1. home and garden

GREAT BRITISH HOMES FROM CHEWTON ROSE | SUMMER 2014
LIVE THE
HIGH LIFE
Find the home of your dreams inside
L IVING
INTERIOR INSPIRATION
AND EXPERT ADVICE
THE LATEST KITCHEN
TRENDS AND
DESIGN IDEAS
FO O D & D R I N K
NEWS, REVIEWS,
INTERVIEWS AND
TASTY TREATS
P ROP ERT Y
76 PAGES OF GREAT
BRITISH HOMES
T H E P L A C E F R O M C H E W TO N R O S E | S U M M E R 2 0 1 4
WELCOME
The cover
The Lane,
West Mersea
Welcome to the summer issue of The Place, the inspiring magazine from Chewton
Rose. In this issue, we bring you the definitive guide to the warmer months to come: The
Season (page 7) is full of exciting things to see and do around the country, from Paul Weller
at Warwick Castle to bridal splendour at London’s V&A, while The Property pages are
full of indispensable advice and style ideas from the design experts to help you get the
interior of your dreams.
We also meet designer (and TV Dragon!) Kelly Hoppen, who tells us about her
illustrious career, which started with a kitchen. And on the subject of kitchens, The Room
(page 24) takes an in-depth look at how the ‘heart of the home’ has evolved, and showcases
the latest in luxury kitchen design.
Lovers of the outdoors will find plenty to read, too, as our The Garden feature (page 26)
rounds up the country’s best garden shows. If you are still buzzing from all the brilliant
things you recently saw at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show and are hungry for more, or if
you missed London’s flagship outdoor extravaganza, but would love ideas and inspiration
for your own great outdoors, there’s plenty of shows still to come. There are also some ideas
for flowers you can grow in your garden and then cut for your interior.
On page 14, Susie Clegg, The Place’s very own superstar stylist, once more answers your
interior design questions. Perplexed by pastels? Need help with your hall? Susie has the
solutions you seek.
The summer months, of course, mean longer days and more opportunities for dining
out – especially al fresco. The Table (page 28) is full of new bars and restaurants to try as
well as news of a bespoke champagne service that lets you blend your own bubbly, while The
Style pages (32) are full of fashion and beauty ideas to keep you looking fabulously chic.
As usual, you’ll also find an unrivalled selection of Great British Homes for sale with
Chewton Rose as well as insider knowledge from our expert agents. If you want to know
where the upcoming property hotspots are, or what kind of property is selling well right
now, you’ll find the answers here. Our The Knowledge section (page 34) also brings you
Chewton Rose news, from new technology to homes for equestrian fans. (And news of a
very special rose.)
We hope you enjoy this issue of The Place and have a sensational summer.
The Place
Published by Think,
124-128 Barlby Road,
London W10 6BL
020 8962 3020
Editor
Steven Short
Senior Sub-editor
Marion Thompson
Editorial Assistant
Lily Howes
Contributing Editors
Kate Parkin, Veronica
Peerless, Stephanie
Jones, Aileen Scoular,
Farah Dib
Account Manager
Kieran Paul
Managing Director
Polly Arnold
Chewton Rose
40 Pall Mall,
London SW1Y 5JG
For Chewton Rose
Kim Dewing
Head of Marketing and PR,
Claire Armstrong
Marketing Assistant
www.chewtonrose.co.uk 03
! THE CONTENTS #
32
20
07
07
THE SEASON
Wedding belles at the V&A,
feathered friends in Norfolk… our
guide to an unforgettable summer
10
THE PROPERTY
Welcome to The Lane,
West Mersea, architect-designed
and with the perfect patio on
which to enjoy Aperol Spritzes
14
THE INTERIOR
Stylist Susie Clegg on pastel
perfection and making a bold
entrance – courtesy of
your hallway
16
THE PROPERTY
If the kitchen is the heart of the
home, Weavers Vale, in Pebmarsh,
has a lot of heart. And so much
else to recommend it
22
20
THE DESIGNER
32
THE STYLE
Kelly Hoppen, the A-list’s favourite
interiorista, shares her secrets for
creating a dream home
The only boots he’ll ever need,
Jigsaw’s new collection, tech
inspiration and more
THE PROPERTY
THE KNOWLEDGE
22
34
Glenn Miller played his last concert
at Middle House, Ravensden,
which has been lovingly restored
to its former glory
Words of wisdom from
Chewton Rose’s expert agents,
new touchscreen tech and buying
and selling with Chewton Rose
THE ROOM
THE PROPERTY
PORTFOLIO
24
It’s where we eat and socialise
and it’s evolving all the time.
We round up the latest design
ideas for kitchens
26
THE GARDEN
Get your diary out and start
planning your visits to this
summer’s garden shows.
Inspiration guaranteed
28
37
Our selection of Great British
property here
114
THE INTERVIEW
Trevor Sorbie on 50 years of
making people’s hair look amazing,
his home style and his
new projects
THE TABLE
How to get the wine right at every
restaurant, high-octane tea in
Knightsbridge, award-winning
Sunday lunch in West Bridgford…
www.chewtonrose.co.uk 05
! GUIDE TO #
The
Summer’s hottest tickets and can’t-afford-to-miss events
SEASON
JAM HOT
COMPILED BY LILY HOWES
The Modfather and iconic performer
Paul Weller is playing at Warwick Castle
this summer. He has come a long way
from his time as a member of The Jam,
founded more than 30 years ago, but
he remains a cultural icon and musical
legend. Catch him in the beautiful
grounds of Warwick Castle on 11 July.
www.warwick-castle.com
www.chewtonrose.co.uk 07
! THE SEASON #
JUMP TO IT
The Longines Royal International
Horse Show is back this July for its
107th year. The event in Sussex
includes horse showing and
showjumping, and there will also
be shops, restaurants, more
than 200 trade stands and
children’s entertainment.
29 July to 3 August
www.hickstead.co.uk
THE WHITE
STUFF
The history of bridal
fashion is retraced
in Wedding Dresses
1775-2014, one of
this summer’s most
exciting exhibitions at
the V&A. Everything
from the exceptional
craftsmanship behind
designer-made
garments to items
from key fashion
designers including
Charles James,
Vivienne Westwood
and Vera Wang
are on display.
Until 15 March 2015
www.vam.ac.uk
TWO
WHEELS
GOOD
The iconic Tour de
France starts in the
Dales this year. The
WHO LIVES IN A
HOUSE LIKE THAT?
Open House London provides
a rare chance to see what hides
behind closed doors in some of the
most iconic buildings of the capital.
More than rummaging around
the bedrooms of strangers, it is a
testament to the simple thrill of
the 101st tour will take
the riders from the
start in Leeds through
Yorkshire and on to
Cambridge and London before the French stages.
The last time the race started in the UK was in
London in 2007. Head north to follow the scenic
route yourself and be part of a historic moment.
Leeds, 5 July
www.letouryorkshire.com
in a modernist cube or a Tudor pile.
Last year, the chance to miss out
the entrance charges for The Shard
was top of many people’s lists –
visit the website from August
Fancy a trip back to
the 1940s? Then
don’t miss the Flying
Legends Air Show
at the Imperial War
Museum, Duxford,
Cambridgeshire. As
from historic pistonengined aircraft, the
the planes were in active service. Tickets from £16.30.
12 and 13 July
www.iwm.org.uk
BEST OF BRITISH!
Bruton in Somerset is the site of a new Hauser & Wirth gallery and art centre
opening in July. The exhibition programme highlights new work by British artists,
be opening their doors to the
public this year.
20-21 September
www.londonopenhouse.org
artist residencies. The restored historic building and the grounds themselves,
with a meadow garden landscaped by Piet Oudolf, are well worth a visit.
www.hauserwirthsomerset.com
SUPER FLY!
The Wonder of Birds exhibition at
Norwich Castle explores some of the
cultural impacts of birds on mankind
through some 220 works by artists
including John James Audubon and
Maggi Hambling.
24 May to 14 September
www.museums.norfolk.gov.uk
Hawk Pouncing on Partridges, c 1827
by John James Audubon (1785-1851)
08 www.chewtonrose.co.uk
REACH FOR
THE SKY
ANYONE FOR TENNIS ?
Arguably one of the most exciting sporting events
of the summer, Wimbledon is the world’s longestrunning and most prestigious tennis tournament,
attracting around 500,000 spectators and millions
of TV viewers worldwide. For two
weeks of tennis, Pimm’s, and
strawberries and cream, head
to southwest London.
23 June to 6 July
www.wimbledon.com
AGENT’S SECRET
‘On 6 July, hundreds of people,
including Chewton Rose’s Caron
Joyes, will be running the Bewl
15, a 15-mile charity race, which
Chewton Rose Wadhurst is
sponsoring.’ Consistently voted
one of the best races in the UK,
there’s still time for you to enter.
Marion Goggin, branch partner at
Sussex and Kent Chewton Rose
Visit www.bewl15.co.uk for
full details.
www.chewtonrose.co.uk 09
! THE PROPERTY #
DOUBLE
With exceptional spaces inside and out, this superb property makes a dream home
FANTASY
10 www.chewtonrose.co.uk
LEFT: The colonial-style
property has a fresh-looking
exterior that blends in well
with the surrounding
outdoor space
ABOVE: The elegant master
bedroom suite is bright and
high vaulted ceilings and
large windows that allow
spectacular views of the
Mersea Quarters (left)
www.chewtonrose.co.uk 11
! THE PROPERTY #
31 The Lane,
West Mersea
£1,750,000
Contact: Daryl Parr,
Chewton Rose,
Colchester branch,
01206 564259,
colchester@
chewtonrose.co.uk
Standing stately within 1.32 acres, its grounds running down to the sea, the green
clapperboard architect-designed house at The Lane, West Mersea, is a modern masterpiece.
A kind of tale of two dwellings, its colonial Cape Cod-style exterior hints little at the
interior – ultra-sleek and spectacular. And light. Multiple open spaces and glass are linked
by wooden floors throughout and showstopping features, such as the floating, curved
staircase, vaulted ceilings and, in the master bedroom, centrally placed bed and bathtub.
The continuous white palette is punctuated by bursts of colour, a dramatic red gloss in the
kitchen, jewel-toned bedroom fittings, feature patterned walls and turquoise green chairs,
cleverly echoing the outside, in the breakfast room.
Built 12 years ago, the owners worked closely with the architect to get their dream family
home: ‘In every detail we were able to meet our lifestyle needs.’ There is an integrated media
system and cinema screen, breakout areas for get-togethers and, so clever is the design,
depending on needs, two of the reception rooms can be changed to give six bedrooms.
If using outdoor space to extend indoors is a clever trick of the trade, No31 is pure
sorcery. A garden patio with table and chairs is just far enough away from the house for
countryside-style dining. There is the divine wooden veranda, perfect for after-dinner
drinks or afternoon tea, and for views and kicking back, balconies are wrapped around the
upper floors.
‘It’s a comfortable, easy house to live in,’ say the owners, ‘designed so everyone can have
their independence, and also a superb place to entertain.’
It is the dual personality bonus again, much like its location on the island of Mersea with
its beautiful secluded beaches and water sports, yet just 15 minutes from Colchester with
trains to the capital. And also the best oysters the region has to offer.
12 www.chewtonrose.co.uk
CLOCKWISE FROM TOP
LEFT: One of the four
bedrooms, this one has
pops of colour and a
patterned wall, as well as
a long window seat; the
has a streamlined design
matt lacquered cabinetry;
the large sitting room has
recessed ceiling lighting
areas on two tiers; a partially
covered sun terrace is
perfect for al fresco dining
! GET THE LOOK #
RIVIERA CHIC
NIGHT
LIGHT
Pour yourself a Singapore Sling
and watch the sun go down on this
delightful retro-inspired seating.
Gloster Vista modular outdoor
furniture lounging centre unit, £799,
corner unit, £949, John Lewis.
www.johnlewis.com
Create a
warming glow
for summer
outdoor
entertaining
– it’s just
as perfect
indoors, too, when the days get
shorter. Outdoor/indoor lantern,
prices start from £490 for small
lantern, Keir Townsend.
www.keirtownsend.com
FRUITS OF
THE EARTH
Looking for some
outdoor statement
sculpture? Try this
delicious still life.
HOT STUFF
summer and portable enough to take
down to the beach for an evening’s
barbecue. Iron brazier, £95, Cox & Cox.
www.coxandcox.co.uk
apples by ceramicist
Lisa Pappon, prices
start from £95 for
the smallest apple,
Urban Living Interiors.
www.urbanliving
interiors.co.uk
DINING OUT
LET’S GO
Sit back and dine in
style this summer
with this oval table
and luxuriously
comfortable chairs.
Skyline Design Pershing
eight-seater dining
set, £4,859, LuxDeco.
www.luxdeco.com
OUTSIDE
METAL WORKS
Some outdoor steel furniture can be
a little heavy and unruly. This oozes
COMPILED BY KATE PARKIN
curves in all the right places. Elegant
metal lounger, £199, cushion, £70,
Cox & Cox. www.coxandcox.co.uk
It’s the season to be out
and about. There is talk
of a brilliant summer
ahead so complement
a beautiful garden or
patio with inviting
furniture and must-have
outdoor accessories
SOFT TOUCH
Accessorise your patio furniture with these allweather cushions, in various colours and textures.
Haze cushion in strawberry, £72 unpiped, £87 piped,
by Extex, through LuxDeco. www.luxdeco.com
MADE TO SHARE
The perfect compact pod, comfy
for one and cosy for two, to
turn your patio into the
ultimate chill-out zone.
Tahiti daybed, brown
rattan, £1,439, Fishpools.
LOUNGING AROUND
House of Hackney, known for its quirky
‘maximalism’, now has a range of outdoor
goodies. The Palmeral print, one of its
most pared-down, works brilliantly
on this sunlounger with cushion,
£995, House of Hackney.
www.houseofhackney.com
www.chewtonrose.co.uk 13
! THE INTERIOR #
Q We need some inspiration
for our hall. I want warm and
welcoming, my husband wants
edgy. Any recommendations?
Rachel Hall, Botley, Hampshire
Q I want to inject some colour into
my white home. What are the
colour trends for summer? Ellie
Pastels are very on trend this year
and are a great way of adding some
freshness to your interior, whether
that be from painting a wall, choosing
a great pastel patterned fabric for
some curtains or introducing a
statement chair or even some
cushions into your home. Pastel
tones in vogue for summer are a
more subtle shade of the neons
that have been popular for a couple
of seasons, so think pink, orange,
yellow, mint green – all lovely accent
colours to use. These will instantly
brighten up any room, and there
are so many lovely patterns and
opinion about home décor, the key is
compromise. A lot can be achieved
with colour that will give you a feeling
of warmth, but be bolder than you
would normally choose to be and
experiment. A very dark grey, for
instance, can be warm, but is pretty
norm. You can also add personality
to the space with modern pictures
on the walls, textured/patterned
runner on the stairs.
Q I like the idea of industrial
lighting, but want something a bit
‘softer’. Any ideas? Carolyn Sims,
Sherborne, Dorset
Industrial lighting can be cold and
gives directional light, so is not
always suitable as the main lighting
for a lounge or bedroom (it’s perfect
for dining or kitchen spaces, though).
These vintage-inspired lights from
Anglepoise (above) give a lovely
something that suits you.
room. They come in Graphite Grey,
Jet Black and Alpine White (£175
each) from www.anglepoise.com.
ask a stylist
‘Shopping, propping and making things look pretty,’
is how interior stylist and designer Susie Clegg spends
her time. For more than 15 years, Susie has been creating
beautiful and inspiring editorial features and advertising
campaigns for magazines such as Livingetc and brands
such as Sony, Waitrose and MTV. She has also created luxury interiors
for boutique hotels and many private clients. Susie studied furniture and
interior design before establishing her own practice (www.susieclegg.
co.uk). For this issue of The Place she highlights the interior trends to look
out for and solves some of your design dilemmas.
If you’d like to ask Susie a question about your home décor, please email
her at chewtonrose@thinkpublishing.co.uk
14 www.chewtonrose.co.uk
FAR LEFT: Be bold with colour (paint by Dulux)
LEFT: This Tonelli Liber glass bookcase
(from £710) is ideal for displaying collections
TOP, ABOVE & RIGHT: Inject colour with
accessories in delicate shades (enamel photo
frame from Jonathan Adler, £68, and cups and
saucers from Royal Albert Colours collection –
£22.50 for a teacup, saucer and cake plate) or
with pastel paints (from Little Greene)
Q I have a collection of vintage
vases. Any tips for displaying it?
Pam Shaw, Brentwood, Essex
A great way of displaying large
collections of anything, including,
in this instance, vintage vases and
pots, is to use a glass-fronted
cabinet, either free-standing or
wall-mounted. Having your collection
enclosed in a vintage cabinet is a
great way to keep everything
dust-free while on view. Don’t hide
your lovely pieces away in cupboards
and boxes! Having them on display
like this also means they are easily
accessible, so you’re more likely to
use them every day. Collections
are great, but they should also be
something that you use regularly
so you get to enjoy the pieces.
www.chewtonrose.co.uk 15
! THE PROPERTY #
to the
LIGHTHOUSE
This Georgian-style family property oozes traditional charm, luxury
and warmth, with a true sense of peace and tranquillity
A stately presence at the end of a leafy cul-de-sac, this elegant detached home with large
shaded gardens has more than an air of a country idyll about it. That it’s plumb in the centre
of the village of Pebmarsh, makes it a double delight.
‘We were already living in the village and were drawn to the Weavers Vale house by its
generous size, light rooms and the seclusion it offered,’ says owner Michelle Nolan, who
has lived here for 11 years.
The Georgian-style five-bedroom house is the perfect family pile. Location is obviously
part of its pull, but equally appealing is its stylish interior, much of it thanks to the flair
of Michelle, who was keen to put her stamp on it when
she moved in. ‘I knew we could give it our own style overhead lighting; bold statement pieces that command
inside,’ she says.
attention from the up-lit etched glass pendant in
The undoubted standout of Weavers Vale is the the expansive drawing room to the glass and fabric
kitchen. A luxury Clive Christian design, and painted chandelier in the dining room and ornate beaded drops
a soft complementary grey, it offers oodles of space to in the master bedroom.
Pretty, intricate patterned iron bedsteads in cream,
cook, eat and sit in. There is a dining room, too, but
Michelle says they often eat here. It’s the hub of the with matching wardrobes and cushions, give the main
house, a real family hangout, and brilliantly light and bedroom, with en suite, a tranquil, period feel. A similar
airy thanks to the large double doors and clever colour theme carries on into the main bathroom, which is
combo. (For more kitchen inspiration, see our feature brought bang up to date with state-of the-art shower
on page 24.)
and discreet ceiling spots.
That neutral palette is echoed throughout the house
No matter the season, Weavers Vale is built for
– a blank canvas allowing the furniture and fittings to parties. The kitchen and drawing room both open
take centre stage. The real drama comes from the central out onto a terrace that runs the length of the house,
with a huge lawn beyond. Further afield, but less than
15 minutes’ drive away, is the bustling market town of
Sudbury on the River Stour. Notable as the birthplace
of landscape painter Thomas Gainsborough, his legacy
lives on in this pretty-as-a-picture family home.
16 www.chewtonrose.co.uk
Weavers Vale House,
Pebmarsh £595,000
Contact: Daryl Parr,
Chewton Rose,
Colchester branch,
01206 564259,
colchester@
chewtonrose.co.uk
CLOCKWISE FROM TOP
LEFT: The bespoke kitchen
is a real showpiece, with a
breakfast area that enjoys
views over the garden; all
bedrooms are tastefully
decorated; the airy master
bedroom has an en-suite
bathroom; a stunning
chandelier is a real focal
point of the dining room;
the neutral palette is used
throughout, ensuring all
areas of the property feel
light and spacious; French
doors in the drawing room
open out onto the garden
and terrace
www.chewtonrose.co.uk 17
! GET THE LOOK #
FLOWER SHOW
BEDSIDE MANNER
Don’t limit yourself to lamps –
pendant lighting used by the bedside
keeps cabinets clear. A large-scale
shade combined with glass details
adds irresistible charm.
Lexington smoke pendant,
CLUB
TROPICANA
This pineapple lamp
looks equally at home
in a traditional or
contemporary interior.
The trick is to choose
a stunning shade, the
bolder the better.
Pineapple table lamp
base, £115, shown with
Rose Alba drum
shade, from £35,
Graham and Green.
www.grahamand
green.co.uk
combination of satin brass with hand-cut seeded
glass shades, this makes for a dynamic centrepiece.
Aster chandelier, £3,010, also available in satin
nickel, from Copper & Silk.
www.copperandsilk.com
TO THE MAX
This quirky update
of the traditional
chandelier is perfect for creating
a focal point in your home and sure
to get a conversation started at
your summer soirées. NeoBaroque
chandelier, £1,785, Abigail Ahern.
www.abigailahern.com
LIGHT
SOURCE
Good lighting can
transform or enhance all
areas of your home, and
thanks to the wide range
of designs available,
striking the right balance
between practicality and
beauty is easy
SCENE STEALER
Nothing can beat a crystal chandelier – and
Swarovski is the ultimate master of all that sparkles.
Crystal light by Kolarz with white shade, with prices
starting from £1,400, The Lighting Store.
www.thelightingstore.co.uk
PERFECT CURVE
COMPILED BY KATE PARKIN
to desk work or reading. A range of
classic colours means there’s one for any
decorative scheme. Kaiser Idell Luxus table
Aram. www.aram.co.uk
MODEL LOOKS
Make a statement with this
works with all kinds of interiors
and, like the supermodel, is
sure to age gracefully. Twiggy
standard lamp, £882,
Christopher Wray.
www.christopherwray.com
TO INFINITY
AND BEYOND…
A playful design with a distinct
feel of space travel to it.
Aram. www.aram.co.uk
www.chewtonrose.co.uk 19
! THE DESIGNER #
COVENT GARDEN
LEFT & RIGHT: This central London
home was created for a female
client who wanted us to maximise
the feeling of light and space within
the apartment, housed in a Grade II
apartment, featuring a double-height
reception room and covering some
out during an earlier renovation. We
inserted a new bespoke sculptural
metal stair and refurbished all spaces
throughout, with custom joinery
plasterwork by Polidori Barbera.
Among the luxury brands brought
into the apartment were Moooi,
Thomson Schultz and Arteinmotion,
which produced the stunning
chandeliers in the living area.
PALACE GATE
ABOVE: For this Grade II listed property near
London’s Hyde Park, we created a hybrid of old and
HOPPEN
window frames, which in part dictated the scheme
of the house. Because it is listed, no extra lighting
could be added, so we had to make the most of
what was already in place, and had to work around
the colour schemes of the original features. The
client, however, wanted the home to have a ‘playful
and quirky’ air, so we introduced blues, purples
and reds to my signature palette of neutrals. The
armchairs in this area are by Massant; the cushions
and curtains are by Thomson Schultz.
Secrets from the design expert, and how to bring her luxurious looks to your home
GLORY
Kelly Hoppen’s interest in interior design dates back to her
teenage years: ‘My first interiors project was when I was 16-anda-half years old,’ she remembers. ‘I was given the opportunity
to design my family friend’s kitchen and was so excited to have
the creative freedom and responsibility. The experience was
a milestone and gave me the confidence to launch my career.
I have never looked back since.’
Kelly’s ever-evolving style is underpinned by a subtly
coordinated fusion of East meets West – her trademark look
– which blends clean lines and a neutral palette that brings
warmth and opulence to an interior and has been extensively
copied around the globe.
With 38 years’ experience at the forefront of the industry,
Kelly has put her stamp on projects the world over, not just
private homes, but yachts and jets as well as
hotels and restaurants. ‘My working style is
very client-led,’ she says, ‘and I try and make
each project unique and personal to the
owner. I like to get a feel of who the client is
and build a relationship so I can bring that
essence into designing their home – it’s very
much a collaborative effort. However, they
20 www.chewtonrose.co.uk
hire me in the first instance because they like my interiors style,
so I do help with every aspect and guide them into certain
design decisions.’
Kelly has recently launched her first e-commerce store, which
showcases her self-designed product range, making the Hoppen
look more easily attainable. ‘I created the collection to make the
Kelly Hoppen aesthetic more accessible. I’ve long dreamt of my
own range of gorgeous pieces that encompasses my signature
style. I love the site because it shows people what works well and
hopefully inspires individuals when designing their own homes.
We are there if anybody has any questions or queries and I really
wanted it to be a platform that allowed people to envision their
own homes designed exactly the way they wanted.’ The online
store sells Kelly’s accessories, bed linen, cushions, candles and
gifts, all boasting her iconic style.
Among the awards Kelly has amassed
during her career are her MBE for services
to interior design and her NatWest
everywoman Ambassador Award for
inspiring more young women to excel. She
is also an investor on the BBC’s Dragons’ Den.
www.kellyhoppen.com
space around them in order to
come alive. By creating surface
displays with a mix of ceramics
miniature still-life installations
within your living room that invite
you into the room.
FOOTPRINTS
ABOVE: My latest project is situated
on the exotic island of Barbados.
Footprints is a 7,000 sq ft beach
was designed with entertainment
and comfort in mind – large, open
spaces were a prerequisite, allowing
open terrace, through a covered
dining room. My signature palette of
neutral colours is present in every
room, and the use of materials such
lightshades ensures the house is in
keeping with the surroundings. As the
property had previously been divided
into apartments, the main challenge
was to create spaces that are both
practical and functional. We had to
reinvent existing features, such as
the unmoveable column in the living
room. The four-storey home features
and made locally, and two spacious
living areas. Terraces are on each
giving direct access to the beach,
creating a harmonious transition
between indoor and outdoor space.
Many of the homewares are from
www.kellyhoppen.com.
My ideal living space is one open
room with everything in it – but,
when planning yours, you must
want the space to have. Your
living room may be a space
primarily for family or you may
wish to create a grander scheme.
When it comes to detail, the
trick is not to panic and add too
much into the mix. It’s useful to
remember that items need the
Taupe is calm, quiet and very easy
to live with. It is not overbearing
and doesn’t demand attention,
which is why taupe is ideal for
instilling a sense of calm into
a room. It is the perfect colour to
provide a remedy to the stressful
pace of frenetic modern life.
Because it’s so versatile, taupe
lends itself brilliantly to creating
layers of contrast. Layering
textures of taupe instantly adds
depth and warmth – think linen on
velvet, taupe cushions on taupe
bedspreads… Wherever a lot of
taupe has been used, make use
of textural contrast to bring the
design to life.
www.chewtonrose.co.uk 21
! THE PROPERTY #
COUNTRY IDYLL
This superb family home is a true rural retreat set in picturesque
grounds and surrounded by countryside. And it’s not just stunning
inside and out – it has quite a history, too
Middle House is a stately country dwelling, one of three homes
set high on a hill with views across parkland and the villages of
Renhold and Ravensden in rural Bedfordshire. Built in 1898 by
Lt Col Sunderland, it has stunning landscaped gardens and a walled
courtyard, the surrounding fields a magnet for wildlife. ‘Our boys
have grown up with a real appreciation for the countryside here,’
says owner Andy Watts. Incredibly, it is just three-and-a-half miles
from Bedford station.
Its unique location probably gave rise to one of the house’s claims
to fame. In December 1944, Glenn Miller treated US Army officers
billeted here to a concert, which turned out to be the band leader’s
last. Days later he went missing in action.
Such drama is matched by the look-at-me white exterior and echoed inside, where much of the grandiose heritage
remains. Lovingly restored by Andy and his wife, Kathryn, elaborately moulded high ceilings and cornices, panelled
rooms, oak floors and staircase dovetail seamlessly with contemporary additions – vital for modern family living.
Most striking is the imposing dining hall that runs the length of the house with small staircases at either end
leading to the breakfast room and kitchen, allowing for ease-ofserving access to diners; both the sitting room and magnificent
drawing room, with gilded moulded ceiling and fireplace, can be
accessed from here.
Upstairs, the master suite has a painted fireplace with bespoke
silver dragonfly Alice Gibbons tiles and, like each of the three double
bedrooms, a glorious garden vista. The remodelled bathroom also
boasts Alice Gibbons tiles, and leads to the upper landing and guest
bedroom. Outside, Lt Col Sunderland’s original brick-built estate
office is fully equipped for today’s needs.
‘We have special memories of the house’s fantastic atmosphere,’
says Kathryn. ‘We’re so lucky to have the long dining hall and last
year sat 44 for a Great Gatsby supper that our boys and their friends
say they will never forget.’
TOP: Middle House’s stately,
striking white exterior
ABOVE LEFT & FAR LEFT:
The elegant sitting room
and drawing room
ABOVE: A grand dining
room is perfect for
dinner parties
TOP RIGHT: The grounds
of Middle House include
landscaped gardens,
which provide a stunning
outdoor space
ABOVE: The light and airy
kitchen has easy access
to the dining hall
Middle House, The Grange, Ravensden, Bedfordshire
POA
01908 528980,
milton.keynes@chewtonrose.co.uk
22 www.chewtonrose.co.uk
www.chewtonrose.co.uk 23
! THE ROOM #
kitchen
Whatever style of kitchen you’re after, go bespoke to create the ‘home hub’ of your dreams
CHIC
forget twee homilies that define the kitchen as the heart of the home and imagine,
instead, a sleek, well-oiled engine powering family life. A room where fine food is shared,
lively conversation is enjoyed, plans are made and accomplishments honoured. No other room
plays so many complex roles and still we expect it to look ravishing. So it pays to go bespoke.
How your brief is interpreted will vary by designer, but all quality kitchen makers strive to
deliver your wish list without compromise. ‘Bespoke design produces a higher level of product
excellence, whether that is material, attention to detail or quality of design,’ says furniture
maker Bill Garvey (www.williamgarvey.co.uk). ‘The ability to space-plan furniture is highly
technical, and open-plan spaces, in particular, are a challenge to design. Most people find
it difficult to think laterally and design a space without walls or a clear boundary. Flow and
balance are key – without that, a living kitchen will become a space with confused identities.’
Steven de Munnich, design director of Smallbone of Devizes, agrees: ‘The current trend in
kitchen design is for an informal and atmospheric setting. Kitchens are functional places, not
only somewhere to prepare and cook food, but also a place for friends and family to gather
in a relaxed environment.’
A kitchen has to work ergonomically to be (www.astracast.com/uk) is particularly
ABOVE: The Macassar kitchen by
truly successful; lack of storage is a common ingenious, with its seamless rapid-drain
bespoke cabinetmaker Smallbone
complaint. ‘My clients often think they channel – while innovative colour-change
Soanean materials, such as mirror,
need more cabinets because that equals lighting, such as the new Duoflex range
glass and marble, to blend classicism
with cutting-edge design. A large
more storage, but sometimes it’s just about from Sensio (www.sensio.co.uk), allows you
central island with a hand-painted
using the space more cleverly,’ explains Homes to vary the effect to reflect the occasion.
handles completes the look
& Gardens magazine’s Kitchen Designer
With the practicalities considered, turn
RIGHT: A New Classic kitchen by
of the Year, Jane Powell at Roundhouse your attention to look and feel. ‘A key trend
Roundhouse in Strong White and
Cherry adds a contemporary twist
(www.roundhousedesign.com).
we’re seeing is a mix of old and new,’ says
to traditional in-frame cabinetry,
With your storage needs mapped out, Bill Jane. ‘It can be as simple as combining a
teamed with worktops in White
advocates dividing your kitchen into clearly vintage dresser with contemporary handleWhite Metro tiles and brushed nickel
defined zones in order to create one complete less cabinets, but the effect can be stunning.’
‘Dot’ handles complement the look
area that caters for multiple needs. ‘You’re
Combining classic and contemporary
aiming for comfortable living and relaxation, works equally well when it comes to kitchen appliances. Smeg, for example, allows
practical work and cooking areas, and a place you to partner a free-standing range-style cooker with a hi-tech coffee machine
to entertain and dine,’ he adds.
(www.smeguk.com). And Smeg’s product development and training manager,
Andrew Hall, chief designer at Woodstock Joan Fraser, urges us all to ‘embrace the technology that will enhance your life’.
Furniture (www.woodstockfurniture.co.uk), Her personal must-haves include a multi-zone induction hob, an automatic coffee
stores food in one place for ease of use: ‘A machine and a touch-control, self-cleaning oven.
generous larder is my ideal scenario,’ he says.
Andrew has designed leather panelling on knee wells in the past and is currently
A chic composite worktop and sink keeps using antique glass on walls to introduce light and space in a more unexpected
wet areas neat – Astracast’s Razor design way. Both he and Jane recommend rich, dark veneers, such as walnut and maple,
while Jane also favours bold, dark colours with a matt lacquer finish.
Bill, meanwhile, adores timber: ‘Rustic timber finishes and textured, threedimensional veneers add depth to furniture, while depicting different shades of
colour.’ In the world of bespoke kitchens, the options are, quite simply, limitless.
24 www.chewtonrose.co.uk
ABOVE FROM TOP: Smart
grey cabinets by Woodstock
Furniture are given a vintage
Victorian lamp post to support
the island unit and a white
marble-tiled splashback
behind the Mercury range
cooker; walnut cabinets and
a pale granite worktop bring
warmth and tactile luxury
to this contemporary kitchen
by Woodstock Furniture;
a bespoke arrangement in
solid oak and Broughton Moor
slate by William Garvey brings
luxury and practicality to a listed
building in Worcestershire;
Clive Christian’s luxurious
main styles of design, including
the Alpha, shown here in dark
walnut and silver leaf with
blue moonlighting
www.chewtonrose.co.uk 25
! THE GARDEN #
THREE FLOWERS
FOR CUTTING
house is a gardener’s perk.
look great in the border –
and beautiful in a vase
ABOVE LEFT: Flowers
at Hampton Court
ABOVE RIGHT: Floral
display from an exhibitor
at GROW London
RIGHT: Monty Don puts
in an appearance at
Blenheim Palace
Sweet peas
No garden should be without sweet
peas in summer, scrambling up a
with scent. They’re easy to grow
from seed; alternatively, buy
ready-grown plants. The oldfashioned varieties give the best
perfume. Pick them regularly to
OPPOSITE PAGE: This year,
Hampton Court features
seven gardens on the theme
of the seven deadly sins –
this one depicts envy
LEFT: Tatton Park's show
gardens are a big draw
for visitors
the greatest shows
ON EARTH
Veronica Peerless checks out the best flower shows around the country
Gone are the days when flower shows meant displays of gaudy gerberas
and dour veg competitions – today they’re altogether more classy affairs. The
RHS Chelsea Flower Show kicks off the season in earnest and is followed by
some excellent shows around the country. There are top-notch plants, of course
– garden shows are excellent hunting grounds for unusual plants and expert
advice – but nowadays you can expect show gardens, plenty of shopping, and
gourmet food and drink, too, all in a gorgeous setting. Here’s our pick of the best.
26 www.chewtonrose.co.uk
GROW London, 20-22 June
This year, lucky Londoners have their
own, brand new garden show, to be
held on Hampstead Heath. There will
be an emphasis on the contemporary
as opposed to the traditional, with
modern furniture and sculpture,
tasteful accessories and unusual
plants, plus talks on everything from
community street growing to growing
exotic fruit and veg. GROW London
will also cater for urban gardeners,
with plenty of products and
inspiration for those with little or
no outside space.
www.growlondon.com
Blenheim Palace, 20-22 June
Blenheim Palace and surrounded by
2,000 acres of ‘Capability’ Brown
centres on the huge Grand Floral
Pavilion, where you can not only buy
brilliant plants, but can talk to plant
experts – a kind of Gardeners’
Question Time live. There are also
show gardens, celebrity speakers,
including Monty Don, Joe Swift and
Charlie Dimmock, and plenty of
garden shopping. Tickets include
entrance to the parks and gardens.
RHS Hampton Court Palace Flower
Show, 8-13 July
Chelsea may have the wow factor, but
many people prefer Hampton Court.
Held in the grounds of the historic
palace, there’s oodles of space and
no crowds jostling to get a glimpse
of the show gardens (and celebrities).
You can buy plants (you can only order
them at Chelsea) and there’s parking
on site, too. Kids are not only allowed,
they’re positively welcomed – there
are lots of family events to choose
from. Don’t miss the famous Rose
Marquee: with hundreds of roses in
bloom, it’s the best way to choose the
one that’s right for your garden. On
a sunny day, you can sit under a tree
with a picnic; if it rains, there are plenty
of marquees to shelter in.
www.rhs.org.uk
RHS Flower Show Tatton Park,
23-27 July
Tatton is the big RHS show in the
north of England, held in the grounds
of the beautiful Cheshire stately
home. The show is divided into
four zones: Grow – the horticultural
heart of the show; Inspire – featuring
conceptual gardens and cutting-
gardens are always a big draw,
and there’s a Ladies’ Day on the
Friday (25th).
www.rhs.org.uk
frosts) and they look brilliant in a
vase. There’s a huge palette of
colours to choose from and a variety
types to pompoms.
Shrewsbury Flower Show,
8-9 August
This Shropshire show has lots to
Britain’s best nurseries will be
setting up shop here. There’s plenty
to appeal to garden-phobics, too,
from cookery demonstrations by
Tom Kerridge, the Michelin-starred
chef, to showjumping and even a
steam locomotive. There’s lots
for kids to do, and ample parking.
org.uk
Find more gardening ideas from
fresh produce; and Escape – which
focuses on relaxation. The show
Dahlia
Exotic, showy dahlias are a highlight
of the late-summer garden (they
Ammi majus
The ‘meadow’ look has been all the
rage at the RHS Chelsea Flower
Show over the past few years, and
this cow parsley lookalike will help
recreate it in your garden. You can
bring the country indoors, too – the
gardengate.co.uk/blog
www.chewtonrose.co.uk 27
! THE TABLE #
Q+A
MICHAEL WIGNALL, HEAD CHEF AT
THE LATYMER, PENNYHILL PARK, TALKS
COOKING INSPIRATION, MICHELIN
STARS AND
How did you get where you
are today?
BROKEN LEGS…
MEET THE BEES
Great Fosters is more than just
a luxury hotel. Beyond its grand
entrance, 16th-century turreted
walls and perfectly manicured
– literally. Nestled in the hotel’s
woodland are 13 beehives that you
can visit on the hotel’s ‘Meet the
Bees’ lunch. The tour starts at the
archery hut, and from there the
group divides in two. If you’re with
head gardener Russell Dixon, you’ll
climb to the top of the hotel tower to
survey the 50 acres in all their glory.
You’ll then follow Russell through the
rose gardens, over the nightingale
THE IMPERIAL
Victorian boozers are becoming
for The Imperial, in Chelsea, which
has just had a major facelift and
That food comes courtesy of bright
young thing Tom Hope, 25, who puts
the emphasis on seasonality and
responsible sourcing, with spring
dishes along the lines of burrata
with fennel tart and pine nuts, and
venison loin, spiced red cabbage,
The wine list is equally tempting
and features many organic and
British options. The guys behind The
Imperial – Kate MacWhirter (one of
the capital’s most welcoming fronts
of house, who was last spotted
at Quince at The May Fair Hotel)
and Alan Turtill (whose CV takes in
L’Odeon and award-winning The Old
Mill in Berkhamsted) – have cleverly
kept many of The Imperial’s period
features, but have added modern
touches such as geometric wire
lampshades and an open kitchen.
The Imperial, 577 King’s Road,
London SW6 2EH, 020 7736 6081,
www.the-imperial.co.uk
The
TABLE
Recommendations for eating and drinking
in style, at home and further afield
TIME FOR TEA
When it comes to destination dining,
the Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park
Hotel boasts a more than adequate
and Daniel Boulud keeping guests
happy. It’s now added a tea room:
The Rosebery, which serves a chic
afternoon tea on bespoke china.
The Rosebery, Mandarin Oriental
Hyde Park Hotel, 66 Knightsbridge,
London SW1X 7LA, 020 7235 2000,
www.mandarinoriental.com
FINDERS, EATERS
Modern, but with a nod to
country luxe, this New Forest
restaurant with rooms puts
the 26 bedrooms is still pretty
special. Every day, The Pig’s
kitchen gardener wanders
into the walled garden to
gather inspiration for the
bridge and beyond the Saxon moat,
as he shares his gardening tips
and answers all your questions.
You might even get a peak of the
hotel’s resident pigs and the new
greenhouse, where small vegetables
and micro herbs are grown to be
put to good use in The Tudor Room
restaurant. The groups then swap,
and beekeeper David Arpino suits
you up ready to get hands-on with
the bees. The visit wraps up with a
lavish three-course champagne meal
in The Estate Grill, where you can
sample the fruits of the bees’ labour
in dishes such as a beetroot and
honeycomb salad or honey parfait.
Dates: 27 June, 21 July and
15 August.
The Estate Grill, Great Fosters,
Stroude Road, Egham,
Surrey TW20 9UR,
01784 433822,
www.greatfosters.co.uk
from the forest and coast
play a big part, too, and head chef James
Golding takes locality very seriously,
committing to source all his ingredients
from suppliers and producers no further
than 25 miles away. Edible highlights
to look forward to this summer include
chard stalks, garden rocket, marigolds
and summer nettles served alongside
the best-quality catches and cuts in the
homely Victorian greenhouse.
The Pig, Beaulieu Road,
Brockenhurst, Hampshire SO42 7QL,
01590 622354,
www.thepighotel.com
28 www.chewtonrose.co.uk
Through hard work and
determination and an inner drive
to believe in my food.
How would you describe your
menus at The Latymer?
The menus at the restaurant consist
of a daily changing lunchtime menu,
a seven-course gourmet lunch,
then an ALC dinner and a 10-course
gourmet evening menu. We work
very closely with the growers and
producers to obtain the very best
You describe your cooking
as ‘complex and carefully
crafted’. What are some of
your signature dishes?
We have several dishes that never
cassoulet of clams and suckling pig,
but the menu and dishes are forever
evolving – we seldom rest on our
laurels when it comes to dishes.
Where do you get your ideas and
inspiration from?
My ideas and inspiration come from
art, architecture… but mostly from
the raw product.
Congratulations on winning your
second Michelin star. How did it feel
to get it?
It was one of the most surreal things
for me. I never really set my sights
on two stars, but just to believe in
what we were doing. I was stuck in
was leaked a week early. A wellknown food writer tweeted ‘Did
Michael Wignall at The Latymer
have two stars last year?’ and my
stomach started to turn, then I got
someone to check on the Michelin
website and there it was. I then spent
the rest of the year worrying about
retaining it for no reason at all.
You ‘relax’ by practising extreme
sports. Tell us a bit about this.
In winter I snowboard, and the rest
and biking still play a big part in my
life. I had a Lotus Cup 240 that I raced
on various circuits up and down the
killed that. I had a major setback last
year when I broke my leg and knee
wakeboarding, so all sport has been
a no go for six months and I’ve only
just been given the go-ahead from
my surgeon to start again.
What are your professional plans?
To carry on enjoying what I do and
hopefully guests will continue to
enjoy our food.
The Latymer, Pennyhill Park Hotel
& The Spa, London Road, Bagshot,
Surrey GU19 5EU,
01276 486150,
www.pennyhillpark.co.uk
www.chewtonrose.co.uk 29
! THE TABLE #
AGENT’S SECRET
MAIYANGO
‘Gerrards Cross offers many superb
dining options for indulgence after a hard
day’s work. Sure, there is a time for the
Michelin-starred experience or the highly
regarded and glamorous Crazy Bear, but
my recommendation for local talent is
Maliks Tandoori, Oak End Way (www.maliks.
co.uk). The delightful, straightforward Indian
menu offers quality, fresh ingredients and
a mouthwatering curry without gimmicks
(particularly the king prawn bhuna). And if
you opt for a takeaway, you even get “After
Eights” included when you collect.’
Maiyango stands out for all the right
reasons. Alongside 14 bedrooms,
the restaurant and kitchen-deli have
been created with escapism in mind
menu options, including six-course
vegan and gluten-free tasting
menus. According to owner Aatin
Anadkat, we have head chef Nick
driven,’ says Aatin. ‘He’s all about
pushing those taste buds a little bit.’
Thanks to Aatin’s background in
Gary Mellish, Gerrards Cross Chewton Rose
EASY EATS AT
THE BULL HOTEL
MUSIC MAN
Back in the 1970s, the Bassoon piano bar was the music room
of the Metropole Hotel. Today, it’s an elegant late-night lounge
dedicated to live music and even livelier cocktails. Stefano
Cossio is the head bartender and every season he creates
a new collection of tipples. For summer, Stefano’s decidedly
ahead of the curve: ‘In the 1990s we saw the revolution of the
fruity Martini,’ he says, ‘This was followed by drinks using Asian
ingredients such as lemongrass and ginger. Since then we’ve
seen the revival of prohibition cocktails like the Sazerac, and the
molecular trend, too. Flavoured ice is already big in New York and
we’ll see it in London soon – we use peppermint ice to make our
Bassoon, Corinthia Hotel, Whitehall Place,
London SW1A 2BD,
020 7321 3200,
www.bassoonbar.co.uk
GET THE WINE RIGHT
Have you ever been overwhelmed
by a wine list? Sometimes there’s
too much choice, and too many
price points. Max Sali, sommelier and
1 The sommelier is there to
enhance your experience; he or
she will be passionate about wine
and happy that you want to learn,
so put your trust in them, discuss
your preferences and take advantage
of their knowledge.
2 Remember wines you drink and
like.
folder saved on my phone that is
dedicated to the wines that I like. If
you try a wine and really like it, take
30 www.chewtonrose.co.uk
a big focus on looking after the
local surroundings, too. That means
converting used cooking oil into
biofuel, supporting Leicester’s
talent, including artists, future
employees and producers,
and linking up with colleges
and universities. Exciting things
happening this summer include
a new outside dining area where
you can sample bite-sized ‘world
tapas’, hopefully in the sunshine.
Hotel Maiyango, 13-21 St Nicholas
Place, Leicester LE1 4LD,
0116 251 8898,
www.maiyango.com
At this 16-bedroom boutique hotel, head chef
George Marsh runs a busy kitchen, baking bread,
cakes and scones in-house. If that all sounds a
bit too wholesome, make sure you check in on
Friday evening when canapés are served in the
Venner cocktail bar from 7pm and the courtyard
garden makes a delightful transformation from
its former days as a stable yard. Bridport itself
A TASTE OF HONEY & CO
Finally, the winners of last year’s The Observer
Food Monthly Best Newcomer award have
cookbook. Published in June, this collection of
recipes from the Israeli husband and wife team
brings together all the generous Middle Eastern
market, and everything about this 16th-century
coaching inn, from the menu down to the plush
double beds, is assuredly local. According to
owners Richard and Nikki Cooper, it’s all very
easy-going, too, and the friendly atmosphere
will make you feel like a local even if you’re not.
The Bull Hotel, 34 East Street, Bridport, Dorset
DT6 3LF, 01308 422878, www.thebullhotel.co.uk
already sampled at their London restaurant,
Honey & Co. So that’s traditional ‘village food’
of slow-cooked tagines, shawarma and falafels,
alongside plenty of honey-soaked desserts, too.
Honey & Co: Food from the Middle East, £25,
Saltyard Books
a photo of it and save it in that folder
for future reference!
3 Do a bit of homework. Many
restaurants now put their wine lists
online, so see what they have and
look up what the critics have said
about the ones you are interested in.
There’s nothing worse than going to a
nice restaurant, eating delicious food
and being disappointed with your
wine choice.
4 Select a wine by its ratings. Read
up on what the top wine critics have
to say in the press. The type of wines
that get talked about in print (and
online) tend to span across the board
in terms of price. And remember that
a good restaurant that is known for
SUNDAY BEST
its wine menu options with a lot of
consideration to the quality in relation
to price – just as we do here at Tinello!
5 Enjoy your favourite wine with
your favourite food. Select wines
based on ‘weight’ and texture of the
food. Again, a good sommelier will
guide you through this. And don’t
always think that you have to have
A light Pinot Noir or a Nobilo can go
This runner-up of The Observer Food Monthly Awards
2013 Best Sunday Lunch award is so committed to local
produce that it gets its veg from local allotment owners,
in exchange for food and drink tokens to be used in
the bar. At this family pub and kitchen, the traditional
weekend feast lightens up in summer, which means you
can swap your root veg and roasties for hot roast beef
served with a Greek salad and new potatoes if you like.
As owner John Molnar says: ‘We don’t mess about with
the produce,’ so alongside the famous Sunday roasts,
or a Vermentino can go well with
samphire and cockle butter, or crab and avocado salad.
Tinello, 87 Pimlico Road, London
SW1W 8PH, 020 7730 3663,
www.tinello.co.uk
Larwood & Voce Pub & Kitchen, Fox Road, West Bridgford,
Nottingham NG2 6AJ, 0115 981 9960,
www.larwoodandvoce.co.uk
ABOVE: Larwood & Voce's
chefs discuss menu options
in the kitchen
BESPOKE BUBBLES
or Moet, try something a bit more
personal – tailor-made champagne.
A new service from Champagne
Warehouse lets you create your
or subtly sweet, pop along to a tasting
to choose from one of six blends and
even work with the in-house design
team to create a label that says ‘you’
all over it.
Champagne By You, from £2,257.20
for a case of 24 bottles (minimum
order) including delivery.
0800 313 4470,
www.champagnebyyou.com
www.chewtonrose.co.uk 31
! THE STYLE #
STROKE OF GENIUS
SOCIAL TWIRL
Holidays at home, dramatic
coastlines and vibrant prints…
thoughts of a quintessential
British summer dovetail with
Jigsaw’s dreamy summer dresses
and separates. Picture-book
perfect is the paintbrush stroke
skirt (£129) and neutral jersey
tee (£35) for laid-back weekend
walks on the beach and evening
gatherings outside with friends.
www.jigsaw-online.com
With a mix of whisky, musk, green
violet and vanilla comes Tralala, the latest
perfume from Penhaligon’s. Created for
sensual, and captures the essence of the
British design duo – opulence, glamour,
intrigue. Beautifully packaged, it bears all
the hallmarks of the fragrance house.
And it works for men and women.
100ml Eau de Parfum, £150
www.penhaligons.com
TOP TECH
Matt Warman, Consumer Technology Editor
at The Telegraph, foresees an active summer:
curved Super AMOLED wearable device. It
tracks your heart rate, speed and distance,
and you can link it to your smartphone to
your wrist, and doesn’t look too conspicuous
when you wear it with regular clothes,
either.’ £179.98. www.samsung.com
THE EYES HAVE IT
Outdoors fun, summer in the
the inspiration for Cutler and Gross’
English Garden Party collection
of eyewear. Style is the mantra.
For women, ultra glamorous and
feminine are the standout 1070
Mosaic/Black (£380); in contrast,
The
Keep one step ahead with the latest fashion, technology and beauty products
ST YLE
THE FUTURE IS…
Heritage British brand Freya’s
sizzling orange Cherish bikini
will put others in the shade.
you’re guaranteed a perfect
COMPILED BY STEPHANIE JONES AND STEVEN SHORT
32 www.chewtonrose.co.uk
Autumn (£310) with a more relaxed
vibe. Both are essential when the
sun is shining.
www.cutlerandgross.com
BOOTS YOU, SIR!
Classic design. Finest-quality materials. Superior
to GG. Bandeau top (£31) craftsmanship. David Preston’s boots and loafers are
and briefs (£20). kicking up a storm. What began as a personal quest
www.freyalingerie.com to make the perfect Chelsea boot has resulted in a
range that is elegant and impeccably designed. Plus
they carry the seal of approval from an A-list of celebrity supporters, including
Sir Bradley Wiggins, Martin Freeman and international fashion icon and man of the
moment, Britain’s David Gandy. Handmade using traditional methods, the boots
come in a host of slip-on and zipped styles, and a lightweight, corduroy lace-up
that’s perfect for summer. All have the brand’s trademark purple leather insoles.
www.davidprestonshoes.com
BAG LADY
Burberry Prorsum’s new ‘runway’ clutch
for the season is called The Petal, which
comes in a range of want-want-want
colours and is available in deerskin or vinyl.
This one in pale lilac sheer vinyl will look
stunning with the tan you’ll be cultivating
over the summer months. £795
www.burberry.com
www.chewtonrose.co.uk 33
EXPERT ADVICE FOR BUYING, SELLING AND MORE
The Knowledge
The news
The power of touch
New touchscreen technology
in all Chewton Rose branches
A special rose, open house
viewings, new technology
and much more
THE FUTURE IS ROSY
This year’s RHS Hampton Court
Palace Flower Show will see
the unveiling of the brand new
Chewton Rose – a beautiful red
rose with semi-double blooms,
which has been exclusively
bred for Chewton Rose. Kim
Dewing, Head of Marketing at Chewton Rose, said: ‘We are proud and excited
to be launching the “Chewton Rose”, which will rest at the heart of our brand
and will be given to clients as a beautiful reminder of the exceptional service we
provide. Customer care is so important to us and we strive to build long-lasting
relationships based on integrity and trust. What better way to wish our clients
well in their new homes than with our very own rose?’
OPEN FOR BUSINESS
HOT TO TROT
More and more horse-loving buyers are looking
for a home in the country. But it has to be located
on the edge of a village or no further than 20
minutes from a major city, says Graham Lang,
branch partner, West Bridgford Chewton Rose.
‘I’ve noticed a considerable increase in regular
requests for properties with three to four acres of
in the past 12 months,’ he adds.
Marion Goggin, branch partner in Sussex & Kent,
agrees: ‘There is considerable interest in this niche
market, and a shortage in properties for sale. This
is a good time to consider putting such a property
on the market. Our latest equestrian property went
These types of properties have grown so much in
popularity that some are forced to consider other
alternatives to realise their dream.
‘Sometimes the solution is to get more land than
buy or rent the adjacent land,’ Graham says. But with
land prices increasing, the competition for homes
with equestrian facilities is likely to continue to grow.
34 www.chewtonrose.co.uk
Visitors to Chewton Rose branches
can now use the latest technology
to browse properties on touch PCs
and on touchscreen-enabled TVs.
Customers can look at photos, maps
and property details, and send the
information to themselves at home.
Tablets with presentation aids and
state-of-the-art integration to back
when taking properties onto the
its kind, will help the customer get as
much as possible from a valuation.
Steve Lamb, IT Director at
Spicerhaart (of which Chewton
Rose is part) explains: ‘It lets you
obtain all the details you need, and
even sign agreements, instantly
and with no paperwork involved.’
With the ability to transfer
information between properties,
estate agents and prospective
buyers, the technology is set to
streamline the buying/selling
process of Chewton Rose’s for
sale properties.
whole day, is becoming increasingly popular.
The format is simple: usually, two agents will be on-site,
meeting and greeting viewers and showing them around the
property in groups. It appears to be
a natural development in a market
that has seen a growing demand
BUYING YOUR HOME WITH CHEWTON ROSE
for properties and a rise in house
At Chewton Rose, we aim to make the purchase of your next
home an exceptional experience.
The search
Gary Mellish, partner, Gerrards
Take a look at the property websites and magazines, and you will
Cross Chewton Rose, remarks
see that there are more homes for sale at this premium end of the
on this new trend: ‘For vendors,
this is an opportunity to maximise
home may be a more complicated process than you imagined.
exposure and competition, but it’s
also convenient for the buyer who
Too much to see
isn’t tied down to an appointment
As a prospective buyer you may well be searching for your next
home in a wide geographic area – your search may even span
around other commitments.
counties, and quite probably cover a generous price range. This
‘It’s the force of demand that
means that the property searches you do, especially on the
has pushed for this development.
internet, are likely to produce hundreds of homes to choose from.
When you have a lot of interest in a
Add to this that traditional estate agency advertising often fails
property, it makes sense to open it
up for a full day rather than organise
separate appointments. This is also
to view, especially when your time is precious.
But the one-to-one appointment
is still sometimes the favoured
approach: ‘It allows you to get into
more details with the client, and
some people attending an open
house viewing with a lot of other
Our approach
At Chewton Rose, our aim is to make this process far easier for
you. Our innovative lifestyle marketing techniques are designed
to welcome you through the doors of the properties you are
considering – without even having to leave your current home.
With breathtaking photography and professionally written
property editorials, our aim is to give you an extra insight into the
characteristics of each home and to reveal the story behind it.
THE TESTIMONIAL
THE AGENTS’ ADVICE
WORDS OF WISDOM FROM
CHEWTON ROSE’S PEOPLE
How can Chewton Rose make
buying a property easier for me?
‘By matching up your criteria in the
most accurate way and therefore
saving you time when scheduling a
viewing,’ says Graham Lang of West
Bridgford Chewton Rose. ‘Chewton
advice about each property, including
the surrounding area, and once a sale
has been agreed we will progress the
transaction through to a quick sale.’
For Anne-Marie Greest, Horsham
Chewton Rose, it’s about listening
to buyers and ‘taking the time to
but why they want those features.
It is also important to distinguish
between “want” and “need” and to
properties’. Guy Leaning, Cobham
Chewton Rose, adds: ‘Having been
in the business for 26 years, I have
been faced with many situations
and understand all types of market.
You can’t beat experience and I have
worked through most markets.’
What property features are
in demand right now?
‘Privacy, that all-important “live-in kitchen”, and reception space
ideally linking to the garden,’ says Marion Goggin, Sussex & Kent Chewton
Graham Lang says: ‘A mix of contemporary and original features, such
is certain of getting a few oohs and ahhs.’ For Adrian Geary, Winchester
Chewton Rose, it’s ‘peace and quiet, but with access to railway and roads’.
Where are the emerging property
hot spots?
Belinda Bishop, South Wales Chewton
Rose, has her eye on ‘the Vale of
Glamorgan, which remains extremely
popular, along with Abergavenny and
the Monmouth area’. Gary Mellish,
Gerrards Cross Chewton Rose,
highlights the connecting villages
between well-known hot spots such
‘they could only dream about in the
south’. However, he counters, ‘quick
and easy access to London is often
a priority’. And if a glowing Ofsted
report is on your wish list, take a look at
Coltishall, which, according to AnneMarie Catchpole of Norfolk Chewton
Rose, ‘has just had a glowing Ofsted
evaluation and provides easy access
to the Norfolk Broads’.
Amersham: ‘They’ve performed really
well since the downturn.’ A trend
noted by Graham Lang is a south to
north migration, with buyers securing
properties in the East Midlands that
How is the market going to change
over the next two or three years?
‘The market has improved over
the past seven months and this
will continue in 2014,’ believes Guy
Leaning. ‘Historically, people wait
while there is an election looming, as
SELLING YOUR HOME WITH CHEWTON ROSE
The appointment
Your initial appointment with us will last one to two hours. This gives
improvements you have made and also understand what you are
hoping to achieve from your move. ‘We are a service-led estate
agent,’ as Anne-Marie Greest, branch partner, Horsham Chewton
Rose, puts it, ‘and as our service is bespoke, we tailor it to our
customer’s requirements.’
Lifestyle approach
During the appointment, we will showcase why our unique
approach to marketing will help your home stand out from the
crowd and, ultimately, improve its saleability.
groundbreaking marketing package based around lifestyle and
eye-catching photography along with advertising that suits your
Chewton Rose.
only a short period of time before the
market continues to grow.’ Graham
Lang adds: ‘It is in any government’s
interest to have a robust housing
market, but it is also important that
it does not overheat. I see good
growth in house prices throughout
2014, a national increase of around
5%, but certain hot spots could be
double that.’ Marion Goggin says:
‘In our areas, we are seeing a steady
increase in prices fed by the London
market on the move again, which I
foresee as being a continuing trend if
the economy continues to remain in
a growth phase.’ Anne-Marie Greest
land banked from 2007 now being
developed – a real indication of the
improving economy. West Sussex is
The market appraisal
you could enhance the marketing of your home, before arriving at
our recommendation for a marketing price. Adrian Geary, partner,
Winchester Chewton Rose, sums up the Chewton Rose approach:
‘Our approach and style is about putting clients’ interests and
wishes at the heart of our strategy, highlighting the unique points of
every house and demonstrating this with passion and experience.’
being built, and the extension of the
Help to Buy scheme will help the
market to remain buoyant’. Adrian
Geary is also upbeat and foresees:
‘Easier lending criteria by the banks
and building societies, resulting in
increased volumes’.
‘My husband, Mark, and I
wanted to share the wonderful
experience we had with Guy
‘We had a long, drawn-out
new home in Cobham.
‘There were several parties
involved in our transaction and
we could not have successfully
completed it without his hard
work and professionalism.
‘He is the glue that kept this
deal alive for the seven months
that it took. He went the extra
mile and took the initiative
every step of the way. He was
the forward thinker and made
all of the calls necessary to get
this across the line.
‘We have never had such
a positive experience with
any estate agent. We shall
recommend Guy to new
neighbours and friends in the
Cobham area and will be sure
to let them know about his
exemplary business acumen.’
Rachel and Mark Makepeace
‘It had been some 30 years
since I last moved and,
naturally, I approached the
project with apprehension.
This was instantly dispelled
once the assignment had been
undertaken by Marion Goggin,
of Wadhurst Chewton Rose.
We agreed a valuation, a
strategy and a programme of
activity, which resulted in the
purchasers, which, in turn, led
to the successful sale of my
home. From the photography
design of the brochure, my
experience was that of a
expectations managed and
updates routinely provided.
‘As Marion and her team set
to work, my experience was
one of being represented by
true professionals. I know that
the new owners of my home
were equally impressed with
Chewton Rose.’
Terence WD Blaney
www.chewtonrose.co.uk 35
The
PROPERT Y
PORTFOLIO
Whether you’re seeking a quintessential English cottage
or a commanding country abode, at Chewton Rose we pride
ourselves on our portfolio of Great British Homes.
From the mountains of the north, rolling hills of the south and
green valleys of Wales, our properties reflect the heritage
and rich diversity of this great country.
With such a vast selection to choose from, finding your new
home may be more of a challenge than you first thought. Our aim
is to make the moving process as easy and enjoyable as possible.
While the Chewton Rose website, app and magazine work
together to take you through the doors of properties before
you have even visited them, with breathtaking photography
and professionally written property editorials, our staff remain
dedicated to finding you a new home that you
are completely content with.
For now, peruse our properties – and access the
Chewton Rose website or app for more from our collection.
Your perfect home may be but a page turn away.
www.chewtonrose.co.uk 37
! THE INTERVIEW #
Trevor Sorbie MBE, who this year
celebrates 50 years of making hair look fabulous, talks to
The Place about his work, life and loves
Where do you live and how long have you been there? I live in a beautiful apartment
block on the Thames by Battersea Heliport in southwest London. I moved there just over
a year ago.
How would you describe your interior style in one word? Contemporary.
The thing I really love about my home… is the amazing view that I have looking down
the Thames.
My happiest memory of the house… is from last Christmas, when I was lucky enough to
have all of my family there with me.
I wish… that I had an outside terrace.
You’ve been cutting people’s hair for half a century.
How did you get into the business? I am the son and
grandson of barbers. I was born in Paisley, Scotland, in
1949, and began working with my father after leaving
school at 15. It is the 50th anniversary of me working in
hairdressing this year.
What is the most rewarding part of your job? What
I most love about working with hair is that I get to
meet new people every day, and every head of hair has
its own challenge.
Whose hair do you cut? My clients are mostly professionals and I find it really interesting
to understand the worlds they live in.
One person I’d love to style is… Madonna.
If anyone knows the secret of great hair, it’s you. Would you share it with us?
The secret to great hair is a great haircut backed up with
great products.
My favourite city is… London, which is why I live here.
Clockwise from top left: Trevor Sorbie MBE;
My favourite artist is… David Hockney.
David Hockney’s A Bigger Splash; a London
The book that’s on my bedside table is… Alex bus; My Autobiography, by Alex Ferguson, is on
Trevor’s bedside table; one of many products
Ferguson’s My Autobiography.
in Trevor’s Salon Approved range; George
My desert island disc would be… ‘My Sweet Lord’, Harrison’s ‘My Sweet Lord’, Trevor’s desert
island disc choice
by George Harrison.
For my last supper… I would have fish and chips.
What are your latest projects? We are currently working on opening a new salon in
Richmond, which will happen later this year. We recently relaunched the Trevor Sorbie
Salon Approved range and have just relaunched the Accessories range also. We have lots more exciting new
launches coming up later on this year, so watch this space!
You’ve worked with lots of celebrities – who’s been your favourite?
Helen Mirren – she is a very down-to-earth person.
Please tell us a little about your charity work with my new hair? my new hair
isn’t just about hair; it’s psychological medicine for women suffering from hair loss
through illness, and for many of the women I have seen, it’s the missing link in
their treatment. It was my personal experience of helping a family member during
cancer treatment that inspired the idea of my new hair. I have now helped several
hundred women whose reactions have provided me with a whole new dimension in
job satisfaction. My personal goal is also a passionate promise; to make this service
accessible to women around the UK and, long term, around the world. There are
now more than 500 hairdressers in the UK who have been trained in the art of
wig customisation, and that’s something I am immensely proud of.
114 www.chewtonrose.co.uk