ENDURING ELEGANCE True to its name, the rustic look has endured for years as a chic touch to contemporary homes, and the trend is likely to maintain its popularity for many to come. One “local” (Andalucian) company that has refined the look over generations, dedicated to the hand-made production of artisanal…

Villa Fortuna THE SHAPE OF MODERN LUXURY IN THE MARCH EDITION WE REPORTED ON THIS NEW CONCEPT IN MODERN LUXURY, THE PRODUCT OF A FAR-REACHING AND EXCITING COLLABORATION BETWEEN LEADING SPECIALISTS IN TOP-END HOMES. WE FIND OURSELVES AT A TIME WHEN TECHNOLOGY AND NEW TASTES ARE REDEFINING LUXURY, AND BY…

Commercial Chic In Marbella BLACKSHAW INTERIOR DESIGN WAS CONTRACTED BY GRAVITY INTERNATIONAL, ONE OF THE WORLD’S LARGEST GLOBAL INVESTMENT COMPANIES, TO DESIGN AND FIT OUT THEIR 500 SQUARE METRE OFFICE SPACE ON MARBELLA’S GOLDEN MILE. Before commencing work on the project, the interior designers needed to obtain a better understanding…

Functional and Fun Photo above: www.todomaderaestepona.com Cabinets, drawers, wardrobes and shelves are becoming increasingly more important in the strive for “clutterless” living – allowing us to hide away our knick-knacks and creating a more organised and spacious room. Designs in furniture are becoming more multi-functional, with the likes of tables…

The Art of Lighting Above photo: Gunni & Trentino The concept of lighting has long been thought of as a conventional way of decorating and culminating a home, but times have changed – significantly. Today, lighting ranges from origami style, which has proved to be increasingly popular in recent months, and…

The bathroom is a sanctuary – a room where you can retreat, relax and pamper yourself. Bathrooms these days are becoming more like what you would expect in a hotel: extremely sanitary, clean lines, technological and natural materials. Lighting is key, with beautiful stonework and stand-alone bathtubs. Space permitting, even…

Stylish Fabrics PRACTICAL AND TASTEFUL From intricate collages inspired by the starkness of Icelandic nature to vivid wallpaper patterns for a year-round summer vibe…a wide and varied range of fabrics is available to those of us wanting to add a personal touch to our homes. When choosing the right fabric…

Situated at Marbella Real (Local 21) on the Golden Mile, opposite the Villa Tiberio restaurant and a couple of doors up from Pan y Mermelada, SmartSat-Tv’s new showroom is due to open in mid-July. SmartSat-Tv is part of the Smart group of companies, which also publishes Smart Magazine, a free…

Well, according to two very senior figures in the eurozone the answer is, yes. It seems we could be at the end of the eurozone crisis. Statements like this are intended to lift our spirits. However, data which is factual does not and, unfortunately, the data suggests the eurozone’s collective…

How Will The Changes In Corporate Tax Affect Your Company? The difficult economic situation that Spain is experiencing has resulted in intensive changes in corporate tax legislation for 2012. Here we offer a brief summary of these significant amendments, which should be taken into account when filing corporate tax for…

Gravity International is a worldwide wealth management and investment company, specialising in creating new and unique investment opportunities, from around the world. Since 2008 they have successfully identified and developed a sustainable boutique investment portfolio for clients wanting to look at alternative investment routes. Their exclusive investments are created and tailored to…

Casa Tua Italian chef Adriano Visentin and his businesswoman wife Catherine Guilfoyle, from Kilkenny (Ireland), both gained extensive international experience in their respective fields working in the US in the late 1990s and early 2000s. Adriano trained as a chef in Milan and worked at various restaurants in Italy before…

Villa Oasis Harmonious Bliss A stunning union between natural landscape, cutting-edge architecture and arresting décor, this exceptional villa offers both harmony and sophisticated beauty. It is a dream home that highlights all the core architectural styles of its creator, ARK. Located in one of Sotogrande’s finest areas, this magnificent villa…

Poignant Moments from History… and Contemporary Life Image above: Ilya Pitalev Last issue we featured the winning entries in the amateur section of the 2013 Sony World Photography Awards (www.worldphoto.org)… now the winners of the professional categories have been announced. Thirty-two year-old Norwegian photographer Andrea Gjestvang was named the L’Iris…

Cutting-Edge Design in Australia A cinema-quality camera that makes film-making more affordable for everyday users has been named winner of the 2013 Australian international Design Award of the Year. Victorian-based creative video technology manufacturer Blackmagic Design won the top award for its Blackmagic Cinema Camera. Describing it as “a simple-to-use, smartly…

High glamour by the pool Kate Moss has been appointed as the new face and body of global brand St.Tropez, known for its naturally glamorous approach to self-tanning. The choice of model was fairly easy when St.Tropez began planning its first-ever global advertising campaign. Kate Moss had been a long-time…

Garden Trends By Juan Pedro Sacedon Summer is the time to look at our outer world, the best season to enjoy our gardens, courtyards and terraces. The sun provides energy, and the shade freshness, so let’s explore the best open areas around the house. In southern Spain, and especially so…

Fairs & Exhibitions Design Showcase The international home, design, décor and art exhibition road show continued in May and June, with Casa Decor in Madrid, Grand Designs Live in London, Barcelona Design Week and the Good Design Australia Awards. Upcoming shows include: New Designers (London), 3-6 July; Trendset (Munich), 6-8…

Sleeping Patterns Cool, tranquil… and inviting ​ Above image: www.hastens.com It has been said that the bedroom is the area in the house which is the biggest reflection of your personality, as it is where you retreat in order to feel safe and at peace. Not so long ago bedrooms were…

PATIO SPLENDOUR Above image: www.clubhouseitalia.com / www.fendi.com The patio or terrace holds more importance in your home than ever before, as furniture and accessories have moved on so much over the last few years, becoming more stylish and practical – and seamlessly merging the indoors with the outdoors. VERSATILE GLASS…

    Potent, agile and sensual… Return to Jaguar heartland Jaguar’s sports car pedigree is beyond doubt, but that bloodline had become somewhat diluted in recent years. Now the F-Type has put the famous motoring brand back on the main grid. So much so that it in March it was…

Creating your dream home has never been so easy as Estepona sees the Homes, Gardens & Outdoor Living Show bloom into action at the Palacio de Congresos, Estepona on Friday 9th and Saturday 10th November. With celebrities and classic cars, to photography and plants, the forthcoming Homes, Gardens & Outdoor…

Sotogrande-based Architect firm ARK Arkitects have gained a fantastic reputation for fusing modern and Classic architecture with breathtaking results. Their latest creation, “Villa Morera” in the prestigious La Reserva de Sotogrande, is a prime example of how they have earned this recognition. One of ARK’s main aims is to build harmoniously…

As the nights draw in, it is the perfect time to consider your exterior landscaping lighting needs. Imagine a one-stop shopping experience for anything from landscape design, patios and waterfalls, to exterior lighting and irrigation. Linea Verde, landscape gardeners based in San Pedro de Alcántara, have created a unique business where customers…

A New Look with Inspiration from the Past We are in a time of transition and when the future is unsure we react in different ways. Maybe we look back to the well-known, or maybe we choose to look forward with optimism. Whatever the reaction, BoConcept translates the trends of the…

A company with 25 years of experience in providing security solutions for clients’ properties and their possessions. Established in 1987, Fortress Security has built a reputation for supplying quality products and good customer service satisfaction along the Costa del Sol and inland areas. The company offers a diverse range of products from simple but effective…

Comprehensive home improvements under one roof  No job is too big or small for The Kitchen Room. From new cabinets and remodelling to new construction, this small local business gives every client personalised attention, regardless of the project’s scope or cost. The company are specialists in kitchens and bathrooms, and…

Beautiful fabrics and bespoke high quality soft furnishing with a personal touch. Cortijo Las Flores, an interior design studio based in Sotogrande, offers hundreds of fabrics, styles and trim combinations with personalised professional design and installation. They specialise in classic and contemporary soft furnishings such as unique cushions, bolsters, headboards and…

Designed by David Lewis Designers, BeoVision 12-65 offers a completely new design expression, which has a very thin and light appearance that truly innovates the heavier plasma concepts seen so far. Besides using an ultra slim NeoPDP panel with the latest and greatest in plasma technology, two aluminium profiles bent…

Cero Arte is an exciting new art gallery, located at the heart of Marbella’s Golden Mile. Modern and relaxed, spread across two stories offering a wide range of original paintings and prints by popular contemporary artists. Artists such as Sam Toft and Iain Faulkner, Alfredo de la Maria famed for…

Tenor Stephen Lloyd-Morgan’s new album ‘In My Father’s Footsteps’ is to be released on 1st July. The album is dedicated in memory of his Dad Bryant, who passed away 18 months ago having been diagnosed with cancer only 5 week’s previously, and its primary purpose is to aid The Cudeca…

OCEAN CLINIC NOW OFFER A PAINLESS AND NON-SURGICAL SOLUTION Capsular contracture is when deposits of tightly-woven collagen fibres in the human body are created by the immune system due to the insertion of foreign objects, such as a breast implant. In the case of capsular contracture from a breast implant,…

A TUSCAN PALACE IN THE HILLS OF LA ZAGALETA The illustrious La Zagaleta country estate perched on the top of the hill on the road to Ronda enjoys breathtaking views over the estate’s beautifully manicured golf courses and natural lakes, the Mediterranean Sea, the Straits of Gibraltar and the North…

It has never been a better time to buy a property on the southern coast of Spain with the huge number of repossessed properties held by Spanish banks that are now being offered at very low prices. During the boom, with the huge development across southern Spain, many people invested…

QUALITY FITTED KITCHENS, BEDROOMS AND BATHROOMS WITH THE BRANDS YOU TRUST A company built on the foundations of customer service, quality products and with the right people. Home and Lifestyle magazine talk with Ian and Andrew to find out what Stages are involved in making projects from paper come to life. STAGE…

Established ten years, fully-legal and insured, Unique Reforms offer an extremely personal service by taking you through the whole process of bespoke bathroom and kitchen installations, from initial design ideas right through to completion, taking pride in our attention to detail every step of the way, and helping you to…

The Estepona Furniture World and Carpet World Store situated in the Estepona industrial estate is an incredible 3,500 square metre superstore where you will find a huge range of items to make your house into a home. Their vast range of products includes a selection of quality fabrics and luxury…

We are all using our mobile more and more to browse the web and within the next two years, it is predicted that searches on mobile phones will outnumber searches from any other device, including your Mac or PC! With the European Union pushing down roaming tariffs, more tourists are…

More and more people are opting to extend their villas or apartments with modern glass and the advantages are clear — an expanded floor area which pushes your living areas out into the garden to create a wow factor in your home. A room that can be used all year-round…

Hydrazzo® pool finish is the smoothest, richest and most luxurious surface available, formulated from time proven technology and the earth’s finest raw materials.Hydrazzo combines naturally beautiful coarse graded crystalline and coloured marble, along with white cement and a host of other performance-enhancing ingredients to create the ultimate pool coating. The…

Tastes and styles to suit all budgets. For 14 years, Continental Design has relished the role of designing and furnishing rooms, apartments, full-blown remodeling projects and new constructions, with infinitive styles and taste. Their in-house team which consists of an architect, quantity surveyor, engineer, project manager, construction and design team…

Creative solutions to home interiors! The Hacker kitchen shop in the Polígono Industrial San Pedro in San Pedro de Alcántara has relocated their showroom to Nueva Alcántara on the beachside part of San Pedro alongside the renowned restaurant Albert and Simon and close to Da Brunos. Not only will they…

The All-Encompassing Furniture Store Established for Over Half a Century! Gavira, the Spanish family-owned furniture company that has been established since 1955 on the Costa del Sol has 6000 square metres of showroom space. Situated in Casares Costa, Sotogrande and Sabinillas. Gavira pride themselves on their wide variety of furniture,…

As human beings our bodies are mostly made up of water — it is a part of us, running through our veins, arteries and muscles. It is perhaps why we crave the solace of the ocean or sea and so often feel the need to capture a piece of that…

There may be over a thousand miles between them, but Gibraltar isn’t going to miss out on London’s Thames Diamond Jubilee Pageant and is instead bringing its own version to the Rock.  Taking place on Monday 4 June, a day later than the London event, hosts Ocean Village marina are…

SINGING STARS GET THE CHANCE TO SHINE IN MARBELLA — 15-16 JUNE 2012 With Russian, Georgian and UK music industry connections, Reality Star is all set to fan the flames of the fame game, giving international talent a chance to shine in Marbella this summer. The first annual edition of…

Max Beach Bar and Restaurant in Riviera del Sol, affectionately named after an abandoned dog found by the restaurant’s owner, is an idyllic location to enjoy incredible views out to the Mediterranean whilst enjoying the gastronomic delights of this beautiful beach restaurant. Belgian owner, Carl Creemer seems to have got…

This colossal sofa, chosen personally by the performer for his comeback concert in London, designed by Italian designer and architect, Giovanni Malerba di Busca, is carved from the finest wood, with 24 carat gold leaf plating and exclusive crimson red velvet upholstery. This unique gem owned by Terraluz, an exclusive…

  BbyU, situated in a funky warehouse in the San Pedro de Alcántara industrial estate spanning an incredible 250 square metres, offers fabulous new ideas in the world of decoration. Everything about BbyU is fun, unique and colourful from multi-coloured lamps shaped in the form of human bodies, quirky barstools…

Cortidea is a Danish owned interior textile and décor shop, situated in the small and cosy commercial centre “Centro Idea” on the Mijas road. It was founded in 1995 and its owner, Henrik Stæhr Jørgensen, has a solid background with more than 25 years in the business. The shop has…

Proespacio21 is a company that extensively researches and introduces new cutting-edge product innovations to the construction sector, and offer the best technical and commercial advice available for their showcased products. Marbreline is one such innovative product in their portfolio. Marbreline is a seamless flooring and wall covering made from first-class,…

BATHROOMS, BEDROOMS AND OF COURSE… THE KITCHEN ROOM Established in 2004, The Kitchen Room in Estepona has stood its ground through a wavering global economy. Home & Lifestyle recently visited the showroom to gain an insight into their success and discovered that a large part of the business also specialises…

It is refreshing to be able to publicise the opening of a new store on the coast, and not just one, in fact World of Sofas Spain have recently opened three new shops in the past year with plans for further expansion in the future. The reason behind their success…

Shade sails are a hot garden accessory, not only do they provide protection from the elements but they also inject style into your outdoor area. Developed in Australia 25 years ago, shade sails not only block out harsh heat and glaring light, but they also provide a very high factor…

WHEN WE THINK OF HOME SECURITY WHAT AUTOMATICALLY COMES TO MIND IS SURVEILLANCE SYSTEMS AND ALARMS, BOTH A GREAT DETERRENT FOR BURGLARS, BUT SOMETIMES THIS IS JUST NOT ENOUGH. Cristalería y Aluminios Villalba is a family-run business with over 40 years of experience who are experts in the fields of locksmith, iron…

Sometimes life steers us, as if by fate, into the positions to which we are most suited. It was in 1992, while assisting with the re-decoration of a friend’s villa in San Roque, that Linda Cockerell discovered her passion for home decoration. Her newfound creative flare and heartfelt joy for…

ARTISTS Sign Up!  All artists looking for exposure to a vast, art-buying public should take the opportunity to exhibit at the next edition of the FIAM festival. Now entering its fourth edition, the Festival Internacional de Arte Marbella will be held in the Avenida del Mar and Alameda Park, Marbella…

Planning the happiest day of your life should be a fun and rewarding process however constraints of time, money and knowledge can turn a labour of love into daily nightmare. Local specialists MedWeddings are here to spare you from emotional meltdown with a Wedding Workshop at the Eliott Hotel on…

Marisa is an interior architect by trade so it makes sense that the other side of Marisa and Deborah’s business enters into the world of decoration. Situated inside the same space as Costa Bear, you can find some novelty furniture items that are ideal for a trendy bar, restaurant or…

Costa Bear is a fantastic new place for kids to create their very own personalised teddy bear! Situated in the San Pedro de Alcántara industrial estate on the Costa del Sol, Costa Bear was created by two mothers, Marisa and Deborah, who felt that there needed to be something more…

As you dream of creating a private oasis in your garden, the prospect of excavating, shaping, smoothing, paving and planting may seem a daunting task. Fortunately, there are professionals who know every step of that process and are ready to help, and JHK Special Gardens are experts in designing, creating…

VERGOLA OPENING ROOFS ARE DESIGNED NOT JUST FOR CALM SUMMER DAYS, BUT ALSO TO WITHSTAND THE STORMS THAT SOMETIMES BATTER THE MEDITERRANEAN DURING THE WINTER MONTHS. The long summer days and balmy evenings of summer make outdoor living a pleasure; yet with winter most of us ‘batten down the hatches’ in…