Hotfoots it to Mayfair - Mayfair Times

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86 87 property “She threads her way dexterously, with an unconscious air, through the throng, commented upon by the hundreds who admire and the hundreds who envy her. She pulls up her ponies to speak to an acquaintance, and her carriage is instantly surrounded by a multitude; she turns and drives back again towards, and then away into, the unknown world – nobody knows whither.” Future occupants of 15 South Street – newly come onto the rental market – are unlikely to cause such a commotion when they pop round the corner for a quick circuit of Hyde Park. But according to this 1862 article from The Times, their predecessor in the property, Catherine Walters, was a lady with a tendency to be noticed. As the blue plaque outside the property testifies, it was home to Walters – nick-named Skittles, after the bowling alley she frequented in Chesterfield Street – from 1872 until her death in the building in 1920. By then, her place in history was secured as the last of the great Victorian courtesans – the women of the 19th century demi monde, who existed in the shadows of society as paid companions of some of the wealthiest and most influential men of the day. Born in Liverpool in 1839, the daughter of a customs official, Walters moved to London in her late teens and there created an identity for herself as one of the pre-eminent courtesans of the high- Victorian period. Her lovers included Spencer Cavendish – the Marquess of Hartington (later the eighth Duke of Devonshire), the future Edward VII, Napoléon III and the writer Wilfred Scawen Blunt – who wrote poems about the object of his infatuation. Known for her striking classical beauty, Walters was also a fine horsewoman and drew crowds when she trotted along Rotten Row in her skintight riding outfits – much discussed and emulated by highsociety ladies of the day. But her most bankable talent was her discretion: she never confirmed or denied rumours about the RENT A HOUSE WITH A HISTORY, WITH THE BEAUTIFUL FORMER HOME OF VICTORIAN COURTESAN CATHERINE ‘SKITTLES’ WALKER identities of her benefactors and remained unwaveringly loyal to them, securing herself a long career and a prosperous retirement at number 15, where she presided over a political salon in her later years. The building is now a modern five-bedroom family house, recently redecorated by interior design company Red Zebrano and retaining all the period details – cornicing, marble floors, fireplaces – that attracted Walters to the property almost a century and a half ago. A large marble hallway complete with chandelier leads straight into the dining room where she once entertained her guests, who would then follow her up to the impressive first-floor reception room with its beautiful high ceilings and sash windows. The master bedroom suite is, fittingly, accorded its own floor, while the old servants’ quarters now provide useful room for extra guests or a nanny in the basement – which also houses a private garage. And as Kate Townrow, head of Mayfair Lettings at Knight Frank (0207 499 1012), says: “The blue plaque provides a uniqueness to the property – overseas clients particularly enjoy the prospect of living in a property of historical significance.” If you don’t have a benefactor now might be the time to find one; the house is for rent for a cool £5,000 a week. Hold court PROPERTY: Nuala Calvi nuala@pubbiz.com LEFT AND BELOW LEFT: CATHERINE WALTERS’ FORMER HOME HAS BEEN GIVEN A FACELIFT BY INTERIOR DESIGNERS RED ZEBRANO On the run to Mayfair ANOTHER INFAMOUS long-term Mayfair resident – albeit of more recent vintage – has also been causing crowds to gather in the area. Fugitive tycoon Asil Nadir headed for his old stomping ground when he came back to the UK to face fraud charges relating to the collapse of his Polly Peck business empire in 1990. Nadir previously had his office headquarters on Berkeley Square and owned a five-bedroom corner house close to Harry’s Bar in South Audley Street. On his return to Mayfair, he has rented an even bigger house for £5,000 a week, just off Grosvenor Square, where he has been snapped by a hoard of paparazzi. In the interim, the businessman has missed out on an eye-watering increase in property values. Estate agent Wetherell acquired his old home for a client off the bank selling Polly Peck’s assets in December 1992; on the market for £850,000, it went for the knockdown price of £612,500. Managing director Peter Wetherell estimates it would now be worth up to £10 million. Earlier this year, Wetherell also sold the house he is now renting in an off-market deal for £7 million. The sixbedroom house previously sold in 1992 for just £1.225 million, marking a 600 per cent return for its previous owners. So why is it that Nadir can’t seem to get enough of Mayfair? “Old habits die hard,” says Wetherell. “And where better to bring your new 26-year-old wife? Although he’s tagged, so he has to be in bed by 12 o’clock – which leaves out Annabel’s.”
88 interiors “It’s all about being comfortable at home, having the children around and being able to read.” That’s the cosy message from interior designer to the stars Nina Campbell this season. As the recession eats into our disposable income and the shorter days make us want to retreat into our burrows, making a home feel relaxed, familiar and above all snug is the priority. “It’s a really interesting moment in interior design: that brittle, pretentious thing is over,” says Campbell. “People are thinking more seriously about life and what they want. I think they want to stay home, look after their families, entertain at home.” So just how do you create that warm feeling inside? Get comfortable The biggest comfort factor comes from the biggest piece of furniture in the living room: the sofa. “There’s always a place for a big, deep, comfortable sofa,” says Campbell. “You’ve got to put comfort over looks to some extent. Contemporary sofas often have backs that are too low – you need something that holds you in and envelops you. Sofas are probably easier if they’re plain, and I always think more forgiving if they’re in some form of chenille mix, because they don’t show creases.” Calm down Think carefully about the effect the colour of walls will have on your mood. “Aquas are very popular at the moment,” says Campbell, “and they’re very calming. Silvery, pale greys are taking over from beiges – they’re more light-reflective and less yellowing – and are very easy colours to work with as backgrounds. Big patterns can be very overwhelming so you have to think very carefully where you put them – a terrific wall in a corridor leading off somewhere, for instance.” Cushion it Cool, calm backgrounds can be brightened up with small splashes of colour. “You need punchy, jewel colours to bring the excitement in,” says Campbell. “Turquoise, amethyst, sharp greens on cushions or small chairs you can pull up to the fireside, in satin or velvet.” FROM THE TOP: LARGE DIGBY SOFA IN ROUEN CLAY. £1,400 FROM JOHN LEWIS, 300 OXFORD STREET PERSIAN KASHGAI RUG. £825 FROM LIBERTY, GREAT MARLBOROUGH STREET ART DECO PICQUE FLEUR VAL ST LAMBERT VASE. £3,500 FROM MALLETT, 141 NEW BOND STREET PURPLE COCO CHAIR. £1,359 FROM NINA CAMPBELL, 9 WALTON STREET INTERIORS: Nuala Calvi nuala@pubbiz.com Home comforts OUR HOME SHOULD BE OUR REFUGE FROM THE WORLD. INTERIOR DESIGNER NINA CAMPBELL SHARES HER TIPS FOR CREATING A WARM, INVITING ENVIRONMENT AS THE TEMPERATURE DROPS Take the chair When buying a chair, think carefully about how you’re going to use it. “We all read in different ways – people might want to curl up in a chair or sit upright with their arm supported,” says Campbell. “You can’t just get something out of a catalogue and assume it’s fine. It’s like a bed – you have to try it out, imagine yourself in it.” Floor them Campbell prefers carpets upstairs and in bedrooms – “they’re cosier and softer” – but downstairs, wooden floors can still be cosy, providing they’re good quality and dressed with a beautiful rug. “Acres of wooden floor can look too bleak, but as long as you have enough upholstery around you and nice cushions to absorb noise it’s okay,” she says. “Buy a Tibetan rug or even a plain Wilton with a coloured border. Just make sure that it’s big enough so that, in a dining room, chairs are always on the rug if you push them back.” Be yourself Above all, the new look is about you. “It’s wonderful to be in the Ritz Carlton on holiday, but not the rest of the time,” says Campbell. “Homes had a period of looking like a hotel, but now people are wanting to make things more personal. The picture you lust over may not be the one I lust over, but that’s what makes a house. Go to affordable art shows or weekend antique markets and find that piece of coloured glass or funny little picture that means something to you.” And remember, your home is only as warm as your heart. “It’s not really about curtains and carpets,” says Campbell, “but how warm you are when friends come round.”
Page 1: CHARLOTTE DELLAL Hotfoots it to May
Page 4 and 5: 6 news EMBASSY LONDON A month in Ma
Page 6 and 7: 10 what’s on events what’s on f
Page 8 and 9: 14 film AHEAD OF BEING THE HOST HOT
Page 11 and 12: Savile Row may be better known for
Page 13 and 14: 24 art art events Fair dealers THE
Page 15 and 16: 28 retail brand it better? Can we g
Page 17 and 18: Dream boat It’s the butt that get
Page 19 and 20: 36 37 food & drink The kitchens of
Page 21 and 22: 40 fashion “I’ve a nostalgia fo
Page 23: 44 restaurant directory To appear i
Page 26 and 27: 50 business “I’m getting to kno
Page 28: Mayfair Times is available on subsc
Page 31: 60 commercial property “I want to
Page 34: Small is marketable A TWO-BEDROOM A

Hotfoots it to Mayfair - Mayfair Times

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