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FEB RUARY 2019

SWINGING

LONDON Revisiting the 1960s at the Fashion & Textile Museum

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28 Contents ABSOLUTELY

FEBRUARY 2019

96 12

C U LT U R E ABSOLUTELY LOVES

FOOD & DRINK 52 KITCHEN CONFIDENTIAL

AGENDA

56 RECIPES

SWINGING LONDON

INTERIORS 66 INTERIOR INSPIRATIONS

10 things we’re coveting this month

16

Diary dates for February

18

The Fashion and Textile Museum's new show

News from the industry

Vegan dishes for the uninitiated

News and views from the world of design

FA S H I O N 28 THE HOUR

68 THE FAMILY HOME

30 LOCKET LOVER

73 HUNG UP

How plus-size became fabulous

Create your own personal locket with this stylish new jewellery brand

H E A LT H & B E AU T Y 43 BEAUTY CONFIDENTIAL This month’s best beauty buys

41

SPA REVIEWS

Local massages tried and tested

52

Yoko Kloeden's design for family life

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.

Everyone wants a mobile on their ceiling

T R AV E L 96 SUMMER SLOPES Summer in Austria

PROPERTY 112 LIVING THE DREAM

The most luxurious London properties

ON THE COVER meandem.com

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

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EDITOR IN CHIEF PENDLE HARTE DIGITAL EDITOR HELEN BROWN EDUCATION EDITOR AMANDA CONSTANCE GROUP SALES DIRECTOR CRAIG DAVIES GROUP SALES MANAGER ANABELA KOLECI ART DIRECTOR PHIL COUZENS

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EDITORIAL ASSISTANT JADA DE CINQUE

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.

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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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5 LETTER YOKO KLOEDEN

Editor’s

ABSOLUTELY’S February issue highlights

1

THE HOUR LONDON

Beautiful clothes, in larger sizes. page 28

F

We wish she had designed our home. page 68

ebruary is widely agreed to be the most dismal of all months. It's dark, it's cold, there's no fun to be had.

And then there's Valentine's Day, which can go either way. It can cheer us up or it can make us feel worse.

A bottle of pink fizz, an earring or a little chocolate heart can sometimes be enough to renew one's faith in humanity, while the absence of these things can, on a bad day, be devastating. Still, we are featuring lots of delightful pink presents in these pages, along with other joyous things. There's the Fashion & Textile Museum's new exhibition, opening this month, which focuses on London in the 1960s, looking at fashion, design and culture with a large focus on Terence Conran and Mary Quant. We're hoping for an invitation to the opening party, which is rumoured to be fancy dress... also on the subject of clothes is a very contemporary phenomenon: actual stylish clothes for curvy women. We met a fascinating medic-turneddesigner who is pledging, with her brand The Hour London, to make larger clothes with tailoring and detail that we might actually want to wear. Interiors-wise we admire Laura Fulmine's small but perfectly formed apartment, and Yoko Kloeden's design for the ultimate family home. Enjoy February.

PENDLE HARTE EDITOR

2

SWINGING LONDON

Mary Quant rules the Fashion and Textile Museum page 18

4

THE CHOCOLATE LIBERTINE

Chcolate? Hearts? It must be Valentine's Day. page 39

3 VOLTA

Mobiles are the new obsession. page 73

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

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Wish LIST 10 things we Absolutely love

Natu ral wonde rs Zarvich is the fashion brand of the moment, specialising in demicouture and leather clothing. It’s the collective work of two designers who met while fi nishing their fashion design studies in Uruguay. Expect luxury pieces handmade from noble, natural materials. zarvich.com

SHUT EYE Featuring a bold floral print in hues of plush rose and poppy red and made from crease-free stretch silk, these Marianne Scarlet silk pyjamas are Yolke’s most sumptuous yet. £470; yolke.co.uk

VE LVET TOUCH Style up your look with these sumptuous velvet pouches from Graham and Green. Add to any outfit as a chic clutch purse, or use to hold makeup, stationery or other valuables. From £11.95; grahamandgreen.co.uk

SPIRITED SCENT Silent Pool Distillers have teamed up with Feather Edge to create a range of luxury, handcrafted candles inspired by the romantic botanicals used in Silent Pool Gin. Choose from citrus blends including Kaffi r Lime and Bergamot Orange. £30; silentpooldistillers.com

COMPILED BY

H E L E N B R OW N

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ABSOLUTELY • LOVES Sharp lines Buyer-turned-designer Racil Chalhoub takes inspiration from the smoking jackets she fell in love with as a young girl. Combining Savile Row materials with influences from her native Beirut, her collections feature sleek, sharp tailoring that will transcend the seasons. racil.com

EARN YOUR STRIPES The Get 'Em Girl maxi dress from Maggie Marilyn is made from ethicallyproduced silk-satin which is lowimpact on the environment. It’s a fun choice for a formal event or easily styled with trainers. £395; net-a-porter.com

EDITOR’S PICK

TAILOR-MADE Carolina Herrera’s Resort ‘19 collection takes inspiration from Palm Springs in the ‘60s. Tailored from wool in a shade named 'Flamingo', this blazer looks even more spectacular with the matching trousers. £2,319; net-a-porter.com

JET SET Say goodbye to winter blues with luxury accessory label, Tila March. The brand embraces a multitude of elegant yet practical handbag silhouettes as well as small leather accessories that will have you dreaming of some summer sun. £94; farfetch.com

HANDBAGS AT DAWN UNDER COVER Not content with merely shaking up the beauty market, Rihanna has turned her hand to our underwear drawers. Her Savage x Fenty lingerie is a celebration of the female form in all shapes and sizes. £43.99. zalando.co.uk

With its triangular silhouette and candy pink acrylic fi nish, The Kofo clutch bag from LarAllan is quite the statement-maker. Take yours from the office to the afterparty. £630; larallan.com

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

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C U LT U R E ANA JAKS, NOTTING HILL CARNIVAL; THE POSTER PRIZE FOR ILLUSTRATION 2019: LONDON STORIES; LTMUSEUM.CO.UK

What’s On 16 • Swinging London 18 • Top Theatre Picks 25 A B S O L U T E LY. L O N D O N

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The Agenda EX H IB ITIO N

MARGARET BROWN & ANNA KARINA, PARIS, 1960, JERRY SCHATZBERG © JERRY SCHATZBER

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

The Dior Collection

From 7 February PROUD CENTRAL Spanning 1947 to the present day, this unmissable exhibition traces the history of one of the 20th century’s most influential couturiers through the lenses of four photographers. With a remarkable selection of designs, The Dior Collection explores Dior's enduring influence and its impact on the fashion world. 32 John Adam Street; WC2N; proud.co.uk

T H E AT R E

THE TRICK F RO M 19 F E B RUA RY • BUS H THEATRE

Mira’s husband, Jonah, died seven months ago, but she's not ready to let him go. She knows she should be moving on. And yet, Mira finds herself caring less and less about the world outside.

The Trick is a magic show about the parts of life we don’t talk about – the realities of getting older and coming to terms with loss. Ghosts, goldfish, mediums, and sleight-of-hand collide in this unpredictable exploration of ageing and grief.

7 Uxbridge Road, W12; bushtheatre.co.uk

16

T H E AT R E

The Lady from the Sea

From 8 February C O R O N E T AT T H E P R I N T R O O M Ellida, a lighthouse keeper’s daughter, was born where the fjord meets the ocean.

Now trapped in a difficult marriage, she longs for the open sea. Will the return of a former lover offer her a real choice? A story of self-determination and modern families, The Lady from the Sea was shocking in its challenge of societal norms when it premiered in 1889. 103 Notting Hill Gate, W11; the-print-room.org

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ARTEFACT II SPIRAL BY VICKY HIGGINSON PHOTO BY TONY HAY - EXHIBITED BY CRAFT SCOTLAND

CULTURE • TALKING TOPICS

AROUND

TOWN

EX H IB ITIO N

COLLECT 2019

T H E AT R E

28 February - 3 March S A AT C H I G A L L E R Y The 15th edition of Collect: The International Art Fair for Modern Craft and Design returns to the Saatchi Gallery for four days jam-packed with 40 galleries selling the work of over 400 artists. Alongside the galleries, Collect Open returns providing a platform for 15 individual artists to show ambitious and conceptual craft-led installations.

Duke of York’s HQ; King’s Road, SW3; collect2019.org.uk

CIRQUE DU SOLEIL: TOTEM Until 26 February R OYA L A L B E R T H A L L Cirque du Soleil is back with another spectacular showcase of jaw-dropping circus acts and high-flying acrobatics. Totem takes its audience on an exhilarating journey into the evolution of mankind.

Kensington Gore, SW7; royalalberthall.com

A TIME FOR NEW DREAMS

This Month’s Must See

Until 16 February SERPENTINE GALLERIES Recognised as one of the most innovative designers of her generation, Grace Wales Bonner is a cultural polymath, who sees fashion as a means to explore ideas of identity and self-expression. Grace Wales Bonner: A Time for New Dreams is permeated with themes of mysticism and ritual which explore magical resonances within black culture.

Kensington Gardens, W2; serpentinegalleries.org

GRACE WALES BONNER, SPIRITUALS II, PHOTOGRAPH BY JAMIE MORGAN

EX H I B I T ION

OUT OF THIS WORLD F RO M 5 F E B RUARY • STEPHEN FRIEDMAN GALLERY

T

his month the Stephen Friedman Gallery will bring together a group of international female artists who are currently shaping the language of figuration to explore how each artist taps into the ethereal realms of fantasy, dreams and the unconscious mind to contest preconceived notions of gender and identity.

CI N E M A

SECRET CINEMA: CASINO ROYALE From 29 May T I C K E TS O N SA L E N OW Tickets are selling like hotcakes for Secret Cinema's hugely-anticipated take on Casino Royale. A secret location will be transformed into the glamorous and action-packed world of the iconic British spy, bringing to life its awe-inspiring scenes and locations. secretcinema.org

C E L E B R AT I O N

CHINESE NEW YEAR IN LONDON 5 February C H I N AT O W N & THE WEST END As usual, Chinese New Year will be one of the most exciting events in London’s calendar. Join in the spectacular celebrations - the largest outside of Asia - and see the colourful parade, watch free performances and marvel at the pyrotechnics displays.

25-28 Old Burlington Street, Mayfair, W1S; stephenfriedman.com

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

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THE SWINGING

CITY London in the 1960s is the subject of a new exhibition at the Fashion and Textile Museum. Absolutely has a preview Wo r d s E V E H E R B E R T Illustration PHIL COUZENS

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ARTS & CULTURE • PREVIEW

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

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Model wearing Pattern No. 3288, set against the Houses of Parliament. Taken from the feature announcing the launch of Quant’s designs for Butterick Paper patterns, August 1964. Photo by John Walcott. Image(s) taken from Conran/ Quant: Swinging London: A Lifestyle Revolution, published by ACC Art Books.

ARTS & CULTURE • PREVIEW

The flat of Colin St John Wilson, architect of the British Library, 1952, with furniture by Terence Conran.

Photo by Michael Wickham. Copyright Denny Wickham. Image(s) taken from Conran/Quant: Swinging London: A Lifestyle Revolution, published by ACC Art Books.

S

winging London: A Lifestyle Revolution presents the fashion, design and art of the Chelsea Set, a group of radical young architects, designers, photographers and artists who were redefining the concept of youth and challenging the established order in 1950s London. At the forefront of this group of young revolutionaries were Mary Quant and Terence Conran.

Spanning the period from 1952 – 1977, the exhibition includes fashion, textiles, furniture, lighting, homewares, ceramics and ephemera, exploring not only the style but the socio-economic importance of this transformative period. Key pieces include rare and early examples of designs

by Conran and Quant, plus the avantgarde artists, designers and intellectuals who worked alongside them, such as designers Bernard and Laura Ashley, sculptor Eduardo Paolozzi and artist and photographer Nigel Henderson. PVC coats, OP Art and Space Age dresses by Mary Quant are seen alongside the early smocks, textile designs and dresses of Laura and Bernard Ashley and the modern wicker, steel and glass furniture of Terence Conran.

The exhibition also includes the textiles, ceramics and furniture of Eduardo Paolozzi and Nigel Henderson, who were founding members of the Independent Group and together created innovative designs under their company, Hammer Prints, set up in 1954.

The exhibition spotlights not only the design of the period, but also the creation of trailblazing shopping experiences from Mary Quant’s rebellious London boutique ‘Bazaar’ (opened in 1955) to Terence Conran’s Habitat (opened in 1964). These shops were not just about

Mary Quant by Vic Singh, c.1961. Courtesy of a Private Collection.

designing for a new youth generation, but also promoting a new way of shopping and living. With Bazaar, Quant irreversibly altered the traditional approach to fashion design and retailing and outraged the all-powerful French fashion establishment.

With Habitat, Conran created a retail environment that was a total work of art; ‘a Gesamntkunstwerk’, combining the theatre of The Chelsea Set’s London, with the relatively new phenomenon of ‘serve yourself’, supermarket-style shopping.

The influence of France (Conran first visited in 1953) can be seen in Conran’s informal, light and bright styling, with merchandise piled high, reminiscent of

the hustle and bustle of a colourful street market. Early designs by Quant for Bazaar are plain, unadorned and unstructured; simple pinafores with dropped waistlines often worn with coloured stockings. A remarkable cotton, red and white Broderie Anglaise lounging ensemble by Quant (1955/56), will be shown alongside a range of furniture, fabrics, enamelware and ephemera from the first days of Habitat.

In order to spotlight not just the fashion, but the lifestyle and design of the time, Swinging London: A Lifestyle Revolution is presented in the form of detailed tableaus.

During the mid 1950s, the increasing availability of inexpensive foreign package holidays and of films with exotic European settings inspired the eruption of coffee bars, bistros and other such distinctly continental establishments on British high streets.

Throughout the exhibition, individual sets are inspired by these new and exciting continental trends, utilising fashion, furniture, textiles, ceramics and more to highlight how changes in social attitude intertwined with new ways of shopping, to create the designs that are now synonymous with 1960s life.

There’s also an insight into the lesserknown early work of Laura and Bernard Ashley, whose ideas were influencing culture long before their iconic florals.

Bernard Ashley’s textile design, Jazz Players, was probably the first example of a ‘Pop’ textile, whilst Laura’s simple hardwearing striped smocks, aprons and the easy to wear ‘basic dress’ would go on to become design classics. Furnishing fabrics

by Laura and Bernard Ashley will be shown alongside ceramics by W.R Midwinter, jewellery by Wendy Ramshaw, textiles

by David Whitehead, lighting by Bernard Schottlander, untouched makeup palettes and accessories by Mary Quant and myriad other ephemera, which will together create a comprehensive insight into the period.

SWINGING LONDON A Lifestyle Revolution runs from 8 February to 2 June at the Fashion and Textile Museum, 83 Bermondsey Street, SE1 ftmlondon.org

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

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THEATRE • REVIEW

ABSOLUTELY reviews…

Cirque du Soleil: Totem At spectacular showcase of circusy at Royal Albert Hall B y H E L E N B R OW N

T

he circus is back in town with a spectacular celebration of humanity in all its forms. On an island evoking a giant turtle, Cirque du Soleil’s Totem traces the incredible journey of humankind from amphibian state to the present day - by way of an astonishing feat of flexibility, slick choreography, high-flying acrobats and gravity-defying circusy. Featuring Neanderthals, Cro-Magnons, primates and a couple of Speedo-clad beach machos, Totem depicts a world of archetypal characters, who, in each their own way, tease out the perennial, existential questions of life.

The opening instantly captivates as a spangled man descends from the hall’s highest point. With slow grace, he twists and

The magic of circus reasserts itself: the most difficult things look easy turns his way to the stage in an impressive exhibition of flexibility. What follows is a smooth transition into tribal dancing, elemental drum rolling and a world created with a handful of hoops.

The atmosphere is exciting; the music is dynamic – loud and Africa-inspired – and because this is the circus, evolution happens at breakneck speed. Next onto the stage comes the cohort of vain men in neon swimming trunks, kissing their own biceps and throwing a frisbee. This is an enjoyable

take on Cirque's clowns: these macho idiots, nonchalant in their sunglasses, swing on ropes to impress a woman who, with her skills on the trapeze, proves more than a match for either of them.

The set switches to welcome a frieze of girls on unicycles who flip golden bowls at each other from their heads. It's Mother Earth performing the ultimate balancing act. In this impressive performance, and elsewhere throughout the show, the magic of circus reasserts itself: the most difficult things look easy. But Cirque du Soleil’s performers are so audacious there is always the risk you will take their courage for granted. One of the most enjoyable acts is on the fixed trapeze, where a man and woman have an unusually close encounter.

The scene benefits from having a semblance of a narrative. Each act makes the audience believe they're watching the most impressive yet, but the 'ooh's and aah's build as the show goes in. It culminates with a final exploration into human flight as a troop of cosmonauts defeat the notion of gravity on bendy bars that throw them through the space above the stage. To conclude, all performers come together monkeys and all - for a final dance, before the spangled, silver man returns – inevitably and beautifully – to close the show.

VERDICT

Dazzling, daring and dramatic. ★★★★★ C I R Q U E D U S O L E I L : TOT E M UNTIL 26 FEBRUARY Royal Albert Hall, Kensington Gore, SW7;

royalalberthall.com

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LONDON CHILDREN’S BALLET presents

Ballet Shoes Based on Noel Streatfeild’s timeless novel

4-7 JULY

London Children’s Ballet’s stunning production of Ballet Shoes comes to the Peacock Theatre this July. Ballet Shoes is the enduring tale of the determined Fossil sisters, Pauline, Petrova and Posy, who vow to put their family name in the history books. Through Madame Fidolia’s School of Performing Arts, they enter an exciting world full of ups and downs, learning important lessons about life and themselves on the way. Ballet Shoes is filled with inspiring characters, beautiful choreography and is a sure-fire hit for the whole family.

London Children’s Ballet is a performance company and charity that has been developing beautiful full-length ballets in the West End for 25 years. With allchild companies packed full of potential future dance stars, the productions are the perfect way to introduce children to ballet, set to the music of a live orchestra.

Through the creation of original West End ballet productions, LCB gives talented young dancers from all backgrounds the chance to be part of a professional ballet company.

“Until last week I had never seen a children's production.

My baptism was wonderful thanks to the London Children's Ballet.”

Clare Balding

“Absolutely enchanting performance from the London Children’s Ballet…

Amazing children. Wonderful Show.”

Stephen Fry

“…you have to pinch yourself to believe this was a children’s show.”

4 July Première Gala Tickets from £45 020 8969 1555 londonchildrensballet.com

5-7 July Tickets £14 - £65* 020 7863 8222 peacocktheatre.com

Photo © Pedro Ferrer

Independent on Sunday

*£3 transaction fee applies for phone and online bookings. No charge in person at Ticket Office.

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CULTURE • THEATRE

ROUND UP

Best in 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

MUST SEE

All About Eve From 2 February

NOEL COWARD THEATRE

Starring Gillian Anderson and Lily James, All About Eve is the chilling story of female jealousy and ambition made famous as the 1950 classic Bette Davis film. Directed by Olivier award-winning Ivo Van Hove and with new music by PJ Harvey, the play asks why our fascination with celebrity, youth and identity never seems to get old.

85-88 St Martin’s Lane, WC2N; allabouteveplay.com

Home, I’m Darling Ongoing

DUKE OF YORK'S THEATRE

Every couple needs a little fantasy to keep their marriage sparkling. But behind the gingham curtains, things start to unravel, and being a domestic goddess is not as easy as it seems.

Katherine Parkinson of The IT Crowd and Humans fame plays Judy in this piercingly funny new comedy about one woman’s quest to be the perfect 1950's housewife. Upper Ground, Lambeth, SE1; national theatre.org.uk

Nine Night

NINE NIGHT

Until 9 February

TRAFALGAR STUDIOS

Natasha Gordon takes to the stage in the role of Lorraine as her debut play transfers from the National Theatre.

Gloria is gravely sick. When her time comes, the celebration begins; the traditional Jamaican Nine Night Wake.

But for her family, marking her death with a party is a test. Nine Night is a touching and funny exploration of the rituals of family by way of nine rum-fuelled nights of music, food and storytelling. 14 Whitehall, Westminster, SW1A; atgtickets.com

Only Fools & Horses: The Musical

Waitress

From 8 February ADELPHI THEATRE

Waitress is the toe-tapping musical adaptation of the hit 2017 film of the same name. It follows Jenna played

by Katharine McPhee, a small-town waitress trapped in an abusive marriage but dreaming of escape - which she seeks to effect by winning the big bucks in a pie-making contest.

Strand, WC2R; waitressthemusical.co.uk

ONLY FOOLS & HORSES: THE MUSICAL

From 9 February

THEATRE ROYAL HAYMARKET

John Sullivan’s iconic Only Fools and Horses has been turned into a brand new West End musical spectacular. With a script and original score by John’s son, Jim Sullivan and comedy giant Paul Whitehouse, prepare to get reacquainted with Britain’s most loveable rogues and experience the classic comedy brought to life once again through 20 ingenious and hilarious songs. 18 Suffolk Street, SW1Y; onlyfoolsmusical.com

WAITRESS

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FASHION

BEST DRESSED ZA RV I C H

Zarvich’s embroidered tulle dress is part of the delicate and conceptual SS19 collection from this Uruguayan label. zarvich.com

Curvy fashion from The Hour London 28 · The shoot: individual jewellery 30 A B S O L U T E LY. L O N D O N

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Q&A

curve LEARNING

Absolutely meets Nana Rasoeva, whose brand The Hour London is redefining the world of plus-size fashion W o r d s P E A R L B OY D

N I founded the brand to liberate women like myself with more options 28

ana Rasoeva found luxury plus size women’s clothing uninspiring, which prompted her to launch a collection of elevated essentials.

As a trained doctor, Nana has empathy and an understanding of the female form. This proved invaluable when she launched her second career, dedicated to creating wardrobe solutions for curvy women. Nana studied patternmaking and design at London College of Fashion. Together with one of the industry’s most experienced luxury pattern cutters she devised a way of using her knowledge to create clothes that are empowering and lend confidence. Honed to perfectly serve women with curves, the brand focuses on elegant, beautifully executed designs.

Q Plus size isn’t normally design-led. Why is this? How are you making it work?

A I strongly believe that style is about expressing yourself, and making sure you look

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

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FASHION • Q&A

I am not afraid of creating a strong silhouette or adding a bit of flounce that involves ingenious pattern cutting techniques and a preference for French seams. Finish is also hugely important. We use textures that feel soft and unrestrictive against the skin such as silk, viscose and wool mixes of the finest quality.

Q You used to be a doctor – we’ve never encountered a doctor-turned- fashion designer before. How did this come about?

A I started out as a gynaecologist and obstetrics doctor. After having my third child I put my career on hold and dedicated my time raising my boys and, as sometimes happens when you are a busy mum, I went up a couple of dress sizes. This, inadvertently, led me in a new direction. I have studied patternmaking and design at London College of Fashion. Together with one of the industry’s most experienced luxury pattern cutters I devised a way of using my knowledge to create clothes that are empowering and lend confidence.

Q Were you always interested in fashion?

In my early years I always had an interest in art and fashion. I had a good eye for proportions and my friends would always ask for my help and advice in putting outfits together.

Q What has feedback been like so far?

A Our customers were delighted to find us

and feel great regardless of size or age.I found plus size women’s clothing uninspiring, often shapless and made of cheap polyester. The more I continued to try and shop for luxury plus-size clothes, the more I realised they were nearly non-existent. I founded the brand to liberate women like myself with more options.

I am not afraid of creating a strong silhouette or adding a bit of flounce. I think that sometimes women with curvy shapes are afraid of adding any volume anywhere, but it’s precisely a bit of volume in the right places - such as on the sleeve - that brings balance to the overall look.

because the choices for plus size clothing are so limited. They are emailing back to thank us for the quality of the clothes and for all the compliments they are receiving when wearing The Hour. We are getting repeat orders from our loyal customers from the UK, Europe, US and Middle East (they sometimes order two of the same item). We count Dawn French as our celebrity customer, she loved our Square Neck Dress.

thehourlondon.com

Q How do you approach tailoring?

A Precision, proportion and careful

sculpting have helped us put shape back into plus size women’s clothing. We are adept at cutting for curves whether it’s balancing proportions or shaping the waist to accentuate the sweeping arc of the female form. Ours is a bespoke approach A B S O L U T E LY. L O N D O N

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CHARM SCHOOL WHEN YOU CREATE YOUR OWN LOCKET , THE RESULTS ARE AS INDIVIDUAL AS YOU ARE LO Q U E T LO N D O N .CO M

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Discover the home of gift lists.

Townhouse now open, 312 Fulham Road.

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FASHION • Q&A

Q&A

True

BLUE Absolutely meets Nina Decker, Creative Director of Lazul W o r d s P E A R L B OY D

fabrics and silk that are non-transparent.

All of our prints are truly special and reflect the special identity of Lazul and our unusual inspirations.

NINA DECKER

Q Your family background involves swimwear. Tell us about that?

A My family business is producing and supplying swim and resortwear, as well as ready-to-wear (woven fabrics primarily).

We offer what is called a full service or fully factured product, and our services range from design, product development, sourcing, manufacturing and shipping. We specialise in very high quality products and all pieces are made in house in our factory in Portugal which we set up 35 years ago.

We are working primarily with high-end designer brands from Europe and the UK. Q What led you to design your own collection?

A I wanted swimwear that is design-led but with a really good fit, and with interesting details to create a statement look. I like working with shapes that have heritage and are inspired by the 70s - triangle, bandeaus, plunge necklines - and add an element of playfulness and femininity to the styles. I have been obsessed with silk fabrics since a young age so I wanted to create a resort collection that will offer day-toevening pieces that one could pack and use for the daytime at the beach or boat, and really dress up in the evening, hence I used

Q What characterises Lazul?

A Attention to detail, craftsmanship,

longevity, quality, hand-drawn prints, an unconventional approach to design. We are known for our unusual features such as metal charms, tassels and rope ties.

Q Why the name?

A Lapis lazuli is my lucky stone.

What are your best-selling pieces?

A Our kaftans and silk dresses are very popular and loved by mega influencers such as Rocky Barnes and Victoria from In the Frow. We have a number of classic Lazul swimwear styles which each season continue to sell out. In particular the Cameron, Phoenix and Nubia styles.

Q What’s your own personal favourite from the collection?

A My favourites are always kaftans, the playfulness of the silk around a female body is so chic. And they are fun to wear.

Dress them up with clutches, turbans and heels, dress them down with flats and shades.

LAZUL Stockists include Harrods and Selfridges.

The complete collection is available at

lazul-london.com

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

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www.thecouturegallery.com

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FASHION • VALENTINE

DRAJEE Gold arrow drop earrings, £200 drajee.com

CHOCOLATE LIBERTINE Chocolate heart lolly, £4.49 selfridges.com

VICTORIA CATOR La Vie en Rose candle, £55 victoriacator.com

EDITOR’S PICK JO MALONE LONDON Valentine's day floral box, £140; selfridges.com

NATIVE UNION CLIC Terrazzo iPhone X case, £50; conranshop.co.uk

TIFFANY Ball wire bracelet, £1,400 tiffany.co.uk

I HEART YOU

DIPTYQUE Centifolia, £53 diptyqueparis.com

POMMERY Brut Rose Royal gift box, £47.99 ocado.com

Valentine’s gifts galore

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

SNIPH Valentine's giftbox , £25 sniph.co.uk

HARVEY NICHOLS I Heart Emoji U Chocolate Box, £17.95 harveynichols.com

BLOOM AND WILD Wild at Heart letterbox flowers, £34 bloomandwild.com

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

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HEALTH & BEAUTY

CHANCE EAU TENDRE CHANEL

With Chance Eau Tendre eau de parfum, Chanel perfumer Olivier Polge reinterprets the floral-fruity signature in a bold and intense adaptation. More feminine than ever, its floral heart accentuates the fullness of exotic jasmine absolute, enriched with an essence of rose. chanel.co.uk

Beauty Notes 43 • Spa special – the best massages 47 • Ask the experts 49 A B S O L U T E LY. L O N D O N

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SCULPT YOUR BODY & MIND Come to class and feel the change Empower yourself with our Barrecore Method. Our expert barre teachers help exhaust and lenghten every major muscle group of your body in a safe, efficient and effective way. Join our warm and welcoming community today, and start feeling the change.

Quote “absolutebarre� for a free pair of grippy socks with your first class in any of our London studios - Chelsea, Mayfair, Notting Hill, Hampstead, Kensington, Moorgate, Chiswick, Wandsworth or Wimbledon.

barrecore.co.uk

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HEALTH & BEAUTY • NOTES

BEAUTY NOTES

Skin scrubs, sultry new scents and a skin palette with a difference B y H E L E N B R OW N

Lorena Öberg

TIME TO MOVE

Perfecting the pout with dermal fillers

FRASER PT

Qualified sports therapist, nutrition coach and PT, Fraser spent 20 years competing in combat sports but for the last 10 has turned his hand to helping people on their own fitness journeys. A health kick shouldn’t be limited to the weeks postChristmas so book in now to get those wellness goals underway. fraserpt.com

EDITOR’S PICK

A WITHOUT A TRACE TO M F O R D

This hydrating foundation from Tom Ford glides on effortlessly for blendable, buildable coverage. Portable and precise, the Traceless Foundation Stick is always beautifully natural and with nine brand new shades added to the line, is set to be the most undetectable thing you’ll put on your face this year. £66;

BRUSH AWAY TRUTHBRUSH

Every year over a billion plastic toothbrushes are thrown away worldwide, ending up in landfill, in the sea or washed up on our beaches. Created from 100% biodegradable organic bamboo and dipped in REACH approved paint, the Truthbrush makes a stylish and guilt-free addition to your bathroom shelf. £4;

tomford.co.uk

few years ago, the very notion of plastic surgery was taboo. Now it seems more and more people are on the hunt for a tweak here or an enhancement there. Procedures that give no down time, are less invasive and quicker to perform are on the up.

We wanted to discover more about the quick-fixes and ‘tweakments’ changing the face of the industry. I’m at Lorena Öberg’s private clinic on Harley Street to see Lorena herself about dermal lip fillers. A world-renowned Skin Repair Expert, CEO and Founder of Lorena Öberg Skincare, I know I'm in good hands. She is an advocate in safetyfirst when it comes to non-invasive cosmetic treatments. Lorena tells me there are several types of filler on the market and different ones result in different looks. Lorena will be using Juverderm Vycross for a naturallooking plumped lip. The treatment is quick and completely pain-free. Lorena applies a mild anaesthetic cream to the area, followed by a dental block.

Next, an incredibly fine needle is used to inject the filler. It takes no time at all and Lorena is meticulous in stepping back every few moments to assess the overall look. I see the results instantly and am very happy with them – my lips look pillowy soft but Lorena’s work is subtle. I hear that bruising can occur but I experience none and am thrilled with my new look. I can see why treatments like this become addictive and I would happily book in again.

LO R E N A Ö B E R G , 1 Harley Street, W1G 9QD

lorenaoberg.co.uk

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

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ABSOLUTELY • PROMOTION

Fit CAMP A health kick isn't just for January. Here's how you can look your best all year round

COCO NAIL BAR Lipofirm Pro technology is clinically proven to work by uniquely combining two technologies TriLipo Radiofrequency and TriLipo Dynamic Muscle Activation. Working simultaneously using a single applicator, they create a synergistic effect that delivers non-invasive fat removal and lymphatic drainage, as well as skin tightening. Prices start from £30 for the neck and £100 for the body. coconailbar.com

DR RABIA MALIK Are you tired of feeling like you need to wear foundation every day?

If skin tone and texture are your main concerns, or if you are looking to put together a holistic skin care regime, consider seeing Dr Rabia Malik at Grace Belgravia Medical. Dr Rabia specialises in non-invasive and non-injectable skin solutions and is renowned for helping her patients go ‘foundation-free’. drrabiamalik.com

SOPHIES FITNESS

Sophie Dear is a London yoga teacher helping people find health, happiness and balance. Three years ago Sophie swapped the brutal hours of an Assistant Director in TV for a more nourishing lifestyle.

Sophie’s classes are down to earth, creative, fun and inspiring. Sophie is running a retreat to Portugal from 8 – 12 May: 5 days of yoga, nutritious food (and local wine) and a chance to feel fully recharged. sophie@sophiesfitness.co.uk

FORM STUDIOS It only takes 21 days to form a new habit...

Start 2019 as you mean to go on, and make your body your greatest investment.

FORM, a multi award-winning boutique pilates and fitness studio offers small group classes and personal training. Based in Notting Hill and drawing folk from far and wide, classes span the signature PUREcore and SWEATcore, (a Pilates hybrid), Aerial yoga, Barre Plus, TRX, Boxing and HIIT. Feeling invincible is a given. formstudios.co.uk

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

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HEALTH & BEAUTY • SPAS

CLOUD TWELVE

RUB

DOWN We've tried and tested two marvellous massages.

You're welcome

Ushvani Cloud Twelve

C

B y E N X H I KO L E C I

loud Twelve is a wellness and lifestyle club in the heart of Notting Hill. A sanctuary for all members of the family, it offers a spa, salon, brasserie and wellness clinic as well as an interactive play zone for children, all under one roof.

Upon entering I am taken upstairs where my therapist greets me. She shows me the spa, which boasts a combination of massage, steam, sauna, and himalayan salt rooms to achieve ultimate physical and mental relaxation. The interior is calming and everything smells divine. The massage begins with three deep breaths over the Tranquility Oil - a blend of amaranth and essential oils which allows for an immediate alleviation of stress and tension. April starts at my feet, moves onto my back, legs and finally arms. She is very thorough, ensuring every inch of skin is massaged, and any muscle tensions are worked away. By the end of the massage I feel totally zen and my body feels ultra relaxed yet rejuvenated. All in all, it is a very pleasant and relaxing experience; you really do forget you are still in London.

I

B y F LO R A T H O M A S

n a grand Edwardian town house in Chelsea, you’ll find a heavy carved wooden door hiding a tranquil oasis.

First and foremost a private spa, Ushvani oozes exclusivity from the outset. The place is all dark wood, speaking to its Malaysian theme, although both Malaysian and Balinese massages are on offer. My shoes are whisked away and replaced with flip flops before I’m lead to the changing room, which is reminiscent of a fitting room in a designer clothes shop. You can choose between ninety minutes and two hours for the massage. Pressed for time, I plump for an hour and a half, a decision I quickly regret. I could happily have stayed for two hours or more. Balinese massages are fullbody, deep-tissue treatments; they involve a variety of techniques like skin rolling, kneading and pressure-point stimulation (all of which mean it’s unlikely you’ll fall asleep).

The treatment room is clean, warm and smells amazing. It’s the small things which make all the difference, like a heated bed and music which straddles the fine line

between elevator-music and whale sounds.

My masseuse is direct and professional, ensuring I feel confident to ask her to adjust the pressure. She works methodically on my back, legs, feet, arms and hands, before requesting I turn over. I wasn’t expecting my stomach to by massaged, and I’m glad I hadn't eaten for a few hours otherwise it might have felt a bit odd. The hour and a half flies by but I reluctantly accept my time is up, redress and head upstairs to be greeted with a cup of hibiscus tea. It dawns on me that while the tea is nice, it affords me the chance to wake up from my zen-like stupor, for which I’m grateful. I’d highly recommend the treatment and urge anyone in need of relaxation to visit Ushvani.

Balinese Massage, 90 minutes £180 1 Cadogan Gardens, SW3 2RJ ushvani.com USHVANI

Aromatherapy Massage, 60 minutes £100; 2-5 Colville Mews, W11 2DA cloudtwelve.co.uk A B S O L U T E LY. L O N D O N

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L O N D O N

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HEALTH & BEAUTY • ADVICE

Q&A

Ask the EXPERTS Absolutely seeks out wisdom from the area’s most trusted sources

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

Q I don’t need a personal trainer, right?

A If you’re thinking about getting into shape, you may have wondered about the benefits of a personal trainer. But is it worth the investment? Surely you could do it yourself. How hard can it be?

There are plenty of reasons why you might think you can avoid the cost of a

personal trainer. If you’re self-motivated and know your way around the gym, you might feel you can achieve your fitness goals alone. After all, there are a load of free training and nutrition programmes online. And if you’re worried about technique, there’s always YouTube or a fitness app. Even if you buy some kit, it’ll still be cheaper in the long run. So, what’s the problem? The problem with this is that you’re unique. With one-toone support from a fitness professional, you’ll get a safe and precisely tailored programme and an ally who gets to know you and who gives you live feedback. The second consideration is that no amount of self-motivation can replace the structure of a training regime with an expert monitoring your accountability and progress.

All this means that you’re far more likely to achieve your goals working with a personal trainer. You’ll get there quicker, and reduce the risk of injury.

DR KHAN

Co-founder of the leading Harley Street Skin clinic harleystreetskinclinic.com

Q How can I tackle those stubborn pockets of fat which never quite go away, despite concerted efforts to diet and exercise?

A The new Onda Coolwaves treatment makes use of concentrated microwave energy to sculpt fatty tissue, creating smoother contours by channelling direct heat. These microwaves bypass the uppermost layers of skin tissue, helping deliver more energy directly to where it is needed: the subcutaneous fat cells.

This helps dramatically reduce the heating of the surface tissue, resulting in a safer, more effective non-invasive body shaping treatment.

The system is available as a course of four short sessions. Unlike liposuction, it is possible to undertake a lunchtime session as there is no general anaesthetic, no pain and no bruising.

Progress is steady, with results already visible after the first, comfortable treatment.

Sessions typically only take between 10 and 20 minutes, depending on individual requirements. Just 10 minutes of Onda can offer astonishing improvements, some seeing reductions in as much as 2-4 inches. Treatment is perfectly comfortable, highly effective and best of all – permanent.

This is a wonder treatment with incredible, instant results. However, I must make the point that nutrition and lifestyle changes in conjunction with this procedure are the ultimate prescription for a trim and healthy future.

Onda begins at £500 for one session, or £1,200 for a course of four.

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

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LISA’S KITCHEN & BAR

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FOOD & DRINK

KRICKET WHITE CITY

Stylish Indian eaterie Kricket has launched its latest installation in the iconic Television Centre. It’s the largest to date and does not disappoint. kricket.co.uk

Food Notes 52 • Recipies 56 • Food Review 62 A B S O L U T E LY. L O N D O N

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WHAT TO DRINK

GRAPE news

TASTING NOTES

London’s food news and most exciting openings this February

By FLORA THOMAS

Wine recommendations for the month

By BERRY BROS. AND RUDD

2017 Côtes du Rhône Rouge  £11.45 Made with exclusively organic grapes, the wine displays real purity of dark-berried fruit, with subtle spicy notes and a black-olive twist that is so typical of this region. Its juicy fruit core is wonderfully balanced by refreshing acidity and crunchy, chalky tannins.

2016 Bourgogne Aligoté  £18.50 Pale in colour, this has a steely and mineral nose, offering some green apple aromas and a touch of cream. Ageing in old oak barrels gives a subtle hint of spice and some breadth to the palate, accompanying the precise acidity and chalky finish.

2015 Anthonij Rupert, L'Ormarins, Brut Rosé,  £19.95 Eye-catching faint salmon pink hue.

Bubbles rise in a consistent vigorous, lively stream.

Gentle berry notes on the nose – strawberry and raspberry with a slight cream and biscuit nuance.

The palate is vibrant and lively with crisp berry fruit flavours.

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

52

SUPPER CLUB M OTC O M B S

This month, Belgravia stalwart Motcombs will unveil Motcombs Supper Club, set downstairs underneath the locally loved brasserie. Guests will descend via a wood-panelled stairway to enter the subterranean dining room. "It will be a place where all of life’s pleasures - jazz, great food, a cocktail or two - can be enjoyed," says founder Ross Anderson.

26 Motcomb Street, Belgravia SW1X 8JU motcombs.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 Our pick of the best

VALENTINE'S HOT SPOTS

ANGLER

Breakfast down under

The renowned restaurant is serving a Valentine's tasting menu full of seafood treats. To start, enjoy a glass of rosé champagne alongside aged Beaufort and truffle gougeres. The final course involves a suitably pink Yorkshire rhubarb and Sable Breton with stem ginger and Greek basil. anglerrestaurant.com

GRANGER AND CO

Bill Granger is often described as the king of breakfasts. The man who invented avocado on toast brings Sydney-style dining to London. For a healthy breakfast combo, go for the amaranth and oat porridge, with blueberry and pink grapefruit and a fresh glass of turmeric and coconut juice.

237-239 Pavilion Road, SW1X 0BP grangerandco.com

ROOTS MANOEUVRE THE OAK SW11

Set to the backdrop of Battersea Park, The Oak SW11 launches this month, the fourth installment in a small but perfectly formed restaurant and bar group. Expect the signature pizzas the group is well known for and a stripped back cocktail menu. Plus, early risers will be treated to The Oak’s first ever breakfast menu.

39 Parkgate Road, SW11 4NP theoaksw11.com

4 5 J E R M Y N S T. The interiors at this award-winning restaurant set the scene for romantic dining with old-school glamour décor, low lighting and intimate booths.

Don't miss the starter of oysters, the ultimate aphrodisiac. Go on to indulge in show-stopping mains like lobster spaghetti, flambéed tableside before guests eyes.

45jermynst.com

ALYN WILLIAMS Barre & brunch

AT THE WESTBURY

ORRERY

H A R RY ' S B A R

If your dream weekend consists of a barre class followed by brunch, then you're in luck. Orrery has teamed up with Xtend to offer guests an hour-long class at the boutique fitness studio where they will be guided by founder Catie Miller. Post workout, it’s a short walk to Orrery, to enjoy a brunch carefully curated by Chef Patron Igor Tymchyschyn.

55 Marylebone High Street, W1U 5RB orrery-restaurant.co.uk

Head to Harry's in St Christopher's Place from 11 until 17 February to try the limited edition Valentine's menu addition: ‘Harry’s Toadstool in Love’, a pink dome filled dessert with a yoghurt and strawberry mousse, a toasted almond and oat crumble base with strawberry coulis sauce. harrys-bar.co.uk

Animal products have been shunned at this French Michelin-starred kitchen. A creative and elegant seven course vegan menu begins with an earthy beetroot tartare and ends on a sweet note with blood orange, rhubarb and custard.

37 Conduit Street, W1S 2YF alynwilliams.com A B S O L U T E LY. L O N D O N

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ABSOLUTELY • PROMOTION

Tasting

NOTES

Critically-acclaimed Chef Adam Handling serves contemporary British cuisine as you've never experienced before at the Belmond Cadogan Hotel

N

ow taking bookings for the 28 February onwards, the muchanticipated Adam Handling Chelsea offers an innovative culinary journey that celebrates Britain’s rich history and the iconic Belmond Cadogan Hotel building.

The stunning restaurant in the heart of Chelsea offers a spectacular dining experience whether for breakfast, lunch or dinner. Guests can expect a selection of delicious and distinctive culinary menus that celebrate the very best seasonal produce and demonstrate a fundamental commitment to sustainability. Showcasing Adam Handling’s renowned culinary style and finesse, guests will find traditional, regional dishes have been transformed into

exquisite and stylish gastronomy. Adam Handling has spent an entire year devising a one-of-a-kind afternoon tea served in the luxurious Cadogan Tea Lounge. The unique concept is inspired by childhood memories of plentiful, delicious feeding at Adam’s grandmother’s house - “My Dad used to say, “kiddy on, you’re at your grandma’s,” to me and my brother and sisters, and we always knew that meant we were going to be fed dramatically”. The outstanding afternoon tea has been especially designed by Adam and his team to evoke such nostalgia and warm feelings of abundance, combined with an exceptionally indulgent and refined touch that is sure to blow diners away. The unique tea will feature some of the most intricate and memorable offerings in London, freshly prepared each day and accompanied by the finest luxury teas and Champagne.

The Bar at Adam Handling Chelsea offers a warm and inviting extension to

“I don’t want to be the best restaurant in the world—I want to be the locals’ favourite in Chelsea” - Adam Handling the dining spaces. Taking inspiration from some of the building’s illustrious historical occupants, the elegant bar offers elevated versions of classic cocktails, using the finest British ingredients with minimal fuss. Also available is an extensive wine and spirit collection, as well as an innovative and delicious bar snacks menu, including a traditional British cheese and charcuterie selection.

Adam Handling is also responsible for directing the entire culinary offering across the Belmond Cadogan Hotel. From room service and mini-bars, to banqueting and private events, Adam has crafted imaginative and sophisticated culinary concepts for each and every stage of your stay at the Belmond Cadogan Hotel.

So whether a hotel guest or a Chelsea local, book your dining experience now to experience Adam Handling’s memorable culinary flair at the Belmond Cadogan Hotel.

A DA M H A N D L I N G C H E L S E A BOOKINGS: reservations@adamhandlingchelsea.co.uk OPENING HOURS: LUNCH Daily 12:00 – 14:30 DINNER Daily 18:00 – 22:30 AFTERNOON TEA Daily 13:30 – 17:30 75 Sloane Street, Chelsea, SW1X 9SG adamhandlingchelsea.co.uk

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BASE Anyone turning vegan this month should take heed of Leah Vanderveldt’s new book, First Time Vegan. Here are some of her dishes Wo r d s L E A H VA N D E R V E L D T

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FOOD & DRINK • RECIPES

GINGER COCONUT BROTH

with veggies and noodles Serves 2–3

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his falls somewhere between a soup, a curry and a brothy ramen bowl.

With ginger, chilli and garlic flavours it often hits the spot when I’m looking for something that I can slurp a big bowl of without it weighing me down.

FOR TH E B ROTH • 2 teaspoons avocado oil • 4 garlic cloves, finely chopped or grated • 2 tablespoons grated fresh ginger • 1 x 400-g/14-oz. can coconut milk (I use full fat) • 2 tablespoons tamari • 120 ml/1⁄2 cup water or vegetable stock/ broth • 1⁄4 teaspoon chilli flakes/hot red pepper flakes (optional)

WINTER VEGETABLE BOWL

ADD-INS • 120-170 g/4-6 oz. soba noodles • 1 courgette/zucchini, peeled or spiralized into noodles or cut into julienne • 1 carrot, spiralized into noodles or cut into julienne • 130 g/1 cup shelled frozen edamame beans, thawed

METHOD 1 Cook the soba noodles in boiling water according to the package instructions. (The 100% buckwheat soba noodles I use usually take about 8 minutes.) 2 While the soba noodles are cooking, heat the avocado oil in a large saucepan or high-sided frying pan/skillet over a medium-high heat. Add the garlic and ginger and let them sizzle for about 30–60 seconds until fragrant, but not browning. 3 Add the coconut milk and tamari and stir. Add the water or vegetable stock/broth and chilli flakes/hot red pepper flakes (if using). 4 Bring to a simmer, then stir in the courgette/zucchini, carrot and edamame beans and let everything warm through for about 2 minutes. Remove from heat. 5 Divide the cooked soba noodles between bowls and pour the hot broth and veggies over to serve.

Recipes taken from First-time Vegan by Leah Vanderveldt, published by Ryland Peters & Small

Serves 3–4

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inter can be rough on us veggie lovers, when farm fresh tomatoes and juicy stone fruit seem another world away. Here’s a bowl that celebrates cold weather produce and perks it up with a tasty lemon and olive chermoula and crunchy toasted walnuts.

INGREDIENTS • 130 g/3⁄4 cup wild rice • 1 acorn squash, sliced in half and seeds removed, then sliced into thin half-moons • 1 red onion, cut into 1.5-cm/ 1⁄2-inch wedges • 1–2 tablespoons avocado or olive oil • 300 g/3 cups Brussels sprouts, woody bases and outer leaves removed, then thinly sliced (so you get ribbons of Brussels sprouts leaves) • 2 big handfuls of baby rocket/ arugula or spinach • salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

• Chermoula (see page 26), to serve • 50 g/1⁄3 cup toasted walnuts, roughly chopped, to serve • a roasting pan, oiled

METHOD 1 Preheat the oven to 220°C (425°F) Gas 7.

In a medium saucepan, combine the wild rice with 350 ml/11⁄2 cups of water. Cover with a lid and bring to a boil. Add a pinch of salt, reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer for about 40 minutes, or according to the package instructions, until the rice is cooked. 2 Meanwhile, arrange the squash and onion in the prepared roasting pan.

Roast in the preheated oven for about 25– 30 minutes, rotating the pan and flipping the veg half-way through. 3 Meanwhile, heat the oil in a large saucepan or a frying pan/skillet with high sides over a mediumhigh heat. Add the shredded Brussels sprouts and sprinkle with a good pinch of salt. Cook, stirring a few times, for about 5 minutes until the sprouts are softened; they should be mostly bright green but golden in places. Stir in the rocket/arugula or spinach and remove from the heat. Taste and add salt and pepper as desired. 4 To assemble the bowls, start with a scoop of rice and top with lots of Brussels sprouts, roasted squash and red onion. Add a generous drizzle of chermoula and walnuts to finish.

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FOOD & DRINK • PROMOTION

MONACO GRAND PRIX 2019 The Champagne Guru would like to welcome you on board Super Yacht Arados for the Monaco Grand Prix 2019.

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his event is considered one of the most important and prestigious races in the world, as well as being a top sporting spectacle.

It's one of Europe’s ultimate social highlights of the year where royalties, socialites and celebrities mingle. For the drivers themselves, racing and winning in Monaco is a clear defining milestone in every driver’s mind and career.

So get ready to gear up for a luxurious, energetic and adrenaline-packed weekend at the Formula 1 Monaco GP 2019. With the waterfront setting, the glamorous marina and the astonishing views of the landscape of Monaco, this event is second to none when it comes to race experience.

The two-day corporate hospitality event is hosted on board this outstanding yacht (formerly owned by Eddie Jordan, exFormula 1 team boss) in Monte Carlo on the 25th and 26th of May. The world’s most famous motor-race will speed through the harbour section of the track as our guests dine and drink chilled Champagne all weekend. The 155ft luxury vessel will be positioned at the track side with unrestricted views of the action.

We provide our guests with a VIP experience on board the yacht where they can watch the race up close as they lounge on our spacious decks, host their visitors in the lavish saloon, indulge in a 5-star gourmet lunch and dinner with unlimited bar including Champagne. There will be celebrities and guest appearances from the drivers. A special DJ party is thrown on Saturday night where guests mingle and dance surrounded by the yachts in the stunning harbour of Monaco.

A unique and unforgettable Grand Prix weekend not to be missed on this luxury yacht in Monaco filled with Champagne, fun, glamour and prime entertainment on Saturday the 25th between 12pm-1am and Sunday the 26th 12pm-9pm.

Limited availability, book your tickets early to avoid any disappointment. For any enquiries, please contact. thechampagneguru@gmail.com or +44(0)7956 124 806

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Valentine’s Day Theo’s Simple Italian and Hotel Indigo – London Kensington

QUOTE ‘ABSOLUTELY10’ TO GET A 10% DISCOUNT**

Impress your special someone with a 4 Course Dinner including a Welcome Cocktail on arrival at Theo’s Simple Italian from just £35 per person* Why not treat your loved one to a Luxury Romantic package at Hotel Indigo – London Kensington?

Contact us: 020 73737851 – reservations@inlondonkensington.com T H EO’S SIMPLE I TA L I A N

:34 - 44 Barkston Gardens | SW5 0EW 020 7370 9130 | ciao@theosimpleitalian.co.uk theossimpleitalian.co.uk/valentines-day * Dine between 6 pm and 7.30 pm from 14th to 16th February 2019. £40 per person to dine from 7.30 pm from 14th to 16th February 2019 ** Offer subject to availability and valid for Valentine’s Dinner and Accommodation Packages. Valentine’s Accommodation Packages available 14th, 15th, 16th and 17th February. Must be fully pre-paid at time of booking.

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FOOD & DRINK • NOTES

DRINKS CABINET

What to drink and how to drink it

fabulous

FIZZ

By PENDLE HARTE

GIN PALACE

THREE OF THE BEST PINK CHAMPAGNES B y T H E C H A M PAG N E G U R U

M A N C H E ST E R G I N

Along with Dandelion and Burdock Root, Manchester's award-winning signature gin is made up of ten other specially sourced botanicals including orange and lemon, liquorice and ground almond. There's also a delicious raspberryinfused version in pink. manchestergin.co.uk

Henriot Rose N.V This sensual and elegant champagne is dominated by intense aromas of red and dark berry, lemon, pink grapefruit, and mandarine. The balanced palete continues with delicate red fruit notes such as fresh strawberries and raspberries, blackcurrants, candied fruits and some floral flavours.

Charles Heidsieck Rose Reserve N.V This stylish and powerful Rosé Réserve Champagne, full-bodied in the Charles Heidsieck style, retains an elegance that makes this a delicious drink. Alongside the rich smoothness there are aromas of strawberry, pomegranate, wild rose and apple blossom.

VIVA ITALIA F R A N C I AC O R TA

Less well-known than Prosecco is Franciacorta, the Italian fizz from Lombardy that's vastly superior to its more popular sibling. Made in the traditional method, Franciacorta's Ferghettina Rose is fruity and light with notes of cherry. £26.95;

De Venoge Louis XV Rose Millesime 2006 Champagne

ndjohn.co.uk

SPIRIT OF LOVE CÎROC

CÎROC invites you to add a little extra to your Valentine’s celebrations this year with a CÎROC Vodka limited-edition design for the big day. The design is available in CÎROC Red Berry which oozes aromatic fresh berry flavours with a smooth and silky finish. £45 getitinkd.com

This vintage rose Champagne is full of vibrant red currant and wild berry flavours.

Cherries and almonds emerge in the aftertaste making it a delightfully structured champagne from the Grand Cru region.

THE CHAMPAGNE GURU The Champagne Guru is a champagne and food pairing expert, specialising in hosting special champagne events in luxurious surroundings.

thechampagneguru.com

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FOOD & DRINK • REVIEW

ABSOLUTELY eats out…

“They’re sherbert pink in large saucers with a floating pansy in the middle”

Harvey Nichols’ Fifth Floor Café

FOOD Modern European cuisine

A winter menu, but not as you’d expect B y PENDLE HARTE

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ebruary may be grim but Harvey Nichols is going for the cheer with its Winter Dining menu, which runs until the end of the month. And it’s not what you’d expect.

If you’re thinking hearty plates of steaming stew, then think again.

This is the Fifth Floor after all, probably one of the most femaledominated restaurants in town, home to lunching ladies in fabulous fashions bought on the second, third and fourth. These dishes are small and elegant, created using seasonal ingredients sourced regionally. On

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DECOR Light, spacious and stylish

top of the world in Knightsbridge is about as far removed from the world’s ugly realities as it gets: there’s a fairy-lit cherry blossom tree-style installation in the middle of the room and nobody here is depressed about Brexit or fretting about their postChristmas finances.

It’s three courses and a cocktail for £22, which is an undeniably good deal, post-Christmas or not. The cocktails arrive almost immediately and they’re impossibly pretty – sherbert pink in large saucers with a floating pansy in the middle. It’s tequila with pink grapefruit juice, agave and a splash of soda and it’s

PRICE Starters from £6, mains from £10, desserts from £6

just the right side of alcoholic. To start, my mushroom soup with truffle ravioli and slivers of sourdough is creamy, rich and intensely truffly, trumping my friend’s herb-crusted salmon with lemon crème fraîche, which is chillier than she’d hoped for, and the crispy beetroot is very much a crisp, not very much a beetroot. She far prefers her main: slow-cooked lamb, vegetable fregola, thyme-scented broth and mint vinaigrette, which is for all its dainty prettiness, quite a hearty winter meal. On my plate it’s hard to tell at first glance which is the roasted pollock and which the leek and celeriac gratin – they are two similar-looking slices sprinkled with samphire. It’s a lovely dish. For pudding we are both drawn to warm sticky toffee pudding with creme fraiche ice cream which is sweet and comforting, decorated with a flower and impossibly thin shavings of white chocolate. All’s well with the world up here.

VERDICT

HARVEY NICHOLS’ F I F T H F LO O R

Fine dining from a serene setting

109-125 Knightsbridge, SW1

harveynichols.com

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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.

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

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INTERIORS

MODERN LOVE MINI MODERNS

Mini Moderns’ new wallpaper collection, Culture! draws on the design duo’s love of mid-century art design and architecture. Pictured is Lucky Lantern, a Chinese lantern design, inspired by the Eastern styles prevalent in the aesthetic movement as displayed in the Geffrye Museum’s 1890 drawing room. minimoderns.com

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INTERIORS NOTES

Ideas, designs and styles for your home

By PENDLE HARTE

M ATC H UPS IITTALA

Iittala's Raami is a new tableware collection designed by Jasper Morrison.The carefully composed pieces in ceramic, glass and wood are intended to work together to promote a good atmosphere at the table. iittala.com

IN SHAPE EMMA LACEY

Emma Lacey designs and makes ceramic tableware from her studio in North London. Most work is currently hand thrown using a fine stoneware clay and then assembled, manipulated or finished to take into account the tactility and function of the piece. conranshop.co.uk

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INTERIORS • NOTES

TOP PA S T E L S A selection of our favourite pieces EDITOR’S PICK

SCHNEID STUDIO Eikon Shell lamp, £326 connox.co.uk

GOOD CUP

THE GLAZE

OLIVER BONAS

MILO MADE CERAMIC S

This large sculptural ceramic jug with a circular black handle detail and a white glazed inner and unglazed outer design is designed and made by Hackney's Milo Made Ceramics and stocked at nearby A New Tribe, £120 anewtribe.co.uk

GOOD DESIGN WORKS Concrete desk clock, £25 hurnandhurn.com

Highstreet staple OLiver Bonas is currently stocking a beautiful collection of ceramics and tableware. We love the Tarina blue pieces for their stylish curves and bautiful packaging. oliverbonas.com

WALL SAUCE Pastel wallpaper mural, £26 per m2 wallsauce.com

DANETTI Senn chair, £39 danetti.com

PLANT LIFE ALBERT & MOO Memphis plant pot, £11 albertandmoo.com

LAPUAN KANKURIT

SUE PARKINSON

Artificial houseplants are a huge trend right now and Sue Parkinson's assorted green succulents is an attractive and entirely maintenance-free addition to any window ledge or shelf. sue-parkinson.con

Sade print towel, £53 lapuankankurit.fi

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P R I VAT E l i v e s Everyone has their dream space in this London house designed by Yoko Kloeden

By EVE HERBERT

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INTERIORS • HOUSE TOUR

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oko Kloeden Design has recently completed the interior design and decoration of a 1930s three-story terrace house in southwest London.

The clients, a couple who both work in finance with two young children, completed a major house renovation including the ground floor rear extension and loft conversion when they moved into the house; however, having moved from a one-bed flat and both working full-time, they still didn’t feel at home a year later as most of the rooms were still bare and underused. After having interviewed five interior designers, the couple engaged Yoko and her team. The brief was to pull the family together in the open-plan family area, while the husband and wife each have a break-out room that reflects their individual needs and personalities.

Yoko and her team used colours and textures to express each individual’s style while giving a practical solution for the young family. The result is an elegant and contemporary family home that still feels comfortable and practical while everyone has a space of privacy and aspiration .

‘Knowing that our clients now have a home they will enjoy for decades to come keeps us going every day‘, says Yoko.

The clients embraced dark and moody colours and their bold choice of colours starts with the hallway. With the inky blue colour as a background, Yoko selected an abstract landscape painting that reflects the clients’ love of nature but in a contemporary and stylized expression. Slender frames and legs of powder-coated steel furniture give a chic and airy appearance.

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INTERIORS • HOUSE TOUR The bespoke kitchen from Wooden Horse London was designed to fit the space with lots of storage. A marble island takes centre stage and plain white surfaces were chosen for other cabinets and worktop to let the island stand out. The dining table and chairs sit at the centre of the open-plan area and they had to be elegant, understated, and unique. A bespoke live edge oak dining table with classic Wishbone chairs demonstrates the philosophy of using real materials and understated elegance.

The family includes two children under three, so the space had to be practical and safe without compromising on sophisticated aesthetics. Yoko schemed the area around two key features – a framed artwork of bespoke wallpaper from Calico Wallpaper and a bespoke media unit made of black stained oak with brass detailing. She says: ‘In Japan, we have a culture of developing taste buds at a very early age. The concept of kids menus in restaurants is nowhere as ubiquitous as here in the UK as people believe babies and toddlers need to eat real foods that adults eat. In the same way, children need to grow up with real materials to develop their senses. Family rooms shouldn’t be all about wipeable surfaces.’’

The bespoke rug is made of soft jute that is hardwearing but soft to crawl on. Coffee tables of different sizes are made of mango wood. Yoko’s team designed a media unit that consists of low units to store children’s books and toys and a slim tall unit to store files etc.

The starting point of for the reception room, also as known as ‘Her Room’, was an Art Deco-inspired drinks cabinet bought by

the client at the beginning of the project.

This is her grown-up haven where she winds down with a glass of wine after the children are finally asleep, where she entertains her friends on weekends and during her maternity leave.

Yoko custom-made a Millennial pink velvet sofa and selected an artwork from a Sydney-based British artist Caroline Collom to anchor the colour palette. The team filled the room with sumptuous, tactile and real materials such as marble, brass, steel, velvet, wool and sourced indoor plants to liven up the room.

‘His Room’ is referred to as the ‘games room’ and this is where her husband winds down by playing a computer game at the end of his long day at his demanding job in finance. Originally a garage, it is the smallest living room and he opted for the darkest shade of grey to feel cozy and cocooned as he uses ‘His Room’ mostly in the evenings. A Fornasetti mural makes a perfect backdrop and the rich moss green of the velvet sofa pops against the dark walls.

The newly converted loft houses a master bedroom with an ensuite shower room.

The wall behind the bed hides a walk-in wardrobe and dressing table.

Here again, the inky blue was chosen for the calm and serene haven. Dreamy white waves and a dawn sky of a photography art shot on a remote beach in Iceland sums up the mood. The alcove above the bed is a practical alternative to a pair of bedside tables in this tight space.

Children need to grow up with real materials to develop their senses.

Family rooms shouldn’t be all about wipeable surfaces

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TREEHOUSE HARDWOOD FLOORING

QUALITY ENVIRONMENT FOR QUALITY OF LIFE Specialists in high quality solid and sustainable hardwood flooring We carry a huge range of woods from around the world, displayed at our Notting Hill showroom in large sample boards to assist clients, designers and architects, in planning interiors.

Board and strip flooring wood block and decking, bespoke floor production.

Other services, special project installation, wall panelling, staircases, doors, worktops, cabinetry, natural stone & many other interior related products.

Exceptional value, experienced craftsmen, quality installation.

Showroom : 116 Talbot Rd, Notting Hill, London, W11 1JR www.treehouseflooring.co.uk Tel: 020 7460 0376 sales@treehouseflooring.co.uk

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21 February Looking to keep the kids entertained this half term?

On 21 February, the ever popular Thumbs Up It’s Thursday returns to Kingston town centre with a range of fun activities from face painting and craft workshops to kids eat free offers.

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INTERIORS • MOBILES

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RHYTHMIC F LOW FLENSTED

T H E O F

In production since 1955, Christian Flensted's iconic Flowing Rhythm mobile is red on one side and black on the other.

Its interplay of shape and colour in movement is hypnotic and relaxing to watch – and it casts an intriguing shadow too. £37

H A N G I T

skandium.com

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GO FISH FELI X SA LUT

Floats is a bright and colourful hanging structure that repurposes fishing floats and string to create a geometric modernist aesthetic — echoing Oscar Schlemmer’s Bauhaus dance performance, The Triadic Ballet. €225 felixsalut.com

MOBILES ARE HAVING A MOMENT. HERE ARE SOME OF THE MOST MESMERISING

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Handcrafted in small quantities and inspired by the abstract art of the 1950s and Scandinavian design, the Volta Le Grand Etourdi Mobile has a beautifully balanced design with a vibrant primary colourway. Volta was founded in Paris and now creates all its elegant mobiles in Barcelona. £275 conranshop.co.uk

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L I G H T WO R K

THE SHOP FLOOR PROJECT

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Hand crafted in Germany, each Shop Floor Project mobile is made with skill and precision to create just the right balance between the shapes and light.

Mobile No 1: Morning Light is hand-made in polished brass with iron arms. £325 theshopfloorproject.com

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Michael Anastassiades' sumptuous Chandelier 9 mobile is signed by the Cypriot designer. Its minimalist design and graphic and uncluttered forms create lines in the air with several sources of warm light and diffusers in opaline blown glass. €18,384 nedgis.com

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IN A NEW BOOK ON LIVING IN SMALL SPACES, STYLISH LAURA FULMINE SHOWS OFF HER COLOURFUL YET DIMINUTIVE EAST LONDON FLAT

ive in a small apartment but love color? Take inspiration from interior designer and stylist Laura Fulmine, who used an expertly executed palette of rich shades to define the different areas of her 57 m2 (614 ft2) apartment, which is located in a turn-of-the-century mansion block in east London.

“Creating different identities for each room makes the flat feel like a much bigger space,” explains Fulmine, who lived in the apartment for two years before decorating it and let the trajectory of the sun inform the colors she chose. Now, a luxurious green provides the backdrop for a mix of collected treasures in the living room, while the cheerful study is painted in a heritage pink. The bedroom, which gets the least light, features a restful dark blue, while the bathroom and kitchen are bright white to make the most of the morning sun.

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P E T I T E P L AC E S Clever Interiors for Humble Homes edited by Robert Klanten, published by Gestalten

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ME & MY WARDROBE Q&A 76

When model Juliana Mizon commissioned Wyndham Design to create her luxe new dressing room, she knew exactly what she wanted Interview PENDLE HARTE

Q: How much wardrobe space did you need?

A: Probably triple what I had! I converted one of the big bedrooms in our new house into a dressing room with an en suite. There’s an entire wall of handbags and three hanging wardrobes. I have a lot of clothes! I might need to take another room in the house at some point…

Q: How many pairs of shoes did you need to store?

70 pairs in all - but I’ve already asked for more storage space. I created an amazing centrepiece out of the shoes I don’t wear every day – it’s brilliantly lit to catch the sparkles.

Q: How did you go about planning it?

A: I said I wanted white, lots of light, and I wanted it to look like a store. My style is very girlie: I wanted to display my artworks, flowers and chandeliers. I have a lot of art, I love portraits, I love to have a lot of faces looking at me in the house. My favourites are fashion icons such as Audrey Hepburn.

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Q: What do you like best about the space?

A: I love how peaceful and how girlie it is. There’s a little lounge area where you can sit and have drinks – it’s not just get dressed and go. There’s a makeup area, a hair station. It’s every girl’s dream. I had a good walk-in wardrobe before, but it was quite dark and masculine. This is the wardrobe I dreamt of as a little girl.

“This is the wardrobe I dreamt of as a little girl.

I love how peaceful it is”

Q: What is in the island in the middle?

A: My fashion books are on display, along with flowers. I love white flowers. There’s a picture of my wedding in Paris, which was very beautiful. And in the cupboard are folding areas, I always think that hanging jeans is a waste of wardrobe space, so I fold them.

Q: How long did the project take and how did you cope in the meantime?

A: The project took six months in all.

All my clothes were in storage! I was desperate to take them out of boxes.

Richard [Thomas, of Wyndham Design] is amazing, he just wants to please you.

When I wanted to change things he didn’t mind; he was great. Even though he’s so experienced, he makes you feel like it’s the first wardrobe he’s ever worked on, he’s very passionate and I love that.

WYNDHAM DESIGN Wyndham offers a full consultancy, interior design and custom furniture manufacturing service. Versatile designs include fitted wardrobes, dressing rooms, media cabinets, studies, libraries and creative storage solutions all designed, custom made and fitted. They also offer a full architectural joinery service for both interior and exterior doors. wyndhamdesign.com

PHOTOGRAPHS CHRIS LOPEZ HAIR GIO DI GESU / SALON SLOANE SQ DRESS GALIA LAHAV / BROWNS BRIDE MAYLEBONE SHOES CHRISTIAN LOUBOUTIN PARIS FLOWERS COBHAM FLOWERS

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

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OPEN DAY Thursday March 7th 2019 Morning session 9:00am - 10:45am Afternoon session 2:00pm - 3:45pm To book your place please email office@moatschool.org.uk

LONDON’S AWARD-WINNING SPLD SPECIALIST INDEPENDENT SCHOOL 020 7610 9018 office@moatschool.org.uk www.moatschool.org.uk The Moat School, Bishops Avenue, Fulham, London, SW6 6EG

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@Moatschool @TheMoatSchool

All children can achieve

18/01/2019 12:02

25/01/2019 16:33

INTERIORS • MOODBOARD

My Style ZO E A N D E RS O N , FOUNDER O F S H O R E D I TC H I N T E R I O R S B O U T I Q U E WA G R E E N wagreen.co.uk

MY FAVOURITE PIECE OF ART… For scale and colour The Snail

by Henri Matisse – if I ever need a pick me up I’ll nip into the Tate Modern to say hi to it. It always restores me.

MY FAVOURITE DESIGNER… Don’t make me pick! Tina Vaia is pretty special. She makes huge planters. She has a really refined understanding of colour and combined with the scale of her pieces this makes her work interesting.

MY SIGNATURE SCENT…

M Y ST Y L E IC ON...

CO Elizabeth Taylor in her kaftan era.

Byredo Oud Immortel is my current obsession. It’s a great scent for the winter as it reminds me of hot summer nights. Abd El Kader by Cire Trudon is my go-to year round scent in the home. We spray the room spray in the store and the beautiful smell lasts all day. If I have a party I’ll spritz the whole house in it. For the depth of winter you can’t beat Ernesto by Cire Trudon.

MY FAVOURITE PIECE FROM MY CURRENT COLLECTION… Obviously, I love everything but I think it has to be the new Utopia Hip Hop Jars by Jonathan Adler.

They are such fun pieces and would look incredible absolutely anywhere in the house.

MY FAVOURITE HOLIDAY DESTINATION IS… California. The coastline is stunning and Palm Springs in the desert is just so much fun.

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

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Specialist GCSE and A level provider Strong teaching and outstanding pastoral care.

The ISI awarded MPW

—The Good Schools Guide

most recent inspection.

MPW colleges are some of the country’s best known providers of bespoke fifth- and sixth- form education, offering GCSEs and A levels in

Phone us today or visit our website:

over 45 subjects. We are distinctive in many ways, not least in our small

www.mpw.ac.uk

London the highest grade in every category in their

classes of 9 or less students and our exceptional university preparation: over 70% of our leavers each year progress to top tier universities. Our mission is to turn academic aspirations into reality. MPW is a friendly, flexible college that offers an outstanding learning environment.

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London 020 7835 1355

18/01/2019 09:06

KIDS & EDUCATION

ANIMAL MAGIC FERM LIVING Ferm Living's new kids' collection features London-based, internationally renowned illustrator Katie Scott. In her wallpaper collection she explores the balance of wildlife and nature in her three designs: Shells, Trees, and Animals. fermliving.com

Small Talk 83 ¡ Spotlight on left-handers 84 ¡ Easter revision countdown 91 A B S O L U T E LY. L O N D O N

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Happy Confident Curious

Open Mornings

Regular open mornings from January 2019 at ACS Cobham, ACS Egham and ACS Hillingdon.

Register at acs-schools.com/opendays

Co-ed | Ages 2-18 | Day & Boarding | IB Diploma | Advanced Placement | Extensive busing

‘Achievement is excellent’ ISI Report

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KIDS & EDUCATION • NOTES S H OW P R EV I EW

PACK UP AWAY

Away's brilliant wheelie cases are some of the best on the market – strong, easy to manoeuvre, full of clever interior details and even nice to look at. And best of all, there's a special kids version of the Carry On, which comes in a variety of colours with a shorter handle and a built-in charger for their inevitable devices. awaytravel.com

SMALL TALK Cases for tots, Berlin fashion, book reviews and lots of Lego

ECO CHIC MONKIND

Ask the husband and wife duo behind Berlin-based brand MONKIND what inspired them to launch their own clothing label and they’ll tell you that they wanted to prove that sustainability can be stylish.

Mostly made from GOTS certified organic cotton, we love the simple shapes, muted colour palette and design-led prints. monkind.com

BRICK WONDERS

O

pening at the Horniman Museum this month is Brick Wonders, an interactive exhibition of Lego structures.

Incorporating 500,000 bricks, the creations include amazing wonders from around the world, from an ancient Egyptian pyramid to Old London Bridge and from the natural wonder of a coral reef to the modern marvel of the international space station. More than 50 models will be on show, from individual pieces that will inspire visitors to build them at home, to awe-inspiring dioramas and mosaics. Visitors can build their own brick wonders in interactive play areas – including a graffiti wall, a tower-building challenge, a magnetic mosaic puzzle and big bricks for little hands – and the exhibition includes a mini-cinema showing short Lego animations.

 Brick Wonders runs from 16 February to 27 October at the Horniman Museum, 100 London Road SE23; horniman.ac.uk

EDITOR’S PICK

PUPPY LOVE

FEEL IT

T H E D O G W H O S AV E D

B OY U N D E R WAT E R

T H E WO R L D

By Adam Baron

Ross Welford’s fourth novel takes an astonishing sci-fi concept and explores how it might actually work in the ordinary world. It's an exciting read for anyone aged 10+. £6.99;

Why won't Cymbeline's mum let him go swimming? Something has happened in the past but what is it? This award-winning book for ages 10+ takes a sad story and makes it entertaining, funny and charming. £6.99;

 harpercollins.co.uk

 harpercollins.co.uk

By Ross Welford

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

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EDUCATION • FOCUS

Left

BEHIND Do left-handed children get the support they need to thrive in a right-handed world or are they being let down? Absolutely investigates Wo r d s L I B B Y N O R M A N

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enius or challenged – being left-handed still singles you out for labels. Parents of any child who favours left may be concerned that their offspring will have a bumpier journey, with more obstacles to overcome, because – let’s face it – the world is designed for right-handers.

Parents are likely to have read eagerly the stories of famous southpaw creatives – Picasso and Einstein, et al – and read (less eagerly) that left-handers have a lower life expectancy. Misinformation is still common and both of the above widely circulated stories are not true, according to Professor Chris McManus, author of Right Hand, Left Hand.

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McManus, Professor of Psychology and Medical Education at UCL, has a long-term interest and academic specialisation in handedness and lateralisation (the study of left and right brain functions). He devotes a whole chapter of his book to some of the more persistent myths surrounding left-handedness. Picasso and Einstein were both extensively photographed during their lives and every photo shows both to be right-handed, and with no other recorded evidence to suggest otherwise.

Today most estimates of left-handedness place it at around ten per cent of the population. The increase is put down to a societal shift – left-handedness is no longer a source of shame in most societies so most children are not ‘retrained’. Lefthandedness was once closely associated

with otherness, even witchcraft, but if you imagine that idea had vanished by the 20th century, then think again. The English Dialect Survey, conducted on living subjects between 1950-61, unearthed only two terms for right-handed (one of which was right-handed), as opposed to at least 87 distinct dialect terms for left-handers.

Many were obscene or scatological. Others, such as southpaw – which looks to have first emerged in Cumbria rather than on the baseball field or boxing ring – tap into the idea of ‘not from around here’.

While the left-hander largely escapes negative labels today, parents who are investigating what being a ‘leftie’ means for their child’s future would be wise to read around the sources with a sceptical mind. Inaccurate information and dubious

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

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Teaching children to fly Open days 2019: 1 March 11 May 4 October Founded in 1947, Bassett House in Notting Hill is a proudly non-selective, co-educational prep school for 3 – 11 year olds.

We believe every child can learn to fly.

Individual teaching combined with our dynamic growth mindset approach teaches children to think fearlessly, consistently producing excellent academic results.

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

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

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

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EDUCATION • FOCUS

A LEFT-HANDED PUPIL

methodologies are still out there. Implied causal links between left-handedness and illness or cognitive/development issues are unproven and raise more questions than answers. What we can be certain of is that the incidence is currently somewhat higher in boys (around five boys to every four girls).

The first concern for most parents of lefthanded children is development of writing skills. Children typically start to display hand preference by the age of two. In early years settings, the current practitioner focus is on all the fine motor skills. Dr Paulette Luff, Course Leader for the MA in Early Childhood Education at Anglia Ruskin University, says it’s about a head down approach. “It’s not just about hand

“Most children start to display their hand preference by around the age of two, but it can take longer to show a dominant hand”

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dominance, but also arm and foot.” She also suggests we may be in danger of labelling children too early – they may take a while to show a dominant hand. So, early-years settings should offer a range of equipment so they can watch how children interact with it and let them experiment. “Children try to do things like the people around them, so sensitivity and awareness of all possible differences are key. Children who are struggling can be encouraged to try the other hand,” says Luff. “Part of the problem is that children are taught to write when their fine motor skills are still developing”.

Mark Stewart of Left ’n Write, a lefthanded shop in Worcester, believes we are not doing enough. He and his wife Heather, a

teacher, have created handwriting practice books and guides, delivering courses and advice to individuals, schools and early years settings as well as retailing lefthanded equipment. Their work grew out of a quest to find functioning scissors for their “very left-handed” son. They have campaigned via their MP to get more information on teaching left-handers included within the teacher-training curriculum. Stewart is particularly exercised by writing. He says: “It takes five to ten minutes to sort out a good technique and correct grip”. Children have come from as far afield as London for his guidance – his oldest pupil was in her late 60s, and she had never been taught how to use a pen left-handed.

Here, I should declare my own hand – left – and my recollection that even in my dim and distant schooldays at a small rural primary school I had lots of guidance. So teachers have long been helping lefthanders overcome their individual learning challenges – although there’s no doubt some have slipped through.

Katie Paynter, Head of Pre-Prep and SENCO lead at St Nicholas Prep, says that today left-handedness is often handled by SENCO staff as they have specialist training, and know the adaptations that help. The good news for parents, she says, is that these small changes are easy to implement.

The most important part of school and home support is to ensure children are encouraged to experiment, rather than made to feel awkward or different.

4 really simple aids for left-handers Sitting on the left so they don’t bump elbows with their classmates • Slanting paper to stop smudges – a writing mat may help • Specially designed pencils and pens – and a left-handed nib for fountain pens • Left-handed craft scissors – so they can see what they are cutting out

* Anything Left-Handed; anythinglefthanded.co.uk. Left ’n Write; leftshoponline.co.uk. Right Hand, Left Hand by Chris McManus (Phoenix, 2002).

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St. Nicholas Preparatory School an outstanding education for boys and girls up to Year 6

020 7225 1277 www.stnicholasprep.co.uk 23 Prince’s Gate | South Kensington | SW7 1PT

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DISCOVERMORE

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

Open Days

Our state-of-the-art Sixth Form Centre

November 1st/7th (9.30am/ 9.30am) November 15th/21st (7.00pm/ 9.30am) November 29th (9.30am)

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

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@kewhouseschool

19/11/2018 14:07

EDUCATION • OPINION

MARKET FORCES Adam Pettitt, Head of Highgate School, unravels the unconditional offers ‘controversy’

I

’m nervous about trenchancy when it comes to something that hasn’t affected my school or pupils. With only one pupil in the last three years having accepted an unconditional offer (Nottingham), it’s not an issue I am qualified to thunder about.

I am, however, worried about what unconditional offers tell us about the relationship between schools and universities, between funded and funders.

So, first of all, I ask myself whether sixth formers’ needs are the reason for unconditional offers, and I have to conclude that it’s the need for universities to fill places that leads them to offer guaranteed places regardless of grades, provided the applicant accepts the place as their first choice. It’s a commercial response to regulatory change (now that Government no longer foots the

bill for tuition, universities are at liberty to take as many students as they can find).

But just as universities react to circumstances beyond their control, so do sixth formers and, faced with unconditional offers from some universities and not from others, they are, we hear, accepting places with less regard to what is the best course for them. Relieved of the pressure (or motivation) to meet offer requirements by working hard throughout Year 13, they are tempted to coast through a final year, ending up with lower grades and, crucially, less knowledge and less academic grit to equip them for their undergraduate course.

Which group of sixth formers is being targeted with unconditional offers? My experience is that the most confident, the most experienced and the ablest, are treating unconditional offers

“The temptation is to coast through their final year and end up with lower grades and less knowledge”

SIXTHFORMERS AT HIGHGATE SCHOOL

with suspicion: they get a whiff of desperation in tactics they associate with panic discounting before Christmas rather than with considered decisions about their futures. It’s difficult not to imagine the least well-informed, the less confident or the most tentative applicants opting for certainty when the system is designed to allow them flexibility and choice, albeit with parameters – after all, they are only able to apply for five courses.

The system is throwing up alternative (sharp?) practices: some universities advertise one grade tariff, and offer to lower it if they are made a candidate’s first choice.

Surely that too is a commercial response which will tempt sixth formers to opt for courses they haven’t weighed up. Grade inflation in degree classifications suggests that universities need to tempt students in with promises of higher numbers of firsts. Universities have their own list of schools’ sharp practices, of course: grade predictions reveal that on average each applicant’s prediction is two grades north of their August results.

Now the market is allowed to determine how many students a university can admit, there’s a need for a new rule book to make educational and pastoral sense of commercial innovation in university admissions. My hunch is that unconditional offers shouldn’t be in the gift of a university without very specific reasons and a strong social mobility rationale: if unconditional offers can play a part in solving the real problems facing universities in encouraging applications from all kinds of schools, so be it, but they can otherwise have no place in a largely unregulated system. Clear sky, rather than thunder.

ADAM PETTITT Head Highgate School

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

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Prepared. To grow somewhere new.

Our new preparatory school opens in September 2020 Prince’s Gardens is a new independent preparatory school, in the heart of Kensington, for children aged 3 - 11 years. It will be a school where every one of our pupils is prepared to step out into the world with confidence, assurance and an open, inquisitive mind. To think for themselves whilst exploring their ideas and creativity. To develop not just all-round academic excellence, but the all important strength of character essential for success in our fast changing world.

Call 020 7591 4620 or contact admissions@princesgardensprep.co.uk To reserve your place at our launch event, go to princesgardensprep.co.uk/event

Prepared for everything.

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KIDS & EDUCATION • REVISION

GO WILD: GORDONSTOUN STUDENTS ON AN EXCURSION

ALL WORK AND SOME PLAY Ten great revision courses for the Easter holidays

By LIBERTY BRETT

Gordonstoun

What? GCSE, choose two subjects to study from: English Language, Maths and Science When? Saturday 13 April until Friday 19 April Where? Gordonstoun School USP? Residential, active revision which involves daily aerobic activity, and an excursion to a ‘wild place’ Cost: £1,500 activerevision.org.uk

MPW

What? GCSE and A-Level When? Choose one week: Monday 1 April until Friday 5 April; Monday 8 April until Friday 12 April; Monday 15 April until Friday 19 April Where? MPW in London, Birmingham and Cambridge USP: Non-residential, no-frills approach to intensive revision Cost: On enquiry mpw.ac.uk A B S O L U T E LY. L O N D O N

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KIDS & EDUCATION • REVISION

Harrow School

What? GCSE and A-Level When? For GCSE revision it’s either Monday 8 April and Tuesday 9 April; Wednesday 10 April and Thursday 11 April; or Friday 12 and Saturday 13 April. For A-Level, it’s either Monday 8 April until Thursday 11 April, Thursday 11 April until Sunday 14.

Where? Harrow School USP: Taught by Harrow teachers and the best of the best from surrounding schools.

Cost: GCSE two-day course is £395; A-Level four-day course is £735 harrowschoolenterprises.com

Wellington College

What? GCSE, A-Level and IB When? Monday 8 April until Friday 12 April (residential students arrive on Sunday 7 April) Where? Wellington College USP: Residential and non-residential Cost: Residential course is £995; Nonresidential is £750 wellingtoncollege.org.uk

Cherwell College Oxford

What? GCSE and A-Level When? Monday 1 April until Friday 19 April Where? Cherwell College, Oxford USP: Central Oxford location; accommodation is single occupancy with en-suite bathroom Cost: Residential course is £1,375; non-residential is £975 cherwell-college.co.uk

Oxford Science Studies

What? GCSE, A-Level and IB When? Monday 1 April until Friday 5 April; Monday 8 April until Friday 12 April; Monday 15 until Friday 19 April Where? St Edward’s School, Oxford USP: Choose between one, two or three weeks. Full-board accommodation is available throughout the three weeks

WELLINGTON COLLEGE PUPILS

Cost: Residential is £1,175 per week; non-residential is £835 per week oxss.co.uk

Cost: One subject (15hrs) is £375; two subjects (30hrs) is £750; two subjects plus residential is £900 ccsl-cliftoncollege.com

Dean Close School Cheltenham

Millfield

What? GCSE When? Monday 8 April until Friday 12 April, with residential students arriving on Sunday 7 April Where? Dean Close School USP: Full access to the school’s sporting facilities Cost: Residential is £980; nonresidential is £660 deanclose.org.uk

What? GCSE, A-Level and Pre-U When? Monday 1st until Friday 5 April Where? Millfield, Somerset USP: The course is offered on both a residential and a non-residential basis, with accommodation provided in single-sex boarding houses Cost: Residential is £873; nonresidential is £747 millfieldenterprises.com

Clifton College Bristol

Giggleswick School

What? GCSE and A-Level When? Monday 15 April until Friday 19 April, residents invited from Sunday 14 April Where? Clifton College USP: Equal emphasis on subject revision, exam technique and exam practice. Plus, you’re invited to use Clifton’s sporting facilities. Pastoral staff are on hand for all residents.

What? GCSE and A-Level When? Choose one, two or three days per subject from Tuesday 9 April until Tuesday 16 April Where? Giggleswick School USP: Uber-flexible structure Cost: Sliding scale based upon how many days spent on the course.

From £130 per day. giggleswick.org.uk A B S O L U T E LY. L O N D O N

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TRAVEL

THE HILLS ARE ALIVE AUSTRIA

For something active and uplifting, the Tyrol region in Austria is one of the best holiday destinations for families with kids. Absolutely takes a trip to the mountains.

Austria: Summer in the mountains 96 • Luxury in Puglia 104 A B S O L U T E LY. L O N D O N

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Nowhere apart from Sรถlden has a special Bond museum built at 3,000 metres 96

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TRAVEL • EUROPE

Mountain

HI G H There are few places more beautiful – or more fun – than the Austrian Tyrol in summer. Absolutely takes the family to the mountains Wo r d s P E N D L E H A R T E

W

hen I tell my Austrian friend proudly that we’re going to the place where they filmed James Bond, I’m expecting her to know exactly where I mean. She doesn’t: “Oh they filmed Bond all over the place.” It’s true that a lot of Austrian ski resorts show off about their 007 connections, but nowhere apart from Sölden has a special Bond museum built at 3,000 metres at the exact location of much of the action in Spectre. And nowhere else has a glass cube structure at its highest peak, housing a restaurant with a Tom Dixon interior and spectacular 360 degree views. For Austria, Sölden is prime Bond territory.

But that’s not really why we came. Sölden is an alpine resort in the Tyrol’s Otztal Valley, south of Innsbruck and near the Italian border. Nearby Obergurgl is a popular

ski area for British people, but Sölden, home to the skiing World Cup opener, is more popular with Dutch and German skiiers. In the summer it’s quieter but there’s still a lot to be said for it, and not just the low season rates, the vast beauty of the landscape, the clarity of the air and the enormous range of activities.

We are here as a family with two daughters aged 12 and 9 and the family suite at Das Central is perfect: two bedrooms, two bathrooms, a cosy seating area, two balconies. Half-board means breakfast and dinner every day, and they seat you at the same table every time, which instantly makes you feel like a regular. Staff wear traditional dirndls and the buffet breakfasts are as huge and generous as you would imagine. It’s all wooden chaletstyle with a contemporary slant. One of the best things about staying here is that you are automatically issued with a Premium Card for the region, which allows you free or discounted entry to so many things that there’s a weighty booklet to list them all. Ski lifts, swimming pools, mountain bike school, public transport, museums.

We pledge to try everything. On day one we turn up bright and early at Bike Republic, the mountain bike centre where we are introduced to an instructor from the Ride On bike school, who promises that we’ll be speeding down the mountain after a bit of gentle practice on the town’s pump track. Her three-year old daughter can do it, she says. We are confident urban cyclists: we’re sure we’ll be fine. The pump track looks small but quickly it becomes clear that in our family at least, fear levels are directly proportional with age. The nine year-old is entirely comfortable with tight hairpin bends and a tilt that leaves her knee perilously close to the ground, while the adults are significantly less comfortable, and A B S O L U T E LY. L O N D O N

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Surprise Holidays and more

Just sit back, relax and let us do the work for you.

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We put the excitement back into travel Tailor made choir tours • Tailor made hen and stag trips • Tailor made city breaks • Tailor made shopping tours • Tailor made football weekends • Tailor made beer tours • Tailor made festival tours and more @atotours

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TRAVEL • EUROPE ICEQ.AT

In our family at least, fear levels are directly proportional with age less nimble. We struggle to get around the track. Still, an hour in and we are ready to take our bikes into the cable car and up: a fortifying plate of dumplings at the middle station’s Tirolerstube prepares us for a steep and bumpy downhill bike ride.

Taking our positions: standing up in the saddle, forefingers only on the brakes, knees bent, we hurtle down the path with varying degrees of confidence at speeds that range

from fast to hypersonic, or at least feel that way. We are proud of ourselves Day two: let’s go to Italy. It’s only about 70km from Sölden to Merano but the drive is likely to take more than two hours over the spectacular Timmelsjoch mountain pass. Open only during the snow-free months between April and October, this is one of the world’s most beautiful roads, twisting and turning to reveal ever-more impressive vistas and countless viewpoint stops. In the light of our mountain biking experience we admire all passing cyclists – the ascent looks calf-wrenchingly impossible, the freewheeling descent terrifying. Despite the intense beauty, it is a long drive, especially when you know that you need to be back before the road closes at 8pm. We drive into beautiful Merano, which is German-speaking despite being well into Italy (the South Tyrol retains a strong Austrian identity that defies the border). Finding a lovely public pool, we spend happy hours on the slides and diving boards, enjoying the views of mountains around us. We drive back before the curfew, happy not to have to tackle the mountainous terrain in the dark.

There’s some rain the next day so we head to the Aqua Dome, a vast indoor and outdoor swimming world that features heated outdoor pools (rain no problem) as well as a saltwater pool, a pool with a strong current, some amazing waterslides (one, a dark hole, even shows a live broadcast of its current inhabitant on a screen) and lots of indoor sun loungers.

But the best watersports activities in the area are to be found at Area 47, a large lake near a rapid river where you can try out all the watersports you’ve ever heard of, as

well as many that you haven’t. So there’s blobbing (hilariously), and canonball, wakeboarding and more slides than we’ve ever seen, some of them improbably high.

There’s a slackline across the lake which we happily fall off repeatedly, a climbing wall from which you can fall into the water and a restaurant terrace allowing great views over everything. We spend the whole morning entering and exiting the water by different means before assembling for our rafting afternoon. We are kitted out in full body wetsuits with boots, hats and life vests and given a detailed introductory talk (the instructor is English; most staff here are students who have found the best summer job ever) and we set off down the river, 12 of us all clinging to our paddles (it's a 50 euro fine for each lost one) and shrieking with laughter as we cascade down the river. It’s the most fun we’ve had as a family in a long time (or certainly since mountain biking).

We were having so much fun that we’d almost forgotten about James Bond. Our last day dawns misty and significantly cooler: we don layers and head up in the high tech gondola all the way to the top. At 3,000 metres the Ice-Q, the glass structure that so impressed Spectre’s location scouts, is impressive and next to it is a new concrete bunker that’s home to the museum. It’s a high tech exhibit focusing on the history of Bond and the creative feats involved in making the films.

Enthusiasts will love it, and it’s accessible for the less obsessed too. So whether you’re a 007 disciple or not, and whether you ski or not, there are many reasons to visit the Otztal.

DA S C E N T R A L H OT E L Das Central Hotel, Sölden, Austria has double rooms available from €153 per person/ per night (summer) and from €200 per person / per night (winter), based on two people sharing on a half board basis. central-soelden.com

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

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Teaching young babies key water safety techniques in a fun and nurturing environment. As well as great exercise building physical and cognitive skills, it’s a great opportunity to have special bonding time with your baby.

Classes take place in the warm water pool at the The London School of Diving with a max of 7 babies in a class.

Free Trial Sessions Available at the London School of Diving’s warm water pool in Chiswick LITTLEDIPPERS_V1.indd 1

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25/01/2019 16:34

TRAVEL • MOTORING

Highway

CODE A new app from France is set to revolutionise car hire as we know it. Absolutely test drives Virtuo

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

O

ne of the factors we consider every time we consider getting rid of the car is the awfulness of car hire offices. Living in London, most of our daily journeys are by tube, foot or bike, all of them passing our unused yet cash-guzzling car. Our weekly supermarket haul is delivered, our babysitters sent home via Uber. And with new emission charges looming, we’re not the only ones to be asking ourselves whether owning a car is even worth it, once we’ve paid for parking, petrol, insurance, road tax and the never-ending maintenance costs. If we had a smart meter ticking away to reveal the daily tally on our stationary, guilty diesel-burning Mercedes, we’d probably be horrified.

But we do like weekends away. We went to Wales last month; we’re going to Norfolk later this month and to Cornwall at Easter, and we’ll need to drive. If we ditched the Merc, we’d be in those terrible car hire offices filling in the frightening forms and forgetting the annoying DVLA code far more often than anyone could bear. Or would we?

Newcomer to the UK car hire market is Virtuo, an app that’s already revolutionising our approach to car hire. The idea is to abolish the car hire office (so no queueing at the airport or arriving late to find it closed)

We’re not the only ones asking ourselves whether owning a car is even worth it and allow you to book a car through your phone, using a single account. All your details are stored after you first use the app, so booking a car repeatedly is easy. Choose your dates and times, add more mileage if you need, another driver, insurance – all pricing is clearly laid out. The whole thing is easy in fact, particularly when you know how (psychologically, controlling a car through an app takes some getting used to). We book an A-Class Mercedes to be

picked up from an underground car park in Kensington (there are five pick-up points in London: Kensington, Kings Cross, Marble Arch, Stratford, Victoria and Waterloo) and a series of texts keeps us updated; the number plate and exact location are revealed a couple of hours before pickup.

The main thing is the total absence of any key. My phone connects to the car as we approach it, unlocking it and running through a straightforward damage report.

To start it up, you place your phone in its docking station and press the dashboard’s start button. The phone is charging as we drive but still, we feel slightly uneasy relying so heavily on a phone battery. What if it dies while we stop for lunch and we can't get back in the car? They’ve thought of that, obviously. The key function can be transferred to a keycard, and there are three of those for extra backup – or for valet parking, say. This is a brand new A Class Mercedes, hardly any miles on the clock, and it drives like a dream. What a treat. The return is seamless – just park it where you found it and press return on your phone.

Bingo. And now that we’ve done it once, we’re set up forever – the network covers airports and stations throughout France and is set to grow throughout the UK too.

Maybe we’ll finally get rid of the car. govirtuo.com A B S O L U T E LY. L O N D O N

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Save 60% at Dubai’s #1 All-Inclusive 5 JA Palm Tree Court

JA Palm Tree Court is one of the best places to go all-inclusive in Dubai. This fabulous five-star hotel offers the widest range of onsite activities in the emirate. ✓ 9-hole golf course, spa, fitness centre, 4 swimming pools, horse riding, kids club, private beach and water sports included ✓ Dine-around at 14 restaurants and bars without restrictions ✓ Easy access to Dubai’s main attractions

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TRAVEL • PROMOTION

W O R L D

CLASS

EXCEPTIONAL VILLAS The Thinking Traveller’s collection of villas in the heart of the Mediterranean features 5-star oases of fully-serviced luxury, beachfront summer houses, gems of contemporary architecture, sumptuous masserie, chic trulli, romantic retreats, and much more. No property enters the collection until Rossella and Huw have seen it for themselves, and only about 1% of the villas offered to the company make it onto their books.

LOCAL KNOWLEDGE

Discover the exclusive world of The Thinking Traveller

W

hen Huw and Rossella Beaugié founded The Thinking Traveller in 2002, they did so with two clear aims: to offer a luxury experience that can’t be sourced elsewhere, and to inspire their clients to say, “That was the best holiday we’ve ever had. We’ll be back.” Judging by the company’s success – it has been voted Favourite Villa Rental Company four times (including in 2016, 2017 and 2018) at the prestigious Condé Nast Traveller Readers’ Travel Awards – Huw and Rossella’s innovative approach, based on four guiding principles, is fully achieving its aims.

The Thinking Traveller’s team visit and stay at the company’s properties several times a year, experiencing everything that you’ll experience while you’re on holiday.

The company’s concierges, meanwhile, are true locals who know the destinations inside out. They have all the right connections and a magical ability to make things happen.

You might not need them, but it’s always reassuring to know they’re on hand if you do.

PERSONAL SERVICE The Thinking Traveller’s experts will always go that extra mile to transform your dreams into reality. Excellent listeners, creative thinkers, and resourceful logisticians, they use their first-hand knowledge to give you all the options, suggest possibilities you might not have considered, and conjure up solutions that exceed your brief.

QUALITY THROUGH EXCLUSIVITY Exclusivity is a much misused word in the travel industry. For The Thinking Traveller, it’s a simple concept: the villas are not “shared” with numerous other rental agencies – they are all available exclusively through them. This not only gives clients a truly exclusive experience, but also allows the company to have a hands-on role in quality assurance (something that’s not possible when properties are rented through multiple channels). Exclusivity also allows clients to book online 24/7, whenever it’s most convenient.

T H E T H I N K I N G T R AV E L L E R For more information and to book, visit thethinkingtraveller.com A B S O L U T E LY. L O N D O N

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Into the blue Absolutely enjoys some five-star luxury at Masseria San Domenico in Puglia Wo r d s J A S M I N E R O B E R T S O N

THE HOTEL

M

asseria San Domenico is a fivestar hotel close to the village of Savelletri in Puglia, set back 500m from the Adriatic coast.

A typical Puglian masseria, it is is part farmhouse, part castle - the main building dates back to the 14th century when its watch tower was used by the Knights of Malta as fortification against Saracen attack.

Surrounded by 60 acres of ancient olive groves and orchards, the masseria has been faithfully restored and opened as a hotel in 1996.

It is now a grown-up - no under 12 year olds - and visually dramatic place to be; its buildings a mix of the Moorish, Greek and Italian influences that Puglia is famous for.

Stark white stone buildings and towers are interconnected by a series of arched passageways and spacious, open piazzas.

To the south is the Adriatic, viewed over a sea of ancient olive trees; to the north the scenic Appenines.

The hotel doesn’t always wear its history lightly - waitresses for lunch under dappled vines wore cod peasant outfits that seemed

104

a tad OTT but when you are staring out at the huge seawater pool surrounded by gnarled olive trees, it’s easy to forgive the odd Disneyfied outfit.

THE ROOM

T

here are 40 rooms and suites at San Domenico and, as you would expect for a five-star hotel that belongs to the Leading Hotels of the World group, each one is spacious and luxurious with every comfort and mod con possible, plus the obligatory vast bed. Our Junior Garden Suite had double doors leading to a patio area that looked over olive groves.

With two sun beds and blazing Puglian sun, it meant there was little temptation to go far beyond the room.

The decor in the room, and throughout the hotel seemed a little dated, heavy brocades and furniture, possibly more akin to a Scottish hunting lodge than a Puglian hotel. A cleaner, more modern feel to the rooms would have seemed more suitable, but perhaps this was in keeping with the ‘luxury’ hotel tag.

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TRAVEL • FAMILY

THE SPA

T

he hotel has a large and well run Spa and Thalassotherapy Centre.

Thalassotherapy is based on the ancient traditions of using seawater to purify and detoxify and the spa treatments are based on the essential elements of the thalassotherapy and the beneficial properties of the olive oil.

I enjoyed the ‘jewel in the crown’ treatment - an olive oil wrap with chromotherapy. This involved being scrubbed with the masseria’s own awardwinning olive oil scrub and being wrapped in an olive oil lipogel while lying on a heated bed which changed colour. The wrap left my skin feeling silky and deeply nourished.

I am yet to be convinced about the health benefits of a colour changing sun bed, however. Many of the olive-oil based beauty products used at the spa are made by the estate. They are available to buy as well as being in all the rooms. The olive-oil shower gel in particular is delicious, a rich, fragrant smell that is perfect for a morning wake-up call.

THE FOOD

T

here are many eating options at Masseria San Domenico. Breakfast is a vast buffet affair which you can eat inside or outside on one of the terraces. It was an international breakfast option with all bases covered from cereals to cold meats and even cake was on offer. I was aghast that there was no burrata, the typical creamy Pugliese mozzarella that I have always eaten for breakfast in Puglia.

Lunch is al fresco by the pool; the hotel offers a Mediterranean Diet for the health conscious. It is a low-calorie option that

Masseria San Domenico is a grown-up and visually dramatic place to be doesn’t stint on taste, using the best of the Medierrranean style of cooking that is renowned worldwide for its healthiness; so there was lots of fish, vegetables and fruit to eat.

Dinner is eaten in the masseria’s vaulted 18th-century dining room. It’s very beautiful but the high ceiling and vast space makes for a strange eating atmosphere. Convivial it isn’t. The dinner menu offers some traditional Apulian dishes with the emphasis on seasonally available ingredients accompanied by a wide selection of regional wines. Vegetables and home-grown products such as olive oil and fruit are grown or produced in San Domenico’s own land and fresh fish and shellfish come straight out of the Adriatic.

Another high season option is La Nassa, the hotel’s restaurant at its private beach.

It was closed when we visited in September but in the summer months it offers visitors seafood recipes done the local way including crudo di mare (raw), the ancient Apulian tradition of eating slices of raw fish served as a tartare or carpaccio. We were sad to miss it.

ACTIVITIES

T

he nearby beach - San Domenico a Mare - is reserved for hotel guests.

And as well as the spa, the hotel has two tennis courts, a modern gym and an 18-hole golf course.

You can also discover the local villages by bike. A few miles inland are the medieval città bianche (white towns) of Ostuni, Locorotondo and Martina Franco, medieval hilltop towns in the Itria Valley. Further afield is the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Alberobello famous for its 1,500 iconic trulli, the ancient, cylindrical houses that Puglia is renowned for.

THE VERDICT

M

asseria San Domenico is a fabulous place for a grown-up, indulgent holiday. It felt a little ‘vanilla’ however, striving to cover every base for an international hotel crowd. There’s no doubting it’s a luxurious experience but if you want something a little more authentic, a little more Puglian, this might not be the place for you.

T H E D E TA I L S Masseria San Domenico offers a 7-night stay from £1,995 per person when booked with Elegant Resorts 01244 897294; elegantresorts.co.uk • Price based on two people sharing a Deluxe Double Room including breakfast, economy flights, private transfers and UK Airport lounge passes. Based on May 2019

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PROPERTY Living the Dream

PARK HILL W5

ÂŁ3,750,000

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Property Feature: YOUhome

eautifully presented throughout, a seven to eight bedroom detached house, arranged over three floors. The house comprises a West-facing garden, outdoor heated swimming pool, three reception rooms and carriage drive. Enviably located within a short walking distance of Ealing Broadway's train station, this elegant property benefits from links into Heathrow, the City and Central London.

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YOUhome Notting Hill Gate 020 7908 9280 www.youhome.co.uk

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A unique home in an enviable location.

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Princedale Road, Notting Hill W11 A beautifully presented, interior designed four bedroom family home located within Notting Hill/Holland Park area.

• • • •

A charming and immaculate house Benefits from an exceptional private roof terrace Spacious and stunning bedrooms Approximately 1,862 sq ft (173 sq m)

Emily Ramsay looks forward to helping you. emily.ramsay@knightfrank.com 020 7313 9116 07785 242741

Guide price

£3,150,000 Freehold knightfrank.co.uk Connecting people & property, perfectly.

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Modern living with communal garden access .

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2 St. Stephens Gardens, Notting Hill W2 A well presented third floor apartment situated in St Stephens Gardens. St Stephens Gardens is a charming square with access to communal gardens and Westbourne Grove is nearby.

• • • •

Elizabeth Holder looks forward to helping you. elizabeth.holder@knightfrank.com 020 8033 9842

Open plan living Located on a quiet square Available part furnished Approximately 689 sq ft ( 64 sq m)

Guide price

£700

per week knightfrank.co.uk Connecting people & property, perfectly.

All potential tenants should be advised that, as well as rent, an administration fee of £288 and referencing fees of £48 per person will apply when renting a property. There will also be a £48 charge to register your deposit with the Tenancy Deposit Scheme if applicable. (All fees shown are inclusive of VAT.) Please ask us for more information about other fees that will apply or visit www.knightfrank. co.uk/tenantfees. Knight Frank is a member of the ARLA Client Money Protection Scheme and our redress scheme for consumers is Property Redress Scheme.

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A bright flat in a prime location.

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2 Ledbury Road, Notting Hill W11 A newly renovated flat located on Ledbury Road. Ledbury road is exceptionally well located, close by is the ever vibrant Westbourne Grove and nearby transport links.

• • • •

Elizabeth Holder looks forward to helping you. elizabeth.holder@knightfrank.com 020 8033 9842

Modern furnishings An abundance of natural light Approximately 496 sq ft (46.1 sq m) Available furnished

Guide price

£550

per week knightfrank.co.uk Connecting people & property, perfectly.

All potential tenants should be advised that, as well as rent, an administration fee of £288 and referencing fees of £48 per person will apply when renting a property. There will also be a £48 charge to register your deposit with the Tenancy Deposit Scheme if applicable. (All fees shown are inclusive of VAT.) Please ask us for more information about other fees that will apply or visit www.knightfrank. co.uk/tenantfees. Knight Frank is a member of the ARLA Client Money Protection Scheme and our redress scheme for consumers is Property Redress Scheme.

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EMPIRE HOUSE, SW7

£1,175 per week

A beautiful fourth floor mansion block flat closely located to all amenities and transport links of South Kensington and Knightsbridge. Well-proportioned and elegant this renovated apartment comprises of two double bedrooms, a spacious west facing reception room, marbled kitchen/dining room and views onto Alexander Square and beyond.

2 DOUBLE BEDROOMS • DOUBLE RECEPTION ROOM • KITCHEN/DINING ROOM • BATHROOM • LIFT • PORTER • FURNISHED

PORTOBELLO ROAD, W11

£1,850 per week

This elegant three storey house, formerly the home of novelist George Orwell, is located in the favoured southernmost section of Portobello Road. Westbourne Grove, Holland Park and Kensington Gardens are all within easy walking distance, as is Notting Hill Gate underground. This newly decorated home is perfect for those wishing to entertain in a unique stylish home with a delightful roof terrace.

DOUBLE RECEPTION ROOM • TERRACE WITH OUTDOOR KITCHEN • KITCHEN/DINING ROOM • 3 DOUBLE BEDROOMS WITH 2 EN-SUITES • MEDIA ROOM/4th BEDROOM • FURTHER SHOWERROOM • CLOAKROOM • UNFURNISHED

117 Sydney Street London SW3 6NR Lettings: +44 (0)20 7351 7822 or information@hlrlets.com hlrlets.com HLR.indd 1

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LIVING THE

DREAM The most luxuriously appointed properties on the market

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BAKER STREET

NW1, £9,75 0 P C M

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breathtaking four double bedroom apartment is now available to let in one of London’s most sought-after neighbourhoods. The apartment fuses together the building’s original 1920s features with state-of-the-art technology.

Benefitting from 24 hour porter service, lift and individual storage units, the property is also located close to Baker Street and Marylebone tube stations.

KFH Marylebone, 020 3040 6270 kfh.co.uk

ROSARY GARDENS SW 7, £ 89 9,0 0 0

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wonderfully bright and quiet two double bedroom apartment situated on the third floor (entered on the second) of an elegant Victorian house. The airy property comprises of a west facing reception room which opens out onto a balcony overlooking a peaceful mews; a master bedroom, guest bedroom, well laid out kitchen and bathroom. It also benefits from having good ceiling height and large windows.

YOUhome

Notting Hill Gate, 020 7908 9280 youhome.co.uk 1

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PROPERTY • NEW TO THE MARKET

WINCHESTER COURT W 8 , G u i d e £ 1 , 5 5 0,0 0 0

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efurbished to an exceptionally high standard, this two bedroom, two bathroom apartment is situated on the top floor of a portered block in a prime Kensington location. It has a predominantly south-facing aspect and is therefore very light and bright and has views over the Kensington roof tops and of the iconic church spire. Conveniently located close to transport links.

KNIGHT FRANK Kensington, 020 8115 3277 michael.sands@knightfrank.com

KENSINGTON COURT

PARKVIEW COURT

SW 6 , £ 5 0 0 p e r W E E K

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n outstanding and extensively refurbished two-bedroom purpose built flat, located on the fifth floor of this imposing mansion block. The accommodation comprises of two bedrooms, fully integrated kitchen, family bathroom, and reception room offering fantastic views of the Fulham Palace Meadow allotments. The flat is conveniently located, too.

LOCKETT ESTATES

Fulham, 020 7736 2810 lettings@lockettestates.co.uk

W 8 , £ 1 , 5 0 0,0 0 0

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n elegant and spacious 3 Bedroom 3 Bathroom apartment (1,596sf) set within a large redbrick Victorian building which benefits from having its own private entrance in this highly sought after location in Kensington Court. Kensington Court is ideally situated moments from the popular Kensington High Street and the green open spaces of Hyde Park.

THE RECEPTION ROOM OPENS ONTO A BALCONY WHICH OVERLOOKS THE PEACFUL MEWS BELOW

YOUhome

Notting Hill Gate, 020 7908 9280 youhome.co.uk

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

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BARTON ROAD, WEST KENSINGTON An exceptional 3 double bedroom flat with a private decked garden.

Accommodation comprises a modern kitchen, dining area and a beautiful reception.The master bedroom has plenty of storage, a modern ensuite and access to a lovely decked garden. There are two further double bedrooms & bathroom. EPC – D

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GUIDE PRICE

£950,000 FULHAM 020 7610 9755

FULHAM ROAD, FULHAM Featherstone Leigh have five brand new two bedroom properties ranging in price from £595,000 to £825,000 with Help to buy available. All of the flats comprise open plan kitchen living spaces in various configurations, underfloor heating, high quality appliances and fitted storage. EPC - C

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GUIDE PRICE

£595,000 FULHAM 020 7610 9755

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Chiswick Hammersmith West Kensington Fulham Chelsea

Battersea Clapham Putney Barnes Richmond

Kew Sheen Twickenham Teddington Kingston

featherstoneleigh.co.uk

PALMERSTON MANSIONS, QUEENS CLUB GARDENS A wonderful two bedroom flat in the much sought after Queens Club Gardens. The property comprises two very generous double bedrooms with ample storage space, a large kitchen with plenty of space for dining and a sizeable reception room with a balcony. The beautiful setting can be peacefully enjoyed without compromising on proximity to shops, bars and restaurants. The property is also close to both Barons Court and West Brompton stations. EPC - E

GUIDE PRICE

£950,000

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FULHAM 020 7610 9755

23/11/2018 10:21

OSSINGTON STREET, W2 A recently refurbished, elegant townhouse of approx. 2,731 sq ft, with a delightful south-west facing garden, located 0.3 miles from Bayswater Underground Station.

• 4 RECEPTION ROOMS • 2 KITCHENS • 5 BEDROOMS • 4 BATHROOMS • ROOF TERRACE • SOUTH-WEST FACING WALLED GARDEN • RESIDENTS’

HOLLAND PARK

020 7727 5222 hollandpark@jackson-stops.co.uk jackson-stops.co.uk

Local and National reach through a network of London and Regional offices.

PARKING • EPC RATING E

£4,980,000 FREEHOLD

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WINCHESTER STREET, SW1V A beautiful two double bedroom apartment with the potential to extend (STPP), located 0.6 miles from Victoria Station and 0.5 miles from Pimlico Underground Station.

• OPEN-PLAN KITCHEN/RECEPTION ROOM • MASTER BEDROOM WITH ENSUITE • FURTHER DOUBLE BEDROOM • FAMILY BATHROOM • STORAGE VAULT

PIMLICO

020 7828 4050 pimlico@jackson-stops.co.uk jackson-stops.co.uk

Local and National reach through a network of London and Regional offices.

• COURTYARD PATIO • EPC RATING E

£950,000 SHARE OF FREEHOLD

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VINTNERS ROW, SW10 A well-presented house in the region of 1,723 sq ft, with open views along the full length of Lamont Road, located just 50 metres from the amenities of the King’s Road.

• RECEPTION ROOM • KITCHEN/DINING ROOM • GUEST WC • 4 BEDROOMS • 3 BATHROOMS • RESIDENTS’ PARKING

CHELSEA

020 7581 5881 chelsea@jackson-stops.co.uk jackson-stops.co.uk

Local and National reach through a network of London and Regional offices.

• EPC RATING E

£2,495,000 FREEHOLD

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STANHOPE MEWS SOUTH, SW7 A delightful house set over two floors, situated in a pretty cobbled mews, 0.1 miles from Gloucester Road Underground Station and a wide variety of shops and restaurants.

• RECEPTION ROOM • SEPARATE KITCHEN • DOUBLE BEDROOM • BATHROOM • GUEST WC • SEPARATE UTILITY AREA • ROOF TERRACE

CHELSEA

020 7581 5881 chelsea@jackson-stops.co.uk jackson-stops.co.uk

Local and National reach through a network of London and Regional offices.

• RESIDENTS’ PARKING • EPC RATING D

£1,225,000 LEASEHOLD - 65 YEARS

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020 3284 1888 mayfair@humberts.com

48 Berkeley Square, Mayfair London W1J 5AX

Chelsea Manor William Harley Street Mews Street, London, SW3 Knightsbridge Marylebone W1G SW7

Fully renovated and lateral fully 2 bedroom in a block. secure porteredfrom building close to the A This smart unusually one bedroom large flat furnished on apartment the ground wasfloor created induplex a by portered joining two apartments Benefits together, underground and includes parking and 2 kitchens, off street 3 bedrooms parking within and 2 the sitting mews. rooms.

1 Bedroom, Located 1 on Reception the 2nd floor Room with & 1 a Bathroom lift and a porter. over approx.

In need Kings Road, Chelsea. Fabulous Carrara marble kitchen and bathroom. EPC C 550 of modernisation. sqft. Unbeatable Leasehold, Knightsbridge 33 years location. remaining.

ShareEPC: of Freehold.

D EPC: C

Asking Guideper Price: Price: £1,900,000 £1,075,000leasehold freehold £800 week

David Adams Director 48 Berkeley Square, Mayfair, London W1J 5AX T: 020 3284 1888 E: david.adams@humberts.com

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Stay in touch with us

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25/01/2019 15:54

020 3284 1888 mayfair@humberts.com

48 Berkeley Square, Mayfair London W1J 5AX

Aubrey Walk William Harley Street Mews £14,000,000 Knightsbridge Marylebone W1G SW7 Asking Guide Price: Price:£1,900,000 £1,075,000leasehold freehold

David Adams Director 48 Berkeley Square, Mayfair, London W1J 5AX T: 020 3284 1888 E: david.adams@humberts.com

HUMBERTS.indd 1

An impressive Art beautifully 5joining reception 7 bedrooms and bathroom A This smart unusually one bedroom largeDeco lateral flatand on apartment the ground wasrefurbished floor created in a by portered block. two rooms, apartments Benefits from together, underground and7includes parking and 2 kitchens, offfeaturing street 3 bedrooms parking and 2the sitting rooms.

1Springfield.

Bedroom, Located1on Reception the 2nd Room & 1aswimming Bathroom lift and a porter. over approx.

In need house a bluewithin plaque formews.

Dusty Private Spafloor withwith 35ft pool, roof 550 of modernisation. sqft.and Unbeatable Leasehold, Knightsbridge location. remaining.

ShareEPC: of Freehold.

D EPC: C terrace off street parking.33 years

Stay in touch with us

humberts.com

13/12/2018 11:37

COTTESMORE GARDENS KENSINGTON W8 A GENEROUS EIGHT BEDROOM HOME MINUTES FROM KENSINGTON HIGH STREET Cottesmore Gardens presents a generous home, cleverly arranged over five floors, providing ample entertaining space, including a 44 ft long drawing room on the raised ground floor. There is an impressive kitchen/family room on the lower ground floor, which leads onto a 51 ft long south-facing garden. Cottesmore Gardens is located south of Kensington Gardens, close to the transport and shopping facilities of Kensington High Street.

Accommodation: Entrance hall, double reception room, kitchen/breakfast room, sitting room, master bedroom with 2 dressing rooms and an ensuite bathroom, 7 further bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, shower room, utility room, guest WC, wine cellar. Amenities: Large garden, storage.

LONDON

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·

Marcus O’Brien

£15,500,000

marcus@beauchamp.com

Freehold

+44 (0)20 7499 7722

Joint Sole Agents

C A NN E S

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M YKO N O S

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N E W YO R K

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H E R Z L I YA

23/11/2018 13:53

WYNDHAM HOUSE CHELSEA SW1 AN ELEGANT AND SPACIOUS THIRD FLOOR LATERAL APARTMENT An elegant and spacious third floor lateral apartment offering well balanced accommodation. the property is presented in very good decorative condition with four/five bedrooms and generous entertaining space. In total the apartment extends to some 284 sq m (3,062 sq ft). Wyndham house is a small handsome stone dressed purpose built block which occupies a position on the south eastern corner of Sloane Square. The many amenities of Chelsea and Knightsbridge are within walking distance.

Accommodation: Entrance hall, reception room, dining room, kitchen/breakfast room, master bedroom with ensuite bathroom, four further bedrooms (three ensuite), laundry room, guest WC. Amenities: 24-hour porter, lift, 3,062 sqft.

£5,950,000

Paul Finch

Leasehold

paul@beauchamp.com

Sole Agents

+44 (0)20 7499 7722

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THORNWOOD GARDENS KENSINGTON W8 A STUNNING FIVE BEDROOM HOUSE WITHIN A SECURE GATED DEVELOPEMENT This luxury home is one of only eight houses within this gated development. Arranged over seven floors, including a roof terrace, Thornwood Gardens offers open plan living areas ideal for entertaining, five ensuite bedrooms, a large swimming pool with a sauna, a gym and a jacuzzi. Thornwood Gardens is located off Campden Hill, just minutes from Holland Park, Kensington High Street, Notting Hill and the open spaces of Kensington Gardens.

Accommodation: Entrance hall, reception room, dining room, kitchen/breakfast room, family room, library, study, master bedroom with dressing room and ensuite bathroom, 4 further bedrooms with ensuite bathrooms, 2 guest cloakrooms.

Amenities: Gym, swimming pool, sauna, jacuzzi, garden, 2 terraces, balcony, roof terrace, parking.

LONDON

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Marcus O’Brien

£15,795,000

marcus@beauchamp.com

Freehold

+44 (0)20 7499 7722

Joint Sole Agents

C A NN E S

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M YKO N O S

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N E W YO R K

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H E R Z L I YA

14/12/2018 14:54

THURLOE SQUARE KENSINGTON SW7 A MAGNIFICENT GRADE II LISTED HOUSE Built circa 1840 and is located on the favoured east side of this elegant South Kensington garden square. Thurloe Square presents a substantial Grade II listed house designed by architect George Basevi. The house benefits from classic, well proportioned reception rooms, a generous kitchen/breakfast room (with French windows opening onto the garden), a large games room at the lower ground floor and seven double bedrooms. Thurloe Square currently has planning approval (valid for 3 years from August 2018) for a first floor conservatory.

Accommodation: Entrance hall, reception room/dining room, kitchen/breakfast room, drawing room, family room, 7 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, 2 shower rooms, utility room, guest WC, wine cellar. Amenities: balcony, terrace, garden, storage .

ÂŁ13,500,000

Paul Finch

Freehold

paul@beauchamp.com

Sole Agents

+44 (0)20 7499 7722

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24 Cu rzon St reet , Lon don W1J 7 TF 14/12/2018 14:54

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26/06/2018 16:17

country house town house period house modern house dream house moving house?

Estate agency has moved on. house. is different We know people are starting to consider online only estate agents, but still want the reassurance of face-to-face help from local experts.

You get both with us, because we provide that personal service without expensive high street locations that customers have to pay for.

We also go further to ensure your property and the lifestyle it enables is shown in the best possible light.

Sumptuous photography and video, and a contemporary web experience not only shows buyers how your home looks, but how it feels to live there. It’s the new, innovative way to add value when selling your house.

The premium online estate agency.

London, Surrey and Sussex 0800 917 0447 info@housepartnership.co.uk

housepartnership.co.uk

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26/06/2018 16:16

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25/10/2017 17:43

PROPERTY • FEATURE

HEAVY HITTER Belgravia and Wandsworth sales veteran, Hugo Headlam, joins YOUhome as the SW1, SW11 and SW18 Property Guru, adding to the team covering Prime Central London (PCL).

H

eadlam spent the past 18 years at John D. Wood where he was in charge of the Wandsworth and then Belgravia offices, bringing both to their best years.

As the latest well known PCL sales agent to make the move to YOUhome as a Property Guru, Headlam says, “the combination of working with property experts who I have deep respect for, a culture built on honesty and experience,

COMYN ROAD, SW11 GUIDE PRICE £850,000

and up-to-the-minute local market research that is at a level I’ve not seen before, drew me to this next step in my career”.

Formerly an insurance broker of 20 years in the City, Headlam made a career move after seeing the opportunity in the industry and coming by property naturally with his mother as a self-made developer, sales and lettings agent.

“While there is industry-wide debate about the state of the PCL market, we’re feeling positive and bringing Hugo on board simply

reinforces this confidence we have in the market, says Laurence Lai, YOUhome Sales Director and Property Guru. “Hugo is known amongst the industry for his personable style, his enthusiasm and his incredible knowledge that comes from years of focused selling in Belgravia and Wandsworth.

Not to mention, as a resident of Wandsworth for over 25 years, we are so pleased he’ll be serving YOUhome’s clients with his insider’s approach to the area.”

A new category of estate agency, YOUhome takes a bespoke approach that provides home sellers with Property Gurus that are both home sales experts and local property market analysts. The Gurus pair their property knowledge with hyper local market analysis and comparisons; gathered via YOUhome’s proprietary platform which is also made accessible directly to its vendors.

YOUhome is a new category of estate agent that was developed out of the need to help home sellers specifically as they navigate the often-difficult experience of selling their most valuable asset. YOUhome Property Gurus leverage a bespoke combination of unparalleled research and technology with an experienced, emotionally connected approach. All offered at a disruptively fair fee thanks to lower overheads compared to the traditional agency model. www.youhome.co.uk

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

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25/01/2019 16:32

Home sellers, you probably haven’t heard of us.

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24/01/2019 10:37

We’re the Prime Central London property gurus selling properties other agents haven’t been able to.

You feel at home, while we sell your home.

Discover how at youhome.co.uk/absolutely

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24/01/2019 10:38

The home of the

HOUSE PROUD

New Roman Blinds Collection Our exciting new collection of Roman Blinds opens up a whole world of style choices. All backed by a service we’re pleased to say is second to none; with the highest quality products expertly made to measure and fitted beautifully.

So whatever the design, window or room we will do your house proud.

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Luxaflex® Showrooms: Curtain Call, Richmond: 0208 332 6250 • Abbott’s, Roman Road: 0208 980 4158 • Ashtead Interiors, Ashtead: 01372 271 010

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03/12/2018 10:27