Table Of Content

Chelsea Sales 020 7225 3866 Lettings 020 7589 9966 City Office 020 7600 3456 Fulham & Parsons Green Sales 020 7731 7100 Lettings 020 7731 7100 Professional Valuations 020 7318 5039 Kensington & Holland Park Sales 020 7938 3666 Lettings 020 7938 3866 UK Commercial & Residential 020 7629 7282 Knightsbridge, Belgravia & Mayfair Sales 020 7235 9959 Lettings 020 7235 9959 Residential Investment 020 7318 5198 Notting Hill & Bayswater Sales 020 7221 1111 Lettings 020 7221 1111 Property Management 020 7052 9417 West Chelsea & South Kensington Sales 020 7373 1010 Lettings 020 7373 1010 struttandparker.com Somerset Square | Holland Park | W14 5,761 sq ft (535.20 sq m) An outstanding and beautifully presented seven bedroom family house with a double garage, off-street parking for two cars and a lovely garden. Drawing room |Kitchen/family room |Playroom |Seven bedrooms |Six bath/shower rooms | Two cloakrooms |Two dressing rooms |Gym |Kitchenette |Utility room |Garden Price upon Application Freehold Kensington 020 7938 3666 Tedworth Square | Chelsea | SW3 4,897 sq ft (454.93 sq m) A spectacular house, in this Chelsea garden square with a double height atrium and superb first floor drawing room. Hall |Music room |Drawing room |50' kitchen/breakfast room |Seven bedrooms |Four bath/ shower rooms |Two cloakrooms |Utility room |Roof terrace |Patio |Access to square gardens Asking price £7,500,000 Leasehold Chelsea 020 7225 3866 Inside this month >> LOCAL LIFE 15 Diary What’s going on this month 17 Round Up Latest local news 18 In the frame The stars come out in support of Battersea Dogs and Cats Home’s Coats and Collars gala 21 Raise those voices Where to sing-along to carols in festive style on our doorstep 22 On the map A cartographic guide to Belgravia 55 29 Well read Robert Gwyn Palmer’s book reviews 32 Profile Alexander Larman gets an education in the arts from the Royal Society of 85 69 British Sculptors’ director, Anne- Rawcliffe-King >> HOUSE & GARDEN 39 Interiors cover Getting festive in floral style 41 Interiors news Judith Wilson rounds up the very best interiors buys of the month 46 Interiors trends Judith Wilson opts for a chic, contemporary Christmas look 49 Interiors focus Our favourite Christmas decorations 53 Homing in Nancy Alsop visits a Victorian gem >> FASHION 55 Fashion shoot 62 Most Wanted Lucie Greene on party dresses 65 Conway confidential Henry Conway on trawling the shops for vintage finds the resident | December 2011 | theresident.co.uk Editor’s Letter T is the season to be jolly… and at last. In the business of putting 67 magazines together, one always has the slightly disorientating sensation that comes from working months ahead of oneself, meaning that baubles and Christmas puds start looming on our distant horizon as far back as July. But, as a fully paid up Christmas-ophile, the idea of growing tired of the festive season before it begins? Well, je refuse. Indeed, I will be found eagerly opening each door of the advent calendar, decking those halls and warbling the likes of Fairytale of New York on a virtual loop (oh my lucky colleagues and loved ones…) But if you (like all those in my immediate vicinity, no doubt) would rather hear some better trained voices singing the Christmas classics, there is plenty an opportunity to sate your musical appetites in the capital this year, as ever. 67 Get your rocks on Turn to page 21 for our guide to the best local carol services and concerts on Dazzling jewels for party season our doorsteps. As for me, I will certainly be joining the throngs at Trafalgar Square on 1 December as the yearly tree donated by the people of Oslo is lit >> LIFESTYLE up and the choir from St Martin-in-the-Field provide the accompanying tunes. 70 High Maintenance Hot on the heels of Christmas is, of course, New Year’s Eve, a point at The Resident’s pampering picks which we are all ever-striving to improve ourselves, even if those efforts last a 73 Spa Review matter or weeks, or – in some cases – days. One group of people who will be Josephine Grever visits the Kensington starting New Year on a high are the ten sculptors who have just scooped the EF Medispa Royal British Society of Sculptors bursory award. As their nascent stars began to rise and their exhibition was being finalised, Alexander Larman headed to >> TravEL the South Kensington HQ to catch up with its director Anne Rawcliffe-King, 79 Foodie’s delight who next year celebrates 10 years in the role. Turn to page 32 to find out why she is excited about the lack of a singular direction in sculpture and her Sebastian Cresswell-Turner gets a taste plans for the next decade. for northern Italy’s ham and cheese Elsewhere, Lucie Greene takes her pick of the party dresses to carry us 82 Mini-breaks through the season of unremitting gaieties (p.62), Henry Conway instructs on Alexander Larman falls for Gravetye how to shop for vintage finds (p.65), we have the best Christmas decorations Manor, Sussex (p.49), plus we bring you a beautiful fashion shoot from The Rivoli Bar at The Ritz, where the 1970s glamour of the clothes meets the sumptuous Art >> FOOD & DrINK Deco chic of the surrounds (p.55). 85 Recipes Until next month, I – and all at The Resident – wish you the very merriest Christmas concoctions from the chefs of Christmases and a wonderful new year. at Scott’s, Fiona Faulkner and William Curley PS The eagle-eyed will have noticed a printing error in last month’s Resident; 89 Table Talk we promised you an interview with Julian Fellowes, and instead you got an interview with Russell Norman, for which, many apologies. You can now read Foodie news from Annica Wainwright the correct interview online at theresident.co.uk 90 Restaurant reviews We book into The Gallery at The Westbury, Jia, Bumpkin and Aurelia 93 Carving it up Mark Hix instructs how to carve at Brown’s Hotel >> MY rESIDENcE 99 Father Christmas at Harrods grotto Nancy Alsop Acting Editor >> PrOPErTY 137 Area focus 179 Lettings directory 192 Agent speaks theresident.co.uk | December 2011 | the resident k u . o c . hi s e d u w. w w 3 3 3 1 5 9 4 7 0 2 0 W D 3 K 1 W , n o d n o L , t e e r t S s e vi a D 8 OFF THE PEG MADE TO MEASURE BESPOKE THE RESIDENT Q WYehaatr ’sis ryeosoulru Ntioenw? 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To buy more shoes and Editorial Director Bob Crawley take more holiday Head of Communication Steve Fenton Print & Distribution Printing Headley Brothers Distribution Regal Logistics Manager Ryan Michael [email protected] 020 7605 2262 0800 389 2682 [email protected] Enquiries Customers Services [email protected] Subscriptions 020 7605 2206 Advertising 020 7605 2234 Classified 020 7605 2224 Editorial 020 7605 2271 Facsimile 020 7605 2201 Community Numbers Council Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea Switchboard 020 7361 3000 Housing 3008 Environmental Health 3002 Leisure & Arts 3004 Police Belgravia 020 7730 1212 Kensington 020 7376 1212 Fulham 020 8563 1212 Emergency Water 0845 7200 899 Gas 0800 9555 958 Electric 0800 365 9000 Hospitals Chelsea & Westminster 020 8746 8000 Royal Brompton 020 7352 8121 Lister Hospital 020 7730 3417 Archant is a community media company active in the fields of newspaper and magazine publishing, contract printing and internet communications. 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Front cover by Rebecca Lea Williams, depicts The Halkin hotel, rebeccawilliamsart.com theresident.co.uk | December 2011 | the resident And this is where James loved to entertain his many admirers For centuries now, Banqueting House has been enjoyed by royalty and those of us with a penchant for style and exuberance. It is said to be regarded as the party palace. Architect Inigo Jones built Banqueting House for King James I. Artist Peter Paul Rubens was commissioned by Charles I to paint its magniﬁcent ceiling, which has looked down over many lavish parties ever since. • Houses the breathtaking Rubens’ ceiling • Main Hall accommodates 380 for dinners • Drinks receptions up to 500 • Conveniently located in central London Discover pure indulgence at Historic Royal Palaces Visit www.hrp.org.uk or call 020 3166 6150 Historic Royal Palaces private events: Tower of London • Hampton Court Palace • Banqueting House • Kensington Palace