fulham residents' journal march 2015

www.Residen t s J ouRnal.co.uk(020) 7 9 8 7 4320

Resident’s Journalfulham

M a RcH 2 0 1 5 • issue 30

We highly value your feedback: [email protected] or 020 7987 4320

Proudly published by

R U N W I L D M E D I A G R O U P

As the exclusive UK affiliate of Christie’s International Real Estate network, we can reach quality buyers and tenants in 46 countries via 950 offices and a website visited 135,600 times a month.

There’s no better way to open your door to the world.

701 Fulham Road London, SW6 5UL Tel: +44 (0)20 7731 7100 [email protected]

struttandparker.com/christies

Where will we find your perfect buyer or tenant?

P RIS

T???_SP_Paris Door Ad_Fulham RJ.indd 1 05/12/2014 11:26

As March welcomes the longer days and the official start of springtime, the Journal gives you plenty of design inspiration to inject new energy into your home. With this in mind, Bethan Rees steps inside the suitably chic studio of Fulham-based interior designer Laura Hammett. Be inspired, from page seven.

If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to be a party planner, wonder no longer; flick to page 16, where Wonkie Hills, founder and director of Zest Events, reveals the highlights and challenges of her career.

Prepare to be hungry: the Journal meets the man bringing a Brooklyn flavour to the neighbourhood – Dave Ahern talks through the beer-centred menu and why he chose to come to Fulham (page 22). Bethan also

brings the latest news from the Fulham food scene including a rather unusual supper club (page 20).

Make sure you follow us on Twitter @FulhamRJ for all the latest SW6 updates.

Dear Resident,

Managing Editor Francesca Lee

Editorial AssistantBethan Rees

Editor-in-Chief Lesley Ellwood

Managing Director

Eren Ellwood

General Manager Fiona Fenwick

Production Hugo Wheatley

Alex Powell Oscar Viney Alice Ford

Publishing Director Giles Ellwood

Executive Director Sophie Roberts

Client Relationship Director

Friday Dalrymple

Business Development Manager

Nicola Bloomfield

Senior Designer Lisa Wade

Image / A truly striking staircase. Photography by Richard Waite of a mews house developed by Residence One. Interiors by Laura Hammett. Turn to page seven to see more.

Members of the Professional Publishers Association

- 4 -

FULHAM Residents’ JoURnAL

- 5 -

LOCAL NEWSKeep your finger on the pulse with our roundup of local news

Collars upNothing says business like a crisp, impeccably fitting shirt, and thanks to a new exciting start-up called Collar Club, it’s now easier than ever to keep up appearances. The luxury shirt concierge provides members with 11 made-to-order, finest-quality shirts upon agreeing to a 12-month subscription, plus Collar Club will pick up, launder and drop off five of the shirts every week for the year. The offer is available in certain areas of London, and SW6 is one of them. It’s the perfect service for the busy modern gentleman.

Membership costs £95 per month. For more information,visit collarclub.com

spring to itThe Spring Season at the Finborough Theatre is a chance to see vibrant new writers and rediscover theatrical classics. Under the multi-award-winning artistic director Neil McPherson, the season opens with two world premieres: Francis Turnly’s Harajuku Girls (until 21 March) and Ben Weatherill’s Chicken Dust (Sundays, Mondays and Tuesdays 1-7 March). From March to April, the theatre celebrates the illustrious partnership of Gilbert and Sullivan with Princess Ida (24 March to 18 April) and the work of Englishman Tom Taylor which Abraham Lincoln was watching when he was assassinated at Ford’s Theatre, Our American Cousin, being revived in honour of the 150th anniversary of his death (Sundays, Mondays and Tuesdays 29 March to 4 April).

118 Finborough Road, SW10 9ED, 020 7244 7439 (finboroughtheatre.co.uk)

Imag

e co

urte

sy o

f Jon

atha

n Vi

nes

Our American Cousin

- 4 -


- 5 -

Dig deepFulham Palace has launched

West London’s first Young Archaeologists’ Club (YAC),

and what better place to learn about the history of the local

area, which is steeped in heritage and archaeological

remains from the Neolithic and Roman eras. Eight to 16 year

olds are given the opportunity to learn about history, meet

real archaeologists and develop investigative skills, and each

month there will be a different theme at the club. Whether it’s learning about Roman

crafts or dendrochronology (tree-ring dating), the YAC is a marvellous opportunity to

learn about what’s around us.

£15 per session or £60 per term (six sessions).

For more information, visit fulhampalace.org

Sing your heart outUnder new musical director James Day, local chamber choir Fulham Camerata has announced an uplifting, inaugural concert of music which centres on key choruses from Vaughan Williams’ opera The Pilgrim’s Progress. The choir, which performs three main concerts throughout the year, has made a name for itself with its challenging repertoire, so it’s certainly set to be a memorable show. It is always interested in welcoming new members, so if you enjoy a good sing-song, there’s an opportunity right on your doorstep.

14 March, £12, 7.30pm, Holy Cross Church, Bettridge Road, SW6 3QA. For more information on membership and concerts, email [email protected] (fulhamcamerata.com)

ClaSSiC delightSJoin the Friends of Fulham Palace for an evening of classical greats with the Busch Ensemble. As three soloists in their own right, Omri Epstein, Ori Epstein and Mathieu van Bellen make up the group, which has been lauded by critics and audiences across Europe. The trio will feature works by Franz Schubert, Claude Debussy and Joseph Haydn. A must for any classical music lover.

16 March, £22.50, doors and bar open from 7pm, concert starts at 7.30pm, The Great Hall, Fulham Palace, Bishop’s Avenue, SW6 6EA, 020 7751 2437 (fulhampalace.org)

Weekend walk-inPatients across the Hammersmith

and Fulham borough are now able to access GP services every

day of the week due to five practices also opening on the weekend. Launched by NHS Hammersmith and Fulham

Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG), the aim is to provide

an alternative to A&E for people who need to access

urgent care on Saturdays and Sundays, and hopes to take some

pressure off local hospitals.

Practices in Fulham that are offering the weekend walk-in service are: Cassidy Medical Centre, 651A

Fulham Road, SW6 5PX, 020 7384 4850 (cassidymedicalcentre.co.uk); Palace Surgery, 510 Fulham Palace Road, SW6 6JD, 020 7736 6305;

Dr Jeffries and Partners, The Medical Centre, 292 Munster Road, SW6 6BQ, 020 7385 1965

(drjefferiesandpartners.co.uk)

Imag

e co

urte

sy o

f Jon

atha

n Vi

nes

Imag

e ©

The

Bus

ch E

nsem

ble

- 6 -

FULHAM Residents’ JoURnAL | pRoMotion

The Really Helpful Club (reallyhelpfulclub.com) is a thriving and dynamic online members’ network for busy, like-minded women to share great ideas and our best recommendations. An infinitely useful resource, RHC is full of information and contacts as well as business and job opportunities, networking and other events. More and more women are benefiting from RHC, a trusted best friend.

A lunch to rememberLast October, we hosted a fundraising lunch during Breast Cancer Awareness month at Warren House in Kingston upon Thames. It was three times oversubscribed and fully booked in 24 hours. The lunch raised funds for The Haven and Shooting Star Chase, two charities supported by the RHC. It was a huge success, great fun and

vibrant and had a real buzz to it.

On your bikeIn January, we held an evening at Pearson Cycles which was all about women’s cycling. The event sold out, with more than 50 members attending.

Its aim was for our members to discover something new about women’s cycling, which is becoming increasingly popular. Speakers from the world of women’s cycling inspired us and helped to demystify some of the cycling myths. A select group of cycling brands also gave our members an exclusive preview of the new season’s kit and developments. The Really Helpful Club had some fabulous feedback from the event:

The Really Helpful Club success story

This year has been a great success for The Really Helpful Club (RHC), the indispensable online members’ network for busy, dynamic and like-minded women to share their best and most

trusted recommendations. The RHC has hosted and supported many successful, local and hugely popular events exclusively for the members.

Founder Sarah Austin explains: ‘Our events offer a unique way for our members to come together, meet other like-minded women, connect with one another and discover something new in a fun and friendly environment. There is a real energy and vitality and an enthusiasm for what we are doing, with friendships made and connections built.’

Jo Hall: ‘A big thank you! Events like these are brilliant at bringing people together not just as a social get together with interesting talks, but as a business woman it’s always incredibly handy for networking and finding other excellent businesses that are in the area.’

Claire Cotton-May:‘Loved the event – great speakers and I picked up some good tips on where to start. I definitely have more ideas about bikes and some of those oh-so-unglamorous chamois-lined cycling shorts! I had fun, tested some bikes and made good connections. I look forward to the next event.’

Guy Pearson, Owner of Pearson Cycles:‘I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to you and your team for one of the best evenings we have had at our Sheen store. The event was a great success in so many ways.’

Pamper meLast month, the RHC hosted an afternoon of pampering at Gina Conway, the award-winning spa and beauty salon. The event was exclusive for our members, who heard from Gina Conway about how she set up and grew her successful business. Attendees also got a private preview of a new service to banish the winter blues. The event was another huge success, with places selling out in less than three hours.

Upcoming dates for the diary

Join up now to be part of this exciting network and to be invited to these exclusive events:

Friday 13 March: Join in with the RHC Cycle Club

Friday 20 March: Lunch and private preview of newly launched show apartment with Berkeley Homes

Friday 15 May: Enjoy a RHC charity lunch

Sunday 13 September: September Exclusive Spa day with Celebrity Cruises onboard Celebrity Eclipse

To find out more, visit reallyhelpfulclub.com

What events have we held?

Warren House lunch, photo by Karine Torr, Darling Magazine

- 7 -

The

DreamFacTory

Laura and Aaron Hammett by Gary Morrisroe

Chandelier in a local mews house (Photo: Richard Waite)

- 8 -


- 9 -

Legendary American TV chef, author and all-round cultural phenomenon Julia Child once said in an interview with Esquire:

‘The secret of a happy marriage is finding the right person. You know they’re right if you love to be with them all the time.’ With this in mind, meet the two creative minds behind Parsons Green-based interior design studio Laura Hammett: Laura and Aaron Hammett, whose company has come on leaps and bounds since its inception in 2008.

Stepping into their studio on Lettice Street, a single but beautiful detail points to the history of the studio (which used to be a stained-glass window factory); a sign reading ‘The Glass House Studio’,‘AD 1906’. The lofty, high ceilings, the imposing windows which flood the rooms with light and the shelves brimming with beautiful marble samples makes for an impressive first impression. Greeted immediately by the Hammetts’ delightfully friendly and adorable puggle (a crossbreed of a beagle and a pug) called Bee, Laura stands tall with flowing blonde locks and a gleaming smile, immaculately dressed in a simple but effective combination of white shirt and navy trousers. Aaron is also impeccably garbed in a blazer with jeans, accompanied by perfectly coiffed hair, an enviable moustache (if you’re a man, of course) and a definite air of Joaquin Phoenix about him; they’re certainly a charming-looking couple. As local residents, the pair have always admired the building, describing it as ‘a very inspiring space to work from.’ The duo love spending time in SW6, where they live and work, and Laura says they always had their sights set on Fulham ‘because it’s such a hub for interior design, with

many of our suppliers in the local area’. Living in London, Laura finds inspiration easily. ‘It’s everywhere you look,’ she says. ‘From architecture to restaurants to retail. Restaurants are great for lighting-design inspiration, and retail for joinery.’

Fulham-born and raised, Laura grew up in a creative environment thanks to her artist parents and her fascination with interiors was already noticeable in her childhood years.

‘[I] was always reinventing my bedroom long before I knew that interior design was an industry,’ she says. Having embarked on a foundation course at the Chelsea College of Art and Design, she specialised in interior and spatial design, which led her to a degree in interior architecture at Brighton University.

Aaron grew up in Devon, and was likewise a very creative child, but in a different way to Laura. ‘Coming from a military family, he is passionate about the detail and precision of design,’ she explains. He moved to London when he

was 19 to study product design at Central Saint Martins, where he translated and refined his eye for detail.

Having finished university, Laura worked for a number of London-based interior designers, but a family situation meant she needed

more career flexibility and the ability to work from

From the art of designing a space, to the throw perfectly placed on your chaise longue, the Laura Hammett interior design studio helps create your perfect home from start to finish. Bethan Rees steps inside the creative hub and meets the husband-and-wife team behind the name

Above / The studioLeft / Laura Hammett, both by Gary Morrisroe

- 8 -


- 9 -

Study area in a local mews house (Photo: Richard Waite)

Bedroom in a local mews house (Photo: Richard Waite)

- 10 -


- 11 -

Dining room in a local mews house (Photo: Richard Waite)

Bathroom from a recent project (Photo: Ray Main)

- 10 -


- 11 -

home. It was there that she honed her passion for homeware and started an online luxury boutique, selling elegantly handcrafted pieces such as Johnstons of Elgin cashmere. Soon people were talking and Laura’s business was growing; so much so that demand saw fit to open a boutique in Brook Green. ‘This created lots of local interest and people asked for interior design consultations,’ she says. ‘As the recession hit and the retail side of the business slowed down, the interior design consultancy seemed to be taking off more and more, as people were choosing not to sell their homes, but to renovate and redecorate to make the most of what they had.’ From here, her eponymous design studio was born.

Starting a business in 2008 in the midst of the turbulent economic climate could have been a risky and damaging move for Laura. However, she used the situation to her advantage. ‘It was almost a blessing, because I didn’t know what it was like to run a business before the recession and therefore hadn’t fallen into the terrible trap that so many small businesses did of having expanded beforehand to then be forced to downsize,’ she says. But, working on her own did have its limitations in terms of projects she could take on, so Aaron joined the company in 2011, which Laura describes as ‘the real start of the business taking off’.

Working with your loved one could be the stuff dreams are made of; or for some, nightmares. Luckily for the Hammetts, they’re a match made in enterprise heaven. But how does the dynamic work? ‘Surprisingly well,’ Laura laughs. ‘We have quite different skill-sets and really complement each other. I enjoy the overall vision of the project, whereas Aaron is very much about the detail.’ Laura looks after the FF&E (furniture, fixtures and equipment) side, and Aaron runs the interior architecture, so they regularly work separately. ‘We quite often get home and ask each other how their day was, just

like any other married couple.’ She remarks.

Laura Hammett’s signature style is hard not to fall in love with. It’s timeless and classic yet contemporary, with special finishes and attention to detail that will make you stare in wonder. Take, for instance, a light installation that hangs in the centre of the spiral staircase like majestic icicles, or the hand-picked artwork hanging above the

roaring fireplace. With warming neutral palettes accompanied by splashes of personality through tangerine cushions, dusky lilac lampshades and geometric rugs, Laura Hammett’s designs are not just luxurious and elegant, but also homely with an edge of character.

The studio’s projects range from a Knightsbridge apartment to a family villa in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, but their signature

style and recognisable aesthetic can be seen throughout. What are some of the biggest design trends that clients are requesting? I ask. ‘Luxury bathrooms are a big trend at the moment, moving away from the clean white marble look and introducing more softness and warmth with chandeliers, curtains and furniture,’ Laura replies. ‘Also, making outdoor spaces feel like an extension of the home. There are amazing outdoor rugs and fabrics, including velvets, which you wouldn’t believe would be suitable,’ she adds.

2015 is certainly going to be a busy one for the design duo; from working alongside the Berkeley Group on 39 townhouses in Richmond, to a 6,000-sq ft Grade II-listed Mayfair property. As our chat comes to a close, Laura enthusiastically adds: ‘It’s going to be a very exciting year.’

(laurahammett.com)

Luxury bathrooms are a big trend this year, moving away from the

clean white marble look and introducing more softness and warmth

Outdoor terrace, balcony and courtyard at a local

Grade II listed town house (Photo: Ray Main)

- 12 -


- 13 -

Prints Charming

Top row, from left / Carolina Irving, Bird in the Hand, Chris Barrett, Adam Bray, Guy GoodfellowBottom row, from left / Jennifer Shorto, Kerry Joyce, Astrid & Rudolf, Rapture & WrightMiddle/ Bird detail by Flockhart, cushions both Vanderhund

- 12 -


- 13 -

Bethan Rees takes a tour of the remarkable Redloh House Fabrics and finds out what makes it a go-to destination for interior designers

Prints Charming

- 14 -


- 15 -

Sitting in the shadows of the cooling towers at Imperial Wharf is one of the most unexpected delights I’ve ever encountered. Located in

the heart of the industrial site, The Old Gasworks, just off the antiques hub of King’s Road, is an unexpected sanctuary of serenity and it comes in the form of Redloh House Fabrics. The white country-style cottage with a perfectly laid lawn in front would look more at home down a rural tree-lined path than with the backdrop of gasometers; but this is what gives it the undeniable charm of a slice of twee country life in London.

Redloh House Fabrics was set up in 2012 by South African-born designer Penny Morrison. She had produced a small range of fabrics and was looking for somewhere to showcase and sell them but didn’t want to settle for a standard soulless showroom. Redloh House proved to be the perfect solution; it’s homely, peaceful and unpretentious and designers and clients can come in and view the collections over a cup of tea. The ground floor of the cottage houses design studios, while upstairs are two simple yet charming rooms that accommodate a treasure trove of fabrics

and wallpapers from a collection of artisan designers. Enchanting floral cushions sit next to Jamaican-inspired prints, while natural linens mingle with luxurious velvets.

‘It’s such a relaxed atmosphere; you could come and spend three hours in here easily, no one would care if you didn’t buy anything. You can even take some samples home with you,’ says Penny, as we sit at the beautiful family-sized wooden table in the showroom, surrounded by a congregation of prints while her gorgeous Jack Russell, Petal, freely sniffs around the space. Not only is it a lovely way to spend an afternoon, it also dispenses with the bothersome issue of designers having to heave around sample books. ‘It became a nightmare; you’d have hundreds of these big books with half of the prints discontinued. It’s like buying an LP; there will be the one song that you like, and the rest of them you hate,’ Penny explains.

Redloh House Fabrics provides the ideal antidote to today’s mass-market conformity. It’s very much a collective, with 12 artisan designers working for a non-profit- making consortium. ‘We’re very careful about the people we select because a lot of them approach us to join [Redloh

Reloh House Fabrics / Left / Flockhart

- 14 -


- 15 -

House Fabrics]. We want stuff to work together,’ Penny says of the selection process. Its independence allows for full creative freedom, with no pressures or constraints from other interested parties. With this in mind, I ask Penny about working within design periods (such as spring/summer). ‘Some of the bigger firms have to produce a whole new collection each season; we bring them out randomly. It’s a better result if you drip-feed and don’t bring things out when everyone else does,’ she says. ‘If you showcase a collection in June or July when there’s not a lot going on [in the design world], it’s much more exciting.’

Bird in the Hand, one of the 12 design brands of the collective whose prints are all re-issued 1970s Jamaican designs inspired by bold, tropical botanicals, agrees with Penny. Laura Hamilton of Bird in the Hand says: ‘One can react and adjust to demands from customers and changes in the market. The

customer can then get a more individual product and is less likely to see the same thing in a friend’s front room.’ Adam Bray, the newest designer to join the collective, illustrates this point further: ‘Most of my collections have come through experiments on decorating projects, so we are only really market-led by one or two people, not a room full of analysts,’ he explains.

The art of textiles is a true craft and many of the designers at Redloh House Fabrics still use traditional hand-screen printing, jacquard weaving and hand embroidery; but how is this changing with the constant evolution of technological advances, and is it shifting in a beneficial or detrimental manner? Laura (Bird in the Hand) has been using technology to her advantage. Working up designs from painted images into a repeated pattern and adjusting the scale is ‘so much easier using a computer,’ says Laura. Another designer from the collective, Guy Goodfellow, believes that the ‘growth of digital technology has allowed the development of imagery that’s not possible with traditional print techniques’. However, he also raises

the point that in using technology for printing, appreciation for hand-crafted production is much greater. Kerry Joyce, the esteemed LA-based designer and a member of Redloh House Fabrics, adds that it opens the door for testing. ‘I first experiment with different colourways on the computer prior to testing colours with the silk-screen; it lets me try out unusual combinations and saves me a lot of time

and expense,’ he explains. With all this in mind, Rapture & Wright’s

Rebecca Aird (another member of Redloh House Fabrics)makes a very interesting point – although technology has aided the designers of the collective, what’s to stop its competitors using it to their advantage?

As we sit in the quaint showroom finishing our cups of coffee, Penny tells me that since the end of last year, permission has been granted to demolish some of the gas holders within The Old Gasworks industrial site, and she’s unsure about Redloh House Fabric’s future. ‘With all the development over the last 10 years [in the area], there are fewer and fewer of these odd and funky places. They’re all slowly being decimated into uninspiring spaces,’ she complains. And it’s on this note that I leave the oddly perfect countryside cottage in the middle of the industrial estate, with my fingers crossed that Redloh House Fabrics continues to thrive for as long as it can.

Redloh House Fabrics, The Old Gasworks, Unit 7, 2 Michael Road, SW6 2AD, 020 7371 7787 (redlohhousefabrics.com)

The growth of digital technology has allowed the development of imagery that’s not possible with traditional print techniques

From left / Penny Morrison / Bird detail from

Flockhart Above / Penny Morrison

- 16 -


- 17 -

I meet Wonkie Hills, director and founder of Zest Events, in the vibrant contemporary canteen of The Worx in Parsons Green, a venue she has often

worked in for events of all sorts. Hearing some of the design ideas and themes that Zest Events has created here has given me an insight into just what can be achieved.

‘The key element to organising a good party, in my opinion, is understanding the client as an individual and therefore knowing what it is that they want to achieve,’ Wonkie says of her role as an event organiser and party planner.

Prior to setting up Zest Events, Wonkie spent three years with legendary organiser Johnny Roxburgh at The Admirable Crichton. ‘Johnny taught me everything,’ she says. ‘I came away with the confidence that if you can dream it, you can have it!’

She had no intention of starting an events company but several of her past clients really encouraged her. ‘Perhaps they saw something in me that I wasn’t aware of. I thought OK, I have enough money to last six months without any income, what’s the worst that could happen?’

Fast forward from 1999 to 2015, and Zest Events and Wonkie have certainly come a

Life of the partylong way. The Fulham-based company has organised glamorous, fun and memorable soirées all around the world – but also in SW6. Wonkie has worked her magic on some local venues, including The Hurlingham Club. ‘It is a huge compliment when members pop their head in and exclaim that they have never seen the room look like this before!’ she says.

From two to 2,000 people, the company caters for events of all sizes. ‘The smallest was for an engagement,’ she says. ‘The client rang me up and said, “I want to propose and I want it to have a crowd”.’ Wonkie arranged, with Pearl & Dean, a cinema advertiser contractor, to place a proposal message in the middle of the adverts before the film started. ‘The audience loved it,’ says Wonkie.

When asked to choose her favourite event, Wonkie replies coyly, ‘impossible’. But she does offer an example of one of the really fabulous occasions she’s organised. ‘We held a 70th birthday party for the most wonderful woman,’ she starts to explain. ‘She wanted something magical, something very ethereal. In the middle of December, we had a pale lilac marquee. The table arrangements were tall twiggy structures with acrylic icicles

Imag

e /

A m

arqu

ee in

Che

lsea

by A

dria

n M

yers

, Zes

t Eve

nts

Planning an event can make even the most serene of characters flustered. Bethan Rees talks to Wonkie Hills of Fulham-based party and event organiser Zest Events to discover how to take the stress out of arranging any occasion

- 16 -


- 17 -

Life of the partythroughout. It looked as though Jack Frost had just nipped in before we did.’

But with so many occasions for a variety of different clientele, where does she find inspiration? In some of the most unlikely places, it seems. ‘There are some advantages to sitting in traffic jams,’ says Wonkie. ‘Many shop windows have provided inspiration,’ she confesses. ‘People are so clever, often in the smallest of spaces.’

To create the perfect party, it is imperative to get the foundations right – a meeting, preferably in the host’s own home, is vital if Wonkie is to understand the

client. This helps enormously when putting forward ideas and listening to what sort of party they think they would like to have. It is Zest Events’ intention to protect the client from any stress during the process. It doesn’t

matter whether it’s a corporate dinner for 20 or a private festival in a field, each client is treated individually and is just as important as the last. Being a party planner is an intensive, challenging career. ‘I am aware that I set myself, and those I work with, very high standards and our aim is to produce a six-star event,’ Wonkie explains. You only have to glance at the testimonials on the Zest Events website to see how hard she and her team of four work. The feedback doesn’t simply say ‘great party’; one client whose wedding Zest Events organised in St Tropez wrote: ‘Without exception everyone told me it was the best party and the best wedding they had ever been to (including their own).’

No two parties are ever the same. The team will help inspire you and carry your dream event through to fruition. From a traditional Argentinean asado (barbecue) in a tipi to a white wedding, Zest Events has got it covered. Sit back, relax and let Wonkie take care of the details, every last one.

Zest Events Ltd, 020 7384 9336 (zestevents.com)

I set myself, and those I work with, very high standards and our aim is to produce a six-star event

Image / Courtesy of Adrian Myers, Zest Events



Wonkie Hills / Image © Sarel Jansen

Imag

e /

A m

arqu

ee in

Che

lsea

by A

dria

n M

yers

, Zes

t Eve

nts

- 18 -


residents’ cultureA forum for residents’ concerns and activities

this month, I am fortunate to catch up with Tim Ingram, the chair of the Fulham Palace Trust, to find out

about the palace’s history, including details of the amazing and painstaking path that has led Fulham’s historical centre from riches to rags and back again. Tim tells me that the aim of the trust is to make the palace look how it did when some of the most powerful men in the land presided over the spectacular building and grounds: the Bishops of London.

The entrance to Fulham Palace instantly takes your breath away. However, Tim tells me that it was once essentially the tradesman’s entrance in earlier centuries. When the bishops lived here they would have arrived in stately splendour via the river –

Trust in meBelinda Donovan gets a history lesson from the Fulham Palace Trust about the SW6 institution

they might have travelled from their townhouse at 32 St James’s Square (Bishops Richard Terrick and William Howley resided here) and would have used Fulham Palace as just one of their many country abodes. This journey along the river would have taken approximately an hour.

The early Bishops of London who lived at Fulham Palace were greatly feared as they were trusted and powerful men who were very close to the monarchy, as anyone who has read the historical novel Wolf Hall (recently adapted for the BBC) by Hilary Mantel will understand.

Originally, the estate was enormous, incorporating the whole of the modern borough including the alphabet streets, Bishops Park and the allotments as Bishops of London

automatically had the freehold of the land and the large income it produced. During the religious turmoil of the Tudor period, more than one bishop, for example Bishop Nicholas Ridley, fell out of favour with the changing monarchy and became one of the Oxford Martyrs who were burned at the stake at St Giles’.

The last Bishop (Stopford) moved out in 1973 and now the present Bishop, Richard Chartres lives near St Paul’s Cathedral. The palace deteriorated over the years. In 1975, the council took a 99-year lease from the Church Commissioners and a trust was set up to manage the property within the council. In 1992, the museum opened. The palace later benefited from two National Lottery grants between 2005 and 2012, then Fulham Palace Trust was set up in 2011 and continues to revitalize the institution to this day.

Tim tells me there are plans to restore the Victorian chapel in the palace, and apparently there was once a brewery underneath which had to be moved as the hop fumes were too distracting during prayer!

There’s so much to learn at Fulham Palace. And to round off a lovely afternoon speaking with Tim, I had a cup of tea in the Drawing Room Café (one of the best cafés in Fulham, in my opinion). I left reluctantly to make my way home through the most glamourous ‘tradesman’s’ entrance ever, thinking of the next time I’ll return; perhaps to see one of the operas I’ve heard so much about.

Fulham Palace, Bishops Avenue, SW6 6EA, 020 7736 3233 (fulhampalace.org)Image / Fulham Palace (Photo: Tadeusz Ibrom)

- 19 -

Square mealFood-lovers: feast your eyes on SW6 this month.There’s something for every appetite; from a post-gym refuel at the newly launched Grill Market to an all-day dining destination inspired by the world of beer. Cheers to that!

Image / George Daniell

- 20 -


- 21 -

FOOD & DRINKKnives and forks at the ready for a roundup of the latest additions to the local food scene

NEW-LOOK DUKE Parsons Green pub lovers rejoice; the Duke on the Green has finally relaunched following an extensive refurbishment which leaves the establishment almost unrecognisable to its former self. The Young’s pub, which is steeped in Victorian heritage, has been beautifully enhanced with splashes of powder blue and burnt orange, perfectly mismatched furniture and accents of floral-patterned upholstery which gives the SW6 watering hole just the right amount of kitsch. With signature cocktails, a great range of craft beers and a seasonal British menu, it’s the perfect refuelling spot after a walk on the green on a Sunday afternoon.

235 New King’s Road, SW6 4XG, 020 7736 2777 (dukeonthegreen.co.uk)

TURNING JAPANESE When discussing which local spot to visit for a weekend brunch, a Japanese restaurant isn’t usually the first to spring to mind. Formerlyknown as Kozu, Koji is a joint concept from Nobuhisa Takahashi, former head sushi chef of Nobu, and Mark Barnett, proprietor of Mao Tai for almost 30 years. It brings a whole new meaning to the word brunch. The sushi bar’s newly launched menu will fill your weekend with Japanese charm; expect to see onsen tamago (hot spring egg) which is slowly cooked to produce a silky poached egg, with umami jelly, chilli and spring onions and other sumptuous delights such as two-day marinated grilled salmon in miso. Leave your requests for eggs Benedict at the door and indulge in something truly special.

Brunch menu is priced at £22.50 and is available on Saturday and Sunday, 12noon-3pm, 58 New King’s Road, SW6 4LS, 020 7731 2520 (koji.restaurant)

- 20 -


- 21 -

LICENCE TO GRILLInspired by the sizzling lunchboxes enjoyed by the masses in New York, the Grill Market has now arrived on New King’s Road. After the success of its first site in Holborn, the dining concept now arrives on the Fulham outskirts at the Lomax gym. Centred around the grill (of course), the menu sees a delicious selection of meat and vegetarian options, from grilled field mushroom with garlic, herbs and gremolata to spiced chicken with a pomegranate glaze, (served with a salad for guilt-free eating). The stripped-back café with its industrial vibe also serves scrumptious breakfast too; we recommend the free-range smoked bacon sandwich on sourdough, with homemade tomato chilli jam. The perfect pitstop for lunch, or post-gruelling workout fuel.

293 Fulham Road, SW10 9PZ, 0871 512 0770 (grillmarket.co.uk)

WHEN IN ROMETransport yourself to the sunnier climes of Italy by way of Fulham this month, as the latest addition to the drinking and dining scene opens on Jerdan Place. Ice & Slice does what it says on the tin; ice cream (well, gelato) and pizzas by the slice (and also whole). From the team at Shot Espresso, the café and aperitif bar located on the other side of the road, this second project brings an

intriguing bistro to the area. Serving up artisanal Italian gelato in flavours such as salted caramel, Aperol spritz and violet rose, as well as authentic Roman-style sourdough pizzas with luscious toppings like truffles, mortadella (Italian sausage) and pistachios, it’s hard not to love this place.

24 Jerdan Place, SW6 1BH, 020 7381 5572 (iceandslice.co.uk)

When pigs flyPrepare for a truly unique epicurean experience when Mr Pigstuff’s Pig Headed? Or Hot to Trot?

event arrives at Poppy’s Place. The creative catering team behind the supper club is celebrating nose-

to-tail week (8-15 March) in appropriate style, with a pop-up event praising and showcasing the parts of a pig which are often overlooked. Highlights of

the menu include: trotters with black and white pudding, slow-roasted cheeks with orange, bay

and rosemary, and perhaps the most unexpected element of the whole thing, a trio of pork desserts:

chocolate and chorizo crème brûlée, a bacon from heaven tartlet and lardy apple cake with bacon ice cream. An evening certainly for the open-minded and not for the faint-hearted.

14 March, Mr Pigstuff at Poppy’s Place, 255 Munster Road, SW6 6BW, tickets cost £27.50 per person, to book, visit mrpigstuff.co.uk or grubclub.com

IN RUDE HEALTHFor an unrefined alternative to oats and flours, try Fulham-based Rude Health’s sprouted range, the first of its kind in the UK. The sprouting process helps to release nutrients and breaks down starches, which makes it much easier to digest. You can use the oats and flour for everything, from your daily porridge to buckwheat pancakes for a less naughty treat than refined grains.

Sprouted range starts from £3.99, Rude Health, see website for full list of stockists (rudehealth.com)

Image / George Daniell

- 22 - - 23 -

Sipping on a pint of beer is one of life’s most glorious pleasures. It’s become a cultural tradition for us Brits, and quite rightly so, as the

tipple’s history is thought to date back as far as when Julius Caesar arrived on the coast of Kent in 55 BC (and potentially much further). London’s beer scene in 2015 is a little different from the days when it was drunk as a more sanitised alternative to water, however. The craft beer revolution is well and truly taking hold in Britain, so I go to meet the man who is taking things one step further: Dave Ahern.

Behind the doors of an imposing Scottish baronial-style building on Fulham High Street something exciting is brewing. Dave, whose name is known on the London food scene thanks to hugely successful pop-up events and residencies such as Burger Breakout, is bringing another one of his tasty ideas to fruition: Wahleeah, a restaurant centred around beer and incorporating it in to almost every dish. Before I met Dave, the only beer-related food I could think of were along the lines of beer-battered fish. How wrong I was. Think instead beer-cured salmon, IPA Caesar dressing and chocolate stout brownies. ‘I’m a big believer that English palates are a lot more suited to beer with food, than wine,’ Dave explains as we sit on bar stools in the

not-quite-finished site. But why isn’t Dave content with just pairing beers with dishes? Quite simply, he enjoys the challenge and thinks this creates a rarer experience for the diner. ‘Using beer pushes us. There isn’t beer ketchup, so we have to make

one and so on. It forces us to create our produce from scratch.’ The

team at Wahleeah is making everything; from the anchovy salt to the horseradish cheddar, beer-cured beef bacon to the fruit beer jam.

Wahleeah makes perfect sense to me, as Dave

continually expands on reasons as to why this is a marvellous idea.

‘When you go out for dinner with three or four friends and order a bottle of wine for different dishes; someone’s ordered fish, I’ve ordered beef and someone else has chicken and unless Willy Wonka starts to produce wine, it’s not going to match all of them. So I thought: why don’t you offer someone a drink that’s just for them; a beer,’ he says.

The question on everyone’s mind is: what does Wahleeah mean? ‘The name comes from the phonetic spelling of an old Brooklyn slang term “wallear” which is pronounced “wah-lee-ah”. It means to have a craving for a particular type of food. For example: “I got a wallear for a burger”.’

Dave wanted to bring this restaurant to Fulham because he found he was constantly travelling to the same areas of London

Hops and glory

Bethan Rees meets the restaurateur bringing a slice of Brooklyn to Fulham, one beer-inspired dish at a time


- 22 - - 23 -

to eat at the newest restaurants, from Brixton to Shoreditch. ‘I feel that many neighbourhoods in London have been ignored by new restaurants. People living in areas such as Fulham have to choose the convenience of eating locally against the excitement of eating in a new trendy restaurant. I want to change that.’ Essentially, he intends to create a true neighbourhood restaurant. ‘I want this to be the centre of a community where people come and hang out, get to know people who have lived 100 yards from them for the last five years but who have never met them,’ he adds.

The building itself is as impressive as the menu. Sitting just a stone’s throw away from Putney Bridge is the red-brick, partially Grade II-listed property that Wahleeah will call home. Respecting its heritage is important to Dave who wants to retain as much of the original space as possible; he fell in love with the place instantly. ‘It could be picked up and dropped smack-bang in the middle of Brooklyn,’ he says. ‘There’s a tendency when a new restaurant opens in an old building to try and erase the history, to make it all shiny and new. Our building hasn’t had the easiest of lives; it’s changed hands often and hasn’t been treated well. But rather than hide these scars, we want to wear them with pride,’

Dave explains to me. The menu should come with

a cautionary warning; it’s likely to make you salivate. Forget scrambled eggs and avocado on toast; Wahleeah’s brunch reads like pure gluttony: cornflake-

coated French toast with maple butter, beer biscuits with sausage gravy and pig’s-head sausage with a fried egg, cheese hollandaise in a brioche bun. The huge menu is sure to please most taste-buds, but be warned, even the ‘lighter’ options aren’t wholly angelic; for example, the deliciously decadent bream with beer-braised fennel and crayfish mash.

If Wahleeah’s offerings sound a little unusual to you, Dave understands, but he also has a piece of advice to offer. ‘Trust

me,’ he smiles, and from his past experience in the culinary world

and the sound of what’s to come, I definitely do. After giving me a quick tour of the premises, including the stunning outdoor terrace which I can imagine buzzing

with hungry sun worshippers in the summer, he says ‘I want

someone to walk out of here thinking about the next time they’re going to come back.’ I for one can’t wait to return, which says a lot, as it’s still half-finished and hasn’t opened yet. Here’s to Wahleeah. Wahleeah is set to open

in late March. 4 Fulham High Street, SW6 3LQ. Follow @WahleeahSW6 for updates

I feel that many neighbourhoods in London have been ignored

by new restaurants


Loin of Dorset venison, black pudding granola, honey glazed

carrots, venison hash and a beer and blueberry sauceHops

This image / Hiver beer will be sold at WahleeahAbove / 42-day aged ribeye steak

Dave Ahern

- 24 -


- 25 -

4

health & beautyBring out the best in you this March

3. In bloomStep into spring in appropriate style with the historic perfumery Penhaligon’s. This month sees the launch of its latest scent, Ostara, which has been created in partnership with one of London’s oldest horticultural institutions, Clifton Nurseries. Crafted by master perfumer Betrand Duchaufour, the fragrance is a modern interpretation of the delicate and much-loved daffodil. Throughout March, Clifton Nurseries is also hosting an exclusive afternoon tea dedicated to Ostara, which would make a wonderful gift for Mother’s Day.

£65 for 50ml, £85 for 100ml, Ostara Eau de Toilette, Penhaligon’s, 132 King’s Road, SW3 4TR, 020 7823 9733 (penhaligons.com)

2 . Cult ClassIC This month, Parisian beauty brand Biologique Recherche launches the transformative bodycare collection in the UK. The range uses active ingredients to tone and help firm the skin, which is an excellent solution for the approaching bikini season. The Lotion P50 may sound familiar to you; it’s truly a facial cult product and now it’s available in a version for the body. Spray onto skin, massage in using the glove provided and shower 10 minutes later for glowing skin. Could this be the next wonder product?

£108 for 250ml, Lotion P50 Corps, Biologique Recherche, available from Beauty M at Seed, 789 Fulham Road, SW6 5HD, 020 7731 5744 (seedsalon.co.uk)

4. VanIty haIr

Is your hair crying out for a little love and attention? Give it the finish it deserves with two new launches from heritage hairdressing brand Oribe. Try the Curl Gloss with Brazilian extracts of passion flower for beautiful curls all day, while for coloured hair, the Split End Seal treatment is essential. Results are unexpectedly noticeable after just one use. Say hello to strong, healthy locks.

Curl Gloss, £36 for 175ml (online only), Split End Seal, £42 for 50ml, by Oribe, available exclusively at Space NK, 205 New King’s Road, SW6 4SR, 020 7736 6728 (spacenk.com)

1. From Italy, wIth loVeTake yourself on a journey to the sunshine without leaving home, with Acqua di Parma’s Blu Mediterraneo Italian Resort collection. After 15 years of research, the Italian lifestyle company has produced the innovative Mediterranean Re-Activating Complex which is at the heart of this collection. The natural elixir found in the bark of the Sicilian Maritime pine helps counter the signs of ageing by restoring and revitalizing the cells. The range also includes a double concentration Revitalizing Face Serum and Illuminating Face Exfoliant. Prepare to look fabulous this summer.

Collection starts at £30, Acqua di Parma, available at Space NK, 205 New King’s Road, SW6 4SR, 020 7736 6728 (spacenk.com)

13

2

- 24 -


- 25 -

I bowled into the studio at Heartcore ready for my Barre session with an undeserved confidence. I’d tried a similar

class somewhere else, so I knew what to expect and how much pain I was about to endure. In fact, I welcomed the challenge. I chose my mat and put it in position and began limbering up. The warm-up, as challenging as it was, set the groundwork for the rest of the session and assured me that there would be no easy way out of this.

We began by working on the muscles in the arms, combining a few ballet-type moves with fierce, pumping music and core-enhancing poses. I have no sense of rhythm, but the enthusiastic instructor made sure everyone got to grips with it easily and I was soon Barre-ing with the best of them. We were instructed to use small weights for some of the armwork and it didn’t take long for the feeling of

Mr MuscleTom Hagues tries his hand, and every other body part, at Barre

‘this is really working’ to kick in. After this, it was time to move on

to the legwork. We lined ourselves up at the barre on the wall, held on with one hand and began elegantly working on our legs with the smallest of movements. It’s worth noting that just because the movements are minute, it doesn’t mean it’ll hurt less. The burning, searing pain immediately indicated that I was

deeply unfit, but also that the routine was good and obviously working. I’m not ashamed to admit that I had to keep pausing simply because it was so rigorous, and this, I’m assured, is expected for someone who hasn’t done it regularly before. I was told that after a few sessions, core strength and stamina are vastly improved and I

review

can certainly see that being the case.I would heartily recommend Barre

to anyone looking for a workout that offers a mixture of different movements (the stretching at the end is enormously satisfying and hugely welcome) and positions. I can only imagine the overwhelming sense of achievement that you’d get after a few weeks of taking this class when you realise that you can last so much

longer than your first attempt. The result of my session was a sore body the day after, but a desire to do it again and see how

quickly I could improve. If, of course, I improved at all. Barre, it seems, is a painfully addictive way to get a daily dose of exercise.

Classes throughout the week, £27 for a single class. Heartcore Fulham, 723 Fulham Road, SW6 5UL, 020 7371 7088 (heartcore.co.uk)

The burning, searing pain immediately indicated that I was deeply unfit,

but also that the routine was good

- 26 -


- 27 -

the directoryWhether whim or wish, all of the essentials are taken

care of in our round up for harmonious living

Essam Guenedy273 New King’s Road020 7751 3348

Iceblu24a New King’s Road020 7371 9292

Marc Wallace261 New King’s Road020 7736 6795

Claudia Sebire136 Fulham Road 020 7835 1327

BEAUTYSpace NK205 New King’s Road020 7736 6728

HEALTH & BEAUTYhAir sAlonGina Conway612 Fulham Road 020 7731 7633

Katie & Jo253 New King’s Road020 7736 5304

Mania Mia307 New King’s Road020 3441 1003

FASHION

phArmAcYPalace Pharmacy331 Fulham Palace Road020 7736 3034

BArBErCrew Experience 911 Fulham Road 020 3010 1096

Natasha Coote173 New King’s Road020 7371 7526

ESTATE AGENTSDouglas & Gordon656 Fulham Road020 7731 4391

Goss & Co.666 Fulham Road020 7751 8326

Breteuil280 Fulham Road020 7351 6308

Knight Frank 203 New King’s Road 020 7751 2400

Marsh & Parsons 103-105 Moore Park Road 020 7736 9822and

333 Fulham Palace Road020 7993 9888

Strutt & Parker701 Fulham Road020 7731 7100

Savills191 New King’s Road020 7731 9400and423 Fulham Palace Road 020 7578 9050

WinkworthFulham and Parsons Green40 New King’s Road020 7731 3388

PROPERTY SEARCH AGENT

Penn Holmes London Ltd‘SW6 ladies Katie and Francesca specialise in buying properties for their clients here in Fulham.’

55 Langthorne Street07884 18048007989 746499

Chestertons‘Three offices – one great postcode’78 New King’s Road020 7731 4448

Sullivan ThomasBishops Park361 Fulham Palace Road Sales: 020 7731 3333 Lettings: 020 7751 8898 andParsons Green783 Fulham Road Sales: 020 7751 8899Lettings: 020 7751 8898

- 26 -


- 27 -

HOMEARCHITECTSHogarth Architects Ltd 186 Dawes Road020 7381 3409

Alice Leigh Design

12 Parkville Road07801 823953 (aliceleigh.co.uk)

scHOOls & nursEriEsChelsea Independent College 517-523 Fulham Road020 7610 1114

Parsons Green Prep (formerly Eridge House)1 Fulham Park Road 020 7371 9009

Fulham Cross Girls’ School Munster Road020 7381 0861

Fulham Prep School 200 Greyhound Road 020 7386 2444

Godolphin and Latymer SchoolIffley Road020 8741 1936

Hurlingham and Chelsea SchoolPeterborough Road 020 7731 2581

Kensington Prep School596 Fulham Road020 7731 9300

Lady Margaret School Parsons Green020 7736 7138

Latymer Upper School 237 King Street020 8629 2024

L’Ecole des Petits2 Hazlebury Road020 7371 8350

Millie’s House Nursery & Pre-School163 New King’s Road020 7731 0440

Parayhouse SchoolNew King’s Road 020 7751 0914

Sinclair House School159 Munster Road 020 7736 9182

The London Oratory SchoolSeagrave Road020 7385 0102

INTERIOR DESIGN WOOD FLOORING

EssEntials luxury sErvicEs

buILDER

William Gaze Ltd.Basement, Loft and Extension Specialist28 Imperial Square020 7078 8874(williamgazeltd.com)

buTCHER

Parsons Nose752 Fulham Road020 7736 4492(parsonsnose.co.uk)

pLumbER

Sweetapple Heating & Plumbing‘Local Gas Safe registeredplumbing and heating engineers, offering a 24hour service’

130 Stephendale Road020 7371 040907889 184146(sweetappleplumbing.co.uk)

Addoastra‘Events that leave a legacy’Party planning, event styling and concierge services

020 3689 4585 (addoastra.com)

EVENTS

Zest Events2 Swan Mews020 7384 9336 (zestevents.com)

STATIONERPerry’s777 Fulham Road020 7736 7225

TRAVELThe Ultimate Travel Co. 25-27 Vanston Place020 3627 6264

FLORISTMystique Flowers57a Fulham High Street020 7371 5888

Bembé UK Ltd ‘German craft since 1780.’

315-317 New King’s Road07794 906621

Cranbrook Nursery

344-346 Fulham Palace Road020 7381 9523 (cranbrooknursery.co.uk)

TILING

Porcelanosa

Wandsworth Bridge Road08444 818952(porcelanosa.com)

- 28 -


planning & developmentStructural changes in the area

Planned roadworks and closures in and around March

Chaldon Road Constructing a new manhole 24 March-8 April Thames Water0845 9200 800

Fulham Road Lay new domestic service two metres from main in nearside footpath

13-19 March National Grid Gas plc0845 6056 6770

Munster Road Rectify anti-skid in carriageway 18-29 March Thames Water0845 9200 800

North End Road Lay two-metre new domestic service from main located in footpath

16-18 March National Grid Gas plc0845 6056 677

Vera Road Customer side leakage supply pipe replacement 18-20 March Thames Water0845 9200 800

STREET PLANNED WORK DATES WORKS OWNER

Planning Applications

DATE REGiSTERED: 23 FebruaryADDRESS: Cloncurry StreetPROPOSAL: Reduce the oak tree by 30 per cent back to previous reduction points and cut back the foliage that overhangs the neighbour’s garden

DATE REGiSTERED: 19 FebruaryADDRESS: Fulham RoadPROPOSAL: Five small London plane trees situated on a forecourt in front of shops (895-921 Fulham Road)to be re-pollarded, as in previous year

DATE REGiSTERED: 13 FebruaryADDRESS: Fulham BroadwayPROPOSAL: Partial demolition of existing building facades to enable the erection of a double-height single-storey lobby extension in the existing forecourt of the building and a part five, part six storey extension fronting Vanston Place to provide mixed use. Retail use (Class A1) at ground-floor level and office use (Class B1) on the floors above. Also, formation of a roof terrace at fifth-floor level, proposed change of colour of external render of the existing building and re-cladding of external walls at ground-floor level

THE FIGHT AGAINST GRIMEHammersmith and Fulham Council is encouraging residents to use its Report It app to help crack down on littered streets. The app allows users to report problems like dumped rubbish, dog mess and noise nuisance and have the complaint logged directly with the council. Residents can log the issues stating the time, date and exact location on their smartphones or tablet devices. For people who found complaints of mess falling on deaf ears, the council hopes that this app will inspire them to actively help keep the borough’s streets litter-free.

(lbhf.gov.uk/reportit)

- 29 -

When trying to sell a property, there’s always something you can do to evoke a better response

from the person viewing it. Consider the following practical suggestions to make your home look as attractive as possible to potential buyers before you start baking fresh loaves of bread or spraying your new jojoba atomizer in every room.

I would advise starting from the outside; walk from across the street to the front of your home. Are the bins out of sight? Is the paint peeling off the front door? A buyer’s first impression is crucial, so adding a fresh lick of paint or smartening up a communal hallway could make all the difference.

Everyone has their own idea of what constitutes ‘the perfect home’, but deep burgundy-painted walls, for example, are unlikely to do any favours

to what may be already a small room. Neutral, bright walls and ceilings will give an impression of space by reflecting light around the room. Walk around your home, standing at the door of each room, and consider what needs to be on show. Remove any unnecessary furniture that could be making the space look smaller and de-clutter any shelves and bookcases. For a successful viewing, potential buyers must feel that your home could

be theirs one day. One of the phrases we hear among

buyers when discussing requirements is: ‘light and airy’. In truth, I think it’s more of a feeling than a physical attribute. If your home doesn’t ‘feel’ light and airy, there are a few easy fixes that can make a big difference. Firstly, check all the light bulbs are working throughout the house; a good agent will arrive early and turn on the lights prior to a potential buyer arriving. Clean your windows beforehand so they let in as much light as possible. When preparing for a viewing, make sure all the blinds are fully retracted, not just tilted open. Finally, leave the doors to all the rooms open; it will aid the natural flow of a viewing and also give the feeling of an airy space.

Quite often I’ll discuss viewing arrangements with clients and they’ll proudly state that there’s no better person to show their home to a

potential buyer than themselves. I then (tactfully) suggest that they should not be present for viewings. Whilst the vendor might know everything about their own home, the agent can sell the benefits that match the particular buyer’s needs. Viewers like to take their time and discuss any potential changes to a property, so an estate agent should allow them the space to do this without talking throughout the viewing. The presence

Prepare to shineBen Gee, sales manager and associate director at Marsh & Parsons’ Bishops Park office, gives vendors some top tips on making the most of their property

of the homeowner is likely to make the prospective buyer uncomfortable if they want to discuss walls they might knock through or the kitchen they may want to take out.

Finally, if you’ve decided to sell your home, it’s essential that you’re prepared to act as soon as the right offer is made. The moment you go onto the market (if not before), you should appoint a solicitor to prepare a sales pack for you. You need to provide them with any documents relating to planning permission, building regulations and guarantees and then complete the necessary fixtures and fittings forms and give them your lease (if applicable). Having all of this information ready to send to the buyer’s solicitor as soon as a sale is agreed will keep up the momentum and could save up to two weeks on the transaction time.

There is no doubt that selling your property is an important change, so make sure you do everything possible to ensure your home looks its best, so that you can achieve the maximum possible price for it.

333 Fulham Palace Road, SW6 6TE, 020 7993 9888 (marshandparsons.co.uk)

Viewers like to take their time and discuss any potential changes to a property, so an estate agent

should allow them the time to do this

PRoPERtY WAtCHExperts shine a light on local property news

Immaculate plot with

south-facing patio

Matching people and property in London for 150 years.

Wardo Avenue SW6 £1,999,950Situated close to Parsons Green and Bishops Park, this fully refurbished, stunning four-bedroom house is

presented in immaculate condition and offers an elegant reception room and garden. Freehold. EPC=C

Bishops Park: 020 7993 9888 [email protected]

Waterford Road SW6 £1,695,000This impressive three-bedroom house, situated close to the Chelsea/Fulham border, boasts a beautiful

double reception room and a large kitchen leading out onto a landscaped garden. Freehold. EPC=D

Fulham: 020 7736 9822 [email protected]

Shorrolds Road SW6 £899,950A unique and charming two-bedroom maisonette located on a residential road moments from Fulham

Broadway offering period charm, a private entrance and a beautiful garden. Leasehold. EPC=C

Fulham: 020 7736 9822 [email protected]

Tasso Road W6 £850 per weekLocated on a quiet cul-de-sac, this beautiful four-bedroom house arranged over three floors, boasts well- proportioned living space and a large eat-in kitchen leading out onto a beautiful private garden. EPC=D


Fulham Road SW6 £695 per weekThis fantastic three-bedroom duplex apartment has been superbly refurbished throughout to offer a

spacious reception room, a large kitchen and a beautiful terrace with roof top views. EPC=E


- 36 -


- 37 -

‘In Fulham, you’re not renting houses, you’re renting lifestyles,’ Mary begins, as we discuss what makes SW6’s

lettings market stand out from other areas of London. ‘Unlike other places such as Kensington and Chelsea, people who live in Fulham really live here. If you look at some roads and squares in prime central London, a lot of them are empty at the weekend because people go to their other homes. In Fulham, that happens far less often. If you’re a family renting a house here, usually it’s your principal home.’ The hustle and bustle of Fulham with its various high streets and green spaces filled with weekend dog walkers are a clear indication

LIFE for RENTMary O’Grady, associate at Knight Frank Fulham lettings, discusses the 2015 market so far and explains why renting in SW6 is about more than just four walls

of the stay-at-home community feel of the area, alongside the fact that in zone two and close to busy areas like the King’s Road, SW6 can boast a ‘villagey’ feel.

‘People in Fulham are used to living well,’ Mary continues. ‘Sometimes, those renting what has been their family home can find it quite difficult to cut the emotional tie they have to their house, which is completely understandable. It’s worth remembering that here in Fulham the majority of tenants taking these houses will be very similar to their landlords – professional couples with prep-school age children who aspire to and achieve

reasonably high standards of living. Ultimately, it’s the

same sort of people they rent to and are

tenants for each other. There’s a reassurance about

it that’s one of the things I love most about Fulham.’

It seems that Mary is not the area’s only fan, as the lettings market so far this year has been booming. ‘Normally January isn’t busy at all, and the market doesn’t pick up until early spring as we prepare for the intense summer season when the majority of contracts begin and end around the school term dates,’ she explains. ‘But this year, demand was very high in January, and because the

Mary’s top tip for renters

in sW6If you find something

you like, take it. Don’t delay – if you do, it will

be gone.

Image © Sarel Jansen

- 36 -


- 37 -

LIFE for RENT

Something specialIf you thought modern, spacious warehouse-style living was reserved for residents of the trendier postcodes in east London, think again, because

there’s a new penthouse on New King’s Road in SW6 that ticks all of those boxes. This 5,000 sq ft, four-bedroom, four-bathroom, three-reception

room flat in the Talisman Building benefits from off-street parking, direct lift access and stunning views over Eel Brook Common. The interiors have

been finished to a supremely high standard and offer residents the best of both worlds; the spacious, industrial feel of the converted warehouse apartment coupled with the luxurious décor more commonly expected

in this part of the capital. Just minutes from Fulham Broadway and Parsons Green stations as well as local shops and amenities, this property

is truly unique in the Fulham area and will make a stunning home.

Guide price £6,500 per week. To arrange a viewing, contact Knight Frank on 020 7751 2410

sales market has been somewhat unsure in the run-up to the general election in May, it’s really helped the lettings side of things. However, there is still a degree of caution in the market. There is a lack of stock in some areas of London as potential landlords hesitate over the wider political uncertainties caused by the election.’

What effect does Mary think a potential mansion tax might have on the lettings market in Fulham? ‘As specific details about any potential mansion tax is still reasonably sketchy, it’s unclear as to what affect such a tax could have. However, if landlords’ costs are to increase it does seem reasonable to assume that these, or at least an element of them, will be passed on to tenants. So will tenants choose to stay in the areas they can currently afford, and pay more? Or will they move? It remains to be seen, but I think they will more than likely choose to downsize and stay in the area.’ Presumably the threat of a mansion tax will also affect the traditional lettings ‘timetable’, too? ‘March and April are generally busy anyway, but I think this year they will be more so as people try to get locked into contracts before the election and potential rent increases.’

Increasingly, Mary is seeing tenants take on longer-term lets rather than the traditional one-year contract. ‘It’s a bit of a Fulham phenomenon,’ she agrees, ‘especially with families. They’re looking to take on agreements for two or three years now, and although they will ask for a break clause after 12 or 18 months, they like the idea of security of tenure – particularly if their children are enrolled in local schools.’ Are there any exceptions? ‘We are seeing potential tenants seeking to agree to longer term tenancies where the only reason they can terminate their tenancy would be for business reasons, for example, if their employers are moving them outside London. That suits the landlords, the companies and the agents – it’s beneficial for everyone.’

The lettings business is about more than just matching a client to a property, though. ‘It’s as much about matching personalities as it is everything else,’ Mary elaborates. ‘You’re building relationships and it’s important to match the right people. With sales, you

put it all together and step away. With lettings, you’re potentially

involved in the relationship for years to come, so it’s important to get it right.’

So what does Mary predict for the rest of 2015?

‘I see a busy year ahead,’ she says, after considering. ‘I think there will be a lot of properties that come on the market and get rented, as just before and after an election

there is always uncertainty, which fuels the rental market. That said, there’s always a strong market in Fulham, so in terms of lettings, I don’t think the election will affect as much change here as in other parts of the capital. At the end of the day, there will always be people looking to rent in SW6 and as long as a property is presented nicely, it will rent well, and quickly.’

Lettings at Knight Frank Fulham, 203 New King’s Road, SW6 4SR, 020 7751 2410 (knightfrank.co.uk)

The people they’re renting to will be just like them, with small children

like theirs, who want to live in the same way they do

Mary’S top tip for

LaNDLorDS iN SW6It’s all about

presentation. De-clutter, dress it well and it

will let.

Battersea Park Road, Battersea SW11 Two bedroom duplex apartment with balcony 2 bedrooms, reception room/kitchen/dining room, 2 bathrooms, balcony. EPC rating C. Approximately 97 sq m ﴾1,044 sq ft﴿

Leasehold

£600,000

RVR140333

KnightFrank.co.uk/Battersea [email protected] 020 3597 7670

KnightFrank.co.uk

City mag Mar 2015 print 12/02/2015 17:11:47


Leasehold

£600,000

RVR140333


KnightFrank.co.uk


Clapham Common West Side, SW4 South west facing garden A 5 bedroom house of over 3500 sq ft with off street parking. 5 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms, 3 reception rooms, kitchen/dining/reception room, south west facing garden, off street parking. EPC rating C. Approximately 329 sq. m. ﴾3,541 sq. ft.﴿.

Freehold

£3,500,000

﴾WND150006﴿

KnightFrank.co.uk/wandsworth [email protected] 020 8682 7777

Please note these photos were taken in 2014, the property is currently unfurnished.

KnightFrank.co.uk

BBCW 1.2 25/02/2015 15:53:22


Freehold

£3,500,000

﴾WND150006﴿



KnightFrank.co.uk

BBCW 1.2 25/02/2015 15:53:22


Leasehold

£600,000

RVR140333


KnightFrank.co.uk



Leasehold

£600,000

RVR140333


KnightFrank.co.uk



Leasehold

£600,000

RVR140333


KnightFrank.co.uk



Freehold

£3,500,000

﴾WND150006﴿



KnightFrank.co.uk

BBCW 1.2 25/02/2015 15:53:22


Freehold

£3,500,000

﴾WND150006﴿



KnightFrank.co.uk

BBCW 1.2 25/02/2015 15:53:22

Wandsworth Bridge Road, Fulham SW6Beautifully renovated four bedroom family homeA lovely family house with stunning living space and an exceptional finish throughout. Master bedroom with en suite bathroom, 2nd bedroom with en suite bathroom, 3rd bedroom with en suite shower room, further bedroom, shower room, double reception room, kitchen with dining and sitting area, cellar, garden. EPC rating D. Approximately 236.9 sq m (2,550 sq ft)FreeholdGuide price: £2,250,000

(FLQ185163)

KnightFrank.co.uk/fulham [email protected] 020 3641 6475

KnightFrank.co.uk

The Piper Building, Fulham SW6A well-presented four bedroom family homeA beautifully presented warehouse style apartment with a stunning double height reception room. Master bedroom with en suite bathroom, 3 further bedrooms (one with en suite bathroom), bathroom, reception room, kitchen, mezzanine study area, utility room, guest WC, private balcony, storage areas, gated and secure parking, 24 hour porter and security, communal roof terrace. EPC rating B. Approximately 239.3 sq m (2,576 sq ft)LeaseholdGuide price: £1,850,000

(FLQ206878)



KnightFrank.co.uk

The Piper Building, Fulham SW6 A two bedroom apartment with off street parking A substantial two bedroom apartment set within this iconic portered building. 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, mezzanine living area, terrace, off street parking, 24 hour concierge. EPC rating C. Approximately 101.82 sq m ﴾ 1,096 sq ft﴿

Available Unfurnished

Guide price: £780 per week

﴾ FLQ212513﴿

KnightFrank.co.uk/Fulham [email protected] 020 7751 2410

All potential tenants should be advised that, as well as rent, an administration fee of £276 will apply when renting a property. Please ask us for more information about other fees that may apply or visit KnightFrank.co.uk/tenantcharges

KnightFrank.co.uk

Piper Building FRJ MARCH 2015 18/02/2015 17:36:25

Crookham Road, Fulham SW6 A newly refurbished two bedroom flat An immaculately presented two double bedroom flat arranged over the first and second floors on a desirable residential street close to the local amenities on the Fulham Road. 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, reception room, kitchen and 2 balconies. EPC rating D.Approximately 101.82 sq m ﴾1,096 sq ft﴿

Available Unfurnished

Guide price: £675 per week

﴾FLQ211441﴿

KnightFrank.co.uk/Fulham [email protected] 020 7751 2410

All potential tenants should be advised that, as well as rent, an administration fee of £276 will apply when renting a property. Please ask us for more information about other fees that may apply or visit KnightFrank.co.uk/tenantcharges

KnightFrank.co.uk

Crookham Road Fulham Residents Journal March 18/02/2015 16:39:33

1

savills.co.uk

Savills FulhamSarah [email protected]

020 7731 9420

Double reception room ø kitchen/breakfast room ø 3 bedrooms ø bathroom ø gardenø 102 sq m (1,098 sq ft) ø EPC=F ø EPC=F

CHARMING THREE BEDROOM "VILLES" HOUSErosaville road, sw6

Guide £1.35 million Freehold

1

savills.co.uk

Savills FulhamHenry [email protected]

020 7731 9420

Double reception room ø kitchen/breakfast room ø 4 bedrooms ø 2 bathrooms ø utility roomø loft ø garden ø roof terrace ø 176 sq m (1,894 sq ft) ø EPC=D

AN IMPRESSIVE VICTORIAN HOUSE WITH A SOPHISTICATED ATMOSPHERE mimosa street, sw6

Guide £1.9 million Freehold

LETTINGS LAYOUT ONLY

1

savills.co.uk

*£36 inc VAT for each additional tenant/occupant/guarantor reference where required. Inventory check out fee – charged at the end of or early termination of the tenancy and the amount is dependent on the property size and whether furnished/unfurnished. For more details, visit www.savills.co.uk/fees.

Savills FulhamKate [email protected]

020 7578 9051

5 bedrooms ø double reception room ø open plan kitchen/dining room ø 2 bathroomsø guest w.c. ø garden ø 179 sq m (1,931 sq ft) ø Council Tax=G ø EPC=C

STUNNING ARCHITECT DESIGNED FAMILY HOMEbranksea street, sw6

Unfurnished£1,000 per week + £276 inc VAT one-off admin fee and other charges may apply*

LETTINGS LAYOUT ONLY

1

savills.co.uk

*£36 inc VAT for each additional tenant/occupant/guarantor reference where required. Inventory check out fee – charged at the end of or early termination of the tenancy and the amount is dependent on the property size and whether furnished/unfurnished. For more details, visit www.savills.co.uk/fees.

Savills FulhamMilly [email protected]

020 7731 2692

6 bedrooms ø 3 reception rooms ø eat-in kitchen ø 4 bathrooms ø patio gardenø 312 sq m (3,358 sq ft) ø Council Tax=H ø EPC=C

BEAUTIFULLY PRESENTED SIX BEDROOM FAMILY HOMEnapier avenue, sw6

Unfurnished£2,750 per week + £276 inc VAT one-off admin fee and other charges may apply*

North Chelsea Fulham Hammersmith & Shepherd’s Bush Kensington Kensington Gate South Kensington Notting Hill Pimlico & Westminster

£1,185,000Leasehold

Crookham Road SW6 An immaculately presented, Victorianterrace, home offering circa 1,056 sq ftof living and entertaining space.Arranged over two floors, the propertyis located on this popular road nearParsons Green.

Fulham Sales020 7731 4391 | [email protected]

3 bedrooms, Bathroom, Doublereception room, Open-plan kitchen,Cloakroom, EPC: D.

South Balham Battersea Battersea Park Clapham East Putney Southfields & Earlsfield West Putney

douglasandgordon.com

£875 per week Fees apply

Unfurnished

Rosaville Road SW6 A four bedroom family home located onthis popular street in the 'Villes'. Theground floor, which has recently beenextended, boasts a wonderful open-plan kitchen which opens onto abeautiful south-facing patio garden.

Fulham Lettings020 7731 4791 | [email protected]

4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, Receptionroom, Kitchen/dining room, Garden,EPC: D.

Bursting with character and charm, this sensational family home will suit the larger family looking for a well located residence.

• Double reception room• 5 bedrooms• Kitchen/dining room• High ceilings• Garden• Energy rating D

Guide price £2,250,000

Parsons Green020 7751 [email protected]


An outstanding Victorian family home, extending to approximately 2,630 sq ft.

• Reception room• 6 bedrooms• Kitchen• Under floor heating• Garden• Energy rating D


Fernhurst road Fulham SW6

radipole road Fulham SW6

sullivanthomas.co.ukNow part of the Carter Jonas network

A very well presented flat on the second floor of this popular mansions block close to Putney Bridge and Parsons Green Tube Station.

• Open plan reception room• 2 double bedrooms• Open plan kitchen• Good storage• Wooden floors• Energy rating C

£425pw/£1,842pcm

Fulham - Bishops Park020 7731 [email protected]


An absolutely sensational newly refurbished and extended semi-detached period house offering in excess of 2,200 sq ft of thoughtfully laid out space.

• Reception room• 4 bedrooms• 2 bathrooms/1 shower room• Kitchen/family room• Large garden• Energy rating E


Lysia streetFulham SW6

NormaNhurst maNsioNsFulham SW6

* Rent excludes administration fees. Please contact our branch who can provide this information.

Located in a quiet mews in the heart of Fulham, this pair of fabulous bespoke new build homes are designed by award

winning architects and will be finished to the highest specification. For further details and full brochure please contact us.

Awaiting EPC

Prices from £2m to £2.35m

Follow us on Twitter @Gossandco Join our online community!

RostRevoR Mews, sw6

We are delighted to offer this stunning two bedroom, two bathroom split level period maisonette. Boasting a large

open plan reception area, attractive patio garden, very high end décor and furnishing as well as being located in a

fantastic location only moments to Fulham Broadway Station this property is perfect for professionals.

EPC Rating D

£675 per week

A stunning 2 bed, 2 bath, mansion flat presented in immaculate condition. The flat has a very high end kitchen with

separate dining area and a truly beautiful reception room overlooking the river. Located on a pretty, tree lined street and

benefiting from a delightful communal garden, early viewing is recommended. EPC Rating E

£692 per weekAdministration Fee: £180 inc VAT per tenancy Reference Fee: £60 inc VAT per tenant Deposit: 6 Weeks

020 7751 8326 • [email protected] • Goss & Co. 666 Fulham Road, Fulham, London, SW6 5RX

BaRclay Road, sw6

RiveRview GaRdens, sw6

Representative computer generated images of Wimbledon Hill Park and landscaping, indicative only. Prices correct at time of print.

Luxury Apartments at Wimbledon Hill ParkConveniently located for both Wimbledon Village and Central London, Wimbledon Hill Park offers a luxurious collection of 2 and 3 bedroom apartments, with residents’ gym and concierge, all set within 19 acres of protected parkland in one of London’s premier addresses.

Prices from £1,150,000

Register now on 020 3627 7801 or visit www.wimbledonhillpark.co.uk

Sales & Marketing Suite, Copse Hill, Wimbledon, London. SW20 0NE

Proud to be a member of the Berkeley Group of companiesProud to be a member of the Berkeley Group of companies

Show apartment launches 7th March 2015

9821_073_Fulham_Residents_Journal_Full_Page_A4_18Feb.indd 1 19/02/2015 19:15

- 55 -


renting classF

ulham is no exception to the rise of the rental market that has been well-documented, but the area has one

important difference. Many of the rental properties are not the flatshares that people in their 20s like, but instead are family homes.

The rental sector in the UK has undergone substantial growth, doubling in size over the past 14 years. More than 10 million people now live in rented accommodation and evidence suggests that this number is set to grow in the coming years.

While the housing supply remains

constrained, the rental market will take the pressure for those looking to live in a central location. However, renting has become a preference for some – more than 50 per cent of tenants are now defined as ‘high income’ and make this choice because of the flexibility it offers. The job market has changed in

recent years and many jobs demand that employees are able to move location at relatively short notice.

The reality is that the London sales market remains too hot for some, so renting, particularly in areas such as Fulham, provides a good option for families. A third of this new generation of renters have children and a central location like Fulham with its excellent schools is an obvious choice for them.

For many young renters, Fulham was the first port of call for flatshares and was well-known as Chelsea’s cheeky, cheaper younger cousin, located only a mile down the route of the Thames, but with bars and restaurants aplenty. However, as the flow of money from central London has travelled along the south-west corridor, Fulham has evolved to become a destination

Michelle van Vuuren, managing director of residential development and investment at Sotheby’s International Realty, takes a look at the flourishing rental market in Fulham as it becomes a very real option for families

The rise of the

for families to enjoy its proximity to green open spaces, its great shopping facilities and convenient commute. The vast majority of residents have come to the borough having moved from Kensington and Chelsea.

As a local Fulham resident, I have seen the evolution of the area over the last decade. Gorgeous boutique shops,

excellent schools and wonderful parks like Parsons Green and Bishops Park makes it a fantastic place to raise a family. However, Fulham still represents reasonable

rental market value for families. It is a popular area for buy-to-let

investors, many of whom have moved to the countryside but retained their London property. The majority of housing stock in Fulham consists of terraced housing and is perfect for young families who want a reasonably central location.

All the evidence points towards a growth in renting and a shift towards a model of accommodation – the private rented sector – which dominates the German and French markets. As house prices remain proportionally high in comparison to income, renting will become more desirable and accessible areas like Fulham will surely only increase.

Call Michelle van Vuuren at Sotheby’s International Realty London office for more information. [email protected]; 020 3126 4573

The rental sector in the UK has undergone substantial growth, doubling in size over the past 14 years. More than 10 million people now live in

rented accommodation

Michelle van Vuuren

twitter.com/struttandparker

facebook.com/struttandparker

struttandparker.com

Bishops Road, SW6 £1,650,000 Freehold

A well presented three bedroom family house occupying approximately 1593 sq ft on this prime stretch of Bishops Road.

1593 sq ft (148 sq m) EPC Rating EDrawing room | Kitchen/dining room | Master bedroom with en suite bathroom | Two further bedrooms | Bathroom | Garden

Fulham Sales 020 7731 7100 [email protected]

Wardo Avenue, SW6 £1,999,950 Freehold

A stunning four bedroom family house occupying approximately 1776 sq ft.

1776 sq ft (165 sq m) EPC Rating CDrawing room | Kitchen/dining room | Master bedroom with en suite bathroom | Three bedrooms | Bathroom | Shower room | Garden

Fulham Sales 020 7730 7100 [email protected]

twitter.com/struttandparker

facebook.com/struttandparker

struttandparker.com

Empress Place, SW6 £675 per week* Unfurnished

An immaculate and beautifully presented three bedroom upper maisonette in this convenient location moments from West Brompton station.

1302 sq ft (121 sq m) EPC rating EDouble drawing room | Kitchen | Master bedroom with en suite shower room and fitted storage | Two further double bedrooms | Family bathroom | Cloakroom | Garden

Fulham Lettings 020 7731 7100 [email protected]

*The following Tenant charges may apply prior to tenancy commencement:

Tenancy Agreement £210 (inc VAT) Credit References per application £54 (inc VAT). All advertised prices are excluded and other associated services.

www.Resident s J o uR na l . c o . u k(020) 7 9 8 7 4 3 2 0

Resident’s Journalfulham

MaRcH 201 5 • is s u e 3 0

We highly value your feedback: [email protected] or 020 7987 4320

Proudly published by

R U N W I L D M E D I A G R O U P

As the exclusive UK affiliate of Christie’s International Real Estate network, we can reach quality buyers and tenants in 46 countries via 950 offices and a website visited 135,600 times a month.

There’s no better way to open your door to the world.

701 Fulham Road London, SW6 5UL Tel: +44 (0)20 7731 7100 [email protected]

struttandparker.com/christies

Where will we find your perfect buyer or tenant?

P RIS

T???_SP_Paris Door Ad_Fulham RJ.indd 1 05/12/2014 11:26

MAR cH 2015 • Iss UE 30

Written for the residents of sW6

FulhamResident’s Journal

www.R EsIdEnt s J oU R n A l . c o . U k020 79 8 7 4 3 2 0

fulham residents' journal march 2015

Documents