Cambridge Property Edition August

Brought to you by Cambridge Edition

AUGUST 2015

www.cambsedition.co.uk

FIND YOUR DREAM HOME

PROPERTY NEWS

BOOMTOWN BULLETIN TURN OVER FOR

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WELCOME

ugust is the month for dining outdoors, and I think I’ve found the garden terrace for me. Recently I spent a fabulous afternoon with the folks at Countryside Properties viewing the new villas at Aura, Long Road. Part of the Great Kneighton development near Addenbrooke’s, these two spectacular detached houses are in a league of their own when it comes to luxury suburban living. If you thought the mansion house types looked swish, get a load of the open-plan entertaining spaces, generous garden and spacious, luxury bedrooms at The Longfellow and The Lusso: the latest in high-class living. As well as having a poke about the beautifully designed and decorated rooms, we had lunch in the The Lusso’s serene and sculpted gardens, making use of its lovely terrace which looks onto the mature trees surrounding the scheme. Guide prices are close to £2 million and over. A nice taste of how the other half lives…

For more news of Cambridge’s new developments, turn to page 14 where we have details of additional homes being released at Trumpington Meadows, an apartment scheme in the centre of town and why new family homes in St Neots are proving so popular.

By contrast, our dream home this month is a traditional village home in Bourn with plenty of features to shout about and an appeal all of its own. It comes with a beautiful garden and inviting interiors, filled with character details and heaps of charm. There’s a great pub round the corner, too (very important), not to mention one of my favourite Indian restaurants. Read more on page 11.

Meanwhile, find inspiration aplenty for your home and garden in our interiors pages. This month, we’ve got a veritable toy box full of ideas for redecorating children’s bedrooms: find print wallpaper, funky accessories and urban designs that’ll be the envy of their friends.

JENNY SHELTON, FEATURES EDITOR

jennifershelton@bright-publishing.com 01223 499463 For commercial enquiries, contact Maria Francis 01223 499450 Natalie Robinson 01223 499451

COVER STAR

The products on this month’s cover are from the spring/summer range at House of Fraser. www.houseoffraser.co.uk

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ADVERTISEMENT FEATURE

N TO S NG PI DOW UM A TR ME

BARRATT RELEASES BRAND NEW HOMES

New four-bedroom family homes have just been released at expanding Cambridge neighbourhood, Trumpington Meadows. The Goldfinch is one of the house types available, and is ideal for a growing family that needs plenty of space. The heart of the home is the large, open-plan kitchen and dining room, which benefits from a separate utility room and French doors that lead to the garden. The dual-aspect living room is versatile, spacious and flooded

with natural light, and there is also a downstairs cloakroom.

In these properties you’ll find four good-sized bedrooms including a master bedroom with fitted wardrobes and en suite. There’s also a smart family bathroom. They also come with two allocated parking spaces and a garden.

Set within a 148-acre country park to the favourable south side of Cambridge, Trumpington Meadows has excellent transport links into the city centre, railway

station (with fast trains to London) and onto the M11. The development comes complete with a village hall, primary school and community orchard.

Barratt Homes is a five-star housebuilder: no other major national housebuilder has been rated Five Star by the Home Builders Federation for six consecutive years. What’s more their homes come with a five year warranty giving you that extra piece of mind. www.barratthomes.co.uk

For more information contact Barratt Homes: 0844 811 4888 www.barratthomes.co.uk *See website for more details. Images include optional upgrades at additional cost. Calls cost 7 pence per minute plus your phone company’s access charge.

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PROPERTY

PROPERTY

NEWS

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

A charming village house has come up for sale in Bourn, offering a slice of quiet, country living. The classic Victorian house is detached and situated on the high street of this picturesque village, set back from the road. Inside, from the entrance hall, there are three reception rooms, including a living and dining room with original fireplaces and high ceilings. The kitchen is light and spacious, and has a separate utility room with cloakroom and pantry. Four double bedrooms can be found on the first floor, served by a family bathroom, while the second floor contains the master bedroom with en suite.

The beautiful gardens are a particular feature, comprising a large, wellmaintained lawn with beautifully planted borders, a pond, a vegetable garden and greenhouse, plus a range of outbuildings with scope for conversion, subject to planning.

The property benefits from far-reaching countryside views and a soughtafter setting in this thriving village, which is served by a popular gastropub, school, golf club and other local amenities. It is on the market for a guide price of ÂŁ895,000. Contact Strutt & Parker on 01223 459502 to view. www.struttandparker.com

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PROPERTY

CARTER JONAS BRADSHAWS

PROPERTY FIRM SUPPORTS TWO CHARITIES To celebrate its 25th birthday, Barker Storey Matthews is taking part in several fundraising events, starting last month with the Three Peaks Challenge.

Seven employees from across all four Cambridge offices took part, raising more than £5,600 for Prostate Cancer UK and Sue Ryder’s Thorpe Hall Hospice. Their overall fundraising target for the challenge is £7,500, which will be divided equally between these two close-to-heart and fantastic charities.

Richard Jones at Barker Storey Matthews says: “We are delighted to have raised so much money for these two important charities and would like to say a big thank you to everyone that has donated so far. We will continue fundraising until we reach our target and would encourage anyone else wishing to donate to visit our team justgiving page! Thank you in advance.” www.justgiving.com/teams/barkerstoreymatthews

LOCAL AGENTS WELCOME INHERITANCE TAX ADJUSTMENT Inheritance tax was addressed in the July Budget. Strutt & Parker's Stephanie McMahon shares her thoughts: “There has been pressure on Mr Osborne to change the unpopular inheritance tax thresholds for some time, from homeowners who felt that paying stamp duty on purchase and inheritance tax on death was excessive. Now the chancellor has announced that, as of April 2017, the inheritance tax threshold will increase to £1 million by 2020-21. This gradual raising of the threshold will allow a couple to pass a house worth up to £1 million to their children or grandchildren upon death without incurring charge. The change is not as instant as some hoped for, but it will still benefit the majority of homeowners.

“This could mean that older people with larger homes could be discouraged from downsizing – therefore not freeing up larger family homes that are in high demand and short supply. Under-occupation in the UK is a big issue and this could potentially exacerbate the problem.

“Mr Osborne has tackled this by making sure that if someone downsizes before they die, their tax-free exemption will stay at the value of the house that they sold.” www.struttandparker.com

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Cambridge’s leading estate agent north of the river is driving business forward, with a new member joining the team.

Carter Jonas Bradshaws on Histon Road will now benefit from the knowledge and expertise of Matthew Smith, an associate at Carter Jonas who has been making his mark on the Cambridge property market for the last four years.

Matthew will join the existing team at Histon Road and work alongside consultant Andrew Bradshaw to develop a proposition that will appeal to the increasing number of people looking for a property in the north of the city and the surrounding villages.

Matthew says: “The market is buoyant in Cambridge but with the new station proposed, we’re seeing a spike in activity and a higher volume of enquiries from families, young professionals and investors looking to move to the area.”

Matthew will head up the north city residential offering and will aim to bring the values, expertise and local knowledge to the forefront of the team’s offering.

The portfolio of properties, which has significantly increased over the last six months, will now be marketed across all three offices in the city.

Richard Hatch, partner at Carter Jonas concludes: “This is a really positive time for Carter Jonas Bradshaws. Our local team has expanded and is made up of people who have strong values and unrivalled knowledge of the local area.

This, paired with the ability to market properties across our wider network, gives a high quality proposition for people looking to buy or sell in Cambridge.” www.carterjonas.co.uk Matthew Smith joins the Carter Jonas Bradshaws team on Histon Road.

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PROPERTY

BOOMTOWN BULLETIN The latest from Cambridge’s new property developments HELIX HOUSE LAUNCHES IN CAMBRIDGE

NEW HOMES RELEASED AT TRUMPINGTON MEADOWS Occupying 225 acres to the south of the city centre, Trumpington Meadows is one of the most significant new housing developments taking shape in Cambridge. A large number of properties have already been sold from Hauxton Road, however a new batch of homes is available, close to the picturesque country park.

All homes at Trumpington Meadows are being built by award-winning developer Barratt Homes. The development has been underway for the last three years, during which time new builds have included an array of one- and two-bedroom apartments and three-, fourand five-bedroom houses.

Just a mile from the centre of Cambridge, Trumpington Meadows is in an ideal location. It gives excellent access to the city via the cycle paths, park and ride and guided bus, which is conveniently situated right next door to the development.

The M11 is easily accessed, as is Addenbrooke’s Hospital and the Cambridge Biomedical Campus. Trumpington village itself includes a post office, village shop, wine store, chemist, doctor’s surgery and supermarket.

Contact Bidwells New Homes on 01223 841842. www.trumpingtonmeadows.com

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A development of 12 luxury apartments on the corner of Perne Road and Radegund Road has launched: the tenth joint venture between Enterprise Property Group and Laragh Homes.

Set close to local shops, Helix House is a mix of one- and two-bedroom apartments.

Hattie Bacon, sales and marketing director for Enterprise Property Group, says: “Whether you are a growing family, a professional couple or someone preparing to downsize in search of the comfort of a low maintenance, high -quality new home, we believe Helix House will fit the bill.”

Specification is high with open-plan living spaces, integrated Smeg appliances in the kitchens and sleek bathrooms.

Gill Daniels of Savills adds: “This is a great address offering modern, convenient living from two well-known, leading regional developers. We anticipate strong demand and three apartments have already been reserved.”

The two-bedroom apartments come with allocated parking and a bicycle shelter.

The ground floor of Helix House consists of a retail unit. Construction at Helix House is schedule to finish by summer 2016.

Prices start at £265,000 for a onebedroom apartment and £315,000 for two bedrooms. For more information contact Savills on 01223 347147. www.savills.co.uk

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PROPERTY

75 ST NE RE W ET

APARTMENTS SNAPPED UP IN HOURS

As the demand for city centre flats continues, a new development has been snapped up within a matter of hours. 75 New Street is a collection of 14 studios and one- and two-bedroom apartments just minutes from central Cambridge.

Says Marika Brundell, associate and head of new homes at Carter Jonas Bradshaws: “We launched the scheme at 9am and by midday offers had been made on 12 of the apartments.

With just two remaining units, this is proving to be a popular location and the high spec finish makes them desirable to people wanting a contemporary home in the heart of the city.”

The apartments are on the market between £225,000 and £420,000.

For further information on the remaining two apartments, contact Marika Brundell on 01223 403330. www.carterjonas.co.uk

MODERN FAMILY HOMES PROVE SUCCESS IN ST NEOTS Abode, a new development in St Neots by Redrow, has proved an instant success, with three properties being reserved within the first few days of launching. The modern collection of family homes offers a host of in-vogue features in the chic boutique style designs, behind a smart facade. Interested parties were invited to find out more at the launch event in June.

When complete, there will be 55 homes with either two or three bedrooms.

Sales director Tonia Tyler says: “The launch weekend was well attended and attracted a good mix of buyers including investors, owner-occupiers and those who already live in a Redrow home.

“We’ve had lots of positive feedback about how we’ve shaken up the local housing market by introducing something new and distinctly different to what we’ve built in the area previously.

“People were particularly keen on how the open-plan layouts on the ground floor maximise the potential of the space available.”

St Neots is a thriving, historic market town with pretty riverside walks and a range of amenities and schooling. Prices start at £194,950 for a two-bedroom property. Help to Buy equity loans are available. www.redrow.co.uk

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INTERIORS BAMBOO BOWL £6 OLIVER BONAS, SIDNEY STREET

FUSCHIA SALAD SERVERS £3.99 HOMESENSE, BEEHIVE CENTRE

MELAMINE RANGE FROM £10 BHS, GRAFTON CENTRE MELAMINE RANGE FROM £10 BHS, GRAFTON CENTRE BRIGHT SODA GLASSES (SET OF 4) £9 NEXT, GRAFTON CENTRE

BRIGHTS TRAY £5 SAINSBURY’S INDIGO SIDE PLATE £3.50, INDIGO DINNER PLATE £4, BLUE BUBBLE WINE GLASS £3.50, BLUE BUBBLE HIGH BALL GLASS £3, ALL M&S, SIDNEY STREET

FLAIR

Throw a stylish soirée in the garden with these colourful and quirky dining accessories

GREEN & BLACK AZTEC BISTRO SET £79.99 HOMESENSE, BEEHIVE CENTRE

FLAMBOYANCE OF FLAMINGOS MELAMINE PLATE £8 NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM SHOP, WWW. NHMSHOP.CO.UK

BRIGHT RETRO BULBS £30 NEXT, GRAFTON CENTRE

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INTERIORS

WORDS ANGELINA VILLA-CLARKE

at heart Whether it is a room to spark their imaginations or a private teenage den, the younger members of our families deserve a unique space to call their own. Here are the latest design ideas to create a practical room to stand the test of time

IMAGE: Create a magical room: Hibou Home’s Teepees wallpaper, £70 a roll (01892 511867; www.hibouhome.com), creates a charming environment.

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INTERIORS

ABOVE Design savvy kids: The children’s range of furniture from Made.com is robust and stylish (03442 571888, www.made.com).

BELOW RIGHT Accessorise with bright Newgate clocks at Daisy Park, £30 (01769 579077, www.daisypark.co.uk). Storage doesn’t have to be boring with these boxes on wheels from Out There Interiors, £130 for two (0208 0997 443, www.outthereindoors.com). The Red5 Balloon Dog Light is ideal for boys’ own rooms, £15 (01223 361292, www.johnlewis.com).

Pirate and transport themes are all very well, but for something a little different for boys look at the new urban-style themes that are emerging for room decor.

Choose funky wallpapers for statement walls. Bricks, aged wooden planks and map designs are age-proof and work equally well for young boys as they do for older ages, giving their rooms the ‘cool’ factor.

Roz Mannock, owner of The Paint & Paper Emporium in Cambridge (01223 506136, www.paintandpaperemporium. com) comments: “At the moment, the urban look is very popular for boys. Galerie Wallcoverings has a great selection of designs, such as bricks, wheel cogs, trees and world maps, which are all great for a statement wall in a boy’s room. I’ve also been advising on Scion’s geometrics and seagull prints, which are bright and lively, and are great alternatives to the usual jungle or under-the-sea designs.”

A nod to an industrial theme, but with a fun twist, is also currently on trend.

Adaptable metal bedsteads, like the Dulwich style available from the new kids’ range by

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Made.com (03442 571888; www.made.com), are robust and practical. Made.com’s version is also available as a day bed, comes with a matching trundle – essential for sleepovers – and is a good sturdy choice for boys.

Ruth Wassermann, design manager at Made.com, gives her insight: “As a mum I know that finding stylish and affordable furniture for kids is tough; it’s either pastels, pine or something super cheap that lasts one year. We wanted to bridge that gap with modern pieces that not only last but mean design-savvy parents can finally have the same amount of fun decorating their kids’ rooms as they do the rest of the house.”

Add in bright clocks, such as Newgate’s primary-coloured rubberized versions from

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INTERIORS

Daisy Park (01769 579077, www.daisypark. co.uk), or the hexagonal shelves available from Next (0333 777 8000; www.next.co.uk) to complete the funky look.

Ample storage and room to study are essential considerations but by adding in quirky accessories, these practical areas can be livened up. Seek the chirpy range of robot and dog lights by RED5 available at John Lewis (01223 361292, www.johnlewis.com).

While home emporium Out There Interiors (0208 0997 443, www.outthereinteriors. com) is also a fantastic source for interesting and unusual items for children’s rooms.

“Sparking their creative juices early is key to a child’s development. Help this

A T REX SKULL IS IDEAL FOR THE YOUNG ADVENTURER/ EXPLORER IN THE HOUSEHOLD process along by providing an area, which is just for them – their own chair for reading in is ideal,” says Out There Interiors owner Jenny Hurren. “A blackboard to draw on will encourage their fine motor skills plus ensure that your wall doesn’t get drawn on!

Remember to inject a sense of fun into the room – a rabbit on a scooter rug, oversized button hooks or a set of ‘textual’ boxes stop a palette from becoming bland. Finally a T Rex Skull is ideal for the young adventurer/ explorer in the household and will probably appeal to the ‘young at heart’ also in the household as well.”

Crucial to creating a comfortable room is choosing the right bed. Sofa.com’s (0345 400 2222, www.sofa.com) Kandahar single bed comes with storage and can be ordered in a range of fabrics, such as those inspired

by Quentin Blake illustrations. A cabin or mid sleeper style of bed, like those available at Great Little Trading Co (GLTC) (0344 848 6000, www.gltc.co.uk), offers extra space for those smaller rooms.

THIS IMAGE Into the Wild wallpaper, £70, Luku Home (020 8943 3683; www.lukuhome.com), comes in pastel shades. BELOW LEFT Make studying colourful with the Mini Stroller Desk in oak and yellow, £229, and bedtime interesting with the Dulwich Day Bed, £199, and folk inspired cushions, from £15, all Made.com (03442 571888; www.made.com).

“The most important thing to consider is choosing the right bed,” says Tracy Thomas, head of buying and merchandising at GLTC. “A bunk bed offers a spare bed option, which is invaluable for sleepovers. A cabin or mid sleeper offers extra storage or even a desk, which will prove to be essential for all the toys that inevitably accumulate. While a high sleeper is appropriate for older children.

“Try a toddler bed for very small children; they’re low to the ground with high sides to reassure your child. Also make sure the mattress is soft enough; due to their lighter weight kids sleep more comfortably on less

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firm mattresses. Bedding should be pure cotton: children can’t regulate their heat as efficiently as older children and adults, so to stop them getting hot and bothered in bed you need to opt for cool, breathable cotton.

“As they get older sleepovers will become increasingly frequent,” she continues. “If you have a bunk bed you’re already one step ahead, but if not then you could opt for an under-bed truckle or a spare bed such as GLTC’s Bed In a Bag; they’re easily stored away when not in use, but require no inflation so you can just roll them out as you need them.”

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THIS IMAGE Make it different: The Engla & Elliot collection of wallpapers from Sandberg, £60 a roll, takes inspiration from fairy tales (www.sandbergwallpaper.com). TOP RIGHT GLTC Darwin single bed in cloud grey, £350 (0344 848 6000, www.gltc.co.uk). RIGHT Dash and Albert pouffe, £175 (www. dashandalberteurope.com). BELOW LEFT Picasso Art Table, £165 (0344 848 6000, www.gltc.co.uk).

TO CALL HER OWN When it comes to girls’ rooms, there are many alternatives to the swathes of pink-coloured accessories that are widely targeted at young females.

“For unusual wallpaper, L’Envol designs

by Manuel Canovas, for Colefax and Fowler, are ideal. They feature hot air balloons in lime greens, pinks and turquoises,”

BLEND NEUTRALS WITH BRIGHT POPS OF COLOUR FOR A CONTEMPORARY LOOK

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advises Roz Mannock at The Paint & Paper Emporium in Cambridge (01223 506136, www.paintandpaperemporium.com). “They are pretty enough for a girl’s room but not too saccharine.”

Mirrored furniture matched against a sumptuous white padded headboard, like those available at Sweetpea and Willow (0345 257 2627, www.sweetpeaandwillow. com), are ideal for older girls looking for a grown-up theme.

Alternatively, blend neutrals with bright pops of colour for a contemporary look. Bright rugs, cushions and pouffes like those at Dash and Albert (www. dashandalberteurope.com) work well with a neutral colour scheme. While the cheerful patterns on Becky and Lolo’s (01420 544055, www.beckyandlolo.co.uk) bed linens mean you can simply change your colour palette when wash-day comes.

“We are seeing a move away from the usual primary colours in kids’ rooms to using Scandinavian-inspired softer and neutral colour palettes,” says interior designer Nicky Parkin, founder of Luku Home (020 8943 3683, www.lukuhome.com), which stocks a wide range of whimsical wallpapers. “Pastel

colours are on trend at the moment along with individual more sophisticated designs in wallpapers and fabrics.”

Urbane Living’s (020 7138 3838, www. urbaneliving.co.uk) wallpaper cut-outs, meanwhile, are clever alternatives to wallpapering a whole wall and are ideal for introducing colour into a room.

Adam Robertson, managing director at Urbane Living, says “Many parents struggle to decorate their children’s room. Our wallpaper silhouette range is perfect for allowing parents to adapt the same sense of style as they would when decorating the rest of their home without compromising their own taste. After all, no one wants to be left with a fully themed room that’s suddenly no longer their child’s ‘thing’.”

Talking of which, it’s advisable to include your child in the planning of a new scheme, but essential to not get too carried away with childish whims.

Tracy Thomas, at GLTC (0344 848 6000, www.gltc.co.uk), agrees: “Given that your child’s tastes may change with the wind, it’s wise to stick to two or three main colours; you can then achieve a unique look with accent colours and designs here and there.

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Don’t get carried away with things that can’t be replaced easily for a quick update.

Also, do remember that kids’ bedrooms need to be warm and welcoming; they also need to reflect the personality and interests of your child, not you! With a little thought kids bedrooms can be places of play, relaxation, learning and, hopefully, sleep.”

She continues: “It’s a good idea for children to be involved in the planning of their bedroom – it’s their space after all. But to avoid arguments (and decisions they’ll come to regret when they’re older) it’s helpful to choose two or three things that you’re happy with first, then leave the final choice to them. This way they get to have a say, but you’ll be happy too.”

For girls who want a feminine, fantastical look to their rooms, choose a simple, white wooden bed frame and then dress it with pretty linens, that way when tastes change you won’t have laid out a large investment. Visit Belfast Beds based in Cambridge for a wide range of children’s bed styles (01223 411311, www. belfastbedsuperstore.co.uk). For a cosy

THIS IMAGE Seek out fun furniture such as this Finleigh wicker chair, £220 (020 8099 7443, www. outthereinteriors.com). TOP LEFT Accessorise a child’s room with pops of colour: Pink Newgate clock, £30 (01769 579077, www.daisypark.co.uk); Egmont Jelly Mouse Lamp, £49 (01436 673623, www. scandinavianshop.co.uk). BELOW LEFT Mini Kitsch Chairs, £85 for four (03442 571 88, www.made.com).

feel, choose thick carpets in pastel shades.

If you have a little girl who likes her arts and crafts, then why not opt for a hard-wood floor for a more practical choice. Both types of flooring are available at Carpet Mill (01223 316866, www.thecarpetmill.co.uk) which is also in Cambridge.

FARAWAY LANDS AND MYSTICAL KINGDOMS ARE A LOVELY STARTING POINT Emma Lycett, founder and director at Hibou Home (01580 243188, www. hibouhome.com), which offers a stylish range of muted wallpapers and fabrics, gives her advice on creating a magical girl’s room: “Choose timeless, classic designs inspired by nature that will evoke happy childhood memories and transform bedrooms into a magical lair that children

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will love. Charming wallpapers featuring delightful woodland animals and forest folk will conjure up visions of countryside surroundings and bring the outdoors right into the home. Create a harmonious interior look with a soothing and fresh colour palette of duck-egg blues, stone greys and mint greens that not only draw on the colours of nature but will also create the perfect backdrop to go in a little ones’ nurseries and bedrooms.”

Hanna Wendelbo-Hansson, creative director at Swedish interior brand Sandberg (www.sandbergwallpaper.com), suggests taking inspiration from fairy tales: “Faraway lands and mystical kingdoms are a lovely starting point to create a sprinkling of magic in your young child’s room. Hanging canopies is the simplest way of doing this and let the children’s imaginations invent the rest. Layer different patterns together to create a gently invigorating space for your young ones to spend time.”

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ABOVE & RIGHT Vital space: Star wallpaper, £70 per roll, from Hibou Home is grown up and neutral enough for teens (01892 511867, www.hibouhome.com). RIGHT Ideal for studying is the GLTC Extendable bookend, £28 (0344 848 6000, www.gltc.co.uk). BELOW The Fat Boy beanbag, £159, John Lewis, will make every teen happy (01223 361292, www.johnlewis.com).

AND THEIR DENS When it comes to the teenage years, it’s all about giving them their own space and privacy without compromising on style.

“For teenage rooms the choice is so much more varied,” says Nicky Parkin at Luku Home (020 8943 3683, www. lukuhome.com) “Using interesting lighting from hanging pendants to fairy lights can really give their room that designer edge. Having a seating area is great for teenagers when they have their friends over. Beanbags and colourful small sofas are an economical and fun way to achieve this. Place a funky contemporary rug in the room to add a little extra style.”

Ambient Lounge (0844 579 1112, www. ambientlounge.co.uk) supplies designsavvy beanbag furniture, such as the shelllike Acoustic style and the Avatar Home Cinema Lounger, ideal for teens who want to chill out with friends, watch movies or play computer games.

Storage is also key for keeping rooms in shipshape order. For something a little more grown-up than the usual children’s storage solutions, seek out quirky cabinets. Shimu’s (0800 088 6800, www. shimu.com) brightly lacquered Chinese

cupboards add a sophisticated touch to any room, while the Buddy Larder from Lilly Loray (01788 486 001, www.lillyloray. com) is a versatile option.

Bryony Disbury, founder and designer at Lilly Loray, comments: “Lilly Loray’s Buddy Larder is a great addition to any playroom or den because it’s so versatile. Teenagers always need a helping hand keeping things tidy in their bedroom and the Buddy Larder does just that by adding a touch of style. It can be used as a desk, clothes cabinet, DVD cabinet, music station and/or library. What’s great is the teenager can be creative in using it, making it unique to them.”

Sure to get you in the good books of style-conscious teenagers is choosing funky options for the boring essentials.

Instead of curtains, for example, opt for shutters, such as the solid type available at California Shutters (0800 195 0196, www. californiashutters.co.uk) and paint then in vibrant tones for a youthful feel.

Chrissie Harper, operations manager at California Shutters, gives her tips: “Full height solid-style shutters are a stylish solution and also a practical one for keeping the light out. Keeping the shutters closed will block out all light in the evening, whilst during the day you can open them fully to clear the window and allow the daylight in.”

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Another idea is to swap the bog-standard radiator for a contemporary version, like The Play model at The Radiator Centre (01727 840344, www.theradiatorcentre.com).

As well as giving a hipness to a scheme, managing director Nick Duggan points out it might also be a practical choice: “The Play sits in The Radiator Centre’s efficiency range of radiators. While producing unparalleled levels of heat from its Low-H2O heat exchange it offers a low surface temperature for the more safety conscious. The fun,

WHAT’S GREAT IS THE TEENAGER CAN BE CREATIVE IN USING IT, MAKING IT UNIQUE

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painted MDF panels with pencil proof grille, integrated TRV controls and hidden valves make it an ideal radiator to sit in a young person’s room and not go out of fashion.”

With teenagers becoming increasingly sophisticated in their tastes, it is advisable to include them in all decisions in their room decor. Top of the list is to choose a bed that will stand the test of time.

Adam Black, founder of Button & Sprung (0333 320 1801, www.buttonandsprung. com), makers of handmade beds and

CREATE TEENAGERS’ ROOMS WITH A FUNKY VIBE USING BOLD BLOCKS OF COLOUR mattresses, suggests: “Be bold with your fabric choice, bright colours and patterns are great for a teenager’s room as they can inject a bit of personality and fun into the scheme. If you choose a patterned fabric you must consider how the design repeats and the style of the headboard you’re after.

For complicated prints it is best to keep the headboard design simple, and opt for a plain style, as button backs will distort the pattern and limit your fabric choices.”

Claire Vallis, design director at Harlequin (0845 123 6815, www.harlequin.uk.com) gives her say: “Create teenagers’ rooms with a funky vibe using bold blocks of colour with

THIS IMAGE Choose generic but trendy motifs for teenagers, Stars wallpaper, £70 per roll, Luku Home (020 8943 3683, www.lukuhome.com). BELOW Linens in rebel black such as this Brisa Bed Set in Dusk, from £89, Made.com, will appeal to older children (03442 571888, www.made.com).

BELOW LEFT IMAGES Cambridge Timber Buildings can create a teenage den in the garden, POA (01353 667268, www.cambridgetimberbuildings.com).

a hint of rebel black. Best not to adorn the walls in their favourite fashion as teenagers have been known to change their minds.

Choose generic but trendy motifs that’ll stand the test of time and can be mixed with their current interests and tastes.”

Seek affordable accessories, furniture and bed linens at stores like Dunelm (0345 165 6565, www.dunelm-mill.com) and Made. com, which stock teen-friendly Piggy Bags and sofa beds, ideal for friends staying over.

Finally, for those who want their own space, why not invest in a purpose-built

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garden room. Stacia Greenaway, director at Cambridge Timber Buildings, (01353 667268, www.cambridgetimberbuildings. com) suggests space away from the house could be the ultimate teen den: “We work with clients to devise the best space to fit with their family needs,” she says. “An increasing number of people use gardens as extensions of the home. For older teens who crave their own space, a modern garden room can be the ideal solution. It can be set up as a den, a games room or even a study for those who need some independence.”

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