Lucy Loves: June
What to see, do & book this month
Hi everyone,
I hope you are all well. June marks six months of life with a tiny tot and as cliche as it sounds I can hardly believe how fast the time has gone. It’s been a wild ride but one I’m already immensely proud of. In between the carousel of feedings, nappy changes and elusive daytime naps, I’ve found my feet as an expat mum, navigated an entirely unfamiliar medical system (again!) and gone back to work.
Which leads me nicely onto upcoming plans and projects. In addition to this month’s edit of art, design & travel things for your radar, I’m plotting a guide to the Çeşme Peninsula and a round-up of the best family friendly hotels along the Turquoise Coast (as requested by you). I’m also reviewing a hotel in Göcek for the brilliant Citizen Femme, interviewing some inspirational art collectors and guesting on a podcast.
As long-term subscribers will know, the Lucy Loves edit is free to read. If you’re enjoying it, please do share it with your friends, hit the like button in the banner above or, even better, consider becoming a paid subscriber. It’s the cost of a coffee once a month and your support allows me the time each week to curate and write The Istanbulist for you.
Love Lucy Xx
Book tickets to…
Eye of the Collector (26 — 29 June), a bijou art fair in London, which presents works of art and collectible design in dialogue with beautiful architectural surroundings. After a successful run at Two Temple Place, this year’s edition will be held in the Grade II listed Garrison Chapel at the Chelsea Barracks. Works by British 20th-century masters including Frank Auerbach, Bridget Riley and Howard Hodgkin will be shown alongside international names and new works by contemporary artists, including 30 new commissions. It’s a highlight of the summer season.
Alfresco entertaining
It’s time to entertain outdoors so I’ve been looking at ways to spruce patios, elevate alfresco picnics and zhuzh urban balconies. If money was no object, I’d be snapping up this stripey Summerill & Bishop linen tablecloth, this pink strawberry picnic rug by Sophie Allport, this set of jaunty crystal glasses from Les Ottomans and this chic outdoor sofa from Indian Ocean.
Bodrum beckons
Of all the hot hotel openings along the Turquoise Coast this summer (more on this soon), the hottest may well be Maxx Royal Bodrum. Located on a private peninsula in Göltürkbükü Turkey, the luxury new resort boasts 294 rooms, seven restaurants, six bars, a swanky spa, a kids club and the first Turkish outpost of Scorpios beach club.
What’s peaked my interest, though, is its focus on art & design. The hotel plays host to two art galleries, a Madame Malachite boutique, an artist residency and a permanent contemporary art display, featuring works by such celebrated artists as Bernar Venet and Refik Anadol. It’s pricey, yes, but I’ve heard nothing but excellent things about this chic new spot catering to adults and tots alike.
Saving for later
I’m loving the new stationery collection from Cabana Magazine conceived in collaboration with the World Monuments Fund. Designed by the London-based illustrator and calligrapher Fin Fellowes, it includes notecards, envelopes, placecards and artists sketchbooks adorned with motifs inspired by the Royal Botanical Gardens. A portion of the proceeds will support the WMF’s continued quest to safeguard the world’s most treasured places. Your summer thank yous sorted.
London art to see
Love it or hate it the Royal Academy’s Summer Exhibition (18 June — 18 August) is back. Co-ordinated by the British sculptor Ann Christopher, the 256th edition explores the idea of making space. ‘To make space can mean openness – making space for something or someone, also making space between things,’ says Christopher. ‘It is my belief that the spaces in between are as important as whatever those spaces separate.’
It’s one of the only London exhibitions where public submissions nestle happily alongside works by such celebrated contemporary artists as Tracey Emin, Frank Bowling, Michael Craig-Martin and Rose Wylie. On display in the central courtyard will be a monumental textile sculpture by British artist Nicola Turner. See you there.
Have you heard…
Vivienne Westwood’s personal wardrobe is coming to Christie’s in a landmark sale on 25 June, with sale proceeds going to support charitable organisations close to her heart, including The Vivienne Foundation, Amnesty International and Greenpeace. Bidders will have a rare chance to snap up clothes, shoes, jewellery and accessories created and worn by Westwood during the last four decades of her life. The lots offered for sale will be on display in a free public exhibition at Christie’s London from 14 to 24 June.
The chic country pub to know
Travel and foodie insiders are all talking about The Great Bustard, a new gastro pub in Wiltshire with 10 charming rooms and a kitchen offering comforting, hearty cooking as well as a fine dining restaurant. Head Chef Jordan Taylor, who’s known for his farm-to-table ethos, will centre menus around locally sourced seasonal ingredients from The Durnford Estate kitchen gardens. Doors open later this month so get your bookings in now.
The Türkiye Pavilion in Venice
The carousel of opening parties, cocktail receptions, talks and events may now be over, but the 60th Venice Biennale is still in full swing. I caught up with Gülsün Karamustafa, the outspoken artist representing Türkiye at this year's edition, following the opening of her site-specific installation for the Türkiye Pavilion. We chatted the state of the world, inspirations behind her exhibition and her favourite pavilion. You can now read the full interview here.
And finally…The 23rd Serpentine Pavilion, designed by Seoul-based Korean architect Minsuk Cho and his firm Mass Studies, opens to the public on 7 June. The temporary structure, which comprises five ‘islands’, each unique in form, name and purpose, will play host to the Serpentine’s live programme of talks, events and performances. Nothing says summer quite like it!