many on the market which falsely claim to be allnatural. I always stick to Aveda.

3. Treatments using coconut and olive oils are the best for your scalp and hair: remember, healthy scalp means healthy hair.

4. Try to not blowdry your hair more than once a week and, where possible, let it dry naturally.

5. Brushing: always brush the ends first and roots after, use a tangle teaser or paddle brush, not a comb, which will break your hair.

6. Plait your hair before bed to stop it breaking during the night. No tight bands around the top of the hair when you sleep! It can cause hair loss and breakage.

JEAN-CLAUDE VACASSIN Founder of W10 Performance Gym w10.fit

Q Is there such a thing as a quick fitness fix?

A You’ve had a carefree summer, enjoying good food and a glass or three in the sun. Then panic sets in as you realise you’ve got a matter of weeks to get back into shape before the inevitable Christmas indulgence.

What do you do? Honestly, you have to be realistic about what you can achieve in a short period. When you’re in a rush to get in shape, it’s easy to be lured into quick-fix, get-me-thin-come-whatmay fads that promise amazing results in very little time. But, when it comes to fitness, if it sounds too good to be true, it is. These short-term methods are usually extremely demanding, miserable to go through, and rarely sustainable. It’s also worth mentioning that, for some of us, these methods instil an unhealthy relationship with both food and exercise.

Yes, sadly, there’s no magic programme, no best diet, and no new workout system that can guarantee results in just a few weeks. We would do far better if we took a longer-term view and found a way of exercising and eating that we can maintain. If you give yourself six months, rather than six weeks, your exercise regime will feel less oppressive, and you’ll avoid the feelings of deprivation that come with extreme nutrition programmes. This way, we’re much more likely to view exercising and making better food choices as positive things and something we can stick to all year round.

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

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REFURBISHMENT

DESIGN PLANNING

PROJECT MANAGEMENT

R O S CA R D E V E LO P M E N T S LT D C RO W N H O U S E | 72 H A M M E R SM I T H ROA D | LO N D O N W 14 8 T H U K + 4 4 ( 0 ) 2 0 70 43 1613

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R O S C A R D E V E LO P M E N T S . COM

22/10/2018 16:55

HEALTH & BEAUTY • SCENT

PERFUME

Festive

FRAGRANCES The Gift Of Olfactory Memories B y M I C H A E L D O N OVA N

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ifting perfume at Christmas is perhaps the most personal present.

Our sense of smell is tied to memory and therefore the scent, if chosen wisely, will become an enduring part of the recipient’s personal history, able to transport them back in time to moments of particular joy. Quite a responsibility!

So how does one go about selecting something so personal and subjective for one’s nearest and dearest? My first words of wisdom are - don’t be predictable and simply purchase a flacon of a fragrance that they wear already. The real pleasure is in selecting a scent that speaks of their personality and experiencing their pleasure at discovering something new and exciting.

The message is also very touching - that you believe that this scent conjures them perfectly.

And so go with your instinct; don’t be swayed by the bottle, the advertising campaign, the actress promoting the brand or the brand name itself, just let your nose be your guide. Concentrate on the individual’s temperament and you will soon find the ideal match.

For the Extrovert choose an exuberant scent like ‘Verbena and Orange Blossom’ from Alverez Gomez, a refreshing and invigorating citrus of oranges and lemons with additional tangerine, ginger and musk.

Made in Madrid, this is a great scent for everyday, is youthful and uplifting and can be worn anywhere. Likewise ‘Givrine from E. Coudray , a fresh white floral of lily of the valley, peony and gardenia with zesty notes of watermelon and kumquat that bring a smile to the face and a spring to the step.

For the Glamour Puss select something a little more sensual - ‘L’Orchidee Terrible’ from Imaginary Authors is a beautifully balanced homage to the golden age of Parisian Haute Couture with an opening

of beautiful, elegiac orchid, lightened with sweet golden honey. Alternatively ‘Ombre Rose’ from Charles Brousseau has a powdery rose allure with a warm peach heart that is totally bewitching.

For those of a more reflective nature, ‘The Writer’ from St Giles contains a hit of rosemary which has been clinically proven to improve memory recall by 19%, so this is the perfect fragrance for the office or to help the creative’s muse to perch. ‘The Decay Of The Angel’ by Timothy Han is an achingly beautiful, slightly melancholy and contemplative scent that symbolises a fall from grace and is a divine blend of frankincense with rose, sambac jasmine and a dash of oud.

For the Adventurous Traveller, something to transport will connect to their psyche and ‘Tokyo’ , the new fragrance from British perfume house Gallivant, will conjure that special feeling of early morning Tokyo. The air is humid and misty and the perfume captures the tastes of izakaya eateries, fruits, spices, wasabi, sour and sweet and puts some zing on the tongue.

‘Egypt’ from Eight & Bob offers an olfactory journey up the Nile with calming lavender and peppery green basil opening a scent, given green complexity from a note of moss and shot through with fresh lemon. A richly spiced and aromatic heart of cardamom and nutmeg lends Egypt its distinctive character, warmly enveloping the senses as the notes coalesce. In the base, rich amber and leather accords are met with delicate sandalwood and sweet, earthy patchouli to produce a truly stunning final effect in the dry down. Warming, complex, and utterly addictive, Egypt is an eau de toilette of distinctive character and inimitable style.

Perfume makes the perfect present as it holds the key to memories that will last a lifetime which is, after all, what the festive season is all about!

Have a very Merry and Fragrant Christmas and see you all in 2019!

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

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HEALTH & BEAUTY • TREND VAN CLEEF & ARPELS

BYREDO

Bois Doré £126 for 75ml This one is all about the tonka bean, grown-up and warm. A Christmas must. vancleefarpels.com

Super Cedar £160 for 100ml With top notes of rose petals and a heart of cedar, a warm but modern daytime staple byredo.co.uk

ROOS & ROOS In The Wood For Love £170 for 100ml The editor in chief loved this one - it’s all about the orange blossom apparently.

Roosandroos.fr

GOUTAL Tenue de Soiree (actue on first e) parfum and body cream gift set £147 Grown up and sensual, apply generously and pretend you are in Paris. goutalparis.com

JO LOVES Jo by Jo Loves £115 for 100ml New from Jo Loves, fresh and bursting with grapefruit zest. joloves.com

MILLER HARRIS La Feuille £170 for 100ml Nostalgic and feminine, a favourite with many of us. millerharris.com

EDITOR’S PICK

H E AV E N SCENT Perfumes to put on your Christmas list B y JASMINE ROBERTSON

LALIQUE Les Compositions Parfumees (acute on first e) £190 for 100ml Three bold new scents from Lalique, the Sweet Amber might be our new addiction. lalique.com

JO MALONE Dark Amber & Ginger Lily Cologne Intense £120 for 100ml Rich and intense, an alltime favourite, perfect for winter. jomalone.co.uk

L’OCCITANE Terre de Lumiere (agrave first e) eau de parfum £79 for 90 ml Warm and enveloping, it’s like being wrapped in cashmere. uk.loccitane.com

ORMONDE JAYNE Ormonde Woman £160 for 120ml Woody, seductive and heady.

This one is for grown ups. ormondejayne.com

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

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Located at One Tower Bridge. Prosecco House is London’s first prosecco-specialist bar. It stocks Prosecco DOCG, from Veneto, the home of the drink, a creation of owner Kristina Issa, bringing the excellence of Italian prosecco to London. Kristina works with small family-owned vineyards, while the bar has over 20 varieties on the menu, hand picked by Kristina herself, from wineries such as Marchiori, Rivalta, Cirotto, Tasi Bio and Andreola.

PROSECCO HOUSE 1 Crown Square One Tower Bridge London, SE1 2SE @proseccohouse ProseccoHouseLondon

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020 3034 1718 www.proseccohouse.com info@proseccohouse.com

21/11/2018 09:14

FOOD & DRINK

PERUVIAN FEAST PAC H A M A M A E A ST

A Peruvian-inspired bar and restaurant has set up shop in Shoreditch. With cupboards stocked with Mezcal, it's open for brunch, lunch, and dinner, so there's no excuse not to go. pachamamalondon.com

Food Notes 50 • Festive food 54 • Food review: Il Bordello 59 A B S O L U T E LY. L O N D O N

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W H AT TO D R I N K

GET MERRY

TASTING NOTES

London’s food news and most exciting openings this December

By FLORA THOMAS

RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE MONTH By b e r ry b r os . & r u d d

2009 Berry Bros. & Rudd Champagne by Mailly, Grand Cru  £39 The glorious summer of 2009 was particularly good for Mailly’s Grand Cru Pinot Noir grapes, a high percentage of which are used in this vintage blend. The resulting wine is ripe, rounded and rich, guaranteed to develop beautifully with time.

Berry Bros. & Rudd Sloe Gin  £26.50 Sloes are a staple of the English autumn. Many a rambler has vowed to one day harvest a few berries to infuse at home. The finest wild sloe berries are infused with our award- winning London Dry Gin to produce a benchmark-setting example of this most comfortingly British drink.

Berry Bros. & Rudd Coffee Liqueur  £26.50 A rich shade of polished mahogany, with aromas of dark chocolate. The palate starts sweet, bursting with a hit of bitter-sweet coffee. Shake 50ml with a shot of fresh espresso over ice for the simplest, best-tasting Espresso Martini.

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

bbr.com

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Pearly Delights CORA PEARL

This restaurant, from the team behind Kitty Fishers, specialises in complex comfort food. A festive feasting menu, designed for sharing, is on offer this month. Predinner bites include devilled eggs, pumpkin, goats curd and lovage. Extravagance will follow with a dessert menu of mince pie doughnuts and brandy custard.

30 Henrietta St, WC2E 8NA corapearl.co.uk

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

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FOOD & DRINK• NOTES

CHRISTMAS HAMPERS The best food and drink hampers for festive feasting and decadent gifts

AFTER-PARTY HAMPER Harvey Nichols, £250 harveynichols.com

FARMYARD FARE REAL FARMERS MARKET

The new farmers' market outside the O2 Centre offers a dizzying array of fresh and cooked food on offer every 30 YEARS BASKET Sunday. With more than 25 local Brindisa, £150 producers contributing, you'll be able brindisa.com to avoid the supermarket rush this year as the range runs from Pick’s Organic Farm’s range of meats to The Dusty Knuckle’s breads and cakes.

O2 Centre, 255 Finchley Road, NW3 6LU realfarmers.co.uk

GLITZ & GLAMOUR BERNERS TAVERN

Christmas at Berners Tavern is a glamorous affair.

A special four-course menu available for lunch and dinner on the 25th won’t be holding back, it will include luxurious Native lobster soup with lobster and salmon ravioli and braised fennel as well as a milk chocolate, hazelnut and orange Yule log with blood orange sorbet.

10 Berners Street, W1T 3NP bernerstavern.com

GIFT BOX River Cafe, £600 rivercafe.co.uk

THE DINING EDIT Covent Garden, £3000 coventgarden.london

YUM YUM

OLD SPITALFIELDS MARKET

Head to Yum Bun at Old Spitalfields Market for a dish with a difference.

Their ‘duck bun’ Christmas special is a crispy, spiced confit duck with winter pickles. Perfectly paired with mulled wine.

GO NORDIC TEXTURE

For a breath of fresh Icelandic air, head to Texture in Marylebone. Chef Patron Aggi Sverrisson offers a six course Christmas tasting menu, marrying big Scandinavian flavours with a decadent wine list. With vegan options and a private dining room seating up to 16, not to mention a Michelin star, it’s the perfect location for your festive celebration.

34 Portman St, W1H 7BY texture-restaurant.co.uk

SIMPLE HAMPER Ottolenghi, from £40 ottolenghi.co.uk

Old Spitalfields Market, 16 Horner Square, London E1 6EW oldspitalfieldsmarket.com A B S O L U T E LY. L O N D O N

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Festive Strudel Serves 10

INGEDIENTS • 1 pkt Filo (In the restaurant we make strudel pastry) • 1.5 kg Bramley apples cored & thinly sliced • 200g Caster sugar • 2 tsp Ground cinnamon • ¼ tsp Ground nutmeg • 50g Sultanas • 1 Orange zested • 1 Lemon zested • 250g Melted warm butter • 125g Soft breadcrumbs • dusting Icing sugar

METHOD

Christmas

M EN U Some treats from Michael Nadra’s restaurant festive selection Recipes MICHAEL NADRA R E S TA U R A N T- M I C H A E L N A D R A . C O . U K

1 Fry the breadcrumbs in 100g of the butter till golden brown and place to the side.

2 Mix the apples, sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, lemon zest orange zest and sultans.

Place in a colander and let the excess liquid drain.

3 Lay out a large tea towel, lightly flour the towel, lay out the filo over the whole cloth with about five layers and brush butter between the layers.

4 Scatter the breadcrumbs on 2/3 of the filo leaving 1/3 at the top clear. Repeat for the apple mix.

5 Using the tea towel roll the pastry tightly around the filling and butter the pastry as you roll.

6 Move the strudel to a greased baking tray butter the top and bake at 190 c for about 30 mins. Cook till the pastry is crisp and the apples are soft.

7 Dust with icing sugar and slice, I serve it in the restaurant with Armagnac ice cream.

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FOOD & DRINK • RECIPES

Michael Nadra produces the most exquisite food using both classic and modern techniques

Salad of raw brussel sprouts, pine nuts, granny smith apple, avocado, pomegranate with lemon & herb dressing Serves 4

INGEDIENTS: • 20 Finely chopped brussel sprouts • 1 Granny smith apple cored and cubed.

• 1 tbsp Red onion chopped fine • 2 tbsp Parsley chopped fine • To taste Lemon dressing (olive oil, lemon juice, salt pepper) • 2 tbsp toasted pine nuts • 1 avocado puréed with lime and salt • 1/2 pomegranate seeded

Turkey, Guinea Fowl & Partridge Terrine

METHOD:

INGEDIENTS

Mix the brussel sprouts, apples, onions, parsley and lemon dressing.

• 800gTurkey breast (500g diced & 300g cut into strips) • 250g (2 breasts) Guinea fowl breasts cut into strips) • 200g (4 breasts) Partridge breasts cut into strips • ½ clove Finely chopped garlic • 16g Salt • 2g Ground black pepper • 6 Egg yolks • 450 ml Double cream • 2 tbsp Chopped chives • 2 tbsp Chopped parsley 1 • tbsp Chopped tarragon

1

2 Garnish with the pine nuts, avocado & pomegranate.

METHOD: Marinate the Turkey , guinea fowl and partridge strips in 4g of salt and the chopped garlic. Leave for minimum 1 hour best overnight.

2 Using a food processor puree the diced turkey with 12g of salt and the black pepper when smooth.

With the processor still working add the egg yolks one by one, then drizzle the cream in slowly. You should have a smooth shiny mousse, fold in the chives, parsley and tarragon and put into a piping bag.

3 Line a terrine mould with 4 layers of clingfilm, pipe a layer of turkey mousse then add a layer of the turkey , guinea fowl & partridge strips and repeat having 3 to 4 layers of strips but ensuring to finish with a layer of mousse. Wrap the overhanging clingfilm over the top of the terrine to encase the mousse and cover with a terrine lid.

4 Steam or oven bake in a baine marie (100 c) till the core temperature reaches 72 c approximately 1.5 hrs.

5

Once cooked chill in an ice bath.

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6 To serve cut slices and I garnish with pickled girolles, mixed leaves, brioche crostini, toasted hazelnuts & clementine.

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FOOD & DRINK • CHRISTMAS

F E S T I V E F A R E

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EDIBLE D E C O R AT I O N S POILANE

Poilane's beautiful biscuits can be draped around the tree or hung around the house as pretty decorations, with the added bonus of being a delicious treat. Five festive motifs include Christmas trees, moons and stars.

HOME’S FAVOURITE CHRISTMAS TREATS

poilane.com

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THE HAMPER H A RV E Y N I C H O L S

The Harvey Nichols hamper is a Christmas essential – of the countless options we love the Snowed In one. Christmas pudding, nuts, olives, wine, biscuits, cake... what more could you need? Let it snow... £150 harveynichols.com

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THE TRIMMINGS FA R M I S O N

Farmison's pigs in blankets come in a variety of guises – the traditional versions, the truffled ones and the chestnut, sage and apricot ones.

Theis excellent online butcher also offers a clever Christmas essentials box and a variety of meat boxes too. farmison.com

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THE TURKEY C O PA S

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Our favourite turkeys come from Copas, where they lead happy free-range lives roaming at leisure accross the way from the Wild Wood of Wind in the Willows fame. Delivered to your door on 21 December they come with full cooking instructions and a clever pop-up timer. copasturkeys.co.uk

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T H E PA N E T TO N E GIN MARE Christmas 2018 will be remembered as the gin one, and even the panettone is in on it. Gin Mare has teamed up with Theo Randall to create the Ginettone, laced with rosemeary and olive in a limited edition, of course. £22 ginmare.com

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Michael Nadra Restaurant & Bar

Primrose Hill’s best kept secret Book your Christmas party now New great value Express Lunch & Early Dinner Menu 2 - for - 1 on all Cocktails every day from 4 - 6pm A la Carte & 6 Course Tasting Menu Extensive Wine List Vegan / Vegetarian Party & Event Bookings

@michaelnadra | facebook.com/MichaelNadraRestaurant

020 7722 2800 | 42 Gloucester Avenue, Primrose Hill, NW1 8JD | primrose@restaurant-michaelnadra.co.uk

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Now taking Christmas Bookings

WE’VE RELOCATED TO: IL BORDELLO METROPOLITAN WHARF 70 WAPPING WALL, LONDON E1W 3SS TEL: 020 7481 9950 • FAX: 020 7378 6341 IIBORDELLO.indd 1

20/11/2018 10:39

FOOD & DRINK • CHRISTMAS

Turkey TRUTHS Choosing a turkey can be tricky. Here’s what to look for

By P E A R L B OY D

C

hristmas dinner can become a stressful and time consuming affair, especially when preparing a meal for a large family. With so many options available, we’ve outlined the top things to look out for to help you find a Christmas turkey the whole family will enjoy.

Turkey age and welfare

The age of your turkey and the conditions it was raised in make a big difference to the quality and the quantity of meat you’ll receive.

• Make sure the bird is at least 22 weeks old. Birds matured to this age will have a lot more meat than a younger, same weight turkey because of the improved meat to bone ratio.

• Sourcing a mature bird, which has been naturally reared to adulthood also means it will have a natural fat layer – which makes cooking even easier with no additional butter or oils required – just season and pop into the oven, no need to baste.

• To be truly free range, your turkey should have been outside for at least ¾ of its life.

• Find out as much as you can about the farm your turkey came from to ensure they adhered to the highest welfare standards all the way through production.

A simple supply chain with minimal movement is best.

Game-hung turkeys

It’s a good idea to look for a game hung turkey, as this will mean improved flavour and texture.

• Look for a turkey that is game hung for as long as possible - at least seven days to make a difference. At Copas, turkeys

“Your turkey should have been outside for at least 3/4 of its life” are hung for up to 14 days. Being gamehung for two weeks is integral to their unrivalled eating quality, providing both a truly tender eating experience and an altogether superior depth of flavour.

Accreditations/logos to look for

Look out for the following accreditations to make sure that your turkey will be of the highest standard possible: • Look for an EC plant number on the label to confirm the turkey has been produced in the UK and is FCA quality assured for food safety and consistency.

• TFTA – Traditional Farmfresh Turkey Association gives a quality assurance of a traditionally reared turkey.

• Organic Farmers & Growers or the Soil Association gives assurance for Organic products.

What type of turkey to buy

As a rule, you’ll need ½ kg per person for generous servings on Christmas day as well as plenty of leftovers of course. For example, this would mean purchasing a 5kg turkey for a family of ten people.

Turkeys often come in a range of different ways so it’s important to know how many mouths you’re feeding to ensure there is enough to go around, and to avoid wastage.

Still unsure on what turkey to buy for the big day? Copas offers an online turkey calculator – just input your requirements and they will find you the perfect turkey… copasturkeys.co.uk/turkey-calculator

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Crouch End 128 Crouch Hill London N8 9DY Telephone 020 8341 2020

Islington 42 Cross Street London N1 2BA Telephone 020 7359 4041

www.funktionalkitchens.co.uk

Sale starts January

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20/11/2018 09:25

FOOD & DRINK • REVIEW

ABSOLUTELY eats out…

“They were turning people away at the door, my advice is to book”

Il Bordello Epitomising Italian charm and hospitality in Wapping B y LUCIE PEARCE

A

fter relocating to a new spot on Wapping Wall earlier this year, you’ll be pleased to hear that Il Bordello has retained its charm and character in its new locale. It’s not a small restaurant, but is full to the brim with charm and character and retains a cheerful and cosy atmosphere.

Upon arrival, we are seated, and, of course, go straight to the wine list. Considering the restaurant, we

naturally go for the Italian merlot, which is of very good quality for the relatively low price point of £21.95.

The menu features all the Italian classics you would expect, with lasagne al forno, penne arrabbiata and spaghetti carbonara all making appearances on the pasta menu, and margherita, la reine and calzone on the pizza list. There are are also fresh fish and meat menus for those looking for secondis.

Slightly overwhelmed with the sheer volume of available options, my guest Chris eventually plumps for the

FOOD Hearty classic Italian cuisine

DECOR Recently revamped with an Italian theme

PRICE Pasta from £11 Meat from £17

VERDICT Welcoming space and tasty food

ravioli al funghi porcini - pasta filled with wild mushrooms in a cream and wild mushroom sauce, which is absolutely delicious. Creamy, filling and well-balanced, after asking for one bite and then proceeding to eat half his dinner, I would highly recommend it. I pick the tagliatelle alfredo, pasta with cream sauce, peas and shoulder ham, which is also mouth-wateringly good. Be warned though: these portions are incredibly generous.

Absolutely replete by this point, we can’t even consider the idea of pudding, but after a quick glance around the room, I would suggest not eating half your guest’s dinner and saving room for pudding instead.

Incredibly popular with locals, it’s testament to Il Bordello that on a chilly winter evening in November, the restaurant is packed - while we were there, they were turning people away at the door. As the Christmas season is now in full swing, my advice is to you is to book your table in advance.

IL BORDELLO Metropolitan Wharf, 70 Wapping Wall, E1W 3SS; 020 7481 9950, ilbordello.com A B S O L U T E LY. L O N D O N

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INTERIORS

FLOWER POWER BLOOM & WILD

Bloom & Wild has put together a gorgeous array of seasonal bouquets that symbolise Christmas. From beautiful holly and amaryllis to themed aspen bouquets, there are gift boxes to match – and they'll deliver a set of mini Christmas trees too. bloomandwild.com

Interior inspirations 62 • Anna Barnett's Christmas tables 66 • Crackers! 71 A B S O L U T E LY. L O N D O N

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INTERIORS NOTES

Ideas, designs and styles for your home

By PENDLE HARTE

PAPER P L AY BANBAYU

Designed and produced in Transylvania, the range of eco friendly and sustainable wallpapers at Banbayu takes inspiration from travel, nature and history. Update any room with quirky wallpaper designs made with premium non-woven quality substrate surface printed with ecofriendly inks. banbayu.com

WARM GLOW KINDLE STOVES

Family run Kindle Stoves supplies and installs latest in cleanburn, high efficiency wood burners and gas stoves. The wood burners are approved to burn in Smoke Controlled Areas and most stoves are already SIA 2022 ready. A wide range of designs to suits anything from a Victorian family home to a modern city apartment. kindlestoves.co.uk

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INTERIORS • NOTES

BRIGHT S PA R K S Our favourite candle holders for Christmas FERM LIVING Bow candle holder, £109 connox.co.uk

EDITOR’S PICK

PENCIL IT IN

LOLA & MAWU

TREE TALK

Tealight candleholder set of three, £80 lolaandmawu.com

PINES AND NEEDLES

Pines and Needles is your one-stopshop when it comes to Christmas trees and decorations. Whether online at pinesandneedles.com or in-store at our stunning locations across London, we have the finest array of trees, wreaths, decorations and festive accessories.

Harry and Meghan have bought from them so why don't you?! pinesandneedles.com

ANYA HINDMARCH

This is probably the cutest diffuser ever. Anya Hindmarch's new collection of home fragrances recreate smells that evoke nostalgia for her. Using innovative ceramic reeds disguised as pencils, the Chewing Gum Diffuser is disguised as a pencil pot: it's a cheerful mix of mint, raspberry, school uniforms and music lessons, £99. anyahindmarch.com

MUUTO Open candelabra, £75 madeindesign.co.uk

TOM DIXON Rock candleholders, from £75 tomdixon.net

COX & COX Three tealight houses, £45 coxandcox.co.uk

LOOM BAND BEATRICE LARKIN

MARQUIS AND DAWE Grey mouse tea light holder, £16 marquisanddawe.co.uk

Beatrice Larkin specialises in modern woven textiles, all made in Lancashire on jacquard looms. Bea turns them into throws and cushions in London; her distinct, geometric, monochrome patterns take inspiration from traditional weave structures and West African textiles, as well as Bauhaus and Brutalist architecture. £260 madeandgood.com A B S O L U T E LY. L O N D O N

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esign esign icholas icholas mmmarkarkarknnnicholas DDDesign ltd ltd ltd

“Clarity “Clarity “Clarity begins begins begins atathome” athome” home”

Mark Mark Mark Nicholas Nicholas Nicholas Design Design Design takes takes takes design design design to to a truly to a truly a truly inspirational inspirational inspirational new new level.We new level.We level.We have have have oneone of one of theof the finest the finest finest showrooms showrooms showrooms in London in in London London featuring featuring featuring stunning stunning stunning bathrooms, bathrooms, bathrooms, kitchens, kitchens, kitchens, bedrooms bedrooms bedrooms andand living and living living rooms.With rooms.With rooms.With more more more than than than 4040 years 40 years years experience experience experience ourour proven our proven proven design design design expertise expertise expertise is second is is second second to to none to none none as as weas wewe consult consult consult with with you with you every you every every step step step of of theof the way the way from way from from thethe initial the initial initial concept concept concept to to theto the finished the finished finished project. project. project.

YouYou will You will have will have have a dedicated a dedicated a dedicated designer designer designer throughout throughout throughout thethethe entire entire entire process. process. process.

WeWe are We renowned are renowned forfor thinking for thinking differently differently andand our and portfolio our portfolio ranges ranges from from whole whole house house transformations transformations – including – including thethe garden the garden – through – through to to to are renowned thinking differently our portfolio ranges from whole house transformations – including garden – through transforming transforming confined confined spaces spaces intointo top into quality top quality shower shower rooms rooms thatthat you that need you need to to see to to see believe.Our to believe.Our watchword watchword is quality quality andand we and use we top use brands top brands transforming confined spaces top quality shower rooms you need see to believe.Our watchword is is quality we use top brands ranging ranging from from Miele Miele in the kitchen the kitchen to to Villeroy to Villeroy andand Boch and Boch in the bathroom the bathroom andand Amtico and Amtico onon the on floors.Our the floors.Our ethos ethos is that “anything that “anything is possible” possible” and and ranging from Miele in in the kitchen Villeroy Boch in in the bathroom Amtico the floors.Our ethos is is that “anything is is possible” and ourour breathtaking our breathtaking portfolio portfolio proves proves how how wewe have we have done done that time that time and time and time again. again. breathtaking portfolio proves how have done that time and time again.

BATHROOMS BATHROOMS BATHROOMS

LIVING LIVING LIVING

BEDROOMS BEDROOMS BEDROOMS

KITCHENS KITCHENS KITCHENS

GARDENS GARDENS GARDENS

Visit Visit our Visit our showroom our showroom showroom at 32-34 at 32-34 at 32-34 Penton Penton Penton Street Street Street , Islington, , Islington, , Islington, London, London, London, N1 N1 9QA, N1 9QA, 9QA, ForFor examples For examples examples of our of our ofwork our work visit work visit www.mnd.uk.com visit www.mnd.uk.com www.mnd.uk.com or to or book or to book to book a consultation a consultation a consultation callcall 0207 call 0207 0207 278278 7573 278 7573 7573 MND.indd 1

20/03/2018 12:25

INTERIORS • PRODUCTS LIMELACE Gold panther bauble, £11.95 limelace.co.uk

EDITOR’S PICK

GISELA GRAHAM

THE OAK MEN

Nordic santa and angel, £6 tch.com

Hand-carved oak trees, £25 skandium.com

FLENSTEAD Christmas mobile, £21.50 hurnandhurn.com

BROSTE COPENHAGEN Advent calendar, £15 skandinaviandesigncentre.com

HABITAT Various baubles habitat.co.uk

TINSEL TOWN

MARIMEKKO Heart-shaped decoration, £9.50 skandium.com

All the best Christmas decorations

AARIKKA

Aarikka's DIY Sauna kit, £26.50

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

skandium.com

JAN CONSTANTINE Christmas wall hanging, £950 janconstantine.com

ANTHROPOLOGIE Gulf Coast tree topper £53 anthropologie.com

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TABLE 66

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Food writer Anna Barnett teamed up with Habitat to create three different Christmas looks Words A N N A B A R N E T T H A B I TAT.C O. U K

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HOMES & INTERIORS • CHRISTMAS

Sequin garlands reflect candlelight for a kitch but elegant look F I E S TA If you love colour then this one’s for you. I’ve used a traditional seasonal palette of red and gold as a base but then thrown in a ‘fiesta’ vibe with OTT patterned baubles, sequins and glitter. Lots of glitter.

TIP 1

T H E P L AC E S E T T I N G

LOOK ONE

I’m always looking for unusual ways to make a place setting. For these name places, I’ve attached gift tags to small cocktail crackers but you can always use bigger versions too. I’ve also used these wool tassel tree decorations here as a cutlery tie or you could always use as a napkin ring.

Again these also act as nice takeaway favours for guests to decorate their own home.

TIP 2

GARLANDS

So long paper-chains – lightweight sequin garlands are the way forward. Attach several together and string across the dining table for a festoon effect. They are not as chunky as those old- school garlands and the sequin garlands reflect candlelight for a kitsch but elegant look.

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B L ACK & GOLD Black isn’t a colour that most people think to decorate with at Christmas but you can create really dramatic table schemes with a cool, contemporary vibe.

TIP 1

Attach gift tags to baubles as name cards – and guests can take the baubles away with them

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LOOK TWO

H OW TO M A K E B L AC K WO R K Black is a great base to accentuate colour and texture. I’ve used black dinnerware as the base to this look and then layered gold and pine on top. Adding texture – like the pine fronds and pompoms – helps add warmth. Layering fir tree branches down the centre of the table and entwining battery-operated fairy lights will create a stunning centrepiece, giving a cool Scandi feel as well as filling the room with a pine scent.

TIP 2

N A M E P L AC E S

A great tip is to always take a look in the decorations section to get some inspiration for your dining table. A favourite of mine is to use baubles as name places for the dinner table.

Attach gift tags to each bauble as a name card and then guests can then also take the bauble away with them to decorate their own tree.

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HOMES & INTERIORS • CHRISTMAS

T H E N AT U R E INSPIRED CHRISTMAS TA B L E A refreshing, Antipodean inspired scheme that brings together eucalyptus, fruits and warming metallics.

TIP 1

T H E C E N T R E P I EC E

This is so easy to create. Lay a line of eucalyptus stems along the length of the table and intersperse with warm gold, copper or bronze baubles which reflect candlelight. The colours look incredible together and the eucalyptus gives off a great relaxing aroma. You can also add in fruits such as pomegranates, walnuts, oranges – here I’ve spray-painted some of them gold too. Then add a selection of candlesticks (marble or metallic) of different heights to create some atmospheric lighting.

LOOK THREE

TIP 2

THE HANGING D I S P L AY

I’ve used a small bunch of willow branches attached to two leather straps (or you can use ribbon) to hang above the table or kitchen counter. Select a colour palette of 2-3 colours (we’ve used gold and orange) and attach a selection of lightweight baubles to the branches at different heights using invisible thread. Here, we’ve also added in some miniature Christingles. Alternatively if you have a pendant light or chandelier, you can always hang baubles from them using the invisible thread.

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Tomas R

KITCHEN LIVING

Winter

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TCHEN

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CLASSIC MODERN KITCHENS & FURNITURE

BE

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NOW ON !

0800 023 6471 www.tomas-kitchen-living.co.uk info@tomas-kitchen-living.co.uk

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Tomas London 2 The Market Place Hampstead Garden Suburb London NW11 6JG

Tomas St Albans 65 Catherine Street St Albans Herts AL3 5BP

Tomas Cambridge Showroom & Production Centre 20a Mercers Row Cambridge CB5 8HY

20/11/2018 09:30

INTERIORS • CHRISTMAS

ON THE

P U L L The best crackers of the season MATILDA GOAD/TART

Compiled by P E N D L E H A R T E

Each cracker contains an exclusive Tart recipe card designed by Scribble & Daub with accompanying spice mix by Rooted Spice that are cleverly designed to incorporate Christmas leftovers. £56 matildagoad.com

KATIE LEAMON

These Confetti crackers are Katie Leamon's most luxurious ones yet, with dinky gifts including indoor sparklers, a wooden puzzle, wooden dice, wooden spinning tops, colouring pencils and bumble bee soap. £42, katieleamon.com

FEVER TREE

Fever Tree's crackers contain a miniature bottle of craft gin and the perfectly paired Fever-Tree tonic to go with it. £7 each johnlewis.com

CLARIDGES

Claridge’s first ever crackers are filled with a host of stylish surprises inspired by the hotels’ culinary heritage. From a mother of pearl caviar spoon to a crested Claridge’s egg cup, these gifts are a cut above. £75 claridges.co.uk

JO MALONE

HARRODS

Harrods' colourful Circus crackers come with fun gifts such as a silver yoyo, a wooden ruler and some stylish hatpins. £11o harrods.com

Jo Malone's annual cracker is filled with tiny treats: Basil & Neroli Cologne, Blackberry & Bay Body & Hand Wash, and compelling, addictive Mimosa & Cardamom Body Crème. £33 jomalone.co.uk

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NATURAL SHADES BROSTE COPENHAGEN

Broste Copenhagen's Christmas aesthetic strikes a fine balance between sober and extrovert. Beautiful linens in muted shades make a great bacdrop for gold cutlery, shiny candlesticks and a stylish range of coloured glasses, plus lots of pretty ceramics. brostecopnhagen.com

TH E C H RI STMAS TAB LE A B E A U T I F U L TA B L E S E T S THE SCENE FOR THE ANNUAL BIG FEAST

CHEESE COURSE LSA INTERNATIONAL

LSA's Tatra cheese dome is big enough to accommodate all the Christmas cheese you can eat. Its hand-carved ash base with folklore-inspired engravings is a stylish piece and the large glass dome makes an impressive centrepiece. ÂŁ115 lsa-international.com

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INTERIORS • CHRISTMAS

POLAR EXPRESS TALKING TABLES

If you need single-use paper plates, Talking Tables' Nordic ones have an authentic Scandinavian feel, perfect for a stylised Christmas celebration.

The range includes polar bear shaped napkins, bottle brush Christmas trees, and a polar bear figurine. talkingtables.co.uk

ACCESSORIES MATTER JONATHAN ADLER

A touch of whimsy doesn't go amiss at a festive table and we love Jonathan Adler's cute Muse Brass Place Card Holders. Each set includes four solid brass place card holders—two mustaches and two lips. £98 jonathanadler.com

MONOCHROME MANIA KATIE LEAMON

Choose a monochrome theme for your table and Katie Leamon's beautiful crackers will fit right in.

Fairy lights stretched along the table are a winning look too – as long as there's enough space. katieleamon.com

GOLDEN YEARS THOMAS GOODE

Thomas Goode is synonymous with classic luxury tableware and anyone wanting the ultimate in Christmas glamour should visit the Mayfair showroom for golden talbleware and glitzy plates. thomasgoode.com

LUXE LINEN OTTOLENGHI

Ottolenghi's sumptuous new line of Christmas table linen is crafted from the highest quality Italian organic linen and is hand painted using a rich indigo, decadent gold and white colour scheme. The luxury linen hamper includes the full set as well as some edible treats. £450, ottolenghi.co.uk

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‘ Enjoying childhood and realising our imagination.’

“My time at Dallington has helped me to grow in body, mind and soul – this is something that I am immeasurably grateful for.

Dallington has given me a push in the direction of success and I am thankful for all they have done. I will do the best I can to repay them, the best I can, by leading an honest and dignified life.”

Nick (Year 6 pupil) Dallington is a family-run co-educational independent school, with a nursery, in the heart of London.

Personal tours each day of the week, except Wednesday.

Headteacher, Proprietor and Founder: Mogg Hercules MBE Email: hercules@dallingtonschool.co.uk Phone: 020 7251 2284 www.dallingtonschool.co.uk

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KIDS & EDUCATION

FAIR FASHION VELVETEEN

Velveteen works with fair-trade organisations whenever possible; their clothing is finely crafted and handembroidered, using a combination of Indian artisan techniques. velveteenclothing.com

Small Talk 77 ¡ Gifts for kids 79 A B S O L U T E LY. L O N D O N

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ABBEY ROAD

FRAMING

Picture Frames, Mirrors, Prints, Cards & Gifts

020 7328 6915

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

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

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KIDS & EDUCATION • NOTES B RA N D F O CU S

ALL THAT GLITTERS

MIMI & LULA Mimi & Lula is the brainchild of two accessory designers, who between them have created ranges for many famous high-street brands. The duo are known for their playful style and little ones will love their glittery dinosaur bags, superhero masks and pom pom hair clips, perfect for party season. mimiandlula.com

SMALL TALK Glitter accessories, cosy PJs, Christmas books and haircare for tots

DANDYDILL WAY

C

reated by high profile celebrity make-up artist Tania Rodney, Dandydill Way is an award-winning range of skin and hair care inspired by childhood freedom and potential. These products look good in their super stylish (and recyclable) packaging and smell improbably beautiful, a culmination of Tania’s experience both as a make-up artist and as a mum. Inspired by her own childhood in rural Yorkshire playing endlessly outside with her sisters picking berries and building dens, Tania drew inspiration from the nature that was all around her when developing Dandydill Way. A key ingredient in the range is the hawthorn berry which grows wild in the hedgerows and countryside of Britain.

The range includes shampoo, conditioner, bubble bath and hair detangler plus a clever liquid powder, a natural spray-on deodorant that's chemical-free and designed for children who aren't ready for harsh deodorants yet. From £18, dandydillway.com

COSY UP N I G H T S BY W I L D E R

Featuring classic chambray, stripes, folky florals and a magical star print, the sleepwear collection from British brand Nights by Wilder is made for snuggling up in on Christmas Eve. Each piece is made in London using hand-woven, organic and sustainable cotton from India. nightsbywilder.com

MOUSE STYLE

H OW W I N S TO N

DELIVERED CHRISTMAS

By Alex T Smith

Winston is a plucky, homeless young mouse, on a mission to deliver a lost letter to Father Christmas on Christmas Eve. Gorgeously illustrated, this is a poignant and heart-warming story. £14.99

panmacmillan.com

EDITOR’S PICK

SKETCH BOOK THE NIGHTS BEFORE CHRISTMAS Illustrated by Tony Ross

This lavishly produced hardback book is the perfect keepsake gift to treasure. Illustrated in colour by Tony Ross, The Nights Before Christmas has 24 classic tales, songs and stories to enjoy. £12.99; andersenpress.co.uk

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0208 341 9191 email: info@rugmaster.uk website: www.rugmaster.uk

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KIDS & EDUCATION • GIFTS IMMI DRESS Velveteen, £88 velveteenclothing.com GROCER'S STALL Flexa, from £136 flexaworld.com

LUGGY BASKET Oli Ella luggy, £45 olliella.com

WINNIE SWEATER Mango Kids, £22.99 mango.com

MIRROR BACKPACK Tiba + Marl, £40 tibaandmarl.com

TIGER HEAD Make Your Own, £9.99 clockworksoldiershop.co.uk

GIFTS FOR KIDS

LES PARISIENNES: MADAME CONSTANCE Moulin Roty, £49 folkinteriors.co.uk

DOLL'S HOUSE Moulin Roty, £119 cottage-toys.co.uk

Spark their imagination this Christmas with these inspiring gifts

By HELEN BARON

MONTGOMERY BEAR Charlie Bears, £225 charliebears.com

EDITOR’S PICK

DRESSING UP KITS Meri Meri, from £12 merimeri.co.uk

ATOM BIKE Raleigh Bicycles, £135 raleigh.co.uk

YOUNG SOLES Sidney Brogue Boot, from £81 youngsoles.co.uk

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

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TRAVEL

OFF PISTE THE DOLOMITES

The Italian Dolomites is the destination heating up with more Michelin stars than you can count on one hand and a clutch of high-end hotels. Here’s what we made of a snowy escape to the world’s largest ski area.

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Piste PERFECT We get a taste of la dolce vita on the slopes of the Dolomites

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TRAVEL • WINTER

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f top-grade skiing, exceptional food and a sophisticated but welcoming ambience are your thing, I can recommend no place better than the Italian Dolomites. Consisting of 450 lifts and 750 scenic miles of piste, this is the world’s largest ski area and arguably one of the most impressive mountain ranges around. Rapid access to the slopes is guaranteed by way of a modern lift infrastructure and with one ski pass you’ve access to 12 ski resorts, each as beautiful as the next and suitable for all ski levels.

More laid back than its rival snow-capped regions in France, Austria and Switzerland, the Dolomites offer a quieter and less-crowded alpine experience. Having returned to the French Alps season and after season and on occasion to the the Swiss, I’m well-versed with the flashy resorts in the western region - France’s Courchevel, Switzerland’s Verbier - and their Moët-swigging, Prada-wearing clientele. And while you’ll find that a lot of these ostentatious snow bunnies choose to sit beside the run, their top-of-the-range skis propped up somewhere on a sun-drenched restaurant terrace, the pistes cutting through the Alps are renowned for their congestion and long queues, especially during school holidays. Quieter Dolomite villages like San Cassiano attract Italian families season after season to ski its powdery slopes and make the most of its exceptional food scene.

Of course, technically speaking, the Dolomites are still very much a part of the Alps, flourishing from the chain’s southeast foothills. But like the estranged branch of a family tree, the region feels very separate.

Geographically they sit in northern Italy but remain Austrian in character after Mussolini annexed the region from the latter in 1918. His intent for Italianization never quite stuck and even today most of the locals speak in the mountain dialect, Ladin, rather than in Italian.

A total new-comer to the area, I’m beholden to my

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

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TRAVEL • WINTER

snowboard instructor for showing me what this vast, snowy playground has to offer, and boy does it deliver. Since the Dolomites are protected from unbridled northerly storms, we are blessed with clear, blue skies and soft, well-blanketed pistes for the entirety of the trip. I’m told that 100 days of sunshine during winter is the norm. The vistas are staggeringly beautiful, the lines dramatic and sharp. I imagine the place loses none of its charm come summer. Peppered across the pistes are traditional mountain restaurants serving cuisine from Ladin, Tyrole and the Mediterranean, along with exceptional wines. Like most, we take the opportunity to rest tired limbs and remedy nervous ski legs with a Glühwein (or three), a plate of hearty ragù and the requisite espresso between runs. Thankfully the area accommodates non-skiers too, as one in our group wishes to forgo the risk of broken limbs. She is perfectly at ease to hop on a lift and let it whisk her to the top of the mountain where she can bask in the alpine gorgeousness of it all and sip hot chocolate while the rest of us hit the slopes. From our excellent instructors to the incredible mountain food and spectacular weather, it’s safe to say that I am completely sold on the Dolomites as a ski destination.

Although this also has a little something to do with our home-from-home for the week which is the sumptuous Rosa Alpina.

Almost 170 years old, this family-run hotel epitomises quiet glamour. It sits in San Cassiano, one of the six villages that make

up South Tyrol’s Alta Bada municipality and is conveniently placed for flights into Venice and Innsbruck airports.

On entering, the place is utterly charming.

A welcoming log fire crackles in the lobby which leads through to the wine bar and grill, a cosy and comfortable restaurant famous for its wood-oven pizzas. After an early start and a delayed flight from London, we devour said pizza, mounds of prosciutto and a Pinot noir Riserva (the wine list, by the way, is extensive) among fellow guests and locals. Warm and convivial, the wine bar and grill epitomises the delightful, smalltown charm that oozes from every brick and fibre of Rosa Alpina, thanks no doubt to the Pizzinini family who live upstairs. The hotel has been in the family’s keeping for three generations and while they’ve added luxe touches and all of the mod-cons you’d expect from a 5* stay, it’s heritage and original features take pride of place.

The two Michelin-starred St. Hubertus Restaurant is undoubtedly the culinary highlight of not just the hotel, but of the region. Celebrated local chef Norbert Niederkofler is at the helm and has been since it opened in 1996. With just nine tables and a chef’s table, you’ll want to book well in advance. Expect food at its most innovative and indulgent thanks to Niederkofler’s resolution to serve only that which has been sourced from the Dolomites. It really is exemplary dining.

Rooms are elegant, spacious havens for relaxation with large seating areas, wood panelling and open fireplaces. Luxury apartments come with their own Turkish bath and sauna but to really ease away the aches of the day, guests can head down to the spa. Located in the basement of the building and kitted out with an indoor swimming pool, Finnish sauna, steam bath and luxurious treatment areas, there really is nowhere better to rest and rejuvenate.

Kick your skis off for an afternoon, enjoy mountainous views from the pool and book yourself in for one of the hotel’s signature Alpine Herbs Muscle Relief massages; it’s so worth it.

From now until April, regulars will be getting their winter fix at this astounding region of excellent skiing, phenomenal eating and exuberant Italian hospitality. For an even greater taste of la dolce vita, Rosa Alpina offers all of this and more. There is no place better for your next snow-filled holiday. I will wholeheartedly be back and I can guarantee, you will too.

ROSA ALPINA Abercrombie & Kent (abercrombiekent.co.uk) offers 7 nights B&B at Rosa Alpina in a Deluxe Double Room from £3,322 per person, based on two sharing and including return flights from London Gatwick to Innsbruck and transfers. For further information on the hotel please visit rosalpina.it.

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TRAVEL • EUROPE

Amsterdam is an excellent place to visit with the family, especially now that the Eurostar takes you straight there

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msterdam might be less than an hour’s flying time away, but you’re still hard pressed to get there in time for lunch without getting up madly early. Or at least without feeling stressed and grumpy.

You’re likely to spend longer at passport control than you are in the air, and fiddling with miniature bottles of contact lens solution and emptying your water bottle while holding your coat and abandoning your too-big tube of hand cream can wipe out much of the joy of travelling.

And that’s travelling without children. Managing your kids on the way to a family weekend in Amsterdam is frankly barely worth the airport hassle.

So hurrah for the Eurostar’s new direct St Pancras to Amsterdam Centraal route, launched last April. In just three hours and 40 minutes the train drops you right in the centre of town, making the Dutch city a weekend equivalent of, say, Devon for Londoners. The only slight hitch is the return leg, which involves changing at Brussels because currently there’s no passport control at Central Station, a situation that’s not likely to be helped by Brexit.

It’s a simple change though it adds more than half an hour to the journey. But the advantages of the train are countless, especially when travelling with children. Walk up to the restaurant car for coffee and snacks, play cards at your table, bring as much luggage as you can carry – no fussing about liquids – and enjoy views of the French, Belgian and then Dutch countryside from the windows.

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Escape to Rayavadee A boutique 5 hotel hidden among tropical foliage in Krabi, Southern Thailand Rayavadee’s exclusive location is so special, it’s reason enough alone to visit.

Only accessible by boat, it’s tucked away on a beautiful beach between Railay Beach and Phra Nang Cave Beach, crowned by jagged limestone cliffs, overlooking Ko Rang Nok island.

Sixty acres of carefully landscaped jungle shrouds the villas, creating the ultimate escape for even the most world-weary travellers.

EXCLUSIVE! 2 FREE NIGHTS 5 Rayavadee 7 Nights Bed & Breakfast from

£1325pp

Call 0208 329 2679 or book online letsgo2.com Prices are per person based on two people sharing. Available on various departures between 1 May - 30 June 2019.

Subject to availability. For full T&Cs visit letsgo2.com. Prices correct as of 19/11/2018.

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TRAVEL • EUROPE

AMSTERDAM’S BE ST AT TRACTIONS FOR FAMILIE S 1 THE ANNE FRANK HOUSE This is one of the best-crafted museums in the world. The new section makes it spacious and accessible; its approach is sober and respectful – there are no excess exhibits, no fillers, just the stark reality of 20th century history as seen through the eyes of one of its young victims. Children too young to know about the holocaust will need a bit of forewarning, but the museum is an excellent introduction.

2 VONDELPARK Amsterdam is small and manageable, an easy city to navigate and a pleasure to get around by bicycle. A report by UNICEF shows Dutch children to be the world’s happiest, and its likely that the freedom found in cycling everywhere is a contributing factor. But of course it’s hugely popular with tourists and cycle paths are inevitably crowded. A premium hire charge for bikes with handlebar brakes as opposed to back-pedal ones is a clever tax for British tourists who traditionally fear the Dutch brakes – most bike shops stock varying sizes of child’s bikes as well as toddler seats, baby trailers and everything that the cycling family might need.

RESTAURANT JANSZ, PULITZER HOTEL Once you’re saddled up, where to go?

It’s easy to spend a day cycling around as a family. A few laps of the Vondelpark will help with confidence and after that it’s geography that’s the main problem: with so many similar canal vistas to deal with, getting lost is inevitable.

The Pulitzer Hotel in Prinzengracht is arguably the best place to stay in Amsterdam. Brilliantly located for just about everything, the hotel can provide bicycles and makes a brilliant starting point. Not least because it even has its own boat, an iconic wooden luxury saloon dating back to 1909 that takes a daily 75-minute tour of the canals. This is all the introduction anyone could need, with its friendly and knowledgeable captain offering enlightenment on everything from the history of the sugar trade to contemporary cannabis culture.

Eurostar makes the Dutch city a weekend equivalent of, say, Devon

Eurostar travels to Amsterdam from St Pancras twice daily; fares start at £35 one way; eurostar.com

Summer or winter, Amsterdam’s famed park is a magnet for people of all ages. Not only are there several playgrounds and cafes, but it’s a great place to cycle and also just to people-watch.

3 THE FLOWER MARKET It might be a cliché, but it’s important to bring home some tulips. Whether bulbs or cut flowers, this is where you go to buy and browse.

4 APPLE PIE AT THE WESTERMARKT Westermarkt is one of the city’s best markets – cheese, vegetables and organic food as well as antiques, vintage clothes and jewellery. On Saturdays a huge queue forms outside small café Winkel – it might be long but it’s worth joining for the excellent warm apple pie with cream that’s famed all over town.

5 INDONESIAN FOOD Don’t leave without treating yourself to a reistafel, an Indonesian feast that you won’t find in London. The Dutch colonial past means that this traditional meal with its countless dishes – lots of peanuts, egg and chilli – has become an Amsterdam staple.

6 MUSEUMSPLEIN The Rijksmuseum reopened in 2013 after a ten-year makeover and its scope covers 800 years of Dutch history, all brilliantly ordered to make a super user-friendly experience.

Don’t miss the 17th century dolls houses.

7 CANAL TOUR BY BOAT This has to be done. Peer into the houseboats from the water and plan your new life as a barge dweller. We all do it. pulitzeramsterdam.com A B S O L U T E LY. L O N D O N

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Photography by Paul Craig

Engineered Walnut Pre-lacquered

Beautiful flooring, designed to last Over 100 designs | Expert advice | 20,000m 2 of stock | Express delivery SHOWROOM 20 Smugglers Way, Wandsworth, London, SW18 1EG 020 8871 9771

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PROPERTY Living the Dream

MUSWELL ROAD N10

ÂŁ1,850,000

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his outstanding four double bedroom Edwardian family home has been designed to combine period charm with stylish interiors and high-quality fittings. Arranged over four stories, this high-ceilinged property offers spacious modern living with three stunning reception rooms, a separate kitchen and dining area, as well as a beautiful landscaped garden. Located in the heart of Muswell Hill close to outstanding local schools.

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KFH Muswell Hill 020 8883 0123 www.kfh.co.uk

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APARTMENTS ON HAMPSTEAD’S PRESTIGIOUS FITZJOHN’S AVENUE No. 79 is a new development of two and three bedroom apartments on Hampstead’s prestigious Fitzjohn’s Avenue. A spiral staircase leads down to the spa, where glass walls look out onto the courtyard. The spa has a sauna, steam room and hydrotherapy pool, as well as a treatment room.

Prices from £2,500,000 | Now taking reservations

Call 02039 362 975 to find out more and to register your interest Visit pegasuslife.co.uk/fitzjohns

North: Wilmslow London: Hampstead, Purley, Westminster FITZJOHN'S.indd 1

East: Harpenden, Sevenoaks West: Bath, Bristol, Cheltenham, Tetbury, Seaford

South: Brockenhurst, Canford Cliffs, Falmouth, Portishead, Seaford, Woking 10/10/2018 11:06

Did you know?

70% of all prime London developments are for sale with Knight Frank.

Kingwood at 55 Hans Place, Knightsbridge: a development by Finchatton

Register with us for the widest choice of exceptional new homes. We’d love to help you.

Contact Rupert des Forges, Head of Prime Central London Developments, on +44 20 3463 0234

knightfrank.co.uk Statistic based on developments that Knight Frank are directly mandated on in London zone 1 at an average list price in excess of ÂŁ2,000/sq ft.

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15/10/2018 15/10/2018 16:12 11:38

Donate any unwanted winter coats to help keep vulnerable Londoners warm Drop off your winter coats at any Chestertons branch this November Find your nearest branch on chestertons.com Please only do so whilst the branch is open.

All coats in clean and good condition are welcome.

#Igavewarmly

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NOW SHOWING NEW HOMES AT FILMWORKS Ealing’s thrilling new lifestyle quarter Filmworks features a stunning collection of art-deco inspired 1, 2 & 3 bedroom apartments and penthouses, ideally located in the heart of Ealing. The new homes will be centred around a vibrant new piazza, home to an impressive eight-screen Picturehouse cinema and an exciting mix of bars and restaurants.

Prices from ÂŁ529,950* Take centre stage, enquire now 020 8023 7268 or email sales@filmworks-ealing.co.uk www.filmworks-ealing.co.uk Proud to be a member of the Berkeley Group of companies

*Prices and details correct at time of going to press. Computer generated images are indicative only.

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LIVING THE

DREAM The most luxuriously appointed properties on the market

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INGRAM AVENUE N W 1 1 , ÂŁ P OA

REDINGTON ROAD N W 3 , ÂŁ 7,9 5 0,0 0 0

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KNIGHT FRANK

KNIGHT FRANK

Hampstead, +44 20 7317 7956 sarah.james@knightfrank.com

Hampstead, +44 20 7317 7956 sarah.james@knightfrank.com

stunning, newly built, detached home of approximately 14,358 sq. ft. situated on a lovely leafy street in Hampstead Garden Suburb.

This majestic property backs onto Turners Wood Bird Sanctuary and offers luxurious living throughout. Comprising a master bedroom, with a dressing room and en suite bathroom as well as five further bedrooms, all offering en suite bathrooms.

uilt in 2006, from the conceptual design of John McAslan, a stunning contemporary home positioned on one of the most sought after roads in Hampstead. This exceptional residence has been meticulously designed and extends to approx. 3,988sq. ft.

Predominantly arranged over two floors with a roof terrace which enjoys views of the landscaped gardens.

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PROPERTY • NEW TO THE MARKET

HIGHGATE HILL N 1 9, £ 1 ,1 5 0,0 0 0

T CALABRIA ROAD

CHATTERTON ROAD N 4 , £ P OA

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his breathtaking duplex penthouse apartment on Highgate Hill is the pinnacle of contemporary living. Finished to an exceptional standard with a 24 hour concierge, the apartment boasts two double bedrooms with en-suite bathrooms, a large reception area and stunning panoramic views over the London skyline. Situated close to Archway and Upper Holloway stations.

his exceptional house has been extensively renovated and extended by the current owners to the highest of standards and genuinely offers the perfect home on a desirable tree-lined street in Highbury. The property has been tastefully decorated throughout and seamlessly blends the best contemporary materials whilst sympathetically improving upon the classic Victorian design.

KFH

WINKWORTH

Highgate, 020 8341 6666 kfh.co.uk

Highbury, 020 7989 7000 highbury@winkworth.co.uk

N 5, O I E O £9 0 0,0 0 0

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charming two double bedroom maisonette is now available to buy in one of the most sought-after roads in Highbury.

Comprising of two bathrooms, a stunning double reception room and kitchen/breakfast room, along with bi-folding doors leading to a charming patio garden.

Conveniently located moments from the idyllic Highbury Fields and Highbury & Islington underground and train stations.

AN EXCEPTIONAL, CONTEMPORARY HOME ON ONE OF THE MOST SOUGHT AFTER ROADS IN HAMPSTEAD

KFH

Islington, 020 7226 2487 kfh.co.uk

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Passions don’t retire.

Visit our show home to see more - by appointment only.

Discover the perfect place to spend time on the things you love at Hampstead Green Place.

Designed to foster creativity and wellbeing, this vibrant collection of 59 apartments is just a short stroll from the Heath. On site, you can relax in your private wellness centre including lap pool or simply enjoy the selection of local produce available in the cafe. Retirement never looked more enviable.

PRICES start from ÂŁ792,500

Exclusively for the over 60s

My life is for Living My address is Hampstead Green Place To experience Hampstead Green Place call Angela on 02079 808 729 PegasusLife.co.uk/HGP | Rowland Hill Street, Hampstead, London, NW3 2AD Destinations Nationwide: London: Hampstead, Purley, Westminster North: Wilmslow East: Harpenden, Sevenoaks West: Bath, Bristol, Cheltenham, Portishead, Tetbury South: Brockenhurst, Falmouth, Poole, Seaford, Woking

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Properties of character

14/11/2018 15:54

Visualisation of a three bedroom duplex apartment balcony overlooking Lewis Cubitt Park.

E X P ER I EN CE TH E D UA L CO L L ECTI O N Luma, King’s Cross boasts dual-aspect living – overlook the Persian-inspired Jellicoe Gardens to the east and the serene beauty of Lewis Cubitt Park to the west.

Contemporary apartments imagined by award-winning architects Squire & Partners and interior designers Conran and Partners.

Two and three bedroom apartments and penthouses available from £1,325,000*

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For more information contact: 020 7205 4964 lumakingscross.co.uk Experience our new Virtual Show Apartment at the Residential Marketing Suite: 14-15 Stable Street London N1C 4AB *Prices correct at time of going to print.

10:26 20/11/2018 09:07

Move This Autumn get back to what you love sooner by selling or letting with Knight Frank.

Knight Frank Islington 353 Upper Street London N1 0PD 020 8033 5441 islington@knightfrank.com @KF_NorthLondon

We’d love to help you. knightfrank.co.uk

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Connecting people & property, perfectly.

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