Cambridge Property Edition August by Bright Publishing

Brought to you by Cambridge Edition

AUGUST 2014

www.cambsedition.co.uk

BUYING TO LET

AN EXPERT GUIDE

BOOMTOWN BULLETIN

PROPERTY NEWS

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WELCOME

s all English men and women know, our homes are our castles: as such, finding the perfect property and making it our own remains one of the most fulfilling of life’s endeavours. Starting with this issue, you’ll find not only the latest homes to grace the local market, plus news from the ‘homefront’, but inspiring interiors ideas to see you through the whole process from initial viewing to applying that final, tastefully chosen scatter cushion. We hope you enjoy your new Property and Home Edition. There can’t be many of us who would pass up on the chance to nosey round a multimillion pound celebrity home, which is why we were more than a little intrigued by White Horse Stables, the home of famous jockey Frankie Dettori, which has gone up for sale in Stetchworth. A palatial Arts and Crafts mansion, it’s all open-plan spaces and fresh, clean lines: there are top of the range equestrian facilities too, naturally. See for yourself on page 9. Read on for more news about interest rates, and how they could affect your moving plans (page 10), then take a look at a pair of beautiful properties: one a typical Cambridge townhouse and the other a classic country retreat. Which fits your ideal? I love it when something a little out of the ordinary comes onto the market, so it was with great interest that I heard about the leasehold of The White Swan in Stow-cum-Quy coming up for sale. A little gem of a village pub, it comes with living accommodation above, and a ready-made clientele, and is sure to be a dream project for someone. Landlords, turn to page 12 for Part Two of our Buy to Let guide, then read on for news about the latest new homes developments in the city. Whatever your homely pursuits this month, we wish you great success and hope you enjoy these pages.

JENNIFER SHELTON, FEATURES EDITOR

jennifershelton@bright-publishing.com 01223 499463 For commercial enquiries relating to Property & Home Edition, contact Claire McGrath on 01223 499450.

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COVER STAR

On the cover of Property & Home Edition this month are the Tunstall floor lamp (£180), Peir French grey Berwick medium sofa (£1300) and the Glendale bench £599. All are available from John Lewis. www.johnlewis.com

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PROPERTY

WORDS JENNIFER SHELTON

PROPERTY NEWS

Edition takes a look at the latest happenings in the buzzing local property market

CELEBRITY STYLE The luxury home of jockey Frankie Dettori is currently for sale in Newmarket â&#x20AC;&#x201C; for a cool ÂŁ2.45 million. An impressive country house, White Horse Stables in Stetchworth, near Newmarket, comes with five bedrooms, stylish and spacious reception rooms which are flooded with light and over 15 acres of manicured grounds, including top-of-the-range equestrian facilities. The house was built in 1905 for the Earl of Ellesmere and is a wonderful example of the Arts and Craft Movement. In brief, it comprises an entrance hall, reception hall, sitting room, dining room, music room, playroom, study, open plan Aga kitchen/family/dining room, gym complex with indoor swimming pool and an office/games room. On the first floor there is a master bedroom suite with an en-suite bathroom and dressing room, four further bedrooms, a family bathroom and two en-suite shower rooms. An ideal family home, it is well located for highly regarded schools. A two/three bedroom cottage is also included. To own a slice of horse racing history, get in touch with Carter Jonas to arrange a viewing on 01787 388023. www.carterjonas.co.uk

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INTEREST RATES: THE ONLY WAY IS UP? Interest rates are due to rise from a record low of 0.5 per cent as inflation and unemployment figures continue to fall. The expected rise by the Bank of England is likely to be rolled out in gradual stages in early 2015 at around 0.25 per cent at any one time. Proposed as a way of cooling the overheated housing market in London and the South-East, a rise in Britain’s interest rates, it is hoped, should stabilise house price growth. Currently at their lowest rate in three centuries, the rise is perhaps inevitable, but will affect mortgages primarily. Unless you have a fixed rate mortgage, your monthly repayments will increase, leaving interest only and tracker mortgages most vulnerable. Borrowers on standard variable rates will be subject to their bank’s response, but are likely to pass on their costs to consumers. Cameron Ewer at Strutt & Parker’s Cambridge office says: “Paying back more will impact on the disposable income of households. I would advise homeowners to set aside savings and go through your outgoings to ensure you are ready for any climb in your mortgage repayments.” However, interest rate rises might not be all doom and gloom for the long-term property market. He continues: “We believe that an increase in mortgage rates will encourage many sellers, who are sitting on the fence at present, to become more focused on their sale. This would bring in more supply from enthusiastic, committed sellers and in turn encourage more market activity.” Cameron adds: “The current national market is quite tightly defined by certain areas where demand outstrips supply and is driving house prices up. But there are also many areas, not only outside the South-East, that need supply to be improved by more motivated sellers.” Stephanie McMahon, head of research at Strutt & Parker, also agrees that the rate rise might benefit the long-term housing market. “We expect higher interest rates and the ongoing toughening of lending parameters will deflate the property balloon as the era of cheap money comes to an end. “Over the next two years we predict to return to an increasingly ‘normal’ market – where prices paid are more closely aligned to employment confidence, wage growth and housing fundamentals. This shift is likely to see prices decline in some areas.” Ewer continues: “Before a rate change comes into place, if your property is sensibly priced and carefully marketed, now would be a really good time to sell your home while market confidence remains high.” www.struttandparker.com

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TIME, GENTLEMEN! Ever dreamed of running a pub? Now’s your chance, as The White Swan in Stow-cum-Quy is currently available for sale (leasehold) through Carter Jonas. A traditional and esteemed 17th century village pub, The White Swan features a welcoming, timbered bar area with log burner, 30-seater restaurant, a recently refurbished commercial kitchen, large parking area and a beer garden, plus living accommodation with two/three bedrooms. It recently entered the CAMRA Good Pub Guide and is home to the Quy Beer Festival. Stow-cum-Quy is a popular village situated between Cambridge and Newmarket. The pub occupies a corner position on the main high street, close to the post office and village hall, while the popular National Trust attraction Anglesey Abbey is just down the road in Lode. According to the agent, this is a unique business opportunity to live, work and be part of a successful business which is also at the heart of traditional, English village life. Offers are invited, for the benefit of the leasehold interest, in excess of £75,000, inclusive of fixtures and fittings. For more information, contact Steven Harvey at Carter Jonas, 01223 344619 or email steven.harvey@carterjonas.co.uk.

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VILLAGE HOME If village life is more your scene, we’re sure you’ll fall for this handsome Grade II listed detached property in Fulbourn. Home End occupies a leafy spot in the older part of the village, which itself is within easy reach of Cambridge and Addenbrooke’s hospital. The property dates from the 15th century and retains many lovely features of the period, including an inglenook fireplace to the drawing room and timber beams throughout. There are four double bedrooms in total, an Aga kitchen, glasshouse, study, two bathrooms and an en suite to the master bedroom. The gardens are a particular feature, and a detached double garage provides secure parking. The property has a guide price of £1.2 million. Contact Savills for more information on 01223 347147. www.savills.com

TRADITIONAL TOWNHOUSE Situated just south of the city centre, on Bentinck Street, is this delightful Victorian end-of-terrace cottage. The property has been sympathetically brought up to date, while retaining its original features and charm, making it a highly attractive prospect for a family in search of a property with character, style and a great location. The ground floor is comprised of an open-plan living space, kitchen, bedroom and family bathroom, while upstairs you’ll find the impressive master bedroom suite with dressing room and en suite bathroom. There is an attractive, landscaped courtyard garden to the rear with an annexe/studio which would make an ideal home office, artist’s studio or workshop. Plus, there is consent to construct an additional dwelling. The property benefits from no upward chain: offers in excess of £750,000 are invited. Contact Savills on 01223 347147. www.savills.com

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PROPERTY

Christopher Toynbee

PART #2:

A LANDLORD'S GUIDE Buy to let is an increasingly popular venture, especially in Cambridge, with its constant flow of students and professionals. It can prove a lucrative investment, but there are pitfalls to avoid and factors you should consider before taking the plunge. Christopher Toynbee is owner and founder of CTP Property, a boutique property company specialising in residential property management. Last month, we focused on choosing the right property: now he takes us through what to do next – namely filling it with the right tenant. “The best way to attract that ideal tenant is to provide quality accommodation: the days are gone now that you could get away with a poor quality house and still attract tenants, and quite rightly so,” says Chris, who also advises on avoiding long, unnecessary void periods. “The best income isn’t always the highest; it’s the most consistent. So if you can get a tenant that’s going to be there for two or three years, then that’s usually the one to go for.” What about students? In Cambridge they’re in plentiful supply, and while some landlords may shy away from this market, it can prove a worthwhile venture for those in the know. “It can be more time intensive,” Chris admits. “In

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the first instance you’ll get larger groups looking round who’ll all have questions, and it’s often the first time they’ve rented somewhere so there’s a lot of explaining to do. Then you need to consider what happens if one of them leaves, and it’s good to have a good dialogue with the guarantors, who are often the parents. “But I find my student tenants some of the best tenants we have. They can be easier to deal with, and because you know when they’ll be leaving you can prepare and plan, which you can’t do with professionals, who will leave with a month’s notice. So there can be less of a void period between the tenancies. “If a landlord is looking to maximise their investment in a property, then student tenancy is the way to go. We’re already signed up until the end of August 2015, and all you have is a one-week void between the tenancies which is enough time to get it cleaned and any issues fixed before the next lot move in.” Because students aren’t terribly renowned for their neatness, it can be wise to include a weekly cleaner and gardener, as Chris explains. “With student properties, we have all-inclusive rent (gas, water, electricity, unlimited Wi-Fi), and having a cleaner and gardener is probably more beneficial than with a professional couple who might take it on themselves. Also, that way, the landlord

can guarantee that the property is kept in good condition, and be kept informed of any issues within the house that the tenants might have overlooked.” One of the major decisions faced by new landlords is whether or not to have it managed or to go it alone. This is dependant largely on your own lifestyle, your other personal commitments, how close you live to the property and how hands-on you want to be. Are you happy to be called out to advise on leaky taps and sort out broken boilers? If not, it might be worth enlisting a professional to take care of the nitty-gritty. Says Christopher: “If you get a good tenant, hopefully they won’t be calling up at all hours. But things do and will go wrong. If you do it yourself, you’ll have to respond quickly to issues and have good knowledge of the industry: things like having to provide 24 hours’ notice before going round and understanding HMOs if you’re letting to a group. So unless you’re confident with the legality of it all, I would recommend using a property manager to look after it.” Chris comments: “Because we are landlords ourselves we feel that we’re in a good position to advise other landlords.” For more advice, get in touch on 01223 226183. www.ctpproperty.co.uk

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ADVERTISEMENT FEATURE

TOP ACCOLADES FOR BARRATT Barratt Homes has been named 5 Star Home Builder by the Home Builders Federation’s for the fifth year running, thanks to satisfied customers’ recommendations. This marks the first time a national housebuilder has won the award for five consecutive years. The award was allocated to Barratt after 90% of their customers said they would recommend Barratt to a friend. Barratt, which has a development in Cambridge, Trumpington Meadows, always strives to provide excellent customer service, and all their homes come with an exclusive five-year warranty covering everything that’s included as standard in your home. This is completely free and offered in addition to the NHBC ten-year warranty, to give you complete peace of mind. This award adds to Trumpington Meadows’ already groaning trophy cabinet, which includes the Evening Standard New Homes Award 2014 for Best Large Development. Trumpington Meadows was also one of only two developments in Cambridge to win an NHBC Award for Pride in the Job two years running. And Barratt’s Cambridge development also reached the finals in the Housebuilder Awards 2014 for Best Design of Three Storeys or Fewer.

HELP TO BUY

BUILT TO LAST

The government-led scheme has so far helped many individuals, couples and families make their dreams of homeownership a reality in a climate which often puts buyers on the back foot. Barratt offers the incentive at Trumpington Meadows, and could help you to own a property worth up to £600,000. All you need is a 5% deposit.

LAUNCH EVENT: STEEPLE VIEW Two years since the doors opened at the first phase of Trumpington Meadows, phase six, Steeple View, has now been launched, offering a stylish selection of homes ranging from three-bedroom homes to larger five-bedroom family properties. Homes are situated within this popular and well-situated development, just over two miles south of the city centre and rail station, close to local schools and at the edge of a scenic country park. A stylish launch event was held on 12 July, offering interested parties an exclusive opportunity to view and find out more about the homes on offer. Interested? Call the sales office, open 10am-6pm daily, on 0844 811 4888. www.barratthomes.co.uk

Barratt has been accredited with the prestigious ‘Built for Life’ certificate. An industry-standard endorsement, Built for Life recognises excellence in design quality, safety and community, ensuring new houses are more than just bricks and mortar but homes within safe, thriving neighbourhoods which future generations will continue to enjoy. What’s more, Trumpington Meadows has become one of the first UK developments to win this award, marking another great achievement for Trumpington Meadows and Cambridge itself.

For more information contact Barratt Homes on 0844 811 4888 or visit: www.barratthomes.co.uk 01223 841 842

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See website for full terms and conditions

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PROPERTY

WORDS JENNIFER SHELTON

BOOMTOWN BULLETIN

The latest from Cambridge’s new property developments

THE MANSIONS, AURA A brand new selection of luxury properties has been launched at the sought-after Aura development on Long Road, one of the most prestigious addresses in Cambridge. Offering style, space and functionality, these modern townhouses are setting a new standard in aspirational living in Cambridge. After a tour of the new showroom, we’re sure you’ll agree.

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Andrew Loveday, sales director for developers Countryside Properties, comments: “The mansions at Aura are quite exceptional for the Cambridge property market and provide a unique opportunity for those seeking alternatives to period city villas. They are certainly going to prove to be unique and aspirational homes to move to.”

The mansions at the RIBA Housing Design Award winning Aura are a luxurious collection of four- and five-bedroom houses, located approximately 2.5 miles from Cambridge’s historic city centre and just 1.5 miles from the train station. These magnificent new homes boast spacious rooms with floor-to-ceiling windows, underfloor heating, solid wood flooring

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and other thoughtful details to create truly exceptional homes. The four-bed Faulkner (3,102 sq ft) is a striking example of the mansions. The ground floor reception area leads to a kitchen/dining/family area, with a double-height ceiling and glazing providing a real sense of space and bathing the room in natural light. Also included is a spacious utility room with built-in wine fridge and separate wine rack, leading to the double garage. On the first floor, the generously sized living room overlooks the kitchen area to one side, and the attractive tree canopy of the mature woodland to the other. Up on the second floor, the impressive master bedroom boasts a large fitted wardrobe, ample room for a seating area and a luxurious, high specification ensuite with motion activated lighting. The property features a further three double bedrooms, one with its own en suite and dressing room, a south facing rear garden, and is priced at ÂŁ1,450,000. www.auracambridge.co.uk

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LEYLANDS LAY DOWN ROOTS AT NORTH LODGE The last thing you want, after the arrival of your first child, is to have to start househunting. But that was the situation faced by Richard and Audrey Leyland when their landlord decided to sell up. Luckily for them, Help to Buy did exactly that. Richard tells their story. “We had lived in London but moved to Cambridge when I got a new job. We were renting a three-bedroom terraced house in central Cambridge, but couldn’t afford to buy it when the landlord decided to sell. Then we read about the Help to Buy scheme and found the new homes at North Lodge Park, and we just couldn’t believe our luck. “Audrey and I had been living together for several years, and ideally would have liked to buy throughout that time, but we didn’t feel it was possible to get the nice, spacious family home we were after. Help to Buy really did help us, as we wouldn’t have been able to buy without it. “From first visiting North Lodge Park to moving in took just five months! We were really keen on the Hanover house type and as there were so few of these at the development we acted fast to make sure we were able to get one. The whole process with Bellway was really very

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easy, the sales team were really helpful at every stage and made moving in very straightforward. “It’s fantastic to have our own space. We really like that the house is spread over three storeys. Having a fourth bedroom is lovely because it means we have the space to get an au pair and provide her with her own floor of the house with private en-suite, which is marvellous. We have a nice-size garden for Ruby to play out in this summer, and because the ground floor is fairly open we can keep an eye on her a lot more easily! “I work along Milton Road, and it takes me just nine minutes to get to work on my scooter. Milton has a nice balance between city and village: it’s well connected, but there’s a nice community here, which will be lovely for Ruby to grow up in.” Situated in the picturesque village of Milton, North Lodge Park is an attractive collection of two- to five-bedroom houses, easily located for the Science and Business Park, and looking to benefit from the new Chesterton rail station set to open in the next few years. With a variety of house styles and sizes, there is a good choice for potential purchasers, both first-time buyers and second steppers.

The four-bedroom Hanover is priced from £439,995, while prices start from £364,995 for a three-bedroom home. A number of properties are available with the Government-backed Help to Buy scheme, subject to build stage. The scheme provides an equity loan from the Government of up to 20 per cent of the value of the property, leaving the homebuyer to find a deposit of just five per cent and secure a mortgage of up to 75 per cent for the balance. For more information phone Bellway Homes sales office on 01223 862876. www.bellway.co.uk

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INTERIORS 2

STYLISH STORAGE

Functional doesn’t need to mean dull. Stow away your clutter with these quirky storage solutions 3

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IVAR, Alex, Melltorp, Fabrikör, Sortera ranges at IKEA; see website for pricing details www.ikea.com Upcycled Drawer Tower by I Love Retro £449 www.notonthehighstreet.com Rustic Multi Coloured Cabinet £502 The Libra Company, Cambridge Road, Linton, Cambridge Vinyl Storage Box £49.95 Ark, St Mary’s Passage, Cambridge Brompton Bookcase £849 Marks & Spencer, Sidney Street, Cambridge Mid Century Style Walnut Sideboard £720 www.cambrewood.com, 01223 316603 Metal Storage Trunk by Idyll Home Ltd £99 www.notonthehighstreet.com Rodney Wood Chest £650 Oliver Bonas, Sidney Street, Cambridge

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WORDS ANGELINA VILLA-CLARKE

THE GREEN, GREEN GRASS OF

There’s no better time than the height of summer to style your garden according to the latest trends. From making your green space a holiday destination in its own right to recreating a festival feel at home, the latest gardens have the fun factor firmly at their heart When the sun is out and the weather is balmy, there’s nothing like eating al fresco for feeling that bonhomie that only summer can bring. One major trend that has gained momentum over the past few years, and which perhaps has encouraged us to dine outside continental-style, is the popularity of rattan furniture. Once only found in the confines of conservatories, the new weatherproofed rattan furniture has suddenly reinvigorated our garden dining rooms, transporting us from mundane to Miami. While wellestablished homeware stores such as John Lewis (0844 693 1709; www.johnlewis. com) and Neptune (01793 427427; www. neptune.com) sell an interesting array of styles, from traditional to modern, if you are after a cohesive garden look with matching sofas and loungers, it’s advisable to head to a rattan specialist, such as White Stores (0845 3386 238; www.whitestores.co.uk), which stocks a huge variety of styles and price points. The rattan fashion also lends an organic, ethnic feel to our green spaces. It’s a trend that has been echoed from many of this season’s catwalks and can be boosted with tribal-print pillows, tablecloths and floor cushions. Choose a colour palette of burnt oranges, taupes, blacks and browns, animal

prints and geometrics to bring a touch of the exotic into your garden. It would not go unnoticed that many of these hotel-like tables and chairs would look right at home in a chic dining room, and it’s a marker of how the lines between gardens and interiors have become blurred. To complete the homely feel outdoors, source garden rugs (available from Go Modern, www.gomodern.co.uk), footstools, large garden mirrors and even ornamental chandeliers to bring the indoor look outside. Ornamental wooden dining tables, such as

the Versailles teak dining set from Alison at Home (www.alisonathome.com) and the modernist, lava grey Core range at Go Modern (www.gomodern.co.uk) are alternatives to the rattan style but are also high in the style stakes and are poles apart from traditional patio furniture. “Summer entertaining is no longer confined to one area of the home,” points out Nicola Gidlow, buyer for outdoor living at John Lewis (www.johnlewis.com). “It often involves using the kitchen, dining room and garden to host your guests. To

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT Expormim Tunis Garden Furniture, from £390 (020 7731 9540; www. gomodern.co.uk). Teak Lutyens bench, £595(01793 427427; www.neptune.com). Maze Rattan Apple Daybed, £1,200 (0845 338 6238; www.whitestores. co.uk). Riviera sun lounger and coffee table set, £895 (020 7087 2907; www.alisonathome.co.uk)

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ADORE AL FRESCO: Make the most of your outside space with chic furniture. Cannes table and six chairs, ÂŁ1,599 (0844 693 1709; www.johnlewis.com)

When the sun is out and the weather is balmy, there's nothing like eating al fresco for feeling that bonhomie that only summer can bring

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INTERIORS HOME EXTENSION Create a cosy corner. Chastleton Day Bed, £600 (0845 6084448; www.gardentrading.co.uk).

SOPHISTICATED LOOK Red Tuscany cloth, £34.99 (020 8133 3853; www.linenme.com)

CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT Retro resurgence: the 1960s is a current trend in most modern gardens. Elaborate Rattan Peacock Chair, £375, and Aluminium Garden Chair, £225, both from Out There Interiors (0208 099 7443; www.outthereinteriors.com). Carmen Chair, £250, from Oliver Bonas (020 8974 0110; www.oliverbonas. com); Acapulco Chair in magenta, £222, from Boqa (www.boqa.fr)

DINE A DEUX Classy Chatsworth Bistro Set, £79.99 (www.dunelm-mill.com)

add a sense of unity between the areas, harmonise your indoor and outdoor accessories by using complementary cushions, plant pots and decorative accessories,” she advises. Rob Mead, head of marketing at White Stores, agrees: “There has been a growing lean towards the garden becoming a true extension of the home. Living-room style furniture – such as the large sofas and feature daybeds from 4 Seasons Outdoor – are really popular at the moment. The comfort factor is also high in importance – large cushioned recliners, cosy chairs and dining sets, such as the Valentine & Brighton range, all give a feel of relaxing and set a hotel-like scene. Style harks back to the 60s, with a pop-art feel.” This 60s influence is indeed another key influence this summer. The brightlycoloured Acapulco Chair (available from www.boqa.fr/en), for instance, made from woven, vinyl cord, is in vogue again. First produced in the 1950s and gracing many homes and gardens come the early 1960s,

the design classic comes in a huge choice of shades, from turquoise to popping pink, and their retro-modern aesthetic suddenly looks of the moment again. Jenny Hurren, director of Out There Interiors (0208 099 7443; www. outthereinteriors.com) has noticed the 60s influence: “The trend for retro furniture has spread outdoors this year in a variety of ways. We’ve noticed a resurgence in popularity of intricate and open weave rattan in various colours. These lightweight and eye-catching chairs and tables are perfect for creating informal lounging and dining areas.” Meanwhile, for smaller gardens, affordable bistro sets are good options for dining à deux. Choose candy-coloured metal, such as the Joules Garden Furniture Set from Garden Trading (£115, 0845 6084448; www.gardentrading.co.uk) and the Primrose Garden Furniture from Oliver Bonas (from £59, 020 8974 0110; www. oliverbonas.com) for a young, vibrant look. Alternatively, choose an ornate wrought-

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iron style, such as the Chatsworth Bistro Set (0345 165 6565; www.dunelm-mill. com), for a French-inspired theme. John Lewis’s Nicola Gidlow continues: “If you have a balcony or small urban garden, bistro sets make an ideal choice. They can fold away when they are not in use and are available in a wide range of colours and materials.” Advising on creating the perfect dining space, Inga Lukauskiene, designer and owner at Linen Me (02081 333853 www. linenme.com), which sells fine linens for the home and garden, says: “Use vibrant, colourful tablecloths and napkins when eating outside and decorate tables with scented candles and seasonal flowers to create the perfect summer garden party. It’s also a great idea to have plenty of throws and cushions on hand to ensure friends and family feel warm and cosy when the temperature drops. Remember not to iron your table linens if you use them outside, the natural linen wrinkles make them unique and even more special.”

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Combining the best elements of your garden – a space to be at one with nature and your own private escape from the stresses of everyday life with a practical, social purpose – means that the garden has become our go-to space when we really want to relax. Enhance the comfort factor by investing in garden corner sofas, deep seated chairs and oversized day beds, such as Marks and Spencer’s Navita Zigzag Day Bed, which also channels the ethnic print theme already mentioned (www.marksandspencer. com). Maximise the time spent outdoors with a feature patio heater or authentic clay chimnea. Hang hammocks in pretty prints between trees (a selection is available from www.outhereinteriors.com) and set up reading corners with piles of brightly coloured pillows and cushions. Janet Dixon, chief designer at fabric and homeware specialists Barker & Barker (www.barkerandbarker.co.uk), comments: “Use colourful, eye-catching fabrics in the

GARDEN ROOMS Feel at home in the outside and invest in furniture such as the Watercomb range, from £230, from Marks & Spencer (www.marksandspencer.com)

ABOVE Cushions from £45, and fabrics, from £98 per metre (01223 733730; www.barkerandbarker.co.uk)

COLOUR CORNER Use varied and bold colours. Bench shown here painted in Brassica by Farrow & Ball (01223 367771; www.farrow-ball.com)

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garden with strong statement designs to create a bright focal point and bring the comforts of the inside outdoors. More and more of us are wanting to expand our living spaces to the garden, lazing by the pool sipping champagne seems the perfect way to spend an afternoon. How to recreate this can sometimes be a challenge as size and space can be an obstacle. “Where possible try to create areas that are going to be used for different activities such as eating, sitting and relaxing. Large comfy sofas, coffee tables and a fire pit will be the perfect place for friends to sit and chat over a drink, while dining tables can turn a summer BBQ into a more elegant, yet informal space. Add mood lighting in the form of candles or solar lighting to create a cosy and intimate atmosphere." You can also make a bold and dramatic statement in the garden by contrasting bright textiles and accessories with black fencing and dark wood decking. More

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ABOVE Navita Zigzag bed is a sophisticated take on garden furniture, now £979.30 (www. marksandspencer.com) BELOW Choose lowmaintenance materials, such as Trex eco-friendly decking (www.trex.com/uk) and make the most of those long summer days.

More and more of us are wanting to expand our living spaces to the garden, lazing by the pool sipping champagne seems the perfect way to spend an afternoon commonly seen in Japanese-inspired gardens, the use of black provides a stunning backdrop for plants and gives a modern edge to a garden. For those wanting to maximise relaxation time, it’s also essential to keep your garden low-maintenance, with easyto-manage hardy plants and by using quality materials that don’t need a lot of upkeep when it comes to patio and decked areas. Trex eco-friendly decking is lowmaintenance and high performance making it ideal for creating stylish spaces with the bonus of being hassle-free (www.trex.com/uk). Bryan Fairbanks, executive director of International Business Development at Trex, explains more: “If

you want to spend more time enjoying your garden, then choose low-maintenance materials that only need soap and water cleaning. As Trex is a wood-alternative decking, it resists fading, stains, scratches and mould growth. It is made from recycled materials so it doesn’t splinter, meaning you can go barefoot all summer long. It also comes a range of different colours. “So if you fancy a Tuscan villa feel, then we can provide it with the Tiki-Torch shade. Trex can handle the outdoors for decades, so you can spend weekend after weekend relaxing in the comfort of your own home.” Outdoor spaces can also be livened up with the clever use of colour. Sarah Cole, director of paint experts Farrow & Ball (01223 367771; www.farrow-ball.com)

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gives her advice: “You don’t have to have acres of land or lots of garden furniture to create an inspiring outside area. Even repainting a window box in a bold colour, like Charlotte’s Locks, can upgrade the look and feel of an exterior space. Look at metal railings, wooden summer houses, and masonry walls as potential areas to freshen up with new shades of colour. For a stylish and considered look, try replicating the themes used in your interior rooms outside. Carry on a natural feel by adding shades of Cooking Apple Green or Dorset Cream to wooden benches, or celebrate a love of contemporary design by using cool greys such as Dimpse on exterior walls.” She also advises: “Accents of strong colours like St Giles Blue, Brassica and Babouche make outside areas look fun and exciting. Try painting garden furniture Arsenic for a dramatic look, or create art outside by painting garden stools in a strong pink like Nancy’s Blushes.”

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Give a holiday-at-home feel by sourcing brightly coloured picnic wares, floral prints and seaside-inspired accessories, such as those found at Sainsbury’s (www.sainsburys. co.uk). Lauren Bennett, Sainsbury’s outdoor buyer, reveals her inspiration this season: “Striped picnic blankets, white wicker baskets and kitsch floral cushions are all at the heart of this summer’s collections. They can be paired with Memory Lane’s melamine outdoor dining range for the perfect outdoor dining experience with friends and family. Practical and stylish, our new paper tableware ranges offer trend-led products, such as candy-striped straws, honeycomb pompoms and sundae bowls, along with napkins and cutlery.” Add some humour with witty accessories, such as the Swedish brand Garden Glory’s garden hoses, with reindeer wallmounts (www.gardenglory.se). Giving fairytale connotations are the fairy and fleur-de-lys garden spikes and handcrafted twig-like benches at Des Res Design (01386 793240; www.desresdesign.co.uk). Adding interest and reflecting the changing landscape of a garden are the mirrored sculptures from In Spaces (from £290, 0207268 3315; www. in-spaces.com). You’ll find a veritable feast of enlivening goodies at quirky homeware brand Cuckooland – from fun weathervanes to rainbow-hued hammocks, hanging globe chairs to Aztec-inspired outdoor rugs. Combining a retro feel with a nod to the good old seaside holiday is the classic deckchair, albeit jazzed up. Check out John Lewis for retro styles (www.johnlewis.com), Smart Deco for arty, contemporary versions (www.smartdeco-style.com) and Out There Interiors for pastels (0208 099 7443; www. outthereinteriors.com). “Deckchairs are ideal for adding a sense of fun and injecting some colour into your garden,” says Nicola Gidlow, buyer for outdoor living at John Lewis. “This year we are selling frames and slings separately and have eye-catching designs from Missprint.” Swings, hanging chairs, giant outdoor games, colourful tents and playhouses also add a sense of joy and playfulness to a garden. For something extra special, Master Wishmakers create luxury bespoke treehouses, gazebos and playhouses (01536 417905; www.masterwishmakers.com). Brand and marketing director Nino Rosella comments: “Families want to introduce the fun factor into their gardens but this process is rarely a seamless and personal experience – especially if it revolves around off-the-shelf products. Before designing even commences we believe it’s so important to really delve

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CLOCKWISE FROM TOP Bright accessories and tableware, available from the Memory Lane range at Sainsbury’s (www.sainsburys.co.uk). Affordable sculptures from In Spaces, from £290, (020 7268 3315; www. in-spaces.com). Colourful deckchairs from Smart Deco (01273 271356; www.smartdeco-style.com). Jolly up your garden with Oily Rag bunting made of oil cloth (01379 871948; www.oilyragfabrics.com);

into the detail: who will use the garden and for what purpose? Only with details like this can we bring a client’s imagination to life. It’s this journey that allows us to create a product or environment that someone can cherish for years to come.” If your budget doesn’t stretch to bespoke playrooms, don’t fret. Creating the ultimate summer garden is easy. String up pretty lights, hang bunting, such as the practical Oily Rag bunting made of oil cloth (01379 871948; www.oilyragfabrics. com) which you can leave up, and decorate tables with pretty linens and lanterns. It will give a festival feel and a hip glamping vibe. Out There Interiors’ Jenny Hurren agrees: “Forget formality this year and create a fun festival feel in your garden with deck chairs, hammocks and swings hanging

FAIRY TALE Handcrafted twig bench, £120 (01386 793240; www.desresdesign.co.uk)

from trees. Think music, games and kebabs barbequing on colourful grills. Garland lighting adds to the festival feel and keeps your space inviting all evening.” Meanwhile, Hannah Browne, owner of Pastel Lane, an online emporium inspired by English country living (07949 339416; www.pastellane.co.uk), says: “With their flickering light, pretty lanterns look beautiful dotted around the garden and are an ideal way to enjoy those relaxed summer evenings for longer. Place freestanding lanterns on tables, walls and at the edge of pathways to create an inviting ambiance; lanterns also look great used as table centrepieces. Complete the cosy, party look with hanging lanterns; perfect for nestling in trees.”

PLAYTIME Rascal Revlots’ Garage, £25,000 (01536 417905; www.masterwishmakers.com)

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