Heat wave
Igni, Bar Blondie, The Clove Club, Marylebone properties, Hackney Wick baths, Reelstore, Jöro, Hotel Les Deux Gares, MORE
WORK • Wednesday Routine
Take the plunge
LUCY MUSS • artist • Lucy Muss
Neighbourhood you work & live in: Hackney
It’s Wednesday morning. What’s the scene at your workplace?
It’s pretty chaotic in my studio as I’m working on a big commission and preparing for a private show. There are paintings lined up that need finishing, others that need posting and a huge canvas I’m working on. My desk is scattered with art books and interior magazines, droopy flowers and snacks… and everything has paint on it!
What’s on the agenda for today?
I’m trying to get sponsorship for my private view, plus inviting journalists, so I’ll spend some time on that, then I’ll process print orders. I’m plotting another three or so small original paintings for the private view, which I may pounce on at any time. I need to make progress on a large commission from a beautiful family who want a tapestry-of-life painting scattered with flowers, food memories and their favourite things on a golden mustardy background, with a frame of trees and leaves.
Any restaurant plans today, tonight, this weekend?
I’ll take my husband and kids out tomorrow night to Lucky and Joy, as he’ll be returning from Cannes (so we’ve been like ships in the night). I’ll also go to The Elderfield pub, my local in Clapton, and I’ll pop in for a cocktail and some food at The Elephant, a new Italian restaurant in Hackney (where my solo show is taking place on 4 June).
How about a little leisure or culture?
I loved Rose Wylie at the Royal Academy, and I absolutely must go see Tracey Emin at the Tate. I’ve booked in for a sauna and plunge tomorrow (and most Fridays) at the Hackney Wick old baths. It’s a very hippy place filled with ice-cold plunge tubs and barrels and beautiful saunas and there are usually lots of friends milling around. It’s a total body reset and a real treat and under £10 for an hour. I walk or jog through the marshes most days too, with my dog, Alba.
Any weekend getaways?
We (myself and my husband Louis, a filmmaker) are off to Paris and will be staying at Hotel Les Deux Gares, designed by Luke Edward Hall. I’m super excited to go to Serge Gainsbourg and Jane Birken’s house, which Charlotte Gainsbourg has now made open to the public. We’ll also be popping back to Berlin, where we lived for eight years, for a friend’s birthday, then a daytime dance party just outside Berlin in Brandenburg, near the lakes. I also want to take my dad to Umbria for a few days as his belated birthday pressie. He grew up near there and misses it, and I want to spend some special time with him.
What was your last great holiday?
We had the most stunning holiday last summer in Skopelos (the island they filmed Mamma Mia! on). I adore Greece – the sea is so blue and clean – and I just love crawling to a taverna for the most wonderful food then lazing back to the beach. I love the Greek people too. I’m dreaming of being with my family in summer somewhere. We aren’t sure where, yet. Maybe Mallorca, although I really want to visit Sicily as well.
What’s a recent big-ticket purchase you love?
Vintage clothing is my weak spot. I also bought a piece of furniture from Rooms e5 for the bathroom, on a whim.
What store or service do you always recommend?
Somewhere in Hackney for super amazing curated boho vintage. I don’t really have a service but I have recently started taking clothes to the dry cleaners and getting items I love mended. Taking care of things you love and looking after them is a beautiful thing. I hope soon to be going for wellness moments at Shine on the Green, so I’ll get back to you about that.
REAL ESTATE • First Mover
Three for-sale properties in Marylebone that recently came to market:
→ Cumberland Terrace (Marylebone) • 3BR/2BA/1R, 109 m2 flat • Asking price: £2.75mn • views across Regent’s Park, grand entrance hall • Ownership type: leasehold • Agent: Sandfords.
→ Queen Anne St (Marylebone, above) • 3BR/3BA/1R, 224 m2 flat • Asking price: £3.75mn • open-plan lateral w/ courtyard in boutique building • Ownership type: leasehold • Agent: Draper.
→ Bryanston Sq (Marylebone) • 3BR/3BA/1R, 248 m2 flat • Guide price: £4.95mn • in Georgian townhouse overlooking Bryanston Sq, w/ 30-foot reception • Ownership type: freehold • Agents: Mark Redfern & Josh Ratcliffe, Sotheby’s.
WORK & PLAY LINKS: River Thames gets designated bathing status between Kingston & Teddington Lock • Plans unveiled for 25k-seat London Colosseum in Stratford • Camden High Line project scrapped due to rising costs • The Bollywood billionaires of Notting Hill • Décor of the manosphere is the ultimate blank canvas • A summer wardrobe wishlist.
RESTAURANTS • First Word
Remix to ignition
The Skinny: High-end Mayfair Japanese restaurant Humo has been restyled and reimagined as Igni, a restaurant that draws inspiration from its open-fire stove, under ex-Cycene chef Theo Clench. It comes from the team behind Endo at the Rotunda, Sumi and Kioku by Endo.