My West London Life

Zara Simon

Zara Simon

March
11

Notting Hill resident and jeweller Zara Simon on home, Ibiza and India

What are you up to at the moment?

Finishing my A/W ’10 jewellery collection and starting to make samples for my S/S11 collection.

Where do you get inspiration for your designs?

Textures, colours and shapes in nature and urban environments while travelling in other countries.

What do you miss when you’re away?

Watching Home and Away.

What was the last band you saw in London?

Skunk Anansie at O2 Academy Brixton.

What’s been your most memorable west London meal?

Julie’s Restaurant & Bar [135 Portland Road, W11] for my sister’s birthday.

What’s your favourite late night hangout?

The Electric [191 Portobello Road, W11]

You have a second home in Ibiza. What do you love most about the island?

The sea.

You also spend a lot of time in India. How does the country inspire you?

Its mish-mash of colours, the light, the nature and the people.

Do you believe jewellery is a luxury or a necessity?

Luxury.

What’s in your secret address book?

The guys who do my electroforming for my jewellery.

What’s by your bedside?

A sketch book and my book Sleep Well Every Night by Glenn Harrold.

How would you spend an ideal Sunday?

A lie-in followed by a late lunch catching up with friends.

What’s your philosophy on life?

Treat people the way you want to be treated – karma.

www.zarasimon.com

Minette Rice Edwards, owner of Ham House Stables

April
7

Olivia Allwood-Mollon chats to Minette Rice Edwards, owner of Ham House Stables

Can you tell us a bit about Ham House Stables, and how it came into your possession?

Ham House Stables is the stable building to Ham House, built, as was the house, in 1610 by Sir Thomas Vavasour. He was Knight Marshal to James I, so he would have had a particular interest in constructing beautiful stables.… Read more →

King Charles’ former butler Grant Harrold & author of The Royal Butler

March
16

King Charles' former butler Grant Harrold tells Olivia Allwood-Mollon about dancing with the late Queen, and the time he accidentally hid from King Charles in a car

Can you tell us a bit about the protocol behind an everyday royal excursion in a car?

Royals never go out alone as they always have their security with them. When they’re going to engagements, they always have their security team with them in surrounding cars. The royals will always work in the back of the… Read more →