Home & Lifestyle issue 43 by Home & Lifestyle Magazine

home &lifestyle m a g a z i n e

JANUARY & FEBRUARY 2016 路 ISSUE 43

Kitchen Chic

USER-FRIENDLY SOCIAL REVOLUTION

Fabric Harmony

LUSTROUS PALETTES AND PATTERNS

Pantone Colours of the Year

EMBRACING ROSE QUARTZ AND SOOTHING SERENITY

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culture

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health

gastronomy

eve nts

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home &lifestyle m a g a z i n e C O NTENTS

January & February 2016

Décor & Design 12 Trending Topic: Pantone’s colours of the year 16 Bedrooms: soothing shades 24 Heating: sleek efficiency 30 Bathrooms: pure living 40 Kitchens: timeless functionality 52 Tableware: stately charm

Lifestyle & Leisure

58 Wallpapers & Fabrics: elegant harmony

100 Travel: holiday power on ice with Bentley

76 Lighting: natural inspiration

102 Motoring: visionary concept of the modern car

48 Rugs: vibrant warmth

82 Globally Green: latest eco trends 84 Exhibitions: premier global showcases 86 Property Showcase: dream homes 92 The Property Doctor: marketing your home

104 A La Carte: fine dining with a touch of style 108 Wine Notes: made with loving care 112 Medical Minutes: exercise benefits for the brain

94 First Person: business insights

114 Health & Beauty: relaxation in Six Senses Spa

98 Garden Landscape: avant-garde restaurant

116 Art & Culture: digital Africa and luxury motion

News & Events 116 Festive review of inaugurations, anniversaries

and celebrations

122 Bulletin of companies, organisations and

people in the headlines

128 The Final Word: specialist expatriate advice

from leading experts

JANUARY � FEBRUARY ��6

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MARMOL MARBLE | CERÁMICA TILE | BAÑOS BATHROOMS | COCINAS KITCHENS

Avda. José Martín Méndez s/n. 29680 Estepona (Málaga). T. 952 792 112

www.mercasurestepona.com

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ISSUE 43 JANUARY & FEBRUARY 2016

VISIT US ONLINE! www.homeandlifestyle.es

PUBLISHER Sally Cullens. Mobile: (+34) 622 400 055 sally@homeandlifestyle.es EDITOR Peter Leonard peter@homeandlifestyle.es

VIEW THE LATEST MAGAZINE AND

BACK ISSUES ONLINE Same content, same design available to view immediately by anyone, anywhere, anytime. STAY UPDATED News from our advertisers, events and happenings around Spain. OUR FACEBOOK PAGE Connect with facebook.com/HomeandLifestyle TWITTER POSTS Follow us at @HomeLifestyleEs

SALES EXECUTIVES

Debby Heus, Tim Kafourous, Cristina Axford

LAYOUT & PRODUCTION Pilar Anguita pilar@homeandlifestyle.es ACCOUNTS DIRECTOR David Jaster david@homeandlifestyle.es Administration & Translation Pamela Sauca-Hunt pamela@homeandlifestyle.es

Contributors

Costa del SOl DISTRIBUTION

Gibraltar Distribution

Alia Babapulle, Rachel Garrod, AJ Linn, John Schieszer, Sean Woolley Pedro Castillo Mark Anthony Portelli

COVER PHOTO

The Series 7™ chair from Fritz Hansen comes in 10 different veneers (maple, beech, ash, cherry, oregon pine, elm, oak, walnut, dark stained oak or full dark stained oak with clear lacquer) as well as two finishes (coloured ash or lacquer in all colours). The chairs are made of pressuremoulded sliced veneer and the upholstery is available in a number of different materials and leathers, including welt leather. Fritz Hansen is available at the Plus Store in the BoConcept showroom on the Mijas Road (www.plusstore.es).

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS

Johnny Gates, Redline Company, Mark Rood, David Toms

Depósito Legal

BI-911-08

The publisher makes every effort to ensure that the magazine’s contents are correct, but cannot accept responsibility for the effects of errors or omissions. Home & Lifestyle Magazine reserves the right to refuse to publish any advertisement deemed detrimental to the best interests of the community or that is in questionable taste, and cannot accept responsibility for the claims, goods or services of advertisers. The views and opinions expressed by contributors in Home & Lifestyle Magazine do not necessarily reflect the views of the editor or the publisher. Products and prices mentioned are subject to change without prior notice. No part of this magazine may be reproduced or copied in any way without the prior written consent of Home & Lifestyle Magazine. Home & Lifestyle Magazine is delivered across the Costa del Sol and Gibraltar. Subscription rates are €60 per year.

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Inspiring and innovative designs in both commercial and residential projects, always striving to achieve a perfect balance of space, colour and texture whilst constantly developing new ideas and materials. Our motivation is to exceed the expectations of our clients through our creativity and attention to detail.

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editor

From the

If this were essentially a lifestyle magazine we would be filling our health and fitness pages this issue with timely remedies for shaking off the festive season excesses. As we are more about décor and design, however, we prefer to focus on a new year upgrade and makeover for the home. So, rather than featuring weird-coloured detox smoothie concoctions and brutal bootcamp battles with the bulge, we will be enjoying a more chilled and cheery start to 2016, discovering and unveiling new trends and styles that help put our homes – rather than our bodies – into the right shape. To enhance the feelgood factor in 2016, in this first issue of the year we showcase the modern “living” focus of bathrooms, relax with serene bedroom shades, savour the pleasures of contemporary kitchens that have been transformed from classic culinary functionality into more social-orientated spaces, and feature tableware collections that add a touch of elegance to any dining setting. We also spruce up interior spaces with uplifting fabrics and whimsical wallpapers, provide eco-friendly cosiness with state-of-the-art heating units and eye-catching rugs, and accentuate otherwise unremarkable corners of the home with sleek lighting. For a wider picture, we highlight state-of-the-art architectural projects from Marbella to Rio de Janeiro that shimmer with innovative flair, and prepare for the first major home decoration and design fairs of the year. And finally… a look at Pantone’s trend-setting colour of the year. Well, actually two tones in 2016, for the first time: a calming balance between the gentle warmth of Rose Quartz and the tranquil azure of Serenity.

L’Original collection by Élitis (www.elitis.fr) JANUARY � FEBRUARY ��6

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100% JENSEN 20% DISCOUNT Welcome to experience the Jensen quality and sleep comfort. Valid until 29th February 2016.

Jensen Store S I N C E

2 0 0 5

Polígono Nueva Campana 23 Nueva Andalucía, Marbella Phone +34 952 90 88 55 Open mon - fri 10-14, 15-18 www.jensenstore.com

Trending

TOPIC

Rose Quartz & Serenity Pantone’s Pacesetting Dual Colours of 2016 For the first time since launching its trend-setting colour of the year initiative, Pantone has decided to blend two shades for 2016. In what has been described as a softer take on colour for this year, Rose Quartz and Serenity have been chosen to “demonstrate an inherent balance between a warmer embracing rose tone and the cooler tranquil blue, reflecting connection and wellness as well as a soothing sense of order and peace”. According to the global colour reproduction corporation, “The prevalent combination of Rose Quartz and Serenity also challenges traditional perceptions of colour association. In many parts of the world we are experiencing a gender blur as it relates to fashion, which has in turn impacted colour trends throughout all other areas of design. This more unilateral approach to colour is coinciding with societal movements toward gender equality and fluidity, the consumer’s increased comfort with using colour as a form of expression, a generation that has less concern about being typecast or judged and an open exchange of digital information that has opened our eyes to different approaches to colour usage.” Responding to this quest for “mindfulness and well-being as an antidote to modern-day stresses”, Rose Quartz is said to be a “persuasive yet gentle tone that conveys compassion and a sense of composure”, while Serenity is “weightless and airy, like the expanse of the blue sky above us, bringing feelings of respite and relaxation even in turbulent times”. Pantone says the pairing of Rose Quartz and Serenity brings calm and relaxation, in soft or hard surface material. “Appealing in all finishes – matte, metallic and glossy – the engaging combo joins easily with other mid-tones including greens and purples, rich browns, and all shades of yellow and pink. Add in silver or hot brights for more splash and sparkle.” www.pantone.com

JANUARY � FEBRUARY ��6

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Top left Rose Cottage tableware collection by Villeroy & Boch. Available at Puya in San Pedro and Marbella (www.puya.es). Top right Flow wallpaper and Mingle sofa from By Lassen. Available at the Plus Store in the BoConcept showroom on the Mijas Road (www.plusstore.es). Below left On range by Zucchetti (www.zucchettikos.it). Below right Trinidad series by Fredericia (www.fredericia.com). HOMEANDLIFESTYLE.ES

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Décor &

DESIGN

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Bedrooms

With Va-Va Voom

This bedroom is decorated entirely in Missoni Home, featuring the brandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s famous chevron on the bedspread, cushions and throw. One of the Bubble pendant lamps is broken up with vertical stripes on the cushions and bed base, thus balancing the overall look of the room perfectly (www.missonihome.it).

HOMEANDLIFESTYLE.ES

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Décor &

DESIGN

JANUARY � FEBRUARY ��6

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Left The Seamless range by Jensen Beds was launched for their Continental beds in 2014 and now they have adapted it for their Nordic models. Seamless is a textile solution that covers the entire bed frame, offering an even surface on which to sleep without any hard edges in the middle. The bed has four legs, as opposed to the usual eight, giving it a distrinctive and more contemporary look. Jensen Store is situated in Pol. Ind. Nueva Campana 23 (www.jensenstore.es). Top This chest of drawers by Nordal is made of pine and MDF. Nordal is available at the Plus Store in the BoConcept showroom on the Mijas Road (www.plusstore.es). Below Putting a high-gloss wardrobe into an urban-style room gives the overall bedroom a sleek and finished look. This wardrobe is available from Todo Madera in Estepona (www.todomaderaestepona.com). HOMEANDLIFESTYLE.ES

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Décor &

DESIGN

Bright Colourful and

A perfect example of how mixing multi-coloured patterns in your bedroom can look stunning when balanced with plain colours that tie into the overall sequence. The curtains, cushion (both from the Olinda range), headboard (Tamarinda range), bedcover (Branca range), valance (Nuno range) and stool (Marimba range) are all from Jane Churchill, available at Tela Bella near the Pol. Ind. Estepona (www.telabella.es) and The White House in Urb. Marbella Real (www.whitehousemarbella.com).

JANUARY � FEBRUARY ��6

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Décor &

DESIGN

Whether you like a floral or colourful bedroom or something plainer and more serene, keep your colour scheme coordinated and your room organised and clutter-free for a perfect night’s sleep...

Soothing pastel shades in a bedroom are easy to coordinate as they all work well together. Adding a flash of colour such as this Mesch throw from By Lassen provides a design focal point without disturbing the room’s serenity. By Lassen is available at the Plus Store in the BoConcept showroom on the Mijas Road (www.plusstore.es).

JANUARY � FEBRUARY ��6

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Luxury Homes Design M A R B E L L A

A LT A

IN T E R IO R

D E C O R A C I Ó N

P R O J E C T S

FU R N I T U RE

L I G HTI N G

SHOWROOM MARBELLA

Centro Comercial Puerta de Banús, Local 20. T: +34 952 816 420 www.luxuryhomesdesign.com

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O RO

OW OPEN H S OW N

‘Bringing Ideas to Life’ Calle Juan de Mena, Nave N. 21. Poligono Industrial de Estepona 29680 T: (+34) 951 203 966 · sales: (+34) 952 808 107 · (+34) 951 273 984 · Email: sales@concept-building.com Open Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm

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HIGH QUALITY BUILDING

BEFORE

AFTER

BEFORE

AFTER

NATURAL STONE WINDOWS AND DOORS STAIN STEEL AND IRON DECKING INTERIOR DESIGN

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Boutique

TRENDS

Getting Heated This Winter

JANUARY � FEBRUARY ��6

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The sophisticated EcoSmart Fire XL900 Bioethanol Burner offers a long open fire in stainless steel that is laser-cut. It is easy to light and extinguish, with a special shut-off system. This fireplace has a patented system which eliminates spills and prevents the burner from being over-fuelled. As it is fuelled by bioethanol, there is no smoke and it does not require a chimney. This EcoSmart fireplace is available at Outdoor Concepts in San Pedro de Alcรกntara (www.outdoorconcepts.es). HOMEANDLIFESTYLE.ES

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Boutique

TRENDS

Top This bioethanol Caleta fireplace has a ceramic surround that gives it an urban chic appearance. Below The Caleta fireplace with the metallic rust-effect surround gives this contemporary bioethanol fireplace a warm and more natural look. Both available from Unique Fires (www.uniquefires.com).

JANUARY � FEBRUARY ��6

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Boutique

TRENDS

Heating from above

The extremely efficient Platinum Smart-Heat Electric offers high performance in a sleek and understated unit. It is half-enclosed and minimises light so that it moulds seamlessly into the lines of the roof. Its recess kits can be installed onto a number of different surfaces, including the underside of umbrellas. available at Outdoor Concepts in San Pedro de Alcántara (www.outdoorconcepts.es). JANUARY � FEBRUARY ��6

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Costa Del Sol Market Leaders In Real Flame Electric, Gas and Wood Burning Fires

FOR CONTEMPORARY & MODERN SPANISH LIVING

Unique Fires Energy saving & clean instant heat only when you need it

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Boutique

TRENDS

Sound & Sophistication The latest audio systems often use wireless technology for music streaming. Speakers are now sleeker and can serve as both a functional and decorative item for your home.

The Zeppelin Wireless speaker by Bowers & Wilkins works perfectly with all your favourite apps and devices, offering excellent sound quality. Available on the Costa del Sol from TD Sat & Sound (www.tdsatandsound.com).

JANUARY � FEBRUARY ��6

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- SUN PROTECTION SYSTEMS -

Create a feeling of luxury… Comfort and highlight the character and style of any interior with beautifully decorated windows. We can provide you with the best selection of high-end window treatment and sun protection systems available on the market. Leading brands meet modern standards of quality and fashion trends in the window décor art today. Premier high quality decorative window covering ranges from roman shades, pleated systems, venetian blind systems, curtains, horizontal blind systems, Japanese and roller blinds to everything in between. C/ Lagasca 64. 29670 San Pedro de Alcántara, Marbella. Mob +34 688 267 101 / info@artedellusso.es / www.artedellusso.es

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Boutique

TRENDS

Top International audio company Leon mixes art with audio and design with technology. It is no surprise, therefore, that Leon’s sound sculptures can be found in hotel reception areas, restaurants and designer showrooms – due to their attractive artistic designs. Below The new ultimate listening experience by Sonos offers the purest and deepest sound. The six custom-designed drivers with dedicated amplifiers for this Trueplay tuning deliver sound that is true to the music and appropriate for the size of the room. You can control the music and streaming services from a single app (on your smartphone, tablet or computer). Both speakers are available from TD Sat & Sound (www.tdsatandsound.com).

JANUARY � FEBRUARY ��6

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EXCLUSIVE VILLAS & TOWNHOUSES Choice of 7 individual property layouts Property owners beneďŹ t from family membership access to all facilities at the exclusive Clubhouse including Wellness Center, Spa & Restaurant

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smartpropertyprofessional.com

Décor &

DESIGN

Bathroom Living

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The Biblio bath by Antonio Lupi truly demonstrates how the bathroom has become more like a living room than ever before. Here the Biblio bath has shelving built into the side where you can store books. Antonio Lupi is available at Puya in Pol. Ind. Ermita in Marbella and Pol. Ind. San Pedro de Alcรกntara (www.puya.es).

HOMEANDLIFESTYLE.ES

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Décor &

DESIGN

The Paiova bath by Duravit has a luxury hydro-massage system with flat jets that move the massage jet vertically up and down along the back muscles. Duravit is available at Puya in Pol. Ind. Ermita in Marbella and Pol. Ind. San Pedro de Alcántara (www.puya.es) and Mercasur in Estepona (www.mercasurestepona.com).

JANUARY � FEBRUARY ��6

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Décor &

DESIGN

The Ker bathroom by Edoné shows the purity of shapes and solidity of natural wood. Edoné is available at Puya in Pol. Ind. Ermita in Marbella and Pol. Ind. San Pedro de Alcántara (www.puya.es).

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Too BIG for your room? The Mezzo comes in all sizes and shapes with a choice of different seating units

BoConcept PlusStore Ctra. de Mijas KM. 3,5 29650 Mijas, M谩laga Spain Tel: +34 951 242 092 路 malaga@boconcept.es www.BoConcept.es 路 www.PlusStore.es.

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Décor &

DESIGN

The design team at Grohe were inspired by timeless buildings and objects with sweeping lines that flare out at the bottom, such as the Eiffel Tower and the archetypal shape of a table lamp. The spout and levers are square with curved edges, which Grohe calls a “squircle”, and have “flowing feminine forms with masculine edges”. Grohe is available at Mercasur in Estepona (www.mercasurestepona.com) and Puya in Pol. Ind. Ermita in Marbella and Pol. Ind. San Pedro de Alcántara (www.puya.es).

JANUARY � FEBRUARY ��6

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Keep it simple. Let the expert do it…

CMY

SMART HOME SOLUTIONS | LIGHTING | SOUND | HOME CINEMA | IPTV E: info@tdsatandsound.com T: (+34) 606 661 344 Мы говорим по-русски : (+34) 630 720 920 We also speak Russian, Swedish, English and Spanish

W: tdsatandsound.com

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DOMOTIC SYSTEM 路 SOLAR POWER ENERGY SYSTEM 路 IN COLLABORATION WITH CARLOS LAMAS & ATLAS GROUP

Telf.:(+34) 951 033 196 | info@mirabellahills.com | www.mirabellahills.com

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Boutique

TRENDS

Kitchens Class With

JANUARY � FEBRUARY ��6

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The kitchen has been greatly transformed over the years. Before it was just a room where we prepared and cooked food, but now it is a place where we can congregate to chat, relax and even dine. The kitchen has also become more user-friendly, highlighted by functionality and gadgetry that has revolutionised the way we live. Our kitchens are less cluttered, with sleek storage systems and large compartmentalised drawers that hide away perfectly to create an aesthetically pleasing living space.

This stunning kitchen with the Tigris Sand countertop by Silestone contrasts perfectly with the wooden cabinetry, providing it with a natural, earthy look but also a contemporary edge. Available at Concept Building in Pol. Ind. Estepona (www.concept-building.com), Mercasur (www.mercasurestepona.com) and Decodan Interiores (www.decodaninteriores.com), which are all situated in the Estepona area. HOMEANDLIFESTYLE.ES

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Boutique

TRENDS

World-renowned Italian kitchen company Valcucine revolutionised ergonomics with the Logica System. The back section is exceptionally well-equipped and can house and conceal all kitchen equipment, including the dish drainer, small appliances, a monitor, hooks for utensils and even a cooker hood. The kitchen comes with removable jumbo drawers and wall units with Ala and Aerius lift-up doors. Valcucine is situated in Pol. Ind. La Ermita and also the Marmorin Design Centre opposite Marbella Club (www.valcucine.com).

JANUARY � FEBRUARY ��6

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Interior furniture specialists

Quality fitted kitchens Fitted wardrobes and dressing rooms 路 Doors Laminated and wooden floors Av. Juan Carlos I n潞 52, Local 4. 29680 Estepona Telf/Fax: 952 808 640 路 English: 629 020 486 info@decodaninteriores.com

www.decodaninteriores.com

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Boutique

TRENDS

The doors in this beautifully-designed kitchen have one bevelled inside edge, while the overall kitchen features clean lines and ample storage space. Available at Mercasur in Estepona (www.mercasurestepona.com).

JANUARY � FEBRUARY ��6

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Supplying and creating floral arrangements and decorations for the Costa del Sol most memorable events

Av. Severo Ochoa 28, local bajo A. 29603 Marbella T: 952 77 37 56 · www.virginiaflorista.com

ENGINEERING - ALUMINIUM - SECURITY - DOMOTICS THERMAL BREAK ALUMINIUM · GLASS GLASS CURTAINS · BLINDS · AWNINGS STAINLESS STEEL · RAILINGS GARAGE DOORS DOMOTICS KNX PARTNER · AUTOMATISM VIDEO SURVEILLANCE · LIGHTING MULTI-CHANNEL AUDIO · SCREENS HOME CINEMA

Urb. Señorío de Cortés 64- 29680, Estepona, Málaga. Tel: (+34) 654 330 707 Web: www.aludomo.es Email: comercial@aludomo.es

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Boutique

TRENDS

Floor Art Through Rugs

The Bouquet rug by Sahco is a modern take on a classic cross-stich design. This winter rich, bright colours give a room an added sense of warmth and homeliness. Sahco is available at UDesign in San Pedro de Alcántara (www.udesign.es).

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Jab Anstoetzâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Dissolve collection is a demonstration of how untreated metal changes over time, depicting the blur of colours during the rusting process. Jab is available at Cort Idea in CC Idea on the Mijas Road (www.cortidea.es).

This Out

HOMEANDLIFESTYLE.ES

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Boutique

TRENDS

This eye-catching rug from the Kaleidoscopes range by Gan Rugs features vibrant colours and a geometric design. Gan is available at Nezha Kanouni in Pol. Ind. Estepona (www.nezhakanouni.com).

JANUARY � FEBRUARY ��6

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Boutique

TRENDS

JANUARY � FEBRUARY ��6

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Everyoneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Cup of Tea

Previous page The Nery collection by Vista Alegre was created by renowned artist Eduardo Nery and is particularly representative of his work. The collection features gold touches that give it a luxurious and stately appearance (www.vistaalegre.com). Top Normann Copenhagenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s minimalistic Geo Vacuum Jug is accompanied by a tray, milk jug, sugar bowl and lidded jars in three different sizes. The Geo range, which is highlighted by its sharp clean lines, was designed by Danish designer Nicholai Wiig Hansen (www.normann-copenhagen.com). Below The new Rose Cottage tea collection by Villeroy & Boch is a delightful porcelain range ideal for tea lovers. The charming rose design evokes nostalgia and romanticism. Villeroy & Boch is available at Puya in Pol. Ind. La Ermita in Marbella and also in Pol. Ind. San Pedro (www.puya.es).

HOMEANDLIFESTYLE.ES

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Boutique

TRENDS The Muubs ceramic collection has a very contemporary Scandinavian look, with its neutral, wintry colours ideal to accompany any colour or style of table. Muubs is available at the Plus Store in the BoConcept showroom on the Mijas Road (www.plusstore.es).

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- INTERIOR DESIGN -

Bespoke, unique, timelessly elegant schemes designed with a personal touch and a lot of love We speak: English, Swedish, Norwegian, French, Spanish and German Urb. Marbella Real, Local 19, 29602 Marbella (M谩laga) Tel: (+34) 952 902 613 路 Mob: (+34) 620 055 640 路 E-mail: christina@whitehousemarbella.com

www.whitehousemarbella.com

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TRENDS

The smooth clean lines of this collection by Vipp give the range an aesthetically attractive look. Vipp collaborated with Danish ceramicist Annemette Kissow and developed a stunning ceramics collection of seven different items. including the brunch set featured here (www.vipp.com).

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Mark Rood is an experienced professional photographer who grew up around abstract art, so it was only natural for him to transform his photos into what look like abstract paintings. You can download Markâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s images in high resolution or he can print them for you in any size and on virtually any material. Email: mark@iblueskyphotography.com | Web: www.iblueskyphotography.com | Facebook: iblueskyphotography | Tel: (+34) 678 10 48 66 | Skype: markhrood

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Boutique

TRENDS

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Walls Impact With

This Out Systemโ ข wall coating system for exterior surfaces and faรงades is resistant to abrasions, rain and UV rays. The graphics are stunningly decorative but respectful of the surroundings, using colours and designs that integrate well within an urban environment and also with the sky. Available at UDesign in San Pedro de Alcรกntara (www.udesign.es). HOMEANDLIFESTYLE.ES

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Boutique

TRENDS

The new Happy collection from the Samarcande range by Élitis is a vibrant burst of kaleidoscopic colour. As it is made of vinyl it can be wiped down with a sponge if required. Élitis is available at UDesign in San Pedro de Alcántara (www.udesign.es), Luxury Homes Design in Puerto Banús (www.luxuryhomesdesign.com) and Nezha Kanouni in Pol. Ind. Estepona (www.nezhakanouni.com).

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WE ARE MANUFACTURERS DIRECT KOMMERLING

www.tecnoupvc.com 路 www.tecnoaluminio.com 951 277 567 / 952 805 267

MEDIA FLY MAKE YOUR COMPANY SHINE IN ALL ITS GLITTERING SPLENDOUR...

Producing marketing material for professionals who want to stand-out from the rest. Call us today for a quote: (+34) 952 905 000.

The largest manufacturer & supplier of uPVC window and door systems to homes and businesses across southern Spain working with best brands on the market & offering the latest technology in window and door locking systems. Security blinds, fly screens, glass curtains, awnings & garage doors also available.

Showroom 1. Costa Galera Park Exit Km 148,5 Estepona Showroom 2. Calle Monterroso 57, Exit Km 155 Estepona Workshop: Calle Juan de la Cierva 7. Pol. Ind. Estepona

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TRENDS

A Touch Of

Opulence

Featuring a bold decorative peacock feather pattern which is further enhanced by metallic touches, the Sula wallpaper collection by Jane Churchill comes in a range of colours. Jane Churchill is available at Tela Bella near Pol. Ind. Estepona (www.telabella.es) and The White House in Urb. Marbella Real (www.whitehousemarbella.com).

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UNIQUE AT COSTA DEL SOL INVITATION Special Luxury Event at boutique MARMORIN (in front of Marbella Club Hotel)

28-th of January 2016 from 19.00 hrs.

The street legal City Cars are ideal to move you comfortably and safe around an urban environment. - to the supermarket - to the city center, easy parking - to the restaurant - to the beach . . .

c i r t c e el

street legal

CITY CARS

Driving with an official number plate on the public roads. To Buy from 8000,00 € VAT excl. To Rent from 75,00 € VAT incl.

Ecocarinvest is an exclusive dealer for City Cars GARIA on the Costa del Sol Marbella office +34 952 929 770 +34 670 254 337 Calle Francisco Villalón, Local 13, Marina Banús 4 29660 Puerto Banús, Nueva Andalucia, Málaga, Spain

www.ecocarinvest.com

ADV ECO H&L 18-12-15 Eng.indd 1

guy@ecocarinvest.com

18/12/15 11:41

Boutique

TRENDS

The distressed design effect of Prunus from the Undressing Surfaces range gives this collection an edgy and contemporary look. The understated collection comes in various different designs but always in earthy neutral colours. Available at UDesign in San Pedro de Alcántara (www.udesign.es).

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TRENDS

Upscaling Your

Upholstery

The Marais collection by Alhambra is inspired by the streets of Le Marais, an historic district in Paris that is home to fashionable art galleries and museums. The area is architecturally stunning – with an attractive combination of new and old. Alhambra is available at Cort Idea on the Mijas Road (www.cortidea.es).

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Top This lustrous collection by Romo called Ornare is made up of rich velvets and modern jacquard weaves with beautiful organic flora and contemporary geometric patterns. Utilising neutral, duck egg and graphite tones, the collection can easily be mixed and matched with other fabrics and designs. Romo is available at UDesign in San Pedro de Alcรกntara (www.udesign.es). Left The Palladio collection by Clarke & Clarke is a sumptuous chenille range that comes in a variety of different colours, from classic neutral through to contemporary shades of aqua, orchid and olive green. Clarke & Clarke is available at The White House in Urb. Marbella Real (www.whitehousemarbella.com) and UDesign in San Pedro de Alcรกntara (www.udesign.es). Right The Olinda design is a bold pattern of multi-coloured circles that has become a popular range within the new Samba collection by Jane Churchill. The overall design is playful and contemporary, appearing like it has been literally painted onto the fabric. Jane Churchill is available at Tela Bella near the Pol. Ind. Estepona (www.telabella. es) and The White House in Urb. Marbella Real (www.whitehousemarbella.com). HOMEANDLIFESTYLE.ES

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Boutique

TRENDS

The Kansai collection by Black Edition is made up of digitally printed designs on rich velvets and elegant linens and silks. The range is extremely contemporary and artistic, with innovative layering and photography in an eye-catching palette of bold and vibrant shades. There are four designs that include bold florals, inspiring abstract landscapes, inky florals and sophisticated weathered paint effects. Black Edition is available in San Pedro de Alcántara at UDesign (www.udesign.es) and Magyk (www.magyk.es).

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Alia B. DESIGN f

Interior and exterior design for the discerning client Specialist in eco friendly solutions and quality products

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Boutique

TRENDS

Top The fabric on this sofa is from the versatile Mysha collection and the cushion from the Karachi range – both by James Malone. These collections marry together perfectly to give a warm wintery look. James Malone is available at Tela Bella near Pol. Ind. Estepona (www.telabella.es), UDesign in San Pedro de Alcántara (www.udesign.es) and The White House in Urb. Marbella Real (www.whitehousemarbella.com). Below The Complices collection by Élitis is soft to the touch and offers quality, comfort and warmth. Élitis is available at UDesign in San Pedro de Alcántara (www.udesign.es), Nezha Kanouni in Pol. Ind. Estepona (www.nezhakanouni.com) and Luxury Homes Design in Puerto Banús (www.luxuryhomesdesign.com).

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Jab Anstoetz mixes different black and white designs that harmonise perfectly and give a sophisticated and coordinated look. Jab is available at Cort Idea in CC Idea on the Mijas Road (www.cortidea.es). HOMEANDLIFESTYLE.ES

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Boutique

TRENDS

Left The With Ipanema range by Élitis sports a large, vibrant and decorative pattern that really gives the wow-factor. Élitis is available at UDesign in San Pedro de Alcántara (www.udesign.es), Nezha Kanouni in Pol. Ind. Estepona (www.nezhakanouni.com) and Luxury Homes Design in Puerto Banús (www.luxuryhomesdesign.com). Top Saum & Viebahn’s shimmering purple upholstery, matched with vibrant floral, creates an interestingly indulgent look. Saum & Viebahn is available at UDesign in San Pedro de Alcántara (www.udesign.es), Cort Idea in CC Idea on the Mijas Road (www.cortidea.es) and The White House in Urb. Marbella Real in Marbella (www.whitehousemarbella.com).

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Love, love will take you there...

MARBELLA M A L L O RC A IBIZA MADRID VA L E N C I A B E I RU T JEDDAH

www.grupocappuccino.com

CAPPUCCINO MARBELLA C/ de José Meliá S/N · T. 952 868 790 (Hotel Gran Meliá Don Pepe)

Boutique

TRENDS

Hanging with

Luminosity

Inspired by the shape of a water lily, the Nenúfar suspension lamp from Marset is a cluster of pendants that look like they are floating on air. Marset is available from Magyk in San Pedro de Alcántara (www.magyk.es) and Plus Store in the BoConcept showroom on the Mijas Road (www.plusstore.es).

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Top These sophisticated Glo suspension lamps are made of chrome and borosilicate glass. They have a transparent, iridescent gold and silver outer shade and a sandblasted internal diffuser. Available at Luxury Homes Design in Puerto BanĂşs (www.luxuryhomesdesign.com). Below This simplistic suspended group of glass lamps by Nordal gives a natural and organic feel. Nordal is available at the Plus Store in the BoConcept showroom on the Mijas Road (www.plusstore.es).

HOMEANDLIFESTYLE.ES

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Boutique

TRENDS

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Opposite page Axolight’s new Fedora collection comprises hanging lamps in clusters (as featured here) in a line of seven. The hanging lamps’ diffuser is made of aluminium, and comes in metallic bronze, rose gold or chrome. Axolight is available at Magyk in San Pedro de Alcántara (www.magyk.es). This page The Aqua chandelier by Serip Organic Lighting was inspired by nature, and its shape and size can be changed to suit the requirement of the living space. Serip is available from Magyk in San Pedro de Alcántara (www.magyk.es) and Luxury Homes Design in Puerto Banús (www.luxuryhomesdesign.com).

HOMEANDLIFESTYLE.ES

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TRENDS

UK brand Curiousa & Curiousa specialises in bespoke hand-blown glass lighting (www.curiousa.co.uk).

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LIGHTING · DESIGN · DÉCO

C/. Lagasca 62 · San Pedro de Alcántara info@magyk.es · Tel: +34 951 196 449 www.magyk.es

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Nature & Life Green-inspired evolution that maintains balance

lle

EC O

END R T

By Alia B

After

Before

First of all, to all readers, I hope 2016 will be a prosperous and satisfying year for you. Happy New Year! In recent years, terms like “going green” and “eco-friendly” have become buzz words on talk shows, commercials and product packaging. The term “ecofriendly” has been used for so many different products and practices that its true meaning is in danger of being lost. Understanding the true meaning of ecofriendly means you can implement practices leading to a healthier lifestyle for the planet and its inhabitants, big and small. Eco-friendly literally means earth-friendly or not harmful to the environment. This term most commonly refers to products that contribute to green living, or practices which help conserve resources like water and energy. Eco-friendly products also prevent contributions to air, water and land pollution. It is very

JANUARY � FEBRUARY ��6

important, given the amount of humans on our planet, that we do our best to keep her as well as we can. To this end, I am featuring a garden which was based on, and planted using, these principles. The client has a very large modern house being built with an enormous garden. The brief to me was that on no account should the garden look structured. I gave him three options with different looks but all of them were using the indigenous plants and flowers of Andalucía. As the existing soil was heavy clay, tonnes of organic mulch with horse manure and red earth were mixed. This was spread to a thickness of 50 centimetres after clearing approximately 50 lorry loads of stones. The mixed earth was left to sit

WARM YOUR HOME WITH COLOUR

FOR QUALITY

Before

for a week and during that time cables for the lighting and the irrigation system were partly installed, to be finished when all the planting was done. Royal Palms (64 of them) and 24 other palm trees were trucked in, and about 30 different flower types and flowering bushes were planted. The garden was divided into zones for the irrigation and planting. There were two main divisions: the east-facing side had only reds, yellows and oranges; and the west, blues, pinks, purples and dark greens. Nearly 1.800 square metres of Bermuda grass was laid, and seven different rockeries were built, again each with its specific colours. The client wanted to have masses of roses and, although I was not sure how they would react to the fierce summer sun, they flourished, mainly because of the preparation. The flowers were chosen to attract bees. Featured here are before and after photos. The garden is an ongoing study. Each season will bring new flowers â&#x20AC;&#x201C; and it is a garden with ecofriendly everything. Alia B Designs: www.aliabdesignconsultants.com

Poligono Industrial â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Elviria N340 KM 193. Behind Repsol Try our delivery service Open Mon - Fri: 8.00 - 17:30. Sat: 9.00 - 13.00 HIGH QUALITY BRANDED TOOLS & MATERIALS AT LOW PRICES FOR TRADE & HOME DIY. Tel: 952 835 172 | info@abbs.es

www.abbs.es

Fairs &

EXHIBITIONS

Design Showcases Around the World

After a break over the festive season, the international home, design, décor, art and culinary exhibition schedule resumes in 2016 with several top trade fairs and shows throughout Europe in the first quarter of the year – as well as other global events programmed in Asia. The boating season is also in the spotlight at the start of 2016, highlighted by shows in London and Austria.

London Boat Show

Feria Hábitat Valencia

8-7 January. www.londonboatshow.com

Maison & Objet in Singapore

(Espacio Cocina). 1-5 February. www.feriavalencia.com

8-11 March. www.maison-objet.com

IMM Cologne

(Interior Design). 18-24 January. www.imm-cologne.com

Stockholm Design Week

IFFS in Singapore

8-13 February. www.stockholm-designweek.com

(International Furniture Fair). 10-13 March. www.iffs.com

Maison & Objet in Paris

(Consumer Goods). 12-16 February. www.ambiente.messefrankfurt.com

18 March-3 April. www.idealhomeshow.co.uk

Ambiente in Frankfurt

22-26 January. www.maison-objet.com

Ideal Home Show in London

Madrid Fusión

ZOW in Bad Salzuflen

Salón de Gourmets in Madrid

(Gourmet). 25-27 January. www.madridfusion.net

(Furniture & Interior Design). 16-19 February. www.zow.de

4-7 April. www.gourmets.net

Homi Milano

Superyacht Design Symposium in Kitzbühel

Salone Internazionale del Mobile in Milan

(Lifestyle). 29 January-1 February. www.homimilano.com

21-23 February. www.superyachtdesignsymposium.com

12-17 April. www.salonemilano.it

JANUARY � FEBRUARY ��6

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Property

SHOWCASE

Modern Interpretation of Classic Architecture

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Committed to ongoing research into various traditional materials including iron, mortar and copper and the application of modern state-of-the-art techniques, ARK achieves eye-catching results with all its projects. The company is also closely involved with the interior decoration, creating the home as a whole – not in an isolated fashion – with the landscape, exterior design, architecture and decoration all blending together to ensure a harmonious finished home (like the property featured here). ARK has more than a decade of experience in the construction sector, working with a multi-disciplinary team of technical architects who specialise in the different fields of building and town planning. The company currently has two offices offering all the necessary resources and the highest quality standards. In designing spaces that are completely devoid of visual barriers, ARK achieves

a perfect symbiosis between distinctive architectural styles to ensure maximum advantage is taken of the Mediterranean’s famed light. Finding its way into all corners of an ARK home is an intelligent mix of light and shadow – and warmth and freshness. Lofty windows let in as much natural light as possible and small strategically placed details ensure intimacy and privacy. ARK pays special attention to materials, selecting them all meticulously, and is as committed to the importance of landscape and surroundings as to the actual house itself – “since we are dealing with living things”. Arkitects Sotogrande. Centro Comercial Sotomarket, Sotogrande Tel. (+34) 956 793 166 / 670 342 347 info@ark-arqitectos.com / www.ark-arquitectos.com HOMEANDLIFESTYLE.ES

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Property

SHOWCASE

Sublime Luxury Lifestyle in Benahavís 90

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Benahavís Hills Country Club is an exceptional estate that surpasses expectations. It comprises 36 villas and four townhouses, each with spacious interiors, private swimming pools, landscaped gardens and coastal views. Residents and guests are welcomed into the gated community via an imposing entrance that leads to a clubhouse where they can enjoy a fully-equipped wellness centre with gymnasium, spa, indoor and outdoor swimming pools, and restaurant. Benahavís Hills Country Club was fully upgraded in 2015 to the highest standards, with the villas and townhouses now providing: • Seven individual property layouts ranging up to 757 square metres • Large individual swimming pools with infinity options • Lush garden areas with decking and covered terraces • Grand en-suite bathrooms in every bedroom and under-floor heating

• Large basement areas offering a blank canvas of options • Fully-fitted Gunni & Trentino designer kitchens with all appliances • Integrated communication technology Benahavís Hills Country Club offers an inherently privileged ambience but it is actually perched just minutes above the traditional-style Andalucian village centre. Benahavís is renowned for its gastronomic delights as well as such natural tourist attractions as mountain trekking and canyoning. It is also a convenient seven kilometres inland from the glamorous coastal hotspots of Puerto Banús and Marbella. Sales are managed by Smart Property Professional: Tel. (+34) 951 239 866 www.benahavishills.com / www.smartpropertyprofessional.com HOMEANDLIFESTYLE.ES

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Design

SHOWCASE

Lighting Design: Lighting the UK Pavilion at Milan Expo 2015 by BDP

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Global Excellence in London

Top designers and architects from around the world were honoured with the presentation of the 2015 FX Awards in London. Over 20 judges from leading practices were recruited to decide the award winners, covering 21 categories recognising “world-class design excellence”. Commenting on the awards, FX magazine editor Theresa Dowling said, “We now have a truly international status with global submissions comprising 50 per cent of our entries. By winning tonight it proves they really are the best in the world.” For the first time in the 17 years of the FX Awards, a London-based lighting designer, Mark Major, claimed the “outstanding lifetime contribution to design” award. The capital city collected a further seven awards and Manchester and Birmingham each received one award, while China led the way internationally, honoured in four categories. Pictured on these pages is a selection of the category winners. www.fxdesignawards.co.uk 1. Bar or Restaurant: Yuan at Atlantis The Palm by Steve Leung Designers. 2. Public Sector: Psychology Department, University of Westminster by Rock Townsend. 3. Museum or Exhibition Space: Yu Geng Shan Wine Museum by Godolphin. 4. Public Space Scheme: Windhover Contemplative Centre by Aidlin Darling Design. 5. Hotel: TUVE by Design Systems. 6. Mixed Use Development: Spring Mews by The Manser Practice Architects + Designers

HOMEANDLIFESTYLE.ES

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The Property

DOCTOR

Who Should You Choose To Sell Your Home?

By Sean Woolley

There are literally hundreds of agents to choose from when it comes to marketing your property for sale. But which one should you opt for? The listings system here on the Costa del Sol differs fundamentally from those operated in the UK and other northern European countries. In the UK, for instance, you normally invite three or four local agents to visit the property to give a valuation and then select just one to market your property, normally with a period of exclusivity for the selling agency. This system makes some sense in the UK. Most properties are listed with agents who have a shop window on the high street of the nearest town or village, so prospective buyers can browse all options and draw up a shortlist of properties to view relatively easily. Here on the Costa del Sol, things are very different. The vast majority of overseas buyers begin their property search (and research their options) online from the comfort of their own home, normally with the aim of drawing up a shortlist of suitable options to view without firstly visiting Spain. Also, many buyers are far more flexible about the location of their dream property, so their search isn’t specific to just one area, as it probably would be in the UK for their principal home. It therefore makes sense to choose an agent who has a significant online presence. Do a search on Google for properties for sale in your area and see which

agents come out on top of the results. Chances are that this is where prospective buyers will also begin their search. When it comes to choosing an agency to market your property, you need to select a company that will also actively promote your property, not just stick it on a web page and hope it sells itself. Ask the agents how they intend to market your home. Will they send the details to their database of prospective buyers? How large is that database? Do they collaborate with other local agents to market your property? After all, it is estimated that almost half of all sales transactions on the Costa del Sol involve two agents. Also, try to get a sense of how keen each agent will actually sell your property. Do they seem confident of achieving the best price for you? Are they excited about selling your property? Will they take photographs with a wide-angled lens camera? In addition, check if they actually “advise” you on the best way to market your property. Do they advise you about how to “stage” your property for viewings? The best agent will be the one with the online exposure to market your home and the enthusiasm to follow through with appropriate online and offline marketing, and the one who pays attention to the small details that can ultimately convert a viewing into a sale.

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Best Deals • New Release: Two-bedroom apartments and penthouses, walk to beach – from €90,447.

• New Release: Key-ready townhouses in Estepona, three or four bedrooms – priced from

just €154,500.

• New Release: Bespoke villas, save up to 40 per cent, just six-month build time – turnkey projects from €337,240.

Sean Woolley, our resident property expert, can be contacted at Cloud Nine Spain: Centro Comercial Guadalmina 4, Local 88, San Pedro de Alcántara (Marbella) Tel: (+34) 692 254 432 sean@cloudninespain.com www.cloudninespain.com

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First

PERSON

Photos: David Toms

Environmentally-Friendly

Motoring in the City Interview with Guy Verhulst from Ecocarinvest 96

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How did the idea originate for City Cars? The idea came from already existing and successful businesses in Belgium. Basically, it works perfectly in Belgium so in Spain it has to work even better thanks to the more moderate climate, with 320 sunny days a year – which extends the season for much longer than in Belgium. I can also see a problem here with parking on the streets, and in the case of City Cars such a problem doesn’t exist. What kinds of products and services do Ecocarinvest offer? Our company offers street-legal 100 per cent electric City Car vehicles for two or four passengers, which are meant for driving on public roads but which also can be used on golf courses. The City Cars are very easy to maintain, easy to drive and economically very friendly (100 kilometres of driving costs you approximately one euro on electricity), and we also provide full maintenance of the vehicles. In addition, the company offers different kinds of services, including direct sales and special orders, short and long-term rentals, and special occasions such as weddings, birthday parties and charity events. Many restaurants in the area are renting City Cars for wallet parking use. Ecocarinvest is an exclusive dealer of electric Garia City Cars on the Costa del Sol. Garia is a top-quality product, probably the world’s most luxurious and famous electric city car for present-day use. What are the advantages of buying/renting a City Car? The street-legal City Cars are ideal to move you comfortably and safely around an urban environment: to the supermarket, city centre, restaurant or beach. The product is perfect for city trips, or discovering new cultures and traditions, and it is always easy to find a parking space. Driving a City Car represents a commitment to an environmentally friendly lifestyle.

What do you enjoy most about your work? I really enjoy the adventure of developing new ideas and innovations to provide the best possible products and services. What are your plans for the future of Ecocarinvest? Our goals and plans are to grow significantly, be well-known for our top-quality and professional services in City Car sales, rentals and maintenance, and create more public awareness of our environmental ideas when it comes to driving an electric vehicle. With that in mind, Ecocarinvest would like to invite readers to a special luxury event which will be held at the Marmorin boutique (in front of Hotel Marbella Club) on 28 January, starting from 7pm. Ecocarinvest C/ Francisco Villalón, Local 13, Marina Banús 4, Puerto Banús Tel. (+34) 952 929 770 guy@ecocarinvest.com www.ecocarinvest.com HOMEANDLIFESTYLE.ES

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First

PERSON

Luxury Construction Inspired by Old and New

Interview with David Navarro from GRUPO CPAD

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We understand you have plans to work on the Costa Blanca… Yes, we are thinking about extending our offices there next year (2015) but first I want to establish the company’s corporative image. Costa Blanca is an interesting area… Yes, Alicante, Valencia… the whole coast is beautiful. The climate is very similar to this one. And Madrid is a very interesting area too. It has great potential, and that’s why I went there yesterday, meeting with three architects. We are currently offering two houses in Madrid for one of the architects. What is your most original project? We completed a house in Sierra Blanca which was very special. It’s very contemporary and open-plan, and the materials are at the highest quality and very exclusive. Technologically it has the best domotics (home automation) on the market, audio, wine cellar equipment, swimming pool, cinema, games room and office – it even has an ecological orchard. The swimming pool has a jet installation for swimming against the current and was built using cutting-edge micro-cement. The garden is a green from a golf club, and the house itself is extremely well-equipped, with amazing views over Sierra Blanca. Half of the house is in Nagüeles and the other in Sierra Blanca. What are the main energy-saving features in your projects? First of all, the exterior wall cladding finishes, with special panels for insulation. Instead of cement covering, a panel for thermal and acoustic insulation is used. Another system uses Iton blocks, an outstanding English product for the exterior and reinforced concrete walls. In addition, we use other panels to create a kind of thermal insulation, insulating the Roofmate cover. Thermal insulates are installed in the windows, with light filtering in correctly so you can have a perfect view; while on the outside it’s a bit smoky, so power consumption is saved. For winter, they have a double chamber and double-glazing to ease the impact of cold temperatures. In the Nordic countries, England, etc., this product is highly sought after, more expensive but better quality. You can reduce your expenses by up to 75 per cent. Obviously there are also solar panel and geothermal insulations, which we are using in a lot in our projects. A house reflects the personality of its owner. What would be your ideal house and where? In the middle of the mountains, next to a river or lake and on one floor only made of fine natural materials such as stone, wood and slate.

How important are new surface materials in contemporary design? There is a new revolution in style, blending the old world with the new and offering a great range of options for all kinds of home designs and family households. All houses are different – some are Arab-style, Russian, etc. – but all are contemporary style, which is now very much in demand. I also have close ties with Asia. Your office and meeting room is 3D architecture… That’s our anagram, our symbol, what the initials of our name mean: project constructions to the finest detail. My inspiration is mainly to show the possibilities of a project, the different tones in wood, the white stone we use. It’s still rustic as I have close links with such traditional materials as stone but at the same time we use natural stone in white… it’s very elegant. This is the concept I like to reflect in my constructions. The lines of the framework in the windows are minimalistic… the world map represents styles from all around the world. Do you also sell materials? We are going to start doing this, using limestone and quartz. We will produce, cut and treat the stone, engrave drawings, etc. But we don’t sell bricks or similar materials. We cover all construction segments but the line we want to continue with is luxury products and materials. First, we want to establish our name here, and then expand internationally. Around March or April I’m going to Miami to set up meetings with architects. These days it’s easy to have international contacts, which obviously creates greats opportunities and possibilities to learn, and to work in other countries. I don’t want to be a big constructer but on the other hand I would like to be the best constructer of luxury villas. As our brand indicates, we take pride in the details, and we use materials from all over the world in our offices. Our clients can see our materials showcased, as our office is a showroom…with finishes, lighting, audio, domotics, all the different installations, blending the old with the new, ceramics, glass, etc. As our name reflects our identity, CPAD, we think it’s a good way to showcase our inspiration. CPAD Group Pol. Industrial Estepona, C/ Marconi 5, Estepona C/ Tecnologia 10, Oficina 1, Jerez de la Frontera, Cádiz Tel. (+34) 951 974 564 / 956 185 661 / 630 553 811 info@grupocpad.es / www.grupocpad.es HOMEANDLIFESTYLE.ES

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Garden

LANDSCAPE

Innovative Restaurant Project in Brazil

Located in the heart of the Iguatemi Faria Lima’s central plaza in Sao Paulo, the high-end Piselli culinary establishment was designed as a “restaurant in the garden”. The challenge of designing a “restaurant without walls” – undertaken by Eric Carlson and Carbondale – was answered by creating “a magical veil of suspended floor-to-ceiling strands composed of polished gold plated solid brass bars that vertically wrap the periphery of the six-metre high restaurant.

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For guests, the open façade allows for views towards the garden and invites the natural ventilation and sunlight to permeate the dining areas.” Carbondale had previously been commissioned to transform the main plaza itself into “a luxurious volume lined in travertine stone, naturally illuminated by a structurally avant-garde sculptural skylight, and punctuated by a lush pixelized stepping central garden”. www.carbondale.fr

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Omar Victor Diop â&#x20AC;&#x201C; The Studio of Vanities (Making Africa: Guggenheim Museum Bilbao)

Lifestyle

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TRAVEL & GETAWAYS Relaxing, stylish holiday havens in Spain and around Europe OPEN ROAD Visionary designs and state-ofthe-art motoring experiences GOURMET CUISINE Fine dining, wine notes and delicatessen specialities HEALTH & BEAUTY Cutting-edge wellbeing and personal enhancement ART & CULTURE Music, painting, theatre, films, books and photography NEWS & EVENTS Business bulletin, festive glamour and specialist advice

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Travel &

GETAWAYS

Exhilarating Power on Ice

in Finland

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For motoring enthusiasts seeking a travel experience with a difference, Bentley’s Power on Ice event returns to Finland in February. Running throughout the month, the luxury car brand’s flagship customer trip will be highlighted by the ice-driving debut of the Bentley Bentayga – described as “the most powerful, most luxurious, most exclusive and fastest SUV in the world”. The four-day Power on Ice experience provides the opportunity of pushing a full range of Bentley cars, also including the Continental GT3-R, to their limits in a challenging environment. Two days of ice driving training are provided by a highly experienced Bentley team led by four-time world rally champion and dual ice-speed record holder Juha Kankkunen, who personally designs each of the 10 ice tracks. The event’s home is the Chalet Ruka Peak (in the north-eastern corner of Finland), where guests will be able to enjoy relaxing evening meals featuring contemporary Finnish cuisine and a traditional smoke sauna as they unwind after an adrenaline-fuelled day. Other activities include night-time husky-sled safaris to an historic reindeer farm. A range of accommodation options are available, from €11,900 per person. www.events.bentleymotors.com HOMEANDLIFESTYLE.ES

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Open

ROAD

Motoring Tribute to

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Fifty years after the death of Le Corbusier, Groupe Renault’s industrial design team is creating a project for a 21st century car inspired by the architect’s modernist principles and theories. The team regularly work on future-looking topics unrelated to range renewals, “helping them to explore new ways forward and offering creative staff more leisurely moments”, and two years ago they decided to investigate the topic of “French cultural objects”. With their research and inspirations leading them back to the golden age of the automobile in the 1930s, Le Corbusier’s influence “asserted itself as the

obvious source of reflection, as a conceptual prequel to the modern automobile”. The result is the Coupé Corbusier concept car, highlighted by “ideas of simplicity, a visually and aesthetically-pleasing structure, geometric elegance and mastery of light”. France’s Centre des Monuments Nationaux is also marking the 50th anniversary of the death of Le Corbusier with the exhibition “Des voitures à habiter: automobile et modernisme XXe-XXIe siècles” (“Cars for living: the automobile and modernism in the 20th and 21st centuries”) at the Villa Savoye in Poissy – on show until 20 March. HOMEANDLIFESTYLE.ES

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A la

CARTE

Santé

Luxury Dining at Reasonable Prices Photos: David Toms

We dined on: Caprese salad of tomato, green pesto, buffalo mozzarella, rocket and a yoghurt sauce A warm salad with fine slices of squid and Almadraba tuna and a citrus vinaigrette

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Seabass Thai style with onion, ginger, lemongrass and a smooth sweet potato mash Chunky tuna with roasted potatoes and caramelised onions Fillet steak with seasonal vegetables and homemade chips Chocolate (70%) coulant with vanilla ice cream

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When thinking of dining out in Puerto Banús, many people might quite justifiably jump to the conclusion that they will need a bank loan to enjoy the pleasure. Santé, however, is an exception to this perception, offering a luxurious dining experience at great value prices. Designed by talented interior designer Zacharias Kirminidis of Luxury Homes Design, Santé is already a hit with the locals, as diners can savour creative tasty dishes surrounded by luxurious decoration at exceptionally good prices. As you enter, you cannot fail to be impressed by the huge chandeliers and lamps, luxurious metallic wallpapers and plush velvet sofas which are just some of the many features that add to the overall opulent feel of Santé. Downstairs there is even a dining area suitable for private functions with a large pool table and more lavish decoration. If al fresco dining takes your fancy, the outside south-facing terrace is a real sun-catcher during the day, a place where you can lounge comfortably on cutting-edge furniture while watching the world go by. José Carmona, the chef at Santé is well-known on the Coast’s gastronomic scene, and has worked in many prestigious kitchens. He is young and passionate about his work and this is reflected in the dishes he creates. He notes, “Everything is made from scratch – we do not pre-prepare anything – so the diner can always be assured that their meal is freshly made with a personal touch.” The menu could be described as modern Mediterranean and is perfect for either lunch or dinner. All of their portion sizes are very generous and some of the starters are even big enough to share. Apart from the a la carte menu, there is a three-course set lunch menu at just €12 per person. You can dine on one of the large crunchy salads, also for only €12, or a fillet steak, for example, for just €24. Popular dishes are the salmon bites – four large juicy chunks of salmon in a light batter and a yuzu and soya caramel sauce – as well as the Thai sea bass on a sweet potato mash, but there is something for everyone on this menu. There is also an attractive bar which serves a large selection of drinks ranging from champagne and cocktails to beers and good quality wines, all at excellent prices. Santé Boutique Restaurant (next to BMW & Porsche garage in Puerto Banús) Centro Comercial Puerta de Banús 22-23, Puerto Banús Tel. (+34) 951 196 777 / www.santemarbella.com HOMEANDLIFESTYLE.ES

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A la

CARTE

A Deliciously Distinctive Culinary Concept

at Healthouse

Text: Pamela Sauca Hunt. Photos: David Toms

We dined on: Smoked salmon roll with daikon chips and faux yoghurt crème fraîche Faux spaghetti alle vongole (using courgette)

Located in a frontline beach setting on Estepona’s “New Golden Mile”, with luxurious gardens and stunning sea views, Healthouse Las Dunas was transformed after a painstaking refurbishment in 2014. The project represented an investment of €40 million and was completed scrupulously to the finest last detail, creating a five-star luxury hotel concept that stands out from the traditional model. Quality is valued much higher than quantity – and clients’ wellbeing is the prime consideration. The company is closely linked with Natur House, a Spain-based international company specialising in nutrition and dietetics and present in more than 40 countries. Unquestionably, one of the most impressive aspects of Healthouse is its restaurant. Featuring a Mediterranean-style décor highlighted by an elegant, cuttingedge design, the restaurant offers delicious and refined cuisine meticulously created and produced with exquisite taste. The menus change every day and are completely free from salt, flour, sugar, alcohol and fats (only one small spoon of oil is used for the whole daily menu of each diner). Menus can be specially programmed for clients taking into account specific health requirements, and all dishes include essential nutrients and vitamins that are part of a balanced diet developed in accordance with the guest’s individual circumstances. Renowned international chef Andoni Luis Aduriz, who was a disciple of Ferran Adrià and whose San Sebastián restaurant has two Michelin stars, is involved

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Turkey cooked at low temperature with yellow plums infused in beetroot and plum foam Ravioli of pineapple filled with mango and baked apple ice cream Cocktails: New York and Habana

with the establishment as a consultant. Once a month – and on an ongoing basis with regular consultations on Skype – he meets with the kitchen staff to create haute cuisine dishes that are prepared daily. He also has close and direct contacts with the hotel management, to take on board their opinions and the Natur House philosophy. The kitchen is completely open to the view of diners, and uses the latest culinary techniques and the highest quality products, including bok choy, spirulina, artichoke, river watercress foam, algae, texturised kuzu and daikon radish. The ingredients are locally sourced or from the restaurant’s own vegetable garden. There is a wide and varied range of low-calorie cocktails such as the Habana, which we had the pleasure of savouring at just six calories. As soon as you enter the restaurant, there is an unbelievable sense of calmness and tranquility, with an attentive and highly-professional team on-hand to explain in fascinating detail what you are about to taste. In short, Healthouse Las Dunas offers a gastronomic experience that delights all the senses while showcasing latest healthy eating trends and ingredients. Healthouse Las Dunas Urbanización Boladilla Baja, Crta. Cádiz Km. 163.5, Estepona Tel. (+34) 951 082 090 www.healthouse-naturhouse.com

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Wine

NOTES

Where Fate Leads There is probably some sort of story behind every wine business, for the simple reason that making wine entails emotions that are not involved in making widgets. Rather like opening a restaurant or setting up a charity, other more human factors are regularly implied and, whatever anyone says, the wine business is special in that the majority of producers just want to make excellent wine – with profit coming in a poor second. The mass producers’ only interest is to churn out something that will sell zillions of bottles with as near a consistent quality as the technical and scientific means at their disposal will allow them. This is why mass-produced stuff should not be encouraged and every sensible and caring consumer should spend whatever money he or she dedicates to acquiring wine to selecting the products of the smaller bodegas, or at least those that have demonstrated that their wines represent good value for money and are preferably made with loving care. When Alain Bellmare decided his native Québec was no longer the place he wanted to be, he looked around the globe for alternatives. As a winemaker with a sporting background, the cold winters and high humidity of that part of Canada were not ideal if his old injuries were going to leave him in peace, yet it had to be somewhere that would allow him to continue in the tradition (his father-in-law is Italian) he had already started in 1999 when he planted the first vines at La Romance du Vin. However much someone may be into Spanish wine, it is doubtful they have more than a passing familiarity with the Somontano region. Somontano de Barbastro is located in the foothills of the Pyrenees and is a wild, rugged area, difficult to access except by road, with stunning scenery and old villages as picturesque as you will find anywhere. There were only seven bodegas in 1997. That number is now over 30. Somontano has been referred to as the Aragonese Rioja, and the traditional grape varieties have largely given way to imported stock. In The Wines of Spain, author Julian Jeffs calls Somontano’s wines “some of the best in Spain”, and for too long they were made by Frenchmen and exported in bulk over the Pyrenees to be sold as… guess what. Only in the 1980s did the region wake up to the fact that it was capable of producing superb wines that could be marketed on their own merits. A quick drive around this beautiful region shows that time has not been lost. Wineries range from traditional family-run bodegas to modern, architect-designed anomalies. Here you have everything: young fresh whites, barrel-aged whites, varietals, young reds, crianzas, reservas, designer wines, organic, and wines of “alta expression”. They are suited to a local cuisine that includes lamb, cured pork products, hand-made cheese and wonderfully fresh vegetables from the River Vero basin.

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By AJ Linn

Such has been the rapidity with which Somontano wines have established a high level of credibility, not only in Spain but in many overseas export markets, that two bodegas, Pirineos and Vinos del Vero, have been acquired by Andalucian sherry houses – Barbadillo (Sanlúcar de Barrameda) and Gonzalez Byass (Jerez de la Frontera), respectively. With more than anyone’s fair share of serendipity, this is where Alain ended up after making contact via the website with the owner of a small organic vineyard, Villa d’Orta, which he acquired in 2011. By another quirk of fate the Spanish owner suffered from a wasting disease and, though young, had to give up his winery before the illness made it impossible for him to work in it. The first organic wines Alain made at Villa d’Orta were from his 2013 harvest: Tinto Joven, Tinto Roble (Crianza), Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. In 2014 he made the first organic rosado to come out of Somontano, and 2016 will see another regional first: his organic Chardonnay. In an incredibly short time this amiable Canadian artisan has made himself more than at home in one of Spain’s great, if lesser-known, wine regions and, to judge from the awards his wines have already won, Villa d’Orta is definitely a bodega to watch. Not only are the wines more than good, but the prices are unbelievably reasonable, starting at €2.50 for the young red, through €3.95 for one of Spain’s best Chardonnays – next year fully organic – to his front-runner Cabernet Sauvignon 2013 at €6.95. (All prices are ex-bodega) www.bodegavilladorta.com

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Health &

BEAUTY

Medical Minutes

Cutting-Edge Advice for Healthy Living By John Schieszer

Grab Your Walking Shoes

You may be able to significantly boost your brain power with more exercise. A new study is now linking physical activity to greater mental flexibility in older adults. In fact, one day doctors may determine how physically active you are simply by imaging your brain. Physically fit people tend to have larger brain volumes and more intact white matter than their less-fit peers. Now, researchers have found that older adults who regularly engage in moderate to vigorous physical activity have more variable brain activity at rest than those who don’t. This variability is associated with better cognitive performance. Researchers looked at 100 adults between the ages of 60 and 80 and they used accelerometers to objectively measure their physical activity over a week. They also used functional MRI to observe how blood oxygen levels changed in the brain over time. “We found that spontaneous brain activity showed more moment-to-moment fluctuations in the more-active adults,” said study investigator Agnieszka Burzynska, who is a professor at Colorado State University in the United States. “In a previous study, we showed that in some of the same regions of the brain, those people who have higher brain variability also performed better on complex cognitive tasks, especially on intelligence tasks and memory.” Diabetes Drug May Help Combat Fatty Liver Disease

New research published in The Lancet has shown that a drug currently used in the treatment of type-2 diabetes can be effective in clearing fatty liver disease from some patients. The researchers from the University of Birmingham in the UK believe that the findings present the possibility of new therapies for patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Currently there are no licensed treatments. The trial was the first of its type to look into the action of liraglutide in the treatment of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis. The trial demonstrated that 48 weeks of treatment with liraglutide resulted in four out of 10 patients clearing evidence of NASH from their livers. This was much higher than the effect seen

in patients receiving placebo (one in 10). In addition, patients in the active treatment group showed a higher level of weight loss. Liraglutide is licensed for the treatment of type-2 diabetes. It is administered in the form of an injection which the patient self-injects at home. Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) describes a wide range of conditions caused by a build-up of fat within the liver cells, usually seen in people who are overweight or obese. It is the most common liver disorder in developed countries, affecting approximately 20 per cent of the United States population. Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is the more serious form of NAFLD and can ultimately increase the risk of total liver failure. Hearing Aid Advances

Many hearing aid wearers know that it can be embarrassing when your batteries die in the middle of an important meeting or event. On top of that, removing the small batteries to change them can be a headache. Now, there is a new alternative with ZPower batteries, which are charged by plugging the entire hearing aid into the system’s stand and are replaced once a year by an audiologist. With this system, there is no need for wearers to remove a battery again. Disposable hearing aid batteries often run out of power in the middle of the day and require frequent changing. The ZPower Rechargeable System offers a full day of continuous power. It also charges overnight in the hearing aids and may save a person a great deal of money. The manufacturers claim that it takes the place of an estimated 200 disposable batteries and lasts a full year. In Scotland, researchers at the University of Strathclyde and the MRC/CSO Institute for Hearing Research (IHR) are now testing an innovative design using a miniature directional microphone similar to the ear of an insect. Despite remarkable advances in sound analysis in hearing aids, the actual microphone itself has remained essentially unchanged for decades. Current directional microphone technology adds cost, weight and power requirements to hearing aids, compromising their design. However, the Scottish researchers are now creating a hearing aid system that can reduce or control unwanted noises, only focusing the hearing aid on the sound arriving from in front of the user.

John Schieszer is an award-winning journalist and radio broadcaster of “The Medical Minute”. He can be reached at medicalminutes@gmail.com.

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PUENTE ROMANO BEACH RESORT & SPA

DISFRUTA DE LAS VENTAJAS DE SER SOCIO · MEMBERSHIP BENEFITS

Pases temporales de 1, 3 y 6 meses Acceso a la zona de aguas, gimnasio, tratamientos, asesoramiento de salud y bienestar. Descuentos en el club de tenis, el restaurante Sea Grill y noches de hotel. Nuevos programas de yoga

1, 3 and 6-month passes Spa Facilities, Gym, Treatments, Health & Wellness Assessment. Discounts at the Tennis Club, the Sea Grill Restaurant and room nights. New Yogic Programmes

información y precios · information & price lists

reservations-marbella-spa@sixsenses.com

Puente Romano Beach Resort & Spa · Bulevar Príncipe Alfonso von Hohenlohe, s/n · 29602 Marbella · Málaga · Spain · T (+34) 952 820 900 · puenteromano.com

Health &

BEAUTY Six Senses Spa

Relaxation and Balance in a Sublime Setting

Founded in 1995 in Asia, the Six Senses Spa soon became popular in the world’s most exceptional settings. Twenty years on, in July 2015, Puente Romano Beach Resort & Spa – with its stunning Andalucian beachfront village location – was the perfect place to open a new Six Senses Spa. The concept behind Six Senses luxury resorts is to offer “an emotionally intelligent approach to service that begins with empathy”. They can be deliciously quirky, with guests treated to unexpected surprises as part of an ongoing desire to challenge norms. As Six Senses expands into exciting new locations such as Marbella, creating resorts that are destinations in their own right, its mission remains as strong as ever: “to help people reconnect with themselves, others and the world around them”. The overall philosophy, as the name suggests, is to explore the five senses of smell, sight, taste, touch and sound, and then find the sixth sense… balance. Everything, in fact, is focused on balance: even the smallest details of this peaceful environment are aimed at “stimulating, energising and revitalising the human spirit”. Entering the spa, three of the senses are immediately present, as every room has a different aroma, soft Asian music and beautiful surroundings with hand-painted tiles, white-washed walls, natural stones and timber from local architectural and craft sources. The highlight of the spa is the wet area featuring a hydrotherapy pool, cold plunge pool, experience showers, herbal steam room, sauna and hammam. There are six treatment rooms indoors and the outside area offers another three

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rooms with canopied roofs and swing cabanas overlooking the Mediterranean Sea and providing a perfect place for guests to reconnect with nature. There are numerous Six Senses body treatments, facials and wellness therapies, and we were privileged to enjoy their signature holistic massage – which is designed to evoke deep relaxation. Combining some of the best holistic treatments with local natural products such as herbs with sea salt, olive oil and rich minerals, the healing benefits of a beautiful environment and the expert knowledge of the spa team, the wellness programs set you on a path towards a healthier lifestyle. There are also personalised yogic programs for those who are looking to achieve specific health goals. Feeling totally relaxed after this heavenly massage, you can chill out on sofas in the warm and intimate embrace of a wooden cocoon-shaped lounge area, while enjoying a cup of ginger tea – which is both relaxing and energizing and excellent for the immune system. The spa will also have a selection of special offers available for Valentine’s Day – the perfect gift for a loved one or to treat yourself to a well-deserved luxurious getaway. Opening hours: winter 10am-8pm; summer 9.30am-9pm Bulevar Príncipe Alfonso von Hohenlohe, Marbella Tel. (+34) 952 820 900 reservations-marbella-spa@sixsenses.com

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Do you want help to stop smoking? We can significantly increase your chances of success by using a natural plant-based product! This easy, effective and evidence-based treatment is supported by a trained smoking cessation counsellor as part of a stop smoking programme.

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Art &

CULTURE

New Perspectives on

Contemporary Africa

Wangechi Mutu: The End of Eating Everything

Ikiré Jones: Idumota Market, Lagos 2081 A.D.

An exhibition on show at Bilbao’s Guggenheim Museum until 21 February sheds new light on Africa through the work of 120 contemporary artists and designers. The main aim with “Making Africa – A Continent of Contemporary Design” is to illustrate how design accompanies and drives political, economic, social, cultural and technological change on the continent. The exhibition focuses on a new generation of African entrepreneurs, thinkers and designers – “digital natives” who offer the world a new perspective on their

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Pierre-Christophe Gam: The Kingdom of Taali M

continent. According to the museum, “Their works provide concrete answers to the question of what 21st century design can and should achieve, establishing connections between the digital revolution and our analogue existence, radically rethinking materials, concentrating on society rather than the market, and making bold statements about the future.” www.guggenheim-bilbao.es

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A Pictorial Vision of Autonomous Driving

Artist Sarah Illenberger worked between the two poles of technological future and artistic handiwork to showcase the Mercedes-Benz F015 Luxury in Motion research vehicle. She produced five installations that translated the main features of the F015 into an expressive pictorial world, with the objective of bringing observers closer to the Mercedes Benz vision of autonomous driving. According to Illenberger, “The artisanal design of the sets makes the still abstract, pioneering technology of autonomous driving approachable.” Mercedes-Benz is using this autonomous luxury saloon to demonstrate how the car can be “transformed from a pure means of transport into a private retreat”. The spacious loungelike interior of the F015 allows the occupants to make optimum use of the journey time “and takes in-car comfort and luxury to a new level”. One key aspect of the research vehicle is a continuous exchange of information between the vehicle, passengers and outside world. www.mercedes-benz.com HOMEANDLIFESTYLE.ES

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News &

EVENTS

Presentation of Puya’s Newly-Extended Showroom

Photos: Johnny Gates

Puya, the Costa del Sol’s main distributor of internationally renowned Villeroy & Boch (among other leading brands) and one of the Coast’s market leaders in construction, design and supplies, has now extended its Marbella showroom to two floors. Celebrating the addition of 500 square metres to the already existing 750 square-metre showroom, owner Francisco Puya hosted a thoroughly enjoyable private cocktail party to show the many guests – from all areas of the design world – the exciting new installations. www.puya.es

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events

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News &

EVENTS

Grand Opening of Feydom in Marbella Internationally renowned modular furniture company Feydom opened its doors towards the end of last year, and to celebrate owners Hannah and her father Oliver Osthus held a charming inauguration in their large showroom in Pol. Ind. Nueva Campana (Nueva Andalucía). Guests were treated to sumptuous canapés and champagne while mingling and marvelling at the many different ways Feydom furniture can be assembled. www.feydom.com

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events

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News &

EVENTS

Redline Celebrates Anniversary with Support for Biopark Conservation Programme The team at Costa del Sol marketing company Redline decided to celebrate their 11th anniversary with a generous philanthropic initiative rather than a grand party. Members of the local press and VIP clients were invited to join Redline at the Fuengirola zoo at 11 am on 11 November, where company founder Line Lyster presented a cheque for €1,111.11 to the foundation director. In addition to sponsoring the Bioparc Foundation, and supporting its work to protect endangered species, Redline is assisting local Costa del Sol animal charity Triple A for a third consecutive year by designing its 2016 calendar free of charge. www.redlinecompany.com

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home&lifestyle The Art Club Hosts Open Evening for Local Charities

Two charity organisations, Aspandem (an association for people with disabilities) and Virgen del Rocio (which provides meals to those in need), were the beneficiaries of an open evening in San Pedro de Alcántara organised by The Art Club. A total of over €1,000 was raised by those attending, including local artists and supporters, while David McLaughlan provided the entertainment with live contemporary blues. A non-profit organisation open five days a week, The Art Club is “a working gallery that provides space for artists of all abilities to paint in a supportive and friendly environment”. International members are welcome, and classes are also available for beginners. www.theartclub.es

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Round-up of business, charity, cultural and other general items of interest from the Costa del Sol, Gibraltar… and further afield Jensen Beds

A Concept at the Heart of Comfort The main objective with Jensen beds is to “embrace your body and give you the experience of harmony and well-being”. The company’s team of experts, led by a skilled physiotherapist, develop beds that ensure optimum sleep comfort. “Body and soul wake up well-rested and ready for a new day.” Jensen’s zone system provides correct support for the entire body while you are resting or sleeping. The zone division creates a more even and comfortable support, where the shoulders and hips sink deeper into the mattress. Inspired by nature, Jensen make their beds in Norway – “a testament to the fact that our products are held to the highest quality standards, while representing the very best of Scandinavian design”. Combining nature-inspired materials and textiles with a timeless sense of shapes, they create products with exceptional sleep comfort – and which look attractive as well. On two occasions they have been honoured with the “Award for Design Excellence” from the Norwegian Design Council. “This supports our philosophy: that one is dependent on sleep and rest – in order to perform well and enjoy life.” Polígono Nueva Campana 23, Nueva Andalucía, Marbella Tel. (+34) 952 908 855 / info@jensenstore.com / www.jensenstore.com Gancedo Textile Decoration

Special Anniversary Celebrations in Madrid

Puente Romano Resort

Social Tennis Experience for Children

Puente Romano Beach Resort & Spa and the Amor & Paz tennis academy run by Pepe Imaz and Marko Djokovic created a special social project for children in December. The aim of “Puente Romano Tennis Experience” was to introduce seven-year-olds who were born in 2008 to the “fantastic world of tennis, with a key focus on teaching human values”. Bulevar Príncipe Alfonso von Hohenlohe, Marbella Tel. (+34) 952 826 103 ctenis@puenteromano.com / www.puenteromanotennis.es

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Interior decorators, architects, clients and representatives of leading home décor and design brands joined the Gancedo team in Madrid to celebrate the textile manufacturer’s 70th anniversary. The company was founded in 1945 by the grandfather of the current generation, and over the years has successfully adapted to the changing times and tastes of clients. The celebrations coincided with an exhibition at the National Architecture Awardwinning Gancedo building (Edificio 1903, at Velázquez 21 in Madrid), “Seven Decades, Seven Decorators: A History of Textile Decoration”. Gancedo has nine sales outlets (including Marbella) and numerous distributors in Spain and overseas. Ramón Gómez de la Serna 22, Marbella Tel. (+34) 952 866 621 / marbella@gancedo.com / www.gancedo.com

KZW Interior

Aristocratic Bespoke Furniture for Pets KZW Pet Interior’s ultra-luxury furniture range of products is now available in Spain. The company’s products and services were previously marketed to a select clientele, but now founder Princess Katalin zu Windischgraetz of Austria has extended its operations to the Costa del Sol “to give discerning dog and cat owners the opportunity to pamper their pets with a collection of ground-breaking furniture for the pet that has everything”. The range draws from her love of animals and her background in fashion and high-end interior design, and includes intricately designed pet furniture, pet beds, convertible carriers, blankets and toy boxes “which are not only stylish and practical but will also fit in with any interior design scheme”. Built of top-quality wood, KZW Pet Interiors’ creations are designed in a Marbella studio before leading Andalucian carpenters give shape to the design. The last stages of the process involve intricate hand-painting of the beds and sewing the mattresses and covers – which can be easily washed and replaced. Pol. Ind, C/ Platino, Nave 53, Marbella / Tel. (+34) 952 822 212 info@kzw-petinterior.com / www.kzw-petinterior.com

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Mirabella Hills

Christmas Promotion for Villa Buyers

Bang & Olufsen

Launch of BeoLab 90 Speaker People buying a villa at Mirabella Hills this Christmas season will receive a gift of a golf buggy, a complete set of clubs and valid passes for one year at one of Marbella’s golf and country clubs. The offer is valid until 31 January. Tel. (+34) 952 008 008 / info@mirabellahills.com / www.mirabellahills.com

Bang & Olufsen in Puerto Banús showcased the new BeoLab 90 speaker, which celebrates the international brand’s 90th anniversary. The BeoLab 90 is an intelligent speaker with a stunning appearance. www.bang-olufsen.com

Marbella Design Academy

Graduation Ceremony Celebrated in Style

Students, parents, staff, friends and other guests enjoyed an evening of creative entertainment with a fashion show, artwork exhibition and presentations when Marbella Design Academy held its 2015 winter expo and graduation party at the Monda campus. This was the second time that the graduating design students qualified for a Bachelor of Arts degree in fashion design, graphic design and interior architecture awarded by Middlesex University (London). Visitors had the opportunity of seeing the Marbella Design Academy facilities, meeting the staff and gaining a taste of the international talent and creativity available, as well as meeting the talented students and their original works of art and creation. Several commercial design companies also attended to discuss design internships, freelance work and future-employment prospects. Alejandro Marfil from the local Marfil Textiles luxury fabric store based in Málaga awarded the second edition €500 prize to the best up-coming fashion designer, Lissi Bjarnadottir. info@marbella-design-academy.com www.designschool.com

Holland and Barrett

Health Store Retailer Opens Third Shop in Andalucía Holland and Barrett’s stores in Fuengirola (Centro Comercial Miramar) and central Marbella (Avda. Ramon y Caja) have now been complemented by a third outlet opened in Sevilla. Local residents in the Andalucian capital can benefit from a wide range of health and organic foods, natural toiletries (not tested on animals), sports supplements, vitamins, protein bars and many other products at the store located at 32 Calle O’Donnell (near the El Corte Inglés in central Sevilla). The UK’s leading health store retailer has over 1,200 stores worldwide, including 1,000 in the UK and 200 in China, Malta, Singapore, Gibraltar, United Arab Emirates, Malta, Belgium, Netherlands, Cyprus and Spain. For information on more store openings, special offers and products: Facebook.com/hbandalucia HOMEANDLIFESTYLE.ES

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Swing Sevilla

Golf Tourism Promotion at Jiménez Academy Churriana-born golfing star Miguel Ángel Jiménez was the host when Sevilla authorities invited Costa del Sol media and golf and tourism industry representatives to a special promotional event in Torremolinos. The aim of “Swing Sevilla” – with the slogan “There’s another Sevilla – linking golf and culture” – was to highlight the attractions of Sevilla’s golf amenities and encourage people to visit from the Costa del Sol. Jiménez presided over the presentation with Tomás Botín, who spoke on behalf of Sevilla’s Prodetur tourism promotion organisation and was accompanied by representatives of the province’s six courses (Royal Pineda, Royal Sevilla, Zaudín, Hato Verde, Las Minas and La Cartuja) and Sevilla companies Ginebra Puerto de Indias, Aceite Hacienda Guzmán, Hotel Casa Romana and Creatour. The event was held at Jimenez’s eponymous golf academy on the outskirts of Torremolinos, which includes a nine-hole layout designed by the Málaga champion, famous around the world not only for his liking of Cuban cigars and Spanish red wine but also for the fact he has remained highly competitive on the European Tour after turning 50, and won on his Champions Tour (seniors) debut in the US. During the presentation he gently noted that the Costa del Sol with its 60 courses remained the premier golfing destination in Andalucía (and Spain) but added that Sevilla was certainly worth a visit and noted it had hosted several important events over the years, including the 2004 World Cup. (Photo: Jorge Andréu)

Concordia Association

Traditional Christmas Gala at Puente Romano Saint Nicholas was the special “guest” when the Concordia Association held its annual charity gala at the Puente Romano Beach Resort & Spa in December. He arrived with a bag of gifts which were raffled among guests to raise funds for the association, which offers support to AIDS suffers and their families. The president, Princess Marie Louise of Prussia, received a €10,000 donation from Dionisio Hernández-Gil, owner of the Trocadero Group, as sponsor of the gala; paid a special tribute to Walter Fischer for his support over the years; and presented diplomas to the association’s young volunteers in appreciation of their work for the association. www.concordiamarbella.com

Castro y González

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Iberian Ham Exports to the United States

News in Brief

One of the main exhibitors at the Sol Wines trade show in Málaga last year, Castro y González, has since started exporting its renowned Iberian cured ham products to the United States. “Cured ham is an unknown product in the US and very aspirational,” says international marketing manager Miguel Cascajosa. “Our target market is the highincome American who is interested in trying quality products… There are very few Spanish producers selling in the US. So it’s a difficult market, but completely virgin.” Based in Guijuelo (Salamanca) but also with grazing lands in Sevilla’s northern mountain area and Extremadura, Castro y González is a fourth-generation ham producer with its origins dating to 1910. www.castroygonzalez.es

• Vitality and Km0 Restaurant joined forces to raise funds for Ciudad de Niños, a home for abandoned, abused and orphaned children, to treat them to a Christmas escapade. www.cnmalaga.com • Childline Andalucía has announced its inauguration in Spain as an official charity with the launch of a 24-hour online help service and child-friendly interactive website in southern Spain: www.childlineandalucia.org • The winning school in the 2015 WSC for Reforestation, organised by Indigo Travel & Events as one of its social corporate responsibility projects, was from Fuengirola. Students set up a crafts and healthy foods stall at their school, with the funds raised going towards the planting of thousands of trees in Madagascar. www.artforallintheworld.org

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Cultural Agenda Exhibitions, Concerts, Lectures and Book Launches along the Costa del Sol www.benahavisdfas.com

Costa del Sol DFAS Shock! Horror!, Great Gardens, Lorca… and Popes & Painters

The Costa del Sol Decorative and Fine Arts Society will be holding four interesting lectures in January and February on a diverse range of subjects. Shock! Horror! Probe! Fleet Street: A Newspaper Story in Pictures: Monday 11 January at 4.30pm, lecturer Geri Palby. Federico Garcia Lorca: His Life, Times and Literary Legacy: Tuesday 12 January at 10.30am, lecturer Roberta Kettel. Three Great Families and Their Gardens: the Astors, the Rothschilds and the Sackville-Wests: Monday 8 February at 4.30pm, lecturer Caroline Rayman. Popes & Painters: The Avignon Papacy and the Impressionists of Provence: Tuesday 9 February at 10.30am, lecturer Carol Rayman. Mondays at Salon Varietes (Fuengirola) and Tuesdays at the Danish Club (Carretera de Mijas). Visitors are welcome (€10). www.costadelsoldfas.com Benahavís DFAS The Aztec Legacy: Continuity and Change

A Benahavís Decorative and Fine Arts Society lecture on the Aztecs of Mexico will be given by Chloe Sayer on Tuesday 26 January at 6.30 pm at the Benahavís Town Hall. The doors open at 5.30 pm and a café/bar is available. According to the organisers, “The Aztecs have been described as brutal and bloodthirsty – yet their creative achievements were breathtaking. Their shimmering city, built on a lake, was the Venice of the New World.” The lecture will explore the contradictory aspects of their civilisation together with the cultural legacy that has survived. www.benahavisdfas.com Size HH Author Encourages Women to Feel Happy in Their Bodies

Concerned that weight loss, poor body image, obesity and eating disorders are something a large proportion of young girls and women are struggling with every day, author Eva George has put everything she has learned into a book designed for busy women and mums like herself. The title of the book, “Size HH”, “simply means to be size happy and healthy and it’s an easy to read, practical guide to making the most of your unique shape

without dieting, or extreme exercise, plus how to make life-long healthier habit changes”. The “Size HH” ebook was launched in December in association with Costa Women and is available via www.sizehh.com and all electronic readers including Amazon Kindle, Apple ibooks, Google Play, etc. The paperback book will be available to buy on 10 January. News In Brief

• Described as a tear-jerker with many twists and turns, “Clover House” is Alan Cuthbertson’s second novel. His first was “Fiestas and Siestas Miles Apart”, a humorous look at moving from the UK to Spain. Clover House is available as both paperback and eBook from www.amazon.com. • In December, the Art For All In The World team launched their “Walls of the World” campaign, with the aim of “making art and culture accessible to everyone in a radically inclusive way”. The group are inviting a total of 100 artists from 80 countries around the world to participate in the event. www.artforallintheworld.org HOMEANDLIFESTYLE.ES

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ADVICE

Healthcare Benefits and Health Cards Understand how the system in Spain works... Article supplied by global expat network Angloinfo

Once registered with social security, a certificate entitling medical assistance is issued. This document can be used to apply for a health card (Tarjeta Sanitaria Individual – TSI) at the local health centre, and once registered a SIP card will be allocated. A SIP card (Sistema de Información Poblacional) is issued to each person registered with the Spanish state health system and should be presented whenever attending a clinic or hospital or collecting prescribed medication from the chemist. Social security pays a percentage of the cost of treatment and hospitalisation; the patient pays the remaining amount. If you have an annual income of less than €18,000, prescribed medicines are covered up to 60 per cent by social security and 90 per cent for pensioners, with a cap of €8 per month. Those with an annual income of €18,000-€100,000 are covered for 40 per cent of the cost and pensioners 90 per cent, with a cap of €18 per month, Pensioners with an income of over €100,000 must contribute 60 per cent to the cost of prescribed medicines, with a cap of €60 per month. Your Family in Spain

Spain is a country famous for putting family first. Children are welcomed everywhere and “family time” is valued and always allowed for within the day-to-day life of towns and villages, companies and communities.

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Schooling and Education

State education is the responsibility of the Ministry of Education, Culture and Sport (Ministerio de Educación, Cultura y Deporte), although the 17 autonomous regions have some responsibility for their own education systems (including higher education). The Law on the Quality of Education (Ley Orgánica de Calidad de la Educación – LOCE) covers the main points of the education law in Spain, which are as follows: • School is compulsory and free of charge for all children from six to 16 years. • The system includes levels of education adapted to suit students with special needs. • All students receive basic vocational training in secondary education. • Religious instruction is available but optional. • Special systems exist for artistic education and language learning. The law also determines that education authorities must promote the integration of foreign pupils and develop specific programmes in mainstream schools for those who do not have a good grasp of the Spanish language. “Bridge” classes provide facilities for students to study Spanish before joining an ordinary class; however, all teaching in mainstream schools is delivered in Spanish. www.costadelsol.angloinfo.com

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ADVICE

Down Payment or Deposit in the Spanish Purchase Agreement Article supplied by Arcos & Lamers Asociados

Nowadays most people who grant a purchase contract in Spain know or have a general concept of the “down payment”. Few people, however, know that there are three different types of deposits, each with different legal considerations according to whether we sign one or the other, so it’s important to know what you are signing and the consequences. The Civil Code sets out the down payment in just one article, Article 1454, which states: “If a down payment is determined in the purchase agreement, the contract may be terminated and the buyer would lose the sum or the seller would have to return twice the amount.” Jurisprudence has distinguished three types of “down payment”, according to the role it has in the contract: - Confirmatory Deposit (“arras confirmatorias”) This is part of the price, and its function is only to “confirm” the existence of a contract: that is, that the parties have reached an agreement of sale, and have agreed on the object and the price, which is legally binding on them from the moment such approval of both parties exists – as set out by the general rules. This kind of deposit means the acceptance of one party and the confirmation of the other, and the aim is to prevent the seller from drawing back if a higher bidder turns up, as well as to guarantee the purchase at the agreed price. - Penalty Down Payment (“arras penales”) The “arras” penalty, further to the generic confirmatory role of the contract, has another function: early settlement of compensation for damages in the event of default.

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We are dealing with a penalty clause whose function is to replace the compensation of damages in case of non-fulfilment of the contract. From the perspective we are analysing, if the buyer who has paid a down payment as a penalty deposit breaches the purchase agreement, and for example refuses to pay the remainder of the full price without any justified reason, and the seller wishes to fulfil the contract, the seller may either enforce the purchaser to fulfil his obligation, or request the termination of the contract. - Double-Rate Deposit (“arras penitenciales”) The double-rate deposit allows the parties to freely withdraw from the contract, both the seller and buyer. The seller in this case will have to return twice the amount, and the buyer will lose the sum paid. The double-rate deposit is an optional obligation in which the parties, both the seller and buyer, may be released from their obligations, deciding to comply with another subsidiary obligation. This is the function that is set out by the Spanish Civil Code in Article 1454 for this kind of deposit, but the jurisprudence doctrine requires the parties to expressly provide for this in the contract. When there is doubt between the penalty deposit and the double-rate deposit, preference must be give to the penalising function. Arcos & Lamers Asociados Avda. Ricardo Soriano, Marbella Tel. (+34) 952 775 010 / www.arcos-lamersasociados.com

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NEW BUILD AND REFURBISHMENT SPECIALISTS WITHIN THE LUXURY PROPERTY SECTOR HEAD OFFICE: MARBELLA. COMPLETING PROJECTS THROUGHOUT EUROPE Tel: 0034 951272140 | info@atlas-group.es | www.atlas-group.es

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