Luxury accommodation in Royal Windsor and Eton

If you’re visiting Britain you probably know that finding a spacious, luxurious place to stay on flexible terms outside London can be difficult. Classical Britain provides exclusive luxury accommodation in historic Windsor and Eton and concierge services for the discerning UK visitor.

No place like home: Classical Britain living room

  Robert Edwards, a former international banker with a family of three children, lives close to Windsor and he founded classical Britain in 2012.

  “I have travelled a great deal both on business and vacation and I always try to use the time spent away from home as fully as possible, to see new and exciting places and experience what other countries have to offer,” he says. “This is particularly true when travelling with children and as any parent knows, happy children mean a happy vacation.

  “When I travel with my family I like to know that everything can be arranged in advance. I want to return home with great memories of what we have done together; with photos and videos of places and events we have visited. Experiences like these are what everybody remembers and broaden our view of culture and life generally. When I left the financial services industry I wanted to do something completely different that was challenging and creative and it was my love of travel that led me to found Classical Britain.

  “I have created a company that can arrange everything you wish to do whilst staying in our luxurious accommodation, whether that is visiting historic places, going to sporting, theatrical and musical events, taking the kids to theme parks or dining at some of the country’s best restaurants.

Dinner is served: Dining room at
Classic Britain

  “Royal Windsor and Eton is an ideal location. Not only is it exceptional in terms of its uniquely English surroundings, but it is also an ideal base to participate in the events within the English Season that attract people to Britain every year. In addition, the world-class sights, monuments, museums and shops of London are easily accessible too. Throw into the mix the well-known theme parks for children nearby, as well as the fabulous walks and open spaces around Windsor, and there really is something for everybody.”

  Robert Edwards adds: “You may simply wish to stay in the properties and enjoy the location for what it has to offer under your own steam. You can do as much or as little as you choose whilst staying with us, but always in comfort and with a great attention to detail. Simply tell us what interests you and we will help build your itinerary for your stay with us if you wish.”

  www.classicalbritain.com

The Opening of the Royal Style: Qing Dynasty and Western Court Jewellery exhibition in Taipei, Taiwan

Fit for a Qing: Cartier in Taiwan

The National Palace Museum, the Shenyang Palace Museum and the Cartier Collection are proud to jointly present the unique exhibition entitled “Royal Style: Qing Dynasty and Western Court Jewellery,” held at the National Palace Museum’s Library Building exhibition hall until September 9th, 2012 in Taipei, Taiwan.

  Royal style is the guiding thread between the different artistic creations on show from both the East and West, in an exhibition that will reveal the cultural background behind these superb pieces, recounting the history between the jewellery and the crowned heads for whom it was made. Showcasing 466 remarkable examples of Oriental and Western court jewellery, including 160 from the collection of the National Palace Museum, 74 from the Shenyang Palace Museum, and 232 aristocratic jewellery creations from the West, on loan from Cartier. The exhibition demonstrates the extraordinary craftsmanship of both Oriental and Western jewellery.

‘A Century in a bottle’ Prize Draw King of the Cognacs, Louis XIII gives one person a chance to win a “money can’t buy” VIP trip to Cognac

To celebrate Louis XIII partnership at the ultimate luxury event, Masterpiece London 2012, the “king of cognacs” is giving one lucky reader plus a guest the chance to win a trip to the home of its creation, Cognac, France.

Golden hall: Louis XIII

 The most loved ultra-premium Cognac, Louis XIII, was created in 1874 and contains a blend of 1,200 eaux-de-vie aged from 40 years to more than 100 years, after being aged are century old barrels called “tiercons”. 

  One fortunate reader, plus a guest, will be given the opportunity to go to Cognac to learn how the cherished spirit is crafted from four generations of Cellar Masters’ expertise. All they need to prove is that their family history exists alongside that of Louis XIII. 

  As you stand before the mirror today, you are not here by chance. You are the unique product of your ancestors’ genes and personalities. You have an extraordinary connection with your own family history, a history that could potentially coincide with the Louis XIII milestones. 

  In 1874, when the rare spirit Louis XIII was first being created and decanted at the courthouse of Angouleme and officially being registered under the name of “Grande Champagne”, one of your ancestors could have potentially making their debut into the world! 

Perrier-Jouët unveils “Belle Epoque Florale Edition by Makoto Azuma” in Japan

Ring my Belle: the Perrier-Jouët
Belle Epoque Florale Edition

 Last night marked a new mile stone for Perrier-Jouët champagne House, with the international unveiling of Perrier-Jouët Belle Epoque Florale Edition by Makoto Azuma - the first designed Limited Edition of cuvee Belle Epoque, since the creation of its iconic anemones by Emile Gallé in 1902.

   The launch event took place in Japan, which has a strong historical relationship with the luxury house. 

  Created by a renowned floral Japanese artist Makoto Azuma*, Belle Epoque Florale Edition is a reverential homage to Emile Galle’s famous Art Nouveau design. This was originally inspired by Japanese art culture, and has become the iconic image of Perrier-Jouët artistic heritage through its prestige cuvee. Challenging the aesthetic boundaries, Makoto Azuma created a unique combined artwork, made of a single delicate botanical arabesque dotted with white Japanese anemones. The anemones recall the original 1902 design, which is further reinforced with a handcrafted motif of golden flowers on the bottle of Belle Epoque 2004**, carefully selected by Cellar Master Hervé Deschamps. 

  The artist explains: “‘I wanted to make something extraordinary, taking inspiration from the sensation of champagne inside the mouth, and the delicate movement of the ivy and leaves with a special attention and tribute given to Emile Gallé’s anemones”. 

  The unique Limited Edition was revealed as part of a very exclusive international event attended by over 150 media and VIP guests, at the most beautiful and traditional Japanese Happoen-garden at the heart of Tokyo city. Guests enjoyed an elegant and imaginative exhibition, telling the story of both Emile Gallé and Azuma Makoto in a creative and contemporary way. 

  Wallpaper Magazine has revealed the Perrier-Jouët Belle Epoque Florale Edition project within its third Handmade Edition. The partnership with the eminent design magazine includes the creation of a six page Bespoke concertina within this August print edition, while the Wallpaper iPad App will bring the project to life, making the feature interactive with video content. 

Luxury and literature - Montblanc launches Jonathan Swift pen

Luxury brands are increasingly looking to associate themselves with culture, in particular arts and literature. Consider the arts prized launched by the literary Mamounia hotel in Marrakech or the fact that the London hotels such as the newly refurbished Savoy and the new Corinthia are employing a scion of the Blackwells bookshop family to choose the right books for their suites and public areas.

Swift to Satirise: the new
Montblanc Writers Edition

  One brand which has a long connection with literature, not surprisingly, perhaps, is Montblanc. As a brand firmly anchored in writing culture, Montblanc makes it its cultural duty to pay tribute to the most distinguished authors and luminaries who have shaped human thought with the power of their words. 

  With its Writers Edition issued every year since 1992, Montblanc remembers the literary icons of history and their legacies with exquisitely crafted writing instruments. The Writers Edition 2012 is dedicated to British-Irish writer Jonathan Swift: writer, poet and essayist often considered the most important prose satirist in the English language, and creator of the satiric masterpiece: “Gulliverʼs Travels”.

  The new writing instrument, available at a recommended retail price of £635.00 (including VAT), features a barrel made of black lacquer and is decorated with multi-layered inlays reminiscent of the ropes that were used to bind Gulliver at the beach of Lilliput island.

  The cap is made of precious black resin, and shaped like Gulliver’s tricorn – a typical tradesman three-cornered hat popular in the 18th century, and bears the signature of Jonathan Swift. A platinum-plated clip depicts the staircase the mayor of Lilliput had to climb to be able to talk to Gulliver, and the instrument’s delicately designed rhodium-plated 18K gold nib is decorated with an elaborate engraving showing the imperial army of Lilliput marching between Gulliver’s legs.

  The Montblanc Writers Edition 2012: Jonathan Swift fountain pen is only available in a strictly limited edition worldwide, and can be bought in Montblanc boutiques from August 2012.

LINLEY CELEBRATES JUBILEE WITH ITS HORSE GUARDS DESK

Right on: LINLEY's Horse Guard's Parade Desk

Celebrating the Diamond Jubilee tastefully is a challenge for many luxury brands. Her Majesty’s great milestone provides for a great opportunity to create a special produce but avoiding producing something that can be dismissed as bunting with bling is easier said than done.

  Furniture maker LINLEY has achieved a notable success here with its Horse Guards’ Parade Desk. The desk will be auctioned later this year to raise funds for The Foundation of Prince William and Prince Harry.

  Fashioned from walnut and Bombay rosewood, the desk features an architectural miniature of the distinctive Horse Guards’ Building designed by William Kent in 1745.  This building will be familiar to many as every year the Queen’s official birthday is celebrated with the Trooping of the Colour right in front of it. It is in front of this building also that the beach volleyball will take place during the London Olympics.

  The desk is expected to raise in excess of £120, 000 for the Foundation.  David Linley said:  “I am thrilled to be able to support The Foundation of Prince William and Prince Harry in raising funds for the extremely worthwhile charities that benefit from their attention and help.”

Flagging it up: drawer detail

  The early priorities of The Foundation of Prince William and Prince Harry are young people, particularly those who are disadvantaged or in need of help and support at a crucial time in their lives; sustainable development to help build on the growing awareness of the need to find better more sustainable models to balance development and conservation of resources and the natural environment; and finally the welfare of those who serve their country in the Armed Forces, particularly in supporting them through the challenges of returning to civilian life and providing support for their families.

  This last theme is especially be-fitting as the iconic London building of the Horse Guards’ Parade is the actual home of the Household Cavalry.

Laurent-Perrier Celebrates Bicentenary Year With Gold Medal At Chelsea Flower Show

Champagne Laurent-Perrier is delighted to announce it has again been awarded Gold at this year’s prestigious RHS Chelsea Flower Show.  The gold medal was received by Arne Maynard for his elegant design, which represents the art of fine craftsmanship - the garden is a timeless, ornamental, ‘gardener’s garden’ with all elements having been carefully handcrafted.

Hedge fund: Laurent-Perrier's
award winning garden

  “This is a very special year for Laurent-Perrier, as we celebrate our Bicentenary,” said David Hesketh MW, Managing Director, Champagne Laurent-Perrier UK. “Laurent-Perrier has been handcrafting a fine and diverse range of champagnes since 1812 and Arne’s design perfectly encapsulates the essence of our heritage. This, our twelfth gold medal at Chelsea, is deserved recognition of all the hours of hard work that has gone into delivering an exceptional garden”.

  With a theme inspired by Laurent-Perrier’s 200-year heritage of time-honoured methods and reputation for creating pioneering champagnes, the garden showcases exacting attention to detail.  A combination of traditional and contemporary elements exudes an everlasting elegance through both the planting and landscaping. Arne, who returns to the RHS Chelsea Flower Show after 12 years, has devised a ‘real’ garden that will sustain its splendour all year round and which in a true situation would provide a regular supply of cut flowers for the house.

  Plants have been chosen for their colour, texture and scent to evoke fond memories and affections. Arne uses a variety of roses, not seen on Chelsea Show Gardens in recent years, as well as Dianthus superbus, Hesperis matronalis var. albiflora and lavender to leave lingering floral notes in the air around the garden. The dusky pink, burgundy and copper colour palette evokes the iconic Laurent-Perrier Cuvée Rosé.