Lucy Loves: May
For your radar this month — a photography extravaganza, Tracey Emin plates and a beautiful historic hammam in Istanbul
I’ve a lot to be excited — and nervous — about this month as May marks my slide back to full-time work after mat leave. I’m a little unsure as to how my new routine will unfold but, as I’m mostly home-based, I’m hoping to sneak in lots of snuggles and cuddles in between meetings. Any tips for navigating the work-bub balance would be very much appreciated at this stage.
In other news, May sees the return of the Chelsea Flower Show and Photo London as well as the opening of Istanbul’s Zeyrek Çinili Hamam. Beyond London & Istanbul, I’m super excited about the new Tony Cragg exhibition at Castle Howard (3 May — 22 September 2024), the majestic country pile featured in Brideshead Revisited and Bridgerton. May is also my birthday month, so I’m looking forward to celebrating with dinner at my favourite restaurant in Istanbul and another Turkish adventure along the Turquoise Coast. More on this soon.
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Love Lucy Xx
Covetable ceramics
Tracey Emin’s new range of china for the National Portrait Gallery will make an artful addition to any spring tablescape. My favourite plate design features a portrait from her 2023 Untitled series. The matching mug has already sold out but you can select to be notified when it’s back in stock. Hint hint, Olly.
Must-see art
Tate Modern’s latest blockbuster, Expressionists: Kandinsky, Münter and the Blue Rider (until 20 October 2024), tells the story of the international circle of friends who came together in the early 20th century to transform modern art. Bringing together a selection of masterpieces from the Lenbachhaus in Munich and rare loans from public and private collections, including some never seen before in the UK, it will reveal their radical experimentation with form, colour, sound and performance. Book now.
Cutesy clothing
One of the joys of having a sprog is dressing them up in cutesy outfits. We’ve been very fortunate to get lots of brilliant vintage classics and hand-me-downs from friends and family but l couldn’t resist going on my first shopping spree when I was in London. Among my favourite new discoveries is Mori, a British brand offering sustainable baby clothes made from a unique blend of bamboo and organic cotton. Not only are they super soft but they’re pretty too. What more could you want?
Summer holiday ideas
Holidays may look a little different these days but I’m adamant they continue to be as adventurous and revitalising as can be. Life with tinies is exhausting and a break from routine is a tried-and-tested tonic, so I’m after your recommendations for tot-friendly spots across Europe that are as loved by adults as they are children.
On this note, would you be interested in a round-up of the best family-friendly hotels along the Turquoise Coast as a follow on to last year’s article spotlighting the best boutique hotels along the Riviera?
Bathe in history
Following a major 13-year restoration project by The Marmara Group, the Zeyrek Çinili Hamam in Istanbul's Zeyrek district is finally reopening its doors to the public. The traditional Ottoman bath, which was built between 1530 and 1540 by chief architect of the Ottoman Empire Mimar Sinan, is a sight to behold.
In addition to its beautifully restored original features including wall paintings, Byzantine cisterns and intricate İznik tiling, you’ll find sleek site-specific furniture by artist Theodore Psychoyos, artworks by celebrated contemporary artists including Elif Uras and an on-site museum filled with historic bathing-related artefacts, many of which were found during the building’s restoration.
As for treatments, they’re all based on traditional hammam rituals and enjoyed in pristine marble bathing spaces with magical star-studded domes. Opt for The Original for the most authentic bathing experience, which includes warm marble therapy and a foam massage, or the The Flow if you’d like a little extra slooshing, scrubbing and massaging. I’d highly recommend visiting the museum ahead of your treatment as knowing a little bit about the hammam’s history brings the whole experience to life.
Everything here has been perfectly thought through to ensure the best possible guest experience. Even the hammam towels by fashion designer Hussein Chalayan are inspired by the building’s architectural details. As with all luxury hammams in Istanbul, treatments are pricey. But they’re 100% worth it. I came out feeling refreshed and revitalised, which is no mean feat given how ragged and sleep deprived I usually feel.
A photography extravaganza
Returning to Somerset House for its ninth edition, Photo London (16 — 19 May 2024) is a dazzling celebration of photography past and present. In addition to an exciting line-up of exhibitions and booth displays (much of the work on show is for sale), there’s a great public programme of talks, tours and events which are included in the price of the ticket. I’d be there in a flash if I could.
A travel essential
Riffle through my carry-on and you’ll always find lavender oil. A quick sniff of a lavender-scented handkerchief does wonders for my pre-flight scaries, while a spritz on my pillow at night eases me back into the land of nod after the endless after-hours feeding sessions. As well as aiding relaxation, lavender oil is purported to have antiseptic, anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial properties too.
As a big fan of this heavenly wonder oil, I was thrilled to discover Elgiva London, a boutique British brand selling a delicious variation with a very distinctive aroma. It was originally developed by a family in Provence two generations ago and, according to Elgiva’s founder, the family’s traditional distillation method is still used to produce the oil today. Buy a big bottle for home diffusers or the dinky travel-size for your hand luggage. This box set would also make for a wonderful gift. What’s more…
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Making matters
One of the main reasons I started this newsletter was to champion exceptional British and Turkish craftsmanship, so you can see why I’m keen to spotlight London Craft Week (13 — 19 May 2024), a city-wide festival that brings together over 700 makers across multiple sectors and disciplines from around the world. Celebrating its 10th anniversary in 2024, this year’s edition offers everything from millinery workshops and sewing demonstrations to craft symposiums and art exhibitions. Check out the extensive programme in advance to make the most of the week-long event.
Summertime staples
Wedding season is fast approaching which means it’s time to invest in some new summertime staples. I’m looking to this belted floral midi dress and this pair of sky-high nude Louboutins (well, because, I’m no longer the size of a house and I can finally wear heels again). In my dreams, I’m pairing them with this Loewe Flamenco clutch in blue.
And finally…The New York edition of TEFAF rolls into the Park Avenue Armory from May 10 to 14. Pick up the fair’s print magazine to read feature interviews on Katrin Bellinger and Tunji Akintokun, two wildly different collectors whom I admire greatly for their passion and commitment to their fields.