Cambridge Property Edition September by Bright Publishing

Brought to you by Cambridge Edition

SEPTEMBER 2014

www.cambsedition.co.uk

CAMBRIDGE: THE FASTEST PLACE TO SELL A HOUSE IN THE UK?

PROPERTY NEWS

BOOMTOWN BULLETIN

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TURN OVER FOR

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WELCOME

s summer slides away, autumn marks the start of one of the busiest times in the property calendar. According to a recent study, most people should aim to put their homes on the market by mid-September to be in with a chance of selling up and being settled in their new pad by Christmas. But a story which hit national headlines last month heralded good news for Cambridge sellers. Our city has been identified as having one of the quickest selling times in the country, with the average time between a house first going on the market and being sold coming in at 27 days. That gives you plenty of time to fit in your Christmas shopping. There’s certainly been some frenzied activity in the city centre of late, and some wonderful houses are due to come onto the market very soon. We’ve highlighted a few of our favourites from the current offerings, including a splendid traditional townhouse on Maids Causeway, overlooking Midsummer Common. It’s one of the most iconic residential properties in town; take a tour on page 12. Then, in our new feature on page 13, we’ve picked a city centre property, one in the suburbs and another that’s truly away from it all. We all know that location is one of the most important factors when choosing a property, but this desirable trio demonstrate that there are benefits wherever you look. You’ll also find the latest from Cambridge’s booming new homes market, including details of Middleton Green, the new development off the city’s Milton Road. And we shouldn’t overlook the inside of our homes either, so turn to page 28 to learn the tricks you can employ to make your home eco-friendly and keep up with the latest trends. Be sure to check out our newly launched interiors news section also, bursting with insider knowledge on the local homes and interior design scene.

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

The image featured on this month’s Property & Home Edition cover is courtesy of 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

IS CAMBRIDGE THE PLACE TO SELL A HOUSE FASTEST? Tales of houses selling before you can even view them abound, but are they tall stories or reality? The latter it seems, if Rightmove stats are anything to go by – and Strutt & Parker certainly agree that selling times are short in our booming city

This summer, The Guardian published an article based on statistics from Rightmove claiming that Cambridge has the quickest average selling times in Britain. Apparently the average time between a house in Cambridge first appearing on Rightmove.co.uk and being marked as sold is 27 days. This compares with a figure of 41 days on average to sell in Greater London, and an average 65 days across the UK. Says Cameron Ewer of Strutt & Parker, Cambridge: “Whilst we have certainly witnessed some frenzied buying in the city over the last few months, this article perhaps doesn’t tell the whole story.

“I think there have been signs of a cooling in sectors of the market. I see good opportunities for those people who have been waiting to sell and move to the country/villages and I think now is the time to make these moves. With an interest rate rise on the cards and changes in mortgage regulations, as well as having seen a monumental leap in prices over the last year (which can unsettle some people), I think the rest of this year could see growth rates dip in the city and then slow further in the new year as we near the election. However, whilst the market might be cooling it is still going to continue to grow so no need to panic.

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He adds: “Following growth of 20 per cent over a 12-month period from June to June the disparity between city house prices and village/country houses is probably at its greatest point currently, but that’s far from saying that the village markets have not been growing also, as they certainly have. Therefore for those who have perhaps been holding off selling to capitalise on the city growth and then make a lifestyle change and move out to the villages and rural properties, in my opinion, there is no better time to do that than in the forthcoming months.” www.struttandparker.com

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PROPERTY

MAIDS CAUSEWAY, CAMBRIDGE One of the most recognisable residential properties in Cambridge, part of the ‘Dolls House’ row on Maids Causeway, has come up for sale through Savills. The Grade II listed end-of-terrace has views over Midsummer Common and a superb central location, just a short walk from the main shops and amenities, with Cambridge railway station easily accessible too. The elegant townhouse, which

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has accommodation over four floors, dates from circa 1810 and retains many period features throughout. From the hallway, which features stripped wooden flooring, the accommodation extends to an attractive drawing room with large sash window, a study, cloakroom, dining room and well-appointed kitchen with utility room. On the top floors, the master bedroom to the front overlooks

the Common. There are three further bedrooms and an upstairs bathroom. Outside, the property benefits from both front and rear gardens, including a southfacing rear garden with mature trees. A single garage is also provided. This magnificent family home has a guide price of £1,350,000. Contact 01223 347147 for details. www.savills.com

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PROPERTY

IN TOWN... QUEEN EDITH'S WAY A spacious, well presented apartment with an enviable location is being offered for sale through Strutt & Parker. The property, on Queen Edith's Way, is situated on the ground floor and comes with three sizeable double bedrooms, two bathrooms and an open-plan kitchen/living/dining room plus allocated parking and landscaped communal gardens. The leafy south-city location puts the property within easy reach of the railway station, Addenbrooke's hospital and many of the city's top schools, while the city centre is just two miles distant. The property is part of a stylish development of just 14 homes built around three years ago. Offers in excess of £535,000 are invited. Call 01223 459501 to arrange a viewing. www.struttandparker.com

OUT OF TOWN… BAKERS FIELD, DRY DRAYTON Constructed in 2002, this spacious village property in Bakers Field, Dry Drayton, is one of just six properties situated in a quiet, leafy cul-de-sac. The house is well presented throughout and ideally suited to the modern family. It includes five bedrooms, three bathrooms (two en suite), three reception rooms, an office/study, kitchen/utility room and a double garage. A good-size garden, laid to lawn, can be found to the rear. This property is within five miles of Cambridge and on the market for £750,000. Contact Carter Jonas on 01223 855887 to arrange a viewing. www.carterjonas.co.uk

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AWAY… THE STREET, LIDGATE Those in search of a quiet, picturesque village location would do well to consider Walnut Tree Cottage, situated in the heart of the village of Lidgate, near Newmarket. The property, which is Grade II listed, is within walking distance of the village pub and easy reach of other local amenities, including a school, shop and health club. Inside, the character of the house has been sympathetically preserved. Period features include timber beams, open fireplaces and an original bread oven. There are three double bedrooms, a kitchen/ dining room, cloakroom, living room, cosy snug/fourth bedroom and two first-floor bathrooms. Outside, there is a driveway for two cars, together with a pretty lawned front garden with cherry tree, while a large mature garden is to the rear. The property is for sale at £545,000. For more information contact Savills: 01223 347147. www.savills.com

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PROPERTY

STRUTT & PARKER: WHAT IS THE ‘LONDON POUND’ WORTH IN CAMBRIDGE? House prices in London are now higher, relative to the rest of the country, than they have ever been, reports Nationwide, which has led Strutt & Parker to come up with a currency exchange rate showing what a ‘London pound’ can buy elsewhere in the country. Comparing the price of the average detached home in inner London, currently £1,537,232, to values of similar properties nationwide, Strutt & Parker estimates the London pound is worth anything from £3 in the Cotswolds to £5 in the West Country, to a staggering £9 in the Highlands and Islands – making it a very hard currency indeed. “In the commuter-belt locations, such as Cambridge or St Albans, the London pound is worth £2,” explains Cameron Ewer of Strutt & Parker’s Cambridge office. “To reach the £3 mark – tripling your purchasing power – you have to head further out to the classic spots such as Hampshire, South Oxfordshire and the Cotswolds.” While moving out to the Cotswolds for example might be a longer commute, the buying power is very attractive. Selling a £2 million four-bedroom terrace with patio garden in Battersea could buy a historic Cotswolds home with several acres. James Mackenzie, head of the country house department at Strutt & Parker, said: “We sold more properties over £2 million in the Cotswolds than anywhere else in the country last year – and those were mostly to Londoners moving out.” A place that stands out in the figures is Canterbury, at £5. With journey times of less than an hour from St Pancras to the Kent city, it’s surprising comments Stephanie McMahon, head of research at Strutt & Parker: “It’s the same price level as the West Country, but much closer to London.” What makes Canterbury’s £5 figure doubly notable is that in similar historic cities, such as our own, and again with a similar commuting time, the London pound is worth just £2. What is less surprising perhaps is that the north-south divide is confirmed by the figures. From the Midlands northwards, the London pound is worth £6-7, on average, in most regions. The exception is north-east Scotland, where it’s worth just £5, buoyed by oil-rich Aberdeen. As well as the London pound, there’s the ‘prime London pound’ for those owning property in the Westminster, and Kensington and Chelsea boroughs. This is the most valuable currency, at £8 in Greater London, £17 in the south-west and rising to an astonishing £27 in Wales. www.struttandparker.com

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BIDWELLS: HOUSE PRICES CONTINUE TO RISE One of the UK’s leading property consultancies, Bidwells recently conducted research which revealed that house prices accelerated faster in the last three months of 2013 and the first quarter of 2014 than at any other period in almost a decade. This supports an earlier report from the Nationwide Building Society, which concluded that London house prices had risen by 25.8 per cent over the past year in spite of the recent reduction in the rate of increase in house prices in the capital. “Despite the recent market correction, the overall national, London and Cambridge market trend is an increase across the board,” said Chris Carey, partner at Bidwells. “Whilst it is true that international investors have fuelled prices in London, the Home Counties and Cambridge in particular have seen very significant price rises over the last 12-18 months. “That’s probably because affordability is now such a serious issue for most people in London that they have started making lifestyle choices about where and how they live. From our experience, affordability, accessibility (to London) and quality of life now appear to outweigh the desire for a home in London.” Whilst the fear of another ‘housing bubble’ prompted the Bank of England to introduce new measures to correct the market‚ Carey believes that natural market forces will create inherent self-correction mechanisms, but the attraction of long-term capital growth in the market will result in a sustained long-term rise in house prices. www.bidwells.co.uk

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PROPERTY

WORDS NICOLA FOLEY

BOOMTOWN BULLETIN

The latest from Cambridge’s new property developments

KALEIDOSCOPE: 95% RESERVED & COUNTING If you fancy owning an apartment at Kaleidoscope, you’d best act quick as there is just a handful of homes remaining at Crest Nicholson’s sought-after development on Brooklands Avenue. In its infancy, the Kaleidoscope scheme was one of the largest of its kind to enter the Cambridge housing market, offering a total of 408 apartments with one, two or three bedrooms, as well as 125 affordable dwellings. Appealing to both occupiers and investors, the scheme has proved a popular

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choice for property buyers in the city, and is now just over 95 per cent sold. Those who have invested have already been rewarded, with capital values increasing over 60 per cent from launch and yields averaging around five per cent over the same period. “Having been selling agents for the development since launch, Bidwells have discussed the scheme with many purchasers and have been well placed to offer comment regarding growth, specification and the comparison against other schemes in the city," comments

Rebecca Wilson of Bidwells. "The purchasers have included those buying for their own occupation as well as investment. Bidwells currently manage over 90 apartments at Kaleidoscope, with very few void periods, and with some of the original investment landlords benefiting from over ten per cent return on capital since launch.” A small selection of two-bedroom apartments, starting from £385,000, are still available to buy. Contact Bidwells on 01223 841842 for more information. www.crestnicholson.com/kaleidoscope

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PROPERTY

MIDDLETON GREEN Combining peace and comfort with an easily accessible location, the Middleton Green development on Milton Road, Cambridge, is proving popular with homebuyers looking for a retreat from the hustle and bustle of the city. A joint venture from two leading regional companies – Enterprise Urban and Laragh Homes (who have created eight joint schemes in prime locations in and around Cambridge and surrounding villages), the site is already 50 per cent sold. Situated in its own private cul de sac accessed by a long driveway, the development consists of just 13 homes and features seven thoughtfully conceived house styles and designs offering three-, four- or five-bedroom layouts. The properties within, which range in price from £495,000 to £725,000, boast luxurious touches throughout including designer kitchens with Siemens stainless steel integrated appliances and composite stone worktops. Elsewhere in the homes you’ll find oak panel doors with stainless steel handles, and sleek and contemporary light switches, whilst the stylish bathrooms offer Duravit sanitaryware and Hansgrohe taps as well as underfloor heating. Each home has its own private garden and garage, and local amenities include a range of small independent shops, express supermarkets, pubs and restaurants. The development is just a short walk or cycle from the green spaces at Stourbridge Common, Milton Country Park and Jesus Green, and benefits from its proximity to Milton Road Primary School. Contact Savills on 01223 347000 for more information. www.savills.co.uk

A competition is running for children aged between seven and 11 to draw their dream home. Entrants should send their drawings in stating their name, age, contact details and which school they attend, on the reverse of their drawing, by 17 October. The prize for the best drawing will be an iPod Touch and a £250 contribution to their school’s PTA.

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PROPERTY

£49.9 MILLION DEAL SIGNED WITH SKANSKA FOR NORTH WEST CAMBRIDGE DEVELOPMENT Situated on farmland between Huntingdon Road, Madingley Road and the M11, the North West Cambridge Development is the largest single capital project that the University of Cambridge has undertaken in its 800-year history. Designed to meet the evolving needs of the university, the master plan for the site includes 3,000 homes, 2,000 postgraduate student spaces, 100,000 square metres of research space and community facilities including a primary school, nursery, doctors’ surgery, supermarket and retail units.

The contract for the site-wide infrastructure, worth £49.9 million and scheduled for completion in spring 2017, has been awarded to Scandinavian construction firm Skanska – also responsible for residential development Seven Acres in Trumpington. Features of the site will include the largest rainwater recycling system in the country and extensive soft landscaping projects, including the planting of more than 2,400 trees across the 150-hectare site. “The University’s investment in infrastructure reflects the deep

Above: Greg Craig and Gavin Heaphy. Image courtesy of Dave Webb

commitment to creating a high-quality urban development that will benefit not only the future residents, but also neighbouring communities,” says Gavin Heaphy, construction director of the North West Cambridge Development. “The complex logistics behind the infrastructure, coupled with the ambitious levels of sustainability, make this a really great opportunity for Skanska to join the team and to work with us to create a lasting legacy for the University and the wider area.” www.nwcambridge.co.uk

HELP TO BUILD SCHEME WELCOMED The Federation of Master Builders (FMB) has welcomed the Labour Party’s proposed Help to Build Scheme as a means of helping smaller construction firms secure finance and make their way into the market. Designed to kick-start the housing supply in the UK and address the shortage of new homes from small and medium enterprise (SME) housebuilding companies, Help to Build would provide government guarantees on loans, thus allowing smaller firms to enter the market. “Small housebuilders have suffered very badly over recent years,” says Brian Berry, Chief Executive of the FMB. “They used to build two-thirds of all new homes but they are now building just over a quarter and much of this reduction has happened in the past six years. This has inevitably had an impact on the overall capacity of the industry to build the number of new homes we need. The main barrier to SME housebuilders building more homes is the difficulty they face accessing finance on viable terms. Until this problem is addressed the large number of small building firms that have diversified away from building homes won’t re-enter the market.” www.fmb.org.uk

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INTERIORS NEWS

A MONTHLY GUIDE TO WHAT'S HOT IN THE WORLD OF CAMBRIDGE INTERIOR DESIGN

FARROW & BALL WALLPAPER LAUNCH Pretty prints and timeless patterns are all the rage when it comes to personalising our walls. This month, Farrow & Ball will add four new wallpapers to their range, created using traditional methods and the highest quality paints. These latest offerings draw inspiration from classic Japanese design and craftsmanship and capture the current trend for shibori. Styles are available in soft, neutral and earthy tones to striking brights and italics. The new wallpapers launch on 1 September, and Farrow & Ball’s Regent Street shop is celebrating with a party on 9 September, 6-8pm, complete with champagne, Japanese-inspired cocktails and canapés. Readers of Cambridge Edition are invited to reserve a place by calling 01223 367771. www.farrow-ball.com

SUSIE WATSON This month we discovered beautiful homeware store Susie Watson Designs, a hub of quality, handmade items that will add cheer to any room. Her products, including bedding and quilts, home accessories, pottery and more, have a natural feel and are all made by people, not machines! She has a great wedding list service too, if you like the idea of kitting out your love nest in Susie’s gorgeous crafty style. We’re particularly enamoured of the button-backed armchair and handpainted candlesticks, and her unique handpainted tiles would perk up any kitchen or bathroom. Starting out from a gallery in Notting Hill, this month she opens a shop in Cambridge’s Green Street. www.susiewatsondesigns.co.uk

HOME AFFAIRS RELOCATION Interior design consultants Home Affairs, which offer bespoke, creative advice on how to make your home both practical and beautiful, have relocated from their Victorian townhouse to much larger premises, a design studio in Ashwell. Home Affairs have been established in Cambridge for more than 20 years and have designed all sorts of interior spaces, from modern apartments to traditional country homes. Run by passionate and friendly individuals, they can offer expert advice and inspiration on making the best of your home. Check out their portfolio online or call in. www.homeaffairsinteriors.co.uk

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INTERIORS NEWS

EADONSTONE Eadonstone Limited, a family business based in Bottisham, is excited to be launching a brand new showroom on Friday 26 September. Eadonstone will provide customers with an extensive range of kitchens, stone surfaces and ceramics and brings together the expertise and craftsmanship of a long-established stone-masonry business and an independent kitchen retailer. In fact, a previous customer loved the product and service so much, he invested in the company! Darren Phillips, who has 20 years’ experience of running a London based interior design company, is excited to be launching the new company, explaining: “This is a great opportunity to give Cambridge what it needs; a new kitchen showroom showcasing premium quality brands, including Charles Yorke and Mereway Kitchens”. To complement your bespoke kitchen, Eadonstone has an extensive range of granite, marble and Silestone quartz available, as well as a diverse selection of specially sourced porcelain and ceramic tiles. Their qualified in-house design team will take time to understand your needs and help you create your ideal kitchen. Eadonstone’s experience and professional service, teamed with outstanding quality products, will ensure customers’ needs are always their top priority. To mark the launch, Eadonstone has teamed up with Alex Rushmer, Cambridge Edition food writer and renowned head chef at ‘The Hole In The Wall’, to offer a special incentive. Those placing an order on a Charles Yorke kitchen before the end of October will be treated to a dinner party, hosted by Alex, who will cook for them in their new kitchen. Come and meet the team for champagne and canapes at the launch party, Friday 26 September. www.eadonstone.co.uk

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INTERIORS

DOILY FRAME INDIGO £12 BERRY RED

ABIGAIL AHERN FRAME NOW £7.50 DEBENHAMS

SPECTRUM FRAME £35 BERRY RED

IN THE Show off your favourite snaps with these super stylish photo frames NAUTICAL SECTIONAL FRAME £36 IN-SPACES

ZIGZAG FRAME £20 ZIGZAG HOUSE

GEO BRIGHTS MULTI FRAME £59 OLIVER BONAS

NEON IKAT DIAMOND PHOTO FRAME BY DESERVEDLY-SO £29.50 WWW.NOTONTHEHIGHSTREET.COM

COPPER PORTRAIT FRAME £10 OLIVER BONAS

ORIA 4X6 BONE FRAME £20 PAPERCHASE

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ORNATE BOX FRAME £35 ARK

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WORDS CHARLOTTE ABRAHAMS

HOMES Being planet-friendly needn't mean compromising on style. Make your home a little greener with our guide to sustainable interiors and eco decorating

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INTERIORS

ECO FRIENDLY Jangneus Spoons Dishcloths, made using 100% natural materials (cellulose and cotton) are 100% biodegradable. £2.95 (01865 988074; www.jangneus.com)

EARTHBORN Clay-based emulsion in on-trend shades such as Ruby Red (01928 734171; www.earthbornpaints.com)

nergy efficiency is a hot issue. Insulation, heat pumps and solar panels may not be the most glamorous things, but there’s no denying that they’re becoming increasingly fashionable, as even those people still unconvinced by the evidence of climate change are alarmed into action by their ever-increasing fuel bills. This month, the residents of Cambridge will have the chance to explore the realities of eco living and get inspired thanks to Cambridge Carbon Footprint’s Open Eco Homes project. Now in its fifth year, Open Eco Homes (OEH) is a free community event aimed at providing first-hand information about energy-efficient homes. On 14 and 20 September, 18 homes will open their doors to the public. The majority are older properties which have been retrofitted with pioneering green technology, like the four-storey, multi-occupancy Victorian house on Huntingdon Road that has cut fuel bills

from £5,500 per year to £1,780, thanks to the interventions of renewable energy and heating company Cernunnos, one of Open Eco Homes sponsors (see page 36). But there are also two exciting new build homes to view: Madingley Road, with its sedum roof, ground source heat pump

TABLE LAMP Handcrafted from an upcycled demijohn bottle. Deya (Blue) Demijohn Lamp £160 (01291 672643; www.humblesticks.co.uk)

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INTERIORS

WOODLANDS WALLPAPER Printed in England with eco friendly inks on paper from sustainable forests. £65 per roll (02086917770; www.sianzeng.com)

This home on Madingley Road is one of two new builds on the Open Eco Homes register

and hemp and wood fibre insulation and a semi-subterranean terrace on North Street. “40 per cent of the UK’s carbon emissions come from buildings,” says Amy Ross, project co-ordinator at Open Eco Homes, “so home owners can make a big difference by saving money and reducing the energy required to heat their houses. “Past visitors to OEH have said that visiting the properties and talking to the owners made them feel better informed about the subject of home energy, more motivated to change their behaviour in simple ways and more knowledgeable about local, suitable products, installers and suppliers.” To book visits and for more information about OEH and the five followup events, contact 01223 301842; www. openecohomes.org. Cutting energy consumption is important but it’s not the only thing you can do to boost the green credentials of your home.

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HARRYS GARDEN Contemporary bird wallpaper, £48 per roll (07889 465552; www.louisebody.com)

Wallpaper: Aranami BP 4604 - £90 per 10m roll Wall: Dayroom Yellow™ No.233 Estate® Emulsion, £36 per 2.5L. Fireplace: Lulworth Blue® No.89 Estate® Eggshell. £36 per 2.5L. All available at Farrow & Ball (01223 367771; www.farrow-ball.com

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INTERIORS

WASTE NOT WANT NOT The Pallet light costs just £10 (www.studiomama. com)

SHOWSTOPPER Chrome crystal Marilyn lamp, £917.99 (01752 561594; www.letslighting. com)

INGENIUS REIMAGINING Pallet chair from Studio Mama, £10 (www.studiomama.com)

FACTORYTWENTYONE Pendant Lamp Shade is made out of recycled pallets and can be custom designed. £39.99 (www.factorytwentyone.co.uk)

VINTAGE INDUSTRIAL Lighting by GEC Skinflint. This light was salvaged from an electrical substation in London, circa 1930. £185 (01326 565227; www.skinflintdesign.co.uk)

AND LIGHTING Gone are the days when eco furniture meant compromising on style: today every designer worthy of the name is reusing, renewing and recycling. Rapidly rising star Sebastian Cox (02083 165679; www. sebastiancox.co.uk), for example, creates his beautifully simple, timeless pieces from coppiced hazel and other British hardwoods. “I make well crafted, visually lightweight furniture that you can live with for many years,” Cox says. “Sustainability is not just about materials, it’s about consuming less.” His latest collection is a highly textured chestnut and ash range for British brand Benchmark (Lath Bench, £690; Lath Chair, £390; Shake Cabinet £2,800 from Benchmark, 01488 608020; www.benchmarkfurniture.com). Cutting down the amount we consume is the motivation behind the booming interest in upcycling – the art of giving old and discarded pieces a new lease of life. Cambridge café The Urban Shed, with its tables made from wooden cable spools

and hessian coffee bean sack curtains, is a brilliant example of what can be achieved with a bit of imagination (01223 324888; www.theurbanshed.com), and skill of course. Anyone with two left thumbs is probably better off buying an already reimagined piece such as one of Zoe Murphy’s re-veneered and gloriously painted cabinets (07780 574314; www. zoemurphy.com). Alternatively, Studio Mama’s Nina Tolstrup has published the making instructions for her witty and ingenious pallet floor light and chairs (www.studiomama.com). Low-energy lighting has come a long way since the days of slow, faint eco bulbs. LEDs, which are lit by electrons moving about in a semi-conductor, are the most efficient lights on the market, using a tenth of the electricity of a halogen bulb. Online lighting store www.letslighting.com sells a huge range of CE approved LED lights, ranging from the purely functional to the seriously showstopping such as the Marilyn chandelier pictured to the left. “The use of LED lighting is nothing but beneficial to the consumer,” says company director Benjamin Davis. “You may pay a little more in the first place, but in the long term, they help to reduce utility costs and because they offer such flexibility of colour, they are brilliant aesthetically too.” Davis also suggests that LEDs may have potential health benefits. “LED lights can assist in providing an optimum amount of light at the right colour temperatures throughout the day to assist in the production of hormones which control the biological clock,” he says.

IMAGES Lath Bench, £690; Lath Chair, £390; Shake Cabinet, £2,800 (01488 608020; www.benchmarkfurniture.com)

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INTERIORS

Decorating with environmentallyfriendly products has never been easier. “Historically, eco paints have been seen as not having a very broad range of colours,” says Cathryn Helsby, marketing executive at eco paint specialists Earthborn Paints, “but we’re really working on that and we now have 60 colours in the standard range.” Their clay-based emulsion is available in some of the new season’s most on-trend shades, including the deliciously rich Ruby Red (clay-based emulsion from £31.70 for 2.5 litres, 01928 734171; www. earthbornpaints.co.uk). Auro also stocks an excellent range of natural paints (01452 772020; www.auro.co.uk). Many wallpaper producers are now making papers from sustainably managed

GILDED GLORY Little Greene's wallpapers are printed on FSC or PEFC approved paper. Bonaparte Pure Gold, £52 per roll (0845 680 2183; www.littlegreene.com)

KIND SHELVES From the Underwood Collection by Sebastian Cox, POA (020 8316 5679; www.sebastiancox.co.uk) MARGATE 3 DRAWER Chest by Zoe Murphy, £1,055 (01843 447445; www.zoemurphy.com)

OLD COLANDER LIGHTS £48 from Re-Found Objects, (01434 634567; www.re-foundobjects.com)

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timber sources (look for FSC certification) and water-based inks. Mother and daughter design studio Miss Print, for example, specialise in environmentallyfriendly papers printed with pleasing graphic designs such as Chevron and Kaleidoscope (01277 350581; www. missprint.co.uk). Little Greene also print all their wallpaper on paper from FSC or PEFC certificated sustainable forests (so for every tree used, four more are planted) using non-toxic inks. They also sell a readymixed, solvent-free paste (£16.40 for 2.5kg, 0845 680 2183; www.littlegreene.com). Eco living: it’s cheaper, healthier, beautiful and utterly contemporary. What’s not to love?

ECO-FRIENDLY PAPER Chevron wallpaper, £59.95 a roll (01277 350581; www.missprint.co.uk)

RECYCLED GLASSES Set of 6, £25 (0845 474 1747; www. decoratorsnotebook.co.uk) EMERALD ZIGZAG Eco Throw, from 80% recycled cotton and 20% acrylic. £130 (www.zigzaghouse.co.uk)

OUPS Medium standing lamp, £192 (01784 605604; www.darwinshome.com)

Eco living: it’s cheaper, healthier, beautiful and utterly contemporary. What’s not to love?

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ADVERTISEMENT FEATURE

WHY SEPTEMBER IS THE MONTH TO MAKE YOUR HOME TRULY ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY As residents of the city open up to showcase their eco renovations and Cambridge’s first renewable design centre launches, there is no better time to take advantage of what Cambridge Open Eco homes has to offer As well as our university, Cambridge is becoming more and more associated with its green credentials. Data from the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) in June of this year showed that we had the most solar installations in the country. Indeed, lowering our environmental impact is something we value. More than a third of Cantabrigians commute to school or work by bike. These achievements are certainly something we should be proud of, however there is a desire to do more. That is, to make buildings lower their carbon footprint further and be cost-effective to run, but where to start? The topic can be a minefield of so-called experts peddling expensive solutions, and ecobling products for problems that often don’t exist. Indeed, the hard sales approach and expense of renewables can lead to a paralysis on what and whom to trust.

Step forward Cambridge Open Eco homes. This is an annual, free, community event when 18 householders open up their homes to the public on 14 and 20 September. Pioneering the latest in renewable technologies and eco renovations, it is an opportunity to see and explore what they did and how they did it, first-hand. In particular there will be the chance to hear their stories and understand the challenges and of course the many benefits and positive impacts switching to renewables has made to their lives. Highlights of the properties to see are a large Victorian house of multiple occupancy that makes money even when people forget to turn the lights off, and a house built partly underground. The grand finale will be the relaunch of Top Farm Barn, a Grade II listed barn dating back to the 17th century. Based in a beautiful conservation area, the barn has been transformed into a centre of excellence for renewable energy technology. Completing a fully sustainable retrofit whilst protecting the special heritage features of the barn is a

PLANNING

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SUPPLY

remarkable achievement by Cernunnos – a family-run renewable energy company. The barn will be a functional display base allowing Cernunnos to advise, design, and install renewable technologies for local residents and businesses. Partnering with Cambridge Carbon Footprint, Cernunnos will also be providing a series of free follow-up practical workshops on what to do next in the journey of making your home truly environmentally friendly.

Visitors can book online via www. openecohomes.org for tours: four a day on Sunday 14 and Saturday 20 September. RSVP online to book your place at the launch of Cernunnos’s new renewable energy centre on Friday 26 or Saturday 27 September www.cernunnos-homes. co.uk/news-reviews/launch-event/

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The Barn, Top Farm, Fowlmere Road, Newton, Cambridge, CB22 7PG Tel: 01223 852267 SIGN UP TO THE EDIT NEWSLETTER AT CAMBSEDITION.CO.UK

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Cambridgeshire already has an impressive reputation as a green region (according to data from the Department of Energy and Climate Change, the county is believed to have more solar panels than anywhere else in the UK) and it is about to be enhanced further by renewable energy specialists Cernunnos at The Barn at Top Farm. Cernunnos, which is a sponsor of Cambridge Open Eco Homes 2014, was founded by brothers Peter and Andy McKeown in 2011 but this is their first full-scale showroom. “The idea is to show the technology in action,” says Peter McKeown. “Most of our clients live in old, rural houses so by moving our showroom into something similar, we are able to show exactly what can be done.” The Barn at Top Farm boasts a full range of renewable technologies including solar panels and lighting, biomass systems, heat pumps, smart radiators and thermostats.

Cernunnos has also looked at its waste management and, inspired by the upcycling the brothers saw at The Urban Shed, decided to try and reuse the wooden pallets their stock was delivered on. “We have made them into kitchens and chopped them up to sell as kindling,” says Peter. “This showroom is all about inspiring people to find ways to live on less.”

The showroom opens to the public on 26 September and, in partnership with Cambridge Carbon Footprint, will be hosting a follow-up workshop on 15 October about how to make serious energy-efficient savings. For more information and to book your place at the launch party, contact 0845 680 2183; www. cernunnos-homes.co.uk.

CASE STUDY:

THE GROUNDHOUSE, BRITTANY As featured on Channel 4’s Grand Designs Local company Kloeber worked with their clients on this impressive eco project in Brittany which had very specific objectives. The plan was to build a fully sustainable eco home which was light, open and invited easy movement throughout the house. Kloebers Eurofold timber folding sliding doors were an ideal solution, ticking many boxes of the client’s eco requirements. All Kloeber’s timber products are FSC certified and have excellent U-value ratings with options of both double and triple glazing with

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Argon or Krypton gas. The folding doors allow the whole front of the house to be completely opened to the south terrace, enabling a seamless living space in the summer months. Kloeber’s timber Eurofold doors start at around £2000 plus VAT (excluding delivery and fitting). For further details on Kloeber’s full glazing range of set size or bespoke bifold doors in timber or aluminium and complimentary glazing in timber, aluminium or composite, contact 01487 740044; www.kloeber.co.uk.

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