From restaurants and hotels to beautiful accessories and jewellery, Hetty Chidwick reports from the front line of luxury.
The Ivy reopens this month after extensive refurbishment. An integral part of the London scene since 1917, the restaurant’s bright new look necessitated the sale of many of its old contents—from the ent-rance door to the sign for the ladies’ with all proceeds going to charity. The interior makeover comes with a revamped menu, too (020–7836 4751; www.the-ivy.co.uk)
The Savoy on the Strand is inviting visitors to take a wildflower-inspired tea in conjunction with the River of Flowers initiative, which encourages Londoners to take a walk through the city and to plant more wild blooms.
For £50 per person, you can feast on a three-course tea, including impossibly neat finger sandwiches, freshly baked scones and, if you have space, indivi-dually designed sweet treats created by the hotel’s Executive Pastry Chef, Ludwig Hely, as a culinary homage to wildflowers. The waiters are so gracious that you can take all afternoon to polish off the whole lot without feeling remotely like Augustus Gloop. Available until August 31. (020–7836 4343; www.fairmont.com/savoy-london/)
For elegant racing and wedding attire favoured by royalty The Duchess of Cambridge is a big fan be sure to visit Beulah’s new store on Ebury Street to browse the beautiful collection, including items such as this red-rose Sabitri dress, £575. (left, 020–7730 0775; www.beulahlondon.com)
Floral footwear
Hunter has joined forces with the RHS to create a fun, limited-edition collection using botanical paintings from the RHS archive. The multicoloured Wellingtons are ideal for a muddy festival. Tall boots (left), £100, short lace-up boots, £85.
(0330 333 4290; www.hunterboots.com)
British watchmaker Struthers London has collaborated with the Morgan Motor Company to launch the Morgan Aero 8 watch (right). Tailored to reflect the classic design of the Aero 8 British sportscar, the watch showcases the craftsmanship of Struthers London, which is renowned for restoring and modifying old timepieces.
‘Morgan sportscars represent the epitome of British cool and fly the flag for all small UK independent design makers,’ says Struthers London’s master watchmaker and founding director Craig Struthers. Crafted from 18ct white gold, just eight will be made, £22,500.
(020–7244 7323; www.londonmorgan.co.uk)
Bespoke bangers
This summer, it’s possible to enjoy succulent cuts of meat and bespoke sausages delivered straight to your door, courtesy of Barons Court butcher H. G. Walter. The family-run business has been voted best small butcher shop in Britain and caters to renowned chefs and Michelin-starred restaurants. Half of the sale proceeds of The Fat Pig sausages, £17.50 per kilo, go to the Children with Cancer charity.
(020–7385 6466; www.hgwalter.com)
Boutique hotel Lime Wood in Hampshire is launching a cookery school at the end of July hosted by Angela Hartnett and Luke Holder, the chefs behind the retreat’s restaurant, Harnett Holder & Co. The school, HH & Co Backstage, will offer a variety of relaxed and informal courses to suit any ability in the a newly built cookery-school kitchen, with themes such as Christmas made easy! and Preserving and Pickling. Courses are priced from £120 for half a day to £260 for a guest-chef day. Rooms from £255.
(02380 287177; www.limewoodhotel.co.uk)
Location, location, location
William & Son, purveyor of all things luxury, including fine shooting gear, jewellery and leather goods, has moved to a smart new store on Bruton Street, Mayfair W1. Previously split into two at the company’s old home on Mount Street, the premises, which have just opened, now house everything under one roof.
(020–7493 8385; www.williamandson.com)
