How London’s most exciting new arts venues are being built by its most profitable housebuilders April 27, 2017 A famous Churchill anecdote recalls the time the former Prime Minister was asked to cut arts funding to aid the war effort. He refused, apparently, remarking, “Then what are we fighting for?” As with most apocryphal tales, there’s a larger truth at its heart. During times of austerity and uncertainty, grants for culture and entertainment [...]
Porsche Design makes the ultimate penthouse for a supercar collector April 27, 2017 Supercars aren’t just made to be driven, they’re made to be seen. To a collector, the curved bonnet, impeccable paintwork and fine leather interior of a $200,000 Porsche is a work of art just as worthy of admiration as a $5m David Hockney painting. The trouble is, cars don’t hang on walls, but Porsche Design [...]
This self-built house by design consultant Ian Silverstein is the coolest thing we’ve ever seen, and it’s yours for £1.75m April 27, 2017 As international design consultant Ian Silverstein works on his laptop in the library, he’s having to block out the sound of furniture being hastily rearranged downstairs. For him, the odd photoshoot request is part of the privilege of owning a uniquely attractive house in a historic part of the British countryside. It’s also a confirmation [...]
Working Lunch review: Bocca di Lupo is the place to wolf down Italian small plates in the West End April 26, 2017 Bocca di Lupo 2 Archer Street, W1D WHAT? A small-plates restaurant that prides itself on regional Italian cooking, a considered wine list and a fizzy atmosphere. The bar stretching alongside an open kitchen puts the theatre in Theatreland, but the rear dining room is a more intimate, austere affair. WHERE? Jostling for attention in Soho, [...]
Fitness advice: How to avoid the health myths that can stand in the way of your new body April 24, 2017 The health world is full of quacks and pretenders, snake-oil salesmen who latch onto the latest buzz-words without understanding the science – or lack thereof – behind them. Rarely a day goes by without me picking up a client – or even a fellow trainer – spouting some half-truth they probably read on the [...]
Interiors: Fine Cell Work is a charity harnessing the sewing talents of prisoners to make exquisite embroidery April 7, 2017 Walk into any of the upscale Firmdale Hotels in London or New York and you are struck by the confidence, colour and energy of the décor. There’s pattern, texture and embroidery everywhere. And if something catches your eye, there will often be a story behind it, but maybe it isn’t one you expected. Whether it’s [...]
Interiors: White tiles are boring. Impress your house guests with a waterproof wallpapered loo instead March 31, 2017 Don’t underestimate the power of a well-dressed bathroom. During a dinner party, all your beloved guests will need to excuse themselves at some point. “Oh, wow!” you’ll hear them cry. “I love your loo!” Little room, big impact. For too long all-white sanitaryware and plain walls have been safe, a by-word for boring. “People now [...]
Interiors: Get a sneak peek at the furnishings behind London’s new private members’ clubs March 25, 2017 London is abuzz with a raft of new private members’ clubs. From The Devonshire Club through to Nick Jones’s grandiose venture on Poultry, The Ned, they all offer something unique, many now with hotel rooms attached. One way of differentiating themselves is through their interior design. Modern members’ clubs are informal, comfortable and on-trend. We [...]
Porsche 964 Carrera RS review: Tim Pitt lets Porsche’s road racer off its leash, but is this the ultimate 911? March 20, 2017 The Porsche 911 is the greatest sports car ever made. There, I’ve said it. This Darwinian survivor has evolved over five decades, transcending humble VW Beetle origins and shrugging off attempts to replace it. From air-cooled originals to today’s turbocharged Carrera, every 911 is iconic, idiosyncratic and unfailingly brilliant to drive. But which is the [...]
International Day of Happiness: 10 things to do to ensure you live a happy life March 20, 2017 Leading a happy life has proven to be a challenge and statistics show we are no happier now than we were sixty years ago. So as it’s International Day of Happiness today, perhaps it's time to take matters into our own hands.. Action for Happiness is a movement of people committed to building a happier [...]