l r, or ca e o lo ap r d ur y p ou Yo ert to y op d pr ere liv de
London & Southern Edition
December 2014/January 2015
AUCTIONS P4 MORTGAGES P9 REGIONAL NEWS P25 GARDENING P52 INTERIORS P61
Stamp duty reform –
how does it affect you? P14
How to be the Bank of Mum and Dad Helping your kids buy a home, P3
– review P17
Triple Award Winners. Two golds and a bronze for Best Luxury Development, Best Interior Design and Best Apartment Scheme.
www.millgatehomes.co.uk
London, Kent, Sussex, Surrey, Hampshire, Isle of Wight – Find your new home at Whathouse.com
A vibrant new community in the heart of Twickenham
Contemporary two bed apartments available from award-winning developer, St James
Perfectly located opposite the railway station and just 25 minutes from London Waterloo, Brewery Wharf is set to become a vibrant new destination with a collection of brand new apartments set around a landscaped public piazza. With over 80% of apartments now sold there are just a handful remaining, each offering a luxurious specification which includes fully fitted kitchens with integrated Smeg appliances, herringbone wood flooring to reception room, carpets to bedrooms, private outside space and access to the private landscaped courtyard garden. Residents’ only parking is also available* in the gated underground car park. 2 Bedroom apartments from £550,000 Book your appointment to view our Show Home on 020 3355 9957 or register at www.brewery-wharf.co.uk Sales and Marketing Suite at Brewery Wharf, Brewery Lane, off London Road, Twickenham, TW1 1AA Open daily from 10am to 5pm (with late night opening until 7pm every Wednesday)
Proud to be a member of the Berkeley Group of companies
*Parking by separate negotiation and at an additional cost. Computer generated images are indicative only and subject to change.
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bank of mum and dad 3
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Parental guidance D
e spite the success of the government-backed Help to Buy scheme, first-time buyers are still finding it difficult to get on to the property ladder, with rising prices only part of the problem. The pension reforms announced in this year’s Budget and interest rates remaining at historic lows have nudged more people into property investment, with cash-rich investors enjoying preferential mortgage rates and targeting the same properties as first-time buyers. Indeed, in a market
PAY THE DEPOSIT The simplest way to help (if you have the money available) is to gift your child enough money to pay the deposit for a home. While an ideal figure would be around 20-25% of the overall value, acceptable mortgage rates can be achieved with a 10% deposit, and the Help to Buy scheme can be accessed with just 5%. If you don’t want to simply gift the money, you can instead loan it your child. If you choose to take this route, ensure you protect your interests by setting up a clear repayment schedule. Alternatively, you could have a ‘deed of trust’ drawn up by a solicitor allowing you to get your money back when the property is sold.
GUARANTOR MORTGAGE A guarantor mortgage is partially underwritten by another person. Typically aimed at those who lack a high enough income to meet lender criteria, these loans allow the income and any debt from the guarantor used as part of the application
This type of mortgage is a longterm commitment for both sides and the credit rating of both the borrower and parent can be damaged in the event of a default. Becoming a guarantor can also lock up your longterm borrowing power.
where demand for affordable property far outstrips supply, the average age of a first-time buyer has reached 36. It is natural that many parents want to help in any way they can. Around of half of first-time buyers receive help from their parents, with statistics from the housing charity Shelter showing they contribute an average of £23,000 each, an increase of £6,000 on last year’s figure. So what can parents do to help their children take this crucial step? the money in the future should your needs change. Quite simply, your contributions will reduce the overall debt, while any withdraws you make will see it rise again.
JOINT OWNERSHIP
These mortgages allow you to earn interest on your savings while helping your child on to the ladder. If you have a minimum of £20,000 in a savings account, the money can be used as a guarantee against mortgage debt, allowing your child to secure a 95% mortgage at a preferential rate. The only downside is that the savings set aside must remain untouched until the specified amount of the mortgage debt is paid.
Take out a joint mortgage and officially share responsibility for its monthly repayments, with a deed of trust laying out repayment terms and consequences for each party. The major caveat to joint ownership is the considerable tax implications at stake: you will be subject to capital gains tax and possibly inheritance tax. Even though you are related, you should still seek advice and consider your options very carefully before choosing joint ownership, as if your child fails to make their repayment you will be required to take on the debt.
OFFSET MORTGAGE
BUY-TO-LET
An offset mortgage allows you to pay some of your child’s mortgage either as a lump sum or by making fixed payments, under the understanding that you will be able to withdraw
If your child cannot access the property ladder even with your help, you could consider purchasing a second home and allowing your child to live there, either rent free or otherwise. This
MUTUALLY EXCLUSIVE MORTGAGE
course of action is particularly popular with parents whose children are heading to university. Of course, a buy-to-let investment has different considerations of its own. Investors become landlords, so you will need to pay income tax on any rental income, and as the property isn’t your main residence you could also be subject to capital gains tax when you come to sell.
USING YOUR OWN HOME You can use your current home to raise cash for your child by borrowing money in the form of a secured loan. Finding the right deal is absolutely vital, and remember to do your research as your both your own home and your child’s will be at risk if things go wrong. Alternatively, you can use a Lifetime Mortgage to borrow money against your home. These equity release schemes essentially boil down to giving you child their inheritance early, with the money being repaid from your estate on your death. You will not have to make any repayments, but interest will of course be added to the lump sum due.
EXPERT ADVICE
FINANCE Adrian Anderson, director of mortgage broker Anderson Harris
“ Deposits remain the biggest barrier to first-time buyers getting on the housing ladder. A gifted deposit sits better with a lender than a loan, as the latter will affect how much the applicant can borrow as the repayments will be factored into their affordability. “ A joint mortgage is another option. The parent goes on the mortgage as a joint applicant but not on the deeds, so there should be no capital gains tax liability when the property is sold. Lenders tend to favour this ahead of the guarantor option. “ A family offset mortgage allows a family member to link a savings account to a mortgage so that the interest that would have been earned on the savings is offset against the loan. The advantage to this is that savings remain the possession of the saver and can be accessed at any time.”
INCENTIVES Andrew Loveday, sales director of Countryside Properties
“ We understand the difficulty firsttime buyers face in raising a deposit for a new home, especially if they are already renting and struggling to save each month. With the government-backed Help to Buy scheme continuing to prove to be very successful, buyers need only raise a 5% deposit for a properties under £600,000, but we realise that hopeful buyers might still need some extra help to put an end to renting. “ Therefore we’ve introduced a scheme across some of our sites that if they are still short on their deposit and they can get help from their mum and dad then we will give them £2,000 upon completion of their new home. We’re committed to helping people get that first step on the ladder, so we hope that this offer will see plenty more buyers settle in their new home in 2015.”
Welcome!
D
ecember is often cited as a quiet month for property but try telling that to the estate agents, conveyancers and removal firms who are trying to get their clients into their new home before the festive season. Housebuilders, too, have a very busy run-up to Christmas, as they try to maximise sales and build completions before their year-end. And those of us who write about property will find ourselves in just as much demand over the holiday season as ever. Most property websites have a bumper period, starting on Boxing Day, so your WhatHouse? editorial team won’t be lounging in front of the TV for too long. Of course, for many young people the chances of getting on the property ladder are slim, particularly if they can’t get parental help with a deposit. Some will have been helped by the Chancellor’s revision of Stamp Duty, which could save them several hundred pounds, but for many there’s another 12 months of hard saving to do. They’ll also be keeping their fingers crossed that property prices don’t go racing ahead faster than they can save. Some property experts have predicted a quiet market until the general election in May 2015, which might mean that prices will remain largely static until people know who ends up in power. George Osborne’s changes to Stamp Duty may well have taken the wind out of the sails of some of his political foes, who had been calling for a ‘mansion tax’, though of course it doesn’t rule out the possibility of an additional levy on multi-million pound homes altogether. Meanwhile at the other end of the market, house-hunters in their 20s and 30s might be very glad to sacrifice the usual Christmas fayre of novelty socks and large quantities of chocolate for cold, hard cash to add to their savings. Where there’s a Bank holiday, there’s inevitably a sale and judging by the level of expenditure reported on Black Friday and Cyber Monday, plenty of people are feeling able to spend, spend, spend. So it could be a good winter for traders offering furniture, carpets, appliances and home improvement gear. However you enjoy the festive season, have a happy one and I’ll see you on the other side.
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
Keith
Teuco hydrosonic bath, Bagno splashproof TV and Duravit fittings John Savina from the KeithLewis Osborne, editor. Continental Collection ko@whathouse.com Temperature-controlled wine storage @keithosborne69 in white American oak
4 auctions
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First-time buyers’ guide to buying at auction Is a property auction a good option when buying a home for the first time? Marc Da Silva investigates... of Network Auctions. “All parties have an equal opportunity to bid and contracts are exchanged on the fall of the gavel, which means no gazumping or gazundering. “Any property anywhere can be sold successfully at auction.” To help prepare you in your quest to buy your first property at auction, we asked Roger Lake, founding director Auction House UK, to offer some tips on how to get started:
I
Try to view the property (open days are listed in the catalogue) more than once and if possible take someone with you whose opinion you value as this will help you make a better judgement on the property. against more experienced purchasers, including property investors, can be a rather daunting experience, but it is also one that offers purchasers a real opportunity to bag a bargain. “Both buyers and sellers are waking up to the fact they both benefit from the speed, certainty and transparency of an auction sale,” says Toby Limbrick
When buying property you should always consider having a survey, quotes or reports from builders and specialist tradesmen before you decide to bid on a property, especially if the
It couldn’t be simpler – just ‘follow’ us on Twitter (@What_House) One of our new followers from 9th December 2014 to 15th January 2015 will win £50 in Marks and Spencer vouchers.
It is also important to involve your solicitors in the property buying process at the earliest possible point. Their advice and expertise could prove invaluable before committing to bid.
4. ARRANGE FINANCE • 10% of the purchase price available on the day of the auction (subject to a minimum on low-priced properties) • The remainder of the purchase price and fees in readiness for completion (usually within 28 days of the auction) You can organise this with your financial adviser, bank or through the use of a short-term finance firm.
2. SURVEYS AND REPORTS
A chance to win £50
3. LEGAL PROCESS
You will need:
1. VIEWINGS
f you are currently looking to buy your first home, there are a number of avenues you could go down in order to secure your dream property, but very few offer the sort of value for money properties that can be snapped up at an auction. Bidding for property at a live auction
property may require work, as is the case with many homes sold at auction.
5. BUYING COSTS When setting a budget, including a maximum bid level, also factor in all costs that will occur after a successful
bid, such as professional fees and stamp duty. There will also be an administration fee to be paid to the auctioneers for their services.
6. AUCTION DAY TIPS Always check before the auction that the property you are interested in has not been withdrawn. Arrive at the auction in plenty of time so that you can find the perfect spot offering a clear view of the auctioneer’s rostrum. Last-minute changes to catalogue entries will be handed out on an ‘addendum’ at the auction.
7. AFTER THE HAMMER FALLS Always check before the auction that the property you are interested in has not been withdrawn. Arrive at the auction in plenty of time so that you can find the perfect spot offering a clear view of the auctioneer’s rostrum. Last-minute changes to catalogue entries will be handed out on an ‘addendum’ at the auction.
Rupert Bates, editorial director of WhatHouse? has been a property journalist for 25 years. He is an award-winning writer who started on local newspapers before becoming a columnist on The Daily Telegraph. He presents the annual What House? Awards, edits leading housebuilding magazine Show House and is property correspondent of The Field magazine.
Managing director Daniel Hill Editorial director Rupert Bates
Keith Osborne started writing about property 12 years ago and has been editor of Whathouse. com since 2010. He is currently a columnist in housebuilding trade magazine Show House and has previously written for Homes Overseas magazine. He has also been a part of the What House? Awards judging panel for a number of years.
Sales director (new homes) Mark Edmondson me@whathouse.com
Stephen Maunder is assistant editor of Whathouse.com, having previously spent 18 months there as a freelance special correspondent. He has a background in academic research and has worked at Sky News as a picture researcher. He has also written for BBC News, Huffington Post UK and the Shropshire Star newspaper.
What House?
@What_House
Editor Keith Osborne ko@whathouse.com Assistant editor Stephen Maunder sm@whathouse.com Chief sub-editor Suzanne Frost Designer Sarah Davies Contributors Marc Da Silva Nick Parkhouse Richenda Oldham
Sales director (estate agencies) Andy Grimley ag@whathouse.com Head of Sales (Midlands) Ben Marklew bm@whathouse.com Head of Sales (London) Andy Lunn al@whathouse.com Sales manager Jay Ali ja@whathouse.com Business development manager Richard Woodruff rw@whathouse.com Business development manager Steve Coyle sc@whathouse.com Account manager Ann Chaloner ac@whathouse.com Sales executive Tori Collett tc@whathouse.com Cover photo: Victory Pier in Gillingham, Kent courtesy of Berkeley Homes, www.berkeleygroup.co.uk Published by: Globespan Media Limited, 291-299 Borough High Street, London SE1 1JG T: 020 7940 1070 E: info@globespanmedia.com W: www.whathouse.com Printed by 39zero / Distributed by Royal Mail © 2014 Globespan Media Limited
No part of this publication may be reproduced without prior written permission from the publishers. The greatest care has been taken to ensure accuracy but the publishers cannot accept responsibility for errors and omissions.
NHBC – the mark of a quality home
...Buying a new home is a big decision, so you’ll want to know that your property is of good quality and your investment well protected. Only builders approved and registered by NHBC can offer Buildmark, and they must build to the detailed technical standards we have been developing and updating for more than 75 years. It will give you peace of mind to know that all new homes with NHBC’s Buildmark have been independently inspected at key stages during construction, and come with 10 years’ warranty and insurance. This gives you the reassurance that, on the rare occasion when something does go wrong, we’re here to help you.
So, before you buy a new home, make sure it has Buildmark.
Talk to us...
Call us now on 0844 633 1000 and ask for ‘Customer Services’. Or visit www.nhbc.co.uk/myhome H391 08/14
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6 six appeal
Find your new home at Whathouse.com
Warehouse, London, SW2 From £215,000
Developer Network Living is offering various affordable ways to buy a home at Warehouse in Streatham through purchase options such as shared ownership and shared equity. Lisa Ley, senior sales manager for Network Living, says: “The wide range of home ownership products available at Warehouse, SW2, are tailored to suit a variety of individual financial circumstances. So many people are still unaware of the numerous options available to help them get on the property ladder.” Warehouse comprises 40 one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments grouped around attractive communal gardens. Glass balconies and terraces punctuate the contemporary exteriors, which feature a mixture of metal cladding and mellow brickwork. Inside, unusually large windows let in plenty of natural light. Paula Rosa fitted kitchens come with a range of integrated appliances including a fridge/freezer,
a washer/dryer and dishwasher. All bedrooms are carpeted, with oak veneered internal doors throughout. Prospective purchasers would need a minimum household income of £52,354 and a 5% minimum deposit of £15,625 to purchase a one-bedroom apartment at Warehouse valued at £312,500 with a shared equity loan. Shared ownership prices at Warehouse start from £215,000 for a minimum 50% share in a two-bedroom apartment (full market value £430,000).
From: Network Living/Currell Contact: 020 7704 5618
Six appeal Our favourite starter homes in this region, on the market right now Queensway, Lydd, Kent £220,000
Chatsworth Road, Chichester, West Sussex £200,000
This extended four-bedroom semidetached property in Lydd offers spacious accommodation at an accessible price for first-time buyers. The downstairs lounge features French doors leading to the dining room, where you will find a feature limestone fireplace. The L-shaped kitchen/diner is equipped with wall and base units and has sufficient space for a range cooker, as well as patio doors opening out onto the spacious garden. Upstairs, there are four bedrooms, with the master suite benefiting from built-in wardrobes. The luxury family bathroom, meanwhile, is a real attraction, boasting a whirlpool bath.
This two-bedroom end-of-terrace property is situated within the popular Arundel Park development around a mile from the town centre of one of Sussex’s most beautiful and historic cities, Chichester. Ideal for a couple stepping on to the ladder, but wishing to remain close to the heart of the action, this property boasts plenty of living and entertaining space. The sizable lounge features double-glazed windows to the front of the property, while the conservatory is the ideal focal point for summer gatherings, with its doors opening out on to the enclosed garden, which benefits from both patio and lawned areas. Heading upstairs, you will find two double
This property also boasts two garages and off-road parking, with the integral garage featuring an electric door. Located close to Lydd Primary School and the town centre, this home would represent an ideal purchase for a growing family. Lydd is located close to the border between Kent and East Sussex, and offers excellent road links along the coast to Hastings, Dungeness and Folkestone, while Ashford and Canterbury are both accessible by bus.
From: Geering & Colyer Contact: 01797 363194
bedrooms, the second with built in wardrobes, and a family bathroom. This property is ideally located for people who need to get around. The A27, located less than a mile away, connects the city to Eastbourne and Southampton, while Chichester train station runs regular services to Brighton, London Victoria and Portsmouth. Chichester has become increasingly desirable for first-time buyers, with several new developments cropping up in and around the city.
From: King & Chasemore Contact: 01243 774248
six appeal 7
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Limes Park, Basingstoke, Hampshire From £202,500
The Barns is the latest phase of designs at this development, comprising just 20 properties, including stylish two-bedroom apartments and three-bedroom houses. Emma Jones, regional sales and marketing director for Taylor Wimpey, says: “We have been overwhelmed by the success of Limes Park to date and this new phase of properties, The Barns, means there is a host of new opportunities for homebuyers to secure their ideal place at this superb development. All new homes at the development are being built to a highly energy-efficient standard and with a stylish interior specification, with features including central heating, double glazing and a fitted kitchen with integrated oven,
hob and hood. The Barns at Limes Park is located in a tree-lined setting off Pumphouse Way. The new phase will retain the existing mature trees on the site, as well as providing an informal landscaped area to the south of the converted barn. Limes Park forms part of the wider Park Village on the northwestern fringes of Basingstoke with the town centre just two miles from the development.
From: Taylor Wimpey Contact: 01256 637188
The Ashmiles, Barns Green, West Sussex From £290,000 Barton Mews, Whitstable, Kent From £185,000 You’ll have to act quickly here, as all but one of the lowest priced properties – the two-bedroom apartments – have been reserved, despite only being launched within the last couple of weeks. Plot 13 is still available as we go to press, as are a number of two-bedroom townhouses priced from £265,000, which might suit a first-timer looking for more space if their budget will stretch. This is only a small development of just 14 new homes that combine contemporary exterior styling with a high standard interior specification.
It’s a formula that has led the housebuilder to numerous national awards, including Bronze for Best Medium Housebuilder in this year’s WhatHouse? Awards. These homes are situated in a quiet street, not far from Whitstable’s famous beach and harbour area as well as an array of shops, galleries, pubs and restaurants. The town has become a fashionable retreat for artists and a practical base for London commuters, with a choice of standard commuter services or connection to the High Speed
network from neighbouring Faversham. All properties here come with off-street parking or an integrated garage and early-bird buyers can take advantage of the opportunity to tailor some aspects of the fixtures and fittings of their home to their own taste.
From: Weston Homes Contact: 01279 873300
Not every first-timer will have the budget to get on the property ladder at The Ashmiles, but if you can stretch to it, you’ll appreciate the benefits of living in a semirural location within easy reach of commuter rail services and road connections. These are the first new build homes to come to the hamlet of Barns Green for over 20 years, a collection of 69 two-, three-, four- and five-bedroom properties. The standard specification is up to Berkeley’s renowned high standards, so you’ll want for little when you move in. Externally, the properties feature key elements of the architectural vernacular of the local area, including timber boarding, pitched
roofs, tile-hung gables, ornate bargeboards and front porches. Typical corbelled Sussex chimney stacks, jettied elevations and differing rooflines enhance these frontages and create appealing street scenes. The Ashmiles is within easy reach of London, with trains from nearby Horsham taking just an hour. There are good local transport connections to towns such as Brighton and Dorking as well as Gatwick Airport and the M25.
From: Berkeley Group Contact: 01403 336062
LUXURY 2 BED APARTMENTS READY FOR OCCUPATION 87-95 Curtain Road Shoreditch EC2A
Prices from £1,050,000. Viewing by appointment only. Central Shoreditch living.
Stirling Ackroyd 020 7749 3810 newhomes@stirlingackroyd.com
Greene & Co. 020 7604 3200 newhomes@greene.co.ukć
cordyhouse.co.uk
mortgages 9
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Banks attempt to defuse Britain’s interest-only time bomb But some experts warn borrowers that the deals should only be taken as a ‘last resort’.
O
l der borrowers are to be offered new ‘lifetime’ mortgage deals as part of an attempt to help millions of people trapped on interest-only mortgages with no way of repaying their home loan. Plans to tackle Britain’s interestonly mortgage time bomb are set to see several major banks offer tailored deals to borrowers in their 50s and 60s who face a shortfall when their mortgage term ends.
Ros Altmann, the government’s older people tsar, remarks: “If you have an interest-only mortgage it effectively means your bank owns your home, you don’t, that’s the reality. Lenders are trying to keep people in their homes, rather than repossess them, and these new deals will ensure the bank still owns most of the house when they die.”
LIFETIME MORTGAGES SET TO ALLOW OLDER BORROWERS TO STAY IN THEIR HOMES
Steve Pateman, head of UK banking at Santander, says that lifetime mortgages would be one of a range of options that the bank planned to offer customers. “A lot of interest-only customers aged 65 to 75 will find they haven’t got enough to pay the lump sum and don’t want to move,” he said. “In our
Under the scheme, lenders will allow customers to repay just the interest on their debts until they die if they agree to hand the keys to the property over
BANKS WANT TO ‘WORK WITH’ OLDER BORROWERS
to the bank, rather than to a family member, when they die. Interest-only mortgages require a borrower to repay the interest on their loan on a monthly basis with the debt to be repaid in full at the end
of the term. However, the Daily Telegraph reports that around 130,000 interest-only mortgages are due to expire every year until 2020, with half facing a shortfall of £71,000 on average.
Thinking of selling your home? Do you know how much your home is really worth? Find out with our FREE valuation service. It’s a quick and easy process that you can carry out online or over the phone. Visit www.whathouse.com/value-my-property/value-myproperty-now or call us now on 01245 835 053.
WhatHouse? works with a team of reputable agents that will carry out the free valuation
£?
view, extending their mortgage term for a few years is just kicking the can down the road, so we’d rather work with customers, offering a range of solutions, of which one could be a lifetime mortgage. “As long as customers go in with their eyes open, we don’t expect complaints from family that there is ‘no money left’ for an inheritance.” However, experts have warned borrowers that they should only consider this type of loan as a ‘last resort’. Steve Lowe of financial services firm Just Retirement says: “It would be unacceptable for borrowers to default to a lifetime mortgages as these type of loans require specialist advice, with families sitting down to discuss the consequences over many months before signing on the dotted line.”
FI N P RE H A LE A S L A E SE D
Room with a Royal View †
AWARD WINNING DEVELOPMENT Long Walk Villas, Kings Road, Windsor SL4 2AH Guide Prices from £2.75m | Showhouse open daily 10am – 4pm 020 3137 8226 longwalkvillas@octagon.co.uk
View from Long Walk Villas
A magnificent private gated new terrace of beautifully appointed 5 bedroom townhouses overlooking The Long Walk with views of Windsor Castle. Ideally located for Windsor town centre. • • •
Classically designed new homes offering contemporary and generous living space Private roof terraces with views to Windsor Castle and The Long Walk Within walking distance to Central Windsor (0.4 miles)* *Source Google maps
octagon.co.uk † Development of the Year (2-10 Units) LABC Awardsw OCT_021_WhatHouse_DPS_550wx340h_LW_CA_vFNL.indd All Pages
• • • •
Electric entrance gates, secure garaging and visitor parking 24 miles to Hyde Park Corner, Central London and Heathrow Airport is 8 miles* 29 minute train service to London Paddington Ready to move in by Christmas
Beyond your expectations
Hamptons Windsor 52 High Street, Windsor Berkshire SL4 1LS Sales. 01753 855 555 windsor@hamptons-int.com
Triple Octagon Win at What House.
Crossacres
MASTERPIECE OF STYLISH LIVING Their show stopping Best Luxury House entry Crossacres, on The Wentworth Estate in Surrey, one of the winners, caught the Judges’ eye for its understated cool elegance, and voted it “an assured masterpiece of stylish living”. The 15,000 sq ft 7 bedroom house sits in a 2.3 acre plot, and Octagon pushed the boundaries even further, by adding both indoor and outdoor heated pools, the latter creating a sensational ornamental water feature in the stunning fully landscaped gardens. Crossacres, price guide £17.5m, is available for viewing through appointed agents Knight Frank; 01344 840 020 or visit www.octagon.co.uk
Crossacres
REMARKABLE ATTENTION TO DETAIL Best Luxury Development was bestowed on Long Walk Villas, Octagon’s first development of elegant townhouses in the heart of conservation Windsor, opposite the historic Long Walk. The super-sized 5 bedroom villas, where the judges commented that “the classic architectural detailing, from elegant brick exteriors and stone dressings to bespoke joinery is testament to a remarkable attention to detail,” offer intelligently planned, flexible accommodation.The addition of integral garages, off street parking, and private roof terraces with far reaching views of Windsor Great Park and The Royal Castle made these homes winning material. Long Walk Villas, guide prices from £2.75m. Showhouse open for viewing daily 10am–4pm; 0203 137 8226. Also available through appointed agents Hamptons; 01753 855 555 or visit www.octagon.co.uk
have been specialists “ We in luxury housebuilding for
Long Walk Villas
35 years, during which time, we have been fortunate to have received over 200 trophies and certificates.
“
Octagon, the Surrey-based niche developer of high end luxury homes walked away with three top gongs at the 2014 What House Awards, the hotly contested ‘Oscars’ of the building industry.
Long Walk Villas
ONE OF THE HIGHEST PROFILE OPERATORS AT THE LUXURY END Probably the ultimate accolade for Octagon was Best Small Housebuilder, considered by the Judges as “one of the highest profile operators at the luxury end of the residential game who continue to delight and inform with its opulent products.” As Colin Tutt, Octagon’s CEO commented upon receiving the award, “We have been specialists in luxury housebuilding for 35 years, during which time, we have been fortunate to have received over 200 trophies and certificates, and some of our favourites are naturally, the What House Awards. But never ones to rest on our laurels, our dedicated in house team are already busy creating even more fabulous homes, some of which will be ready for next year’s entries. So watch out competitors, Octagon are intending to sweep the board in 2015!” Octagon, December 2014 28/11/2014 13:01
THE KING WHO SOLD HIS QUEEN SO HE COULD MARRY HIS MISTRESS. King Carol II of Romania was exiled in 1940. He left in a train laden with Royal Treasure: paintings by Titian, Rubens, Rembrandt, plus jewels and even the ceremonial armour. And of course, his prized stamp collection. A Nazi-financed death squad fired on the Royal Train, but failed to stop it. The King and his mistress lay on the floor and escaped injury from the bullets. Later, when exiled in Mexico, he sold part of his famous stamp collection to raise funds for his marriage to his mistress. Among them was this fine example of a ‘frame inverted’ error. Queen Victoria’s statue is the right way up, but her name and the rest of the stamp’s frame is upside down. Unsurprisingly, given its pedigree, the investment performance is very strong. An example of this stamp sold at auction for £19,000 in 2005; the most recent example sold in 2012 for £30,000. That’s a rise of 57% in just 7 years. A paper by Elroy Dimson (London Business School and Cambridge Judge Business School) and Christophe Spaenjers (HEC Paris) showed that, last century, British stamps recorded an annualised growth of 7%, outperforming bonds and even gold*. Although past performance does not necessarily give a guide for the future, rare stamps can offer you a store of wealth unlike many other investments. And, as King Carol II knew, the right stamps can make you money.
INVEST IN HISTORY sginvest.co.uk/house The value of your investment can go down as well as up and you may get back less than you put in. Stamps and certain other collectibles are not designated investments for the purposes of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Regulated Activities) Order 2001 and as such are not subject to regulation by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) or otherwise. *Elroy Dimson and Christophe Spaenjers, “Ex post: The investment performance of collectible stamps”, Journal of Financial Economics, Volume 100, issue 2, May 2011, pages 443–458. Prices quoted are as sold where stated. Auction prices exclude any premiums. Please note: Past performance does not necessarily give a guide for the future.
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Stamp duty reform – what it means for you
D
ring his autumn statement, Chancellor u George Osborne surprised the property industry by announcing immediate and long-overdue changes to stamp duty, abolishing the ancient ‘slab’ system, which he described Jim Holliday, sales and marketing director for Fairview New Homes “This is an added stimulus to the market which will benefit both firsttime buyers and purchasers moving up the ladder. Buyers will save a significant amount of money on their home purchase costs. Just like the introduction of Help to Buy in April 2013, the changes to the stamp duty threshold will provide a further boost in confidence to homebuyers throughout the country.” John Tutte, group chief executive of Redrow Homes “We welcome the reform of the stamp duty system, which will make buying a new home more affordable for many of our customers. The new system will be much fairer for the vast majority of homebuyers than the previous tiered approach. For
as a ‘badly-designed tax on aspiration’. Announcing an incremental system that will result in savings for 98% of homebuyers, Osborne said he was looking forward to implementing a “fair, workable, lasting reform to the taxation of housing”.
those buying a home around the average UK price of £275,000, savings of £4,500 compared to the old system will make a huge difference, potentially enabling them to put down a larger deposit and secure a better mortgage rate.” Kevin Hollinrake, managing director of Hunters estate agents “We have already had deals secured as a result of this change. In our opinion, this is great news. For too long, stamp duty has distorted the market deterring sellers from marketing their homes and buyers from buying them in the dead zones above the key thresholds such as £250,000 and £500,000. This should mean more property coming onto the market, and therefore, more sales which is good for the housing market and the economy as a whole.”
Nick Leeming, chairman of Jackson-Stops & Staff estate agents “This has emerged as the Osborne & Little Autumn Statement – with little incentive for property buyers at the mid to high-end of the market. It is a tax on mansion buyers. This rate of 12% on properties above £5 million will penalise the London market and also hit the country house market, which is still struggling to recover from the recession. However, we welcome the changes on stamp duty at the first-time buyer end of the market as this will help to stimulate activity at that level.” Richard Lambert, chief executive of the National Landlords Association “The NLA has argued for many years that
We take a look at what the changes might mean for you, and get the lowdown from prominent housebuilders, estate agents and industry bodies on what effect the changes could have on the property market.
a progressive system would offer a fairer and far less distorting means of taxing property purchases. The introduction of a straightforward marginal system of taxation will mean private landlords will now not only face lower costs when acquiring property, but also have funds to implement property improvements and keep rents down.” Jeremy Blackburn, head of policy at the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) “Finally we see long overdue reform to the stamp duty tax system – described by the Chancellor as the most damaging tax of all. Time and time again RICS has called for these changes to stamp duty structure, which now mean 98% of house buyers will benefit. These changes reduce distortion and ensure those at the top end of the market contribute fairly, while those at the bottom will be given a fairer chance to get on the ladder, cutting out ‘dead zones’ in the market.”
WHAT IS STAMP DUTY? Stamp duty is a type of tax charged on written documents. First introduced in 1694 to help fund a war against France and historically requiring the physical stamping of documents, the tax was charged on anything from newspapers to insurance policies in the 18th and early 19th centuries. In property terms, Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) was introduced to replace the old system in 2003 as a ‘transfer tax’ on property transactions.
STAMP DUTY CHANGES – HOW WILL THEY AFFECT ME? FROM 4TH DECEMBER 2014 £160,000 £150,000 £140,000 £130,000 £120,000
Stamp duty payable
£110,000 £100,000 £90,000 £80,000 £70,000 £60,000
PROPERTY PRICE £0 – £125,000 £125,001 – £250,000 £250,001 – £925,000 £925,001 – £1.5m over £1.5m
NEW SYSTEM £153,750
% 0% 2% 5% 10% 12%
OLD SYSTEM
WINNERS AND LOSERS PROPERTY PAYABLE UNDER NEW PRICE SYSTEM £0 £125,000 £500 £150,000 £1,500 £200,000 £3,750 £275,000 £7,500 £350,000 £16,250 £525,000 £27,500 £750,000 £43,750 £999,999 £1,499,999 £93,750
PAYABLE UNDER OLD SYSTEM £0 £1,500 £2,000 £8,250 £11,250 £21,000 £30,000 £40,000 £60,000
SAVING/ INCREASE? NO CHANGE £1,000 SAVING £500 SAVING £4,500 SAVING £3,750 SAVING £4,750 SAVING £2,500 SAVING £3,750 INCREASE £33,750 INCREASE
£93,750
£100,000
£50,000 £36,250
£40,000
£40,000
£30,000 £15,000
£20,000 £10,000
£2,500 £125,000 £250,000
£500,000
£925,000 £1m
Property price
£1.5m
£2m
T
e h winners of this year’s WhatHouse? Awards have been announced at a glittering Gala Luncheon in the Great Room of London’s five-star Grosvenor House Hotel. Gold, Silver and Bronze awards were bestowed on the winners in 20 categories before the biggest prize of all – Housebuilder of the Year – was announced. Essex-based developer City & Country Group took the top prize, in addition to two Gold awards, for Best Medium Housebuilder and Best Renovation, the latter recognising the company’s Bentley Priory development. The WhatHouse? Awards is simply the
Gold standard
most prestigious event in the new homes calendar, generally considered to be the ‘Oscars’ of the housebuilding industry. Hundreds of new build properties and housebuilding companies from all over the UK vie for recognition at this prestigious event. Winning companies will proudly display their plaques at their marketing suites and even fly WhatHouse? Awards winner flags on their developments. You’ll often find a WhatHouse? Awards logo on the website of successful developments too. If you’re in the market for a brand new home, keep an eye out for these signals that you’re looking at a prizewinning development. Read on to find out more about this year’s Award winners.
B r i n g i n g i d e a s t o life
Aylesford
With a fiercely guarded reputation for superior construction across the property spectrum, from city style apartment complexes to individual houses, new build and restoration, Weston Homes is committed to providing high quality housing for all of their clients. With current projects in London, Essex, Cambridgeshire, Hertfordshire and Kent, Weston Homes is well-positioned to offer unique, high specification luxury homes, and we are confident that you will have your every day expectations surpassed.
Stratford
Prices from £118,500 to £1,000,000+
Markyate
Edgware
Whitstable
Colchester
Whitstable
Bishop’s Stortford
Sible Hedingham
Clavering
L U X U R I O U S 1 & 2 B E D R O O M A PA RT M E N T S A T M O R E L L O Q U A R T E R , C H E R R Y D O W N E A S T, B A S I L D O N , E S S E X S S 1 6 5 G T
Hertford
Cambridge
Basildon
Telephone: 01279 873333 E-mail: sales@weston-homes.com @WestonHomes
/WestonHomesPlc
/WestonHomes
www.weston-homes.com
Bentley Priory, Stanmore Luxurious terraced houses with a concierge and 24 hour security. All situated within registered gardens and 57 acres of parkland.
Prices from £1, 250,000 to £1,400,000 I 0208 950 59 59
The Galleries, Brentwood
The General, Bristol
Stylish apartments in beautiful red brick, Grade II Listed buildings.
A short walk from the city centre and set on the harbourside, The General offers a selection of apartments with all the character of a listed building coupled with light modern interiors.
Prices from £420,000 to £485,000 I 01279 817 882 Viewings by appointment only
Prices from £322, 500 to £560,000 I 0117 92 55 333
King Edward VII Estate, West Sussex
The Garden Quarter, Caversfield
King Edward VII Estate represents some of the finest Arts and Crafts architecture and will soon offer beautifully restored apartments and houses.
Art-Deco style converted apartments and new build houses.
Register your interest now I 01730 81 79 79
Prices from £212, 500 to £340,000 I 01869 253 999
sales@cityandcountry.co.uk I Sales Suites open daily 10am to 5pm I Closed 24th December to 1st January 2015 Prices correct at time of going to press
www.cityandcountry.co.uk
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The First Lady How do you feel about City & Country being crowned Housebuilder of the Year? We are truly honoured to be named WhatHouse? Housebuilder of the Year 2014. This is a culmination of many years of hard work, commitment and dedication and the whole City & Country team deserves a huge amount of praise for their efforts. Further Gold awards for Best Medium Housebuilder and Best Renovation takes our tally to seven Gold awards in the last five years and reinforces our position as the leading housebuilder of 2014.
Helen Moore, managing director of our Housebuilder of the Year, City & Country Group, talks to Marc Da Silva
The last time we spoke, City & Country was in the process of bringing forward two new sites, Bristol General Hospital in Bristol and King Edward VII Estate in the South Downs National Park. How are those developments progressing? The General, the former Bristol General Hospital, officially opened to the public this September, and we have been very pleased with the positive response and the levels of interest we have received. It is apparent that the market is keen to see a high-quality, waterside development that has the historic charm of a Grade II listed building.
We are taking reservations off-plan at present and are set to launch our show homes in March 2015. The visitor centre officially opened at King Edward VII Estate in October, which marks a key stage of development. The centre, which is situated in the former gatehouse, is a classic example of prime Arts and Crafts architecture. It allows prospective homeowners the opportunity to understand the breadth of this fantastic estate, the benefits of living in this picturesque area within the South Downs National Park and to understand fully the type of properties that will be available for sale in the new year. What other schemes is City & Country working on? City & Country has experienced a sustained level of growth in 2014. Alongside our two new launches, we have acquired the iconic Playfair Building at Donaldson’s College, Edinburgh; Bramshill House, Hampshire (one of the most significant Jacobean ‘prodigy houses’ in Britain); the Grade I listed Sundridge Park Mansion in Greater London, and now three further buildings in south Bristol, two of which are listed.
What types of properties is City & Country building? Due to the nature of our heritage restoration work we build an eclectic range of properties at our various developments. These include restored and newly built apartments, duplexes and houses, as well as unique conversions such as chapels, temples and in one instance, a former WWII decontamination bunker. How much does a property by City & Country cost to buy? Prices range between developments, with prices for a unique one-bedroom mezzanine apartment at The Garden Quarter, Caversfield, Oxfordshire, from £212,500, up to £1.4m for a stunning three-bedroom mews house at Bentley Priory, Stanmore. What is City & Country’s USP? We painstakingly restore some of the UK’s most architecturally and historically significant buildings, creating luxury homes that feature a unique combination of period features with contemporary specification. Such a combination is rarely found in a modern development and, as a result, our homeowners can choose to live in truly astonishing buildings set within beautiful landscaped gardens.
WhatHouse? Awards 2014 – the winners in full HOUSEBUILDER OF THE YEAR City & Country Group
BEST LARGE HOUSEBUILDER Gold: Redrow Silver: Barratt Bronze: Berkeley
BEST MEDIUM HOUSEBUILDER Gold: City & Country Group Silver (joint): CALA Homes and Mar City Homes Bronze (joint): Mount Anvil and Weston Homes
BEST SMALL HOUSEBUILDER Gold: Stone Homes Silver: Antler Homes Bronze (joint): London Square and Octagon
SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPER OF THE YEAR Gold: Linden Homes
HOUSING ASSOCIATION OF THE YEAR Gold: Affinity Sutton Silver: Sovereign Housing Association Bronze (joint): L&Q and Wulvern
BEST STARTER HOME Gold (joint): Crest Nicholson, Park Central, Birmingham and Berkeley, Victory Pier, Gillingham, Kent Silver: Lovell, Bryn Celyn, Pontyclun, Rhondda Cynon Taf, Wales Bronze (joint): Network Living, Langhorne Place, Dollis Hill, London, NW2 and L&Q, Capworth Court, Leyton, London, E10
BEST HOUSE
BEST DEVELOPMENT
Gold: London Square, ‘The Pembridge’, London Square Fulham, London, SW6 Silver (joint): Latis Homes, Greenfield Place, Hayes, Middlesex, UB3 and Hill, Octavo Mews, West Kensington, London, W6 Bronze (joint): City Legacy Consortium, Cruden Homes, Mactaggart & Mickel Homes, CCG, Malcolm Group and Glasgow City Council, ‘The Hibiscus’, The Athletes’ Village, Dalmarnock, Glasgow and Altin Homes, Sylvan Bint, Timperley, Cheshire
Gold: Hill, The Avenue, Saffron Walden, Essex
BEST APARTMENT SCHEME Gold: Grainger plc, Macaulay Walk, Clapham, London, SW4 Silver (joint): United House, Paynes & Borthwick, West Greenwich, London, SE8 and Catalyst by Design, Portobello Square, North Kensington, London, W10 Bronze: Millgate Homes, Westbrook House, Ascot, Berkshire
BEST LUXURY HOUSE
Silver: St Edward, Stanmore Place, London HA7 Bronze (joint): Grainger plc, Macaulay Walk, Clapham, London, SW4 and Countryside, Abode, Great Kneighton, Cambridge
BEST PARTNERSHIP SCHEME Gold: Solum Regeneration, Walthamstow Central Station, London, E17 Silver: Kier Partnership Homes, Manor Kingsway, Derby Bronze (joint): Barratt Homes, City & Country and Banner Homes (CALA Homes), Bentley Priory, Stanmore, London, HA7 and Barratt London and Sainsbury’s, Fulham Riverside, London, SW6
BEST LUXURY DEVELOPMENT Gold: Millgate Homes, Holland Place, Sunninghill, Berkshire
Gold: Consero London, ‘Furzecroft’, St George’s Hill, Weybridge, Surrey Silver: Octagon, ‘Crossacres’, Wentworth Estate, Virginia Water, Surrey Bronze: Huntsmere, ‘Ambergates’, Alderley Edge, Cheshire
Silver: UNStudio, Canaletto, Islington, London, EC1V
BEST RENOVATION
BEST MIXED-USE DEVELOPMENT
Gold: City & Country, Marquess Villas, Bentley Priory, Stanmore, Middlesex Silver: Thomas Homes, Fair Mile at Cholsey Meadows, Cholsey, Oxfordshire Bronze: Linden Homes, Ashlar Court, Hammersmith, London, W6
Bronze (joint): Octagon, Long Walk Villas, Windsor, Berkshire and Pennyfarthing Homes, Nautica, Milford-on-Sea, Hampshire
Gold: Quartermile, Quartermile, Edinburgh Silver: Grainger plc, Macaulay Walk, Clapham, London, SW4 Bronze: Kier Partnership Homes, The Parade, Manor Kingsway, Derby
BEST SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT Gold: Barratt, Hanham Hall, Hanham, Bristol Silver: Get Living London, East Village, Stratford, London, E20 Bronze: Morris Homes, Vista, Peterborough
BEST RETIREMENT DEVELOPMENT Gold: Audley Retirement, Binswood, Royal Leamington Spa, Warwickshireshire Silver (joint): Larkfleet Homes and Keystone Developments, The Croft, Bourne, Lincolnshire and Retirement Villages Group, Charters Village, East Grinstead, West Sussex Bronze (joint): Church Retirement Living, Steeple Lodge, Boldmere, Sutton Coldfield, West Midlands and McCarthy & Stone, Lady Susan Court and Emma Court, Basingstoke, Hampshire
BEST BROWNFIELD DEVELOPMENT Gold (joint): CALA, Albert Dock, Leith, Edinburgh and Grainger plc, Macaulay Walk, Clapham, London, SW4 Silver (joint): Mar City, Green Point, Colindale, London, NW9 and United House, Paynes & Borthwick, Deptford, London, SE8 Bronze: London Square, London Square Fulham, London, SW6
BEST INTERIOR DESIGN Gold: Millgate Homes, Chart Ridge, Oxted, Surrey Silver: Countryside, Plot 24, Aura, Great Kneighton, Cambridge Bronze (joint): Berkeley Homes, Maltby House, Meridian Gate, Kidbrooke Village, Greenwich, London, SE3 and London Square, London Square Fulham, London, SW6
BEST EXTERIOR DESIGN Gold: Barratt Homes, Hanham Hall, Bristol Silver (joint): Redrow, Kingston Riverside, Kingston, London, KT2 and Hill, The Avenue, Saffron Walden, Essex Bronze: Antler Homes, Fairwater, Milford-on-Sea, Hampshire
BEST LANDSCAPE DESIGN Gold (joint): Crest Nicholson, Bath Riverside, Bath and St Edwards, Stanmore Place, Harrow, London, HA7 Silver: Inland Homes, Drayton Garden Village, West Drayton, London, UB7 Bronze (joint): Richstone Properties, The Pembroke, East Sheen, London, SW14 and Beechcroft, Frenchlands Gate, East Horsley, Surrey
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WhatHouse? Awards 2014 Grosvenor House Hotel, Friday 21 November
Best Retirement Development – Audley Retirement
Our host, Rob Brydon
Best Starter Home Scheme – Berkeley Homes
Housing Association of the Year – Affinity Sutton
All pictures courtesy of Philippa Gedge Photography
Best Development – Hill
Double Gold Award Winners
Gold Award Best Luxury Development Holland Place, Ascot
Gold Award – Best Interior Design Chart Ridge, Oxted
Bronze Award – Best Apartment Scheme Westbrook House, Ascot
For more information on our forthcoming developments visit www.millgatehomes.co.uk
Publication: What House? Size: 265x340mm Copy: 26/11/14 Date: 26/11/14 Proof: AWK
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Look to the future now SELLING THE LIFESTYLE Best Luxury Development Silver – Canaletto, Islington from UNStudio UNStudio’s futuristic tower on London’s City Road exemplifies the idea of selling more than just a property, with a host of exclusive facilities for the use of residents and their guests. The WhatHouse? judges say: “All residents have access to a 24-hour concierge, gym, pool, cinema room, games room and spa, with a private bar/dining club complete with landscaped terrace on the 24th floor. Canaletto successfully combines substance with style and sets an extremely high standard for its neighbours to match.”
Take a look at just a few of the winners of this year’s WhatHouse? Awards and you’ll see features and design principles that will be making their way into the mainstream in just a few years. Here are some of our favourites, with a few words from the Awards judges explaining why they won.
ZERO-CARBON HOMES Best Exterior Design Gold and Best Sustainable Development Gold – Hanham Hall, Bristol from Barratt Homes Hanham Hall has already won many awards and is a landmark development from Barratt, the first in England to achieve the 2016 zero-carbon standard. The WhatHouse? judges say: “The housebuilding industry needs exemplar schemes like Hanham Hall to act as a marker and knowledge base to drive sustainable understanding. Barratt Homes should be applauded for pushing the boundaries and setting a benchmark for sustainable living.”
STREET-SCENE LANDSCAPING Best Mixed-Use Development Bronze – The Parade, Manor Kingsway, Derby from Kier Partnership Homes The best developers are utilising a range of external designs and finishes to their mix of houses as well as creating beautiful street scenes with a bold choice of materials and landscaping. The WhatHouse? judges say: “The Parade illustrates this principle with a layout that, while integrating the car, provides a safe and attractive streetscape in which the pedestrian and cyclist have clear priority without the need for intrusive signage or the curse of speed bumps, through its sophisticated detailing use of materials and layout.”
USING BROWNFIELD SITES
THE DEATH OF THE RADIATOR?
DOUBLING UP
Best Brownfield Development Bronze – London Square Fulham from London Square
Best Apartment Scheme Gold – Macaulay Walk, Clapham from Grainger plc
Best Interior Design Silver – Plot24, Aura, Great Kneighton from Countryside
While there is pressure to build the houses we need on green belt and undeveloped greenfield land, London Square demonstrates how to revive a former industrial trading estate. The WhatHouse? judges say: “The result is a real sense of place and tranquillity and…the underground car park a technical triumph. The materials are subtle, soft and sophisticated; the layouts lifestyle-conscious. This is where green oasis meets London life.”
Underfloor heating used to be the preserve of high-end properties, but it’s now more prevalent in developments aimed at a more modest budget, as Grainger’s multi-award winning scheme shows. The WhatHouse? judges say: “All the mod cons that you’d find included at a higher price point are here. It is also admirable that the same specification from Assael Architecture and interior specialists MMM applies across the scale, from a studio apartment to a top-end penthouse.”
The use of double-height rooms and mezzanines is an increasingly popular way to add a ‘wow’ factor to family homes as well as luxury apartments, used to great effect in this show home by Countryside. The WhatHouse? judges say: “This is another housebuilder that has benefited from selecting a great firm of architects and interior designers. The master bedroom has a living room and the kitchen has a gallery – what more do you want from a house? Suna Interiors has…created a Mayfair-style home in Cambridge.”
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Small Housebuilder of the Year: Stone Homes
Northumberland-based developer run by husband and wife team scoops Gold
S
t one Homes has been operating for nearly 14 years, set up by Dale and Jo Robinson after they projectmanaged the conversion of their own Northumberland farmstead. No strangers to success at the WhatHouse? Awards over the past few years, the company ethos is to combine contemporary elements of design in luxurious, timeless properties. Where Stone Homes particularly excels is in making its properties part of the landscape in which they are set, a feat achieved by being particularly selective on stone choices sourced locally and hand-tooled by experienced stonemasons. Other materials and
features are sourced from all over the country, selected for their quality and suitability to the individual property being constructed. For the interiors, a high priority is placed on easy living and modern comforts, with a specification that includes underfloor heating, exceptional insulation and tripleglazed windows as well as a cosy log burner. Distinctive design was another aspect of Stone Homes’ products that pleased the Awards judges. Curved walls are a trademark, effectively lit by soft lighting; fire and Aga surrounds are made of reclaimed brick and stone; and individually specified mosaic tiling and LED lighting make each bathroom a unique, restful haven. The Aga forms the heart of the kitchen, set within handcrafted units that are painted on-site to a personal colour choice. Pewter handles are the finishing touch, matching the ironmongery throughout the properties. In 2011, Jo Robinson launched a separate division to bring Stone Homes’ interior “magic” to a wider market. With the benefit of an established team of contractors and suppliers to call upon, Jo can now offer homeowners
a service that includes planning and construction solutions all the way through to bathroom, kitchen, lighting and decoration installations. Not content to rest on their laurels, the Robinsons are looking to expand further afield, particularly in interiors. Stone Homes is keen to increase its portfolio of works by operating in regions such as London, Surrey and Harrogate, offering its unique individuality, style and experience, which has so far been confined to the North East. The company’s plans for 2015 are to work with established bespoke or luxury housebuilders and design studios, which it feels might benefit from its enthusiasm and proven ability to create interesting interiors. This would encompass all sorts of projects, from one-off commissions to full design-andbuild specifications, including on-site project management. Current show homes from Stone Homes are available to view at its Highmoor (NE65 9QG) and Hawkwell (NE18 0QT) sites. The company is currently working on a number of properties, available to view on www.stonehomes.co.uk; 01665 600997
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Ref: SPF135
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• Prices from 680,000 euros • Spacious 2- to 4-bedroom apartments • Slopes and ski lifts only 250 metres away • Great location, in the heart of a family friendly resort • Geneva international airport only an hour away Ref: SPF136
• 4 and 5-bedroom spacious new build chalets available with en-suite bathrooms, private terrace and garden. • 400 metres from the slopes, Turkish bath and private spa facilities. • The resort of Val d’Isère is internationally renowned as one of the top skiing destinations of the Alps Ref: SPF125
www.skiingproperty.com or call us on +44 (0)20 8150 9502
See all our listings and property prices at facebook.com/skiingproperty
Prices from 755,000 euros New apartments up for grabs with 3 to 5 bedroom Classic freehold ownership, large balconies and terraces Short walk to the lifts, piste and centre of the resort
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Fairlawn, Kingston-upon-Thames Martin Tuthill, land and marketing director of boutique developer Firgrove Homes, speaks exclusively to WhatHouse?
Can you tell us a bit about Firgrove Homes? We’re a small company that has been going now for about three years. Based in Thames Ditton, we know this part of the world very well. In fact, I started as an estate agent, working for Gascoigne Pees in Esher, and have mostly worked in this part of the world since then. Our previous development, Lynwood Villas, was in the St George’s Hill area of Weybridge and our current scheme, Fairlawn, is in one of the best locations in Kingston-upon-Thames. Tell us about Fairlawn. Fairlawn is a development of just four spacious, well-appointed family homes on sought-after Warren Road. At its centre is a former care home that we purchased from Kingston
Council. We’ve retained the structure of the original building, which dates from 1894, and stripped away a number of unsightly later additions and extensions. This building has been converted into two substantial homes, with a sympathetically designed newbuild house at each end completing the new scheme. Each home has its own rear garden and as a bonus, residents have exclusive access to a private meadow to the rear of the site. What are these homes like? These houses range from about 3,150 sq ft to about 3,800 sq ft, with four or five bedrooms. The Victorian building has lots of ‘volume’, with high ceilings and large windows, and we have designed the new-build homes with the same principles in mind. All of these homes are very energyefficient, being built to Code Level 4, and are built to Secure by Design standards, giving peace of mind for those wanting a ‘lock-up-and-leave’ property. Top brand names such as Miele, Villeroy & Boch and Vado have been used throughout. Prices start at £2.5m. We’ve had interest from families,
naturally, as there are lots of great schools in the area and superb open spaces like Richmond Park and Wimbledon Common. We’ve also had many enquiries from downsizers from places such as Wimbledon and Putney, who need plenty of space but who are looking for a low-maintenance home with a smaller plot to tend. Does Fairlawn demonstrate a Firgrove Homes ‘signature’? I’d say that our typical style is ‘restrained elegance’ – not glitzy, but understated and sympathetically designed to appeal to the upper-middle buyers that are drawn to this area. Our homes are designed to ‘work’ – to be practical as well as very well specified. We are also aware of the impact of the homes on the environment and incorporate a number of ‘green’ features and materials. Where can house-hunters find out more about Fairlawn? Two local agents are marketing Fairlawn. Contact Coombe Residential on 020 8947 9393 or Savills Wimbledon on 020 8971 8111 or take a look at our website, www.firgrovehomes.co.uk.
FAIRLAWN WARREN ROAD • COOMBE HILL • KINGSTON UPON THAMES
Firgrove Homes present the opportunity to savour elegant living at Fairlawn, an exclusive gated collection of just four beautifully appointed luxury residences benefitting from landscaped gardens, a private meadow and three secure parking spaces per property. Comprising a Victorian mansion sympathetically renovated and converted to two 5/6 bedroom homes and two new detached 4/5 bedroom homes built in complimentary style, these homes blend classic and contemporary and exude quality and style. Two available, prices from £2.5million
elegant living on kingston’s private coombe hill estate
Showhome open Wednesday to Sunday from 11am - 5pm Warren Road, Coombe Hill, Kingston upon Thames KT2 7HY
JOINT SELLING AGENTS A DEVELOPMENT BY
www.firgrovehomes.co.uk
FIR29117 Fairlawn - What House? Magazine CD: 25/11 (created week 49) Size: 168x265mm
020 8947 9393
020 8971 8111
LONDON’S LANDMARKS FROM YOUR LIVING ROOM Luxury Penthouses from £2.95m Aldgate, E1
020 3302 3115 onecommercialstreet.com
LIVING THE HIGH LIFE Redrow London has now launched four, three bedroom luxury Penthouses as part of its flagship development at One Commercial Street. Located on the 21st floor and soaring 80 metres above street level, the building resembles a shard of light that pierces through the sky. The release of the Penthouses marks the final stage of the development’s completion which includes 207 homes and is located directly above Aldgate East station.
luxurious, spacious interiors and a grand entrance lobby, providing the ambience of a stylish hotel reception area. Designed to cater for today’s modern lifestyle, the Penthouses feature a mix of stone tiling, timber flooring and plush carpeting throughout. Every bedroom has its own en suite bathroom, finished in marble and chrome, giving each residence a sense of opulence and style.
The Penthouses range in size from 2,250 sq ft to 2,800 sq ft and each apartment has its own exclusive view of the capital’s most iconic landmarks, including the Shard, Gherkin and London’s Tower Bridge.
Each Penthouse has been finished to the highest specification, including Bulthaup kitchens with quartz worktops and integrated Miele appliances. Tisettanta wardrobes are featured in each bedroom and future proof cabling for audio visual, security, lighting and room control has been installed throughout.
Located on the edge of the City fringe, the contemporary Penthouses feature
The facade of the building has been designed as a ‘brise soleil’ feature, which,
with vertical folding panes, creates a complex grid pattern that helps to reduce overheating whilst adding to the development’s unique character. One Commercial Street offers residents a diverse living experience bordering cultural Shoreditch and the heart of London’s financial district, both within 10 minute walk. It also boasts excellent transport links to the rest of London with Aldgate East Underground Station directly below the development and a forthcoming local link to the Crossrail route from Whitechapel Station, a short walk away. These spectacular Penthouses are now ready to move into with prices from £2.95m - to arrange your viewing please call 020 3302 3115.
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In focus: Henley Homes Marc Da Silva speaks to Tariq Usmani, CEO of the London-based developer What regions does your division cover? We cover London and the South East – from densely populated inner city areas, to leafy London suburbs and smaller market towns. What are housing market conditions currently like in those areas? Like all developers, we have seen ups and downs in the property market in recent years. In the last 12 months, we have noted a continued muted confidence in London’s new build market. Several of our recent flagship schemes have been located in the Borough of Lambeth, which has seen a huge upsurge in demand over the last 12 months and unprecedented prices rises, demonstrating a growing confidence in the market. What types of properties is your firm developing? Our main focus is volume development of new build properties, utilising new technology and techniques
to transform brownfield and old industrial sites into thriving awardwinning communities. However, we also have an extensive background in the restoration and conversion of listed buildings. Recent projects include the Lumière Apartments in Clapham Junction, which was the redevelopment of Clapham’s Granada Cinema into 59 apartments. What projects are Henley Homes working on and what’s in the development pipeline? The final phase at our flagship Kennington development, Baylis Old School is due for completion next spring. The scheme involves the conversion and restoration of the Grade II listed former Lilian Baylis School, where we are creating 149 new homes, a mix of 60s modernist apartments, contemporary new build and family townhouses. In the pipeline, we have just acquired Brent House in Wembley. The 1.7-acre site, previously owned by Brent Council, will be redeveloped
into around 265 private sale and affordable homes and a new public piazza. We are also developing offices within the Nine Elms regeneration area, which will incorporate a permanent show apartment, displaying examples of our specification. Also, at various stages in the planning process are 320 homes in E3 and E14 and a further 300 in Cheadle, near Manchester. Is it worth buying property during the off-plan stage of construction? Buying off-plan is always worth considering – as long as you have confidence in the development, and the developers themselves. The majority of Henley properties are sold off-plan, often with the aid of a show apartment, so buyers can see the finish they should expect from a Henley product. If purchased early enough, we often offer buyers the opportunity to upgrade or alter certain fixtures and finishes, giving a more bespoke finish.
What is Henley Homes’ USP? Our core ethos is to create quality urban design-led schemes, working alongside world-renowned architectural practices, as well as utilising the wealth of experience of our in-house designers, who drive innovation in terms of design and finishes. When working on conversion projects, we work closely with bodies such as English Heritage, to ensure the design language of the original
buildings remains intact. Henley is driven by design and meticulous attention to detail, as well as excellent and comprehensive aftercare. Our great mix of buyers, which range from first-time buyers to wealthy overseas investors, frequently comment on our attention to detail and the quality of our finish. Praise from buyers is always a great accolade. Find out more at www.henley-homes.co.uk; 020 7401 8777
London has been our home for over ITH W IN OSIT E V MO % DEP 5
ITH W IN OSIT E V MO % DEP 5
W SHOE OPEONN R-M U HOM H T
Coopers Road SE1
The Peltons SE10
1, 2 & 3 bed apartments Prices from £345,000 Call: 020 3369 8781
3 bed houses, 1 & 2 bed apartments Prices from £305,250 Call: 020 3369 8677
Waterside living and 2 bed apartments from £365,000 Call: 020 3369 8685
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Lock Keepers E3
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Dream home of the month: The Chilterns, Marylebone Luxury West End living in these ultra-cool new apartments
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e’re going to let the pictures do the talking for this brand new luxury development from Frogmore and Galliard Homes. This flagship scheme of just 44 high-end apartments and penthouses offers its residents the added luxury of a private
cinema, signature restaurant, wine cellars, gym, sauna, valet parking and five-star, 24-hour hotel-style concierge. The six premier residences and penthouses have just been released for sale, though you’ll have to dig deep to enjoy this level of luxury: the largest penthouse will set you back £25m, though you do get four bedrooms and
the largest private roof garden in the West End. The premier apartments, however, start at £4m. A show apartment and marketing suite is now open at 11-15 Wigmore Street, open every day from 9.00am to 5.00pm. Find out more at www.thechilternsw1.com; 020 8418 1070
Clockwise from above: The duplex penthouse has a private glass lift like the one at the Ivy Club in Covent Gardens The basement holds 21 individual wine cellars and a tasting room The bespoke kitchens feature timber units, stone worktops and Gaggenau appliances The Moroccan-influenced penthouse roof gardens are designed by Rabih Hage
150 years. Make it yours. TR A
AT LINK E R G RT O P S N
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Merchants Walk E3 Studio,1,2 & 3 bed apartments Prices from £265,000 Call: 020 3369 8684
MARKETING SUITE NOW OPEN CALL TO ARRANGE APPOINTMENT OPPOSITE LATIMER ROAD UNDERGROUND 1 & 2 BEDROOM APARTMENTS PRIVATE BALCONIES OR TERRACES LANDSCAPED COURTYARD APARTMENTS FROM £415,000 REGISTER NOW 020 3369 8782 MOREWEST.CO.UK
merchantswalk.co.uk
peabodysales.co.uk
SPECIALISING IN LONDON’S LUXURY RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENTS Harrods Estates specialises in prime residential development and has been selling properties in London’s most prestigious new developments since 1996. Harrods Estates advises leading developers on sales & marketing and estate management in Prime Central London. We offer extensive management resources with the quality of service for which Harrods is renowned.
For more information please call Richard Stephenson, Director Harrods Estates Asset Management on +44 (0)203 626 7565, or Head of New Developments Simon Barry on +44 (0)20 7225 5734 HARRODSESTATES.COM
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Agent Insight We speak to Kevin Prince, a partner at Carter Jonas in Winchester Could you please give us a brief introduction to Carter Jonas? Carter Jonas is a national property consultancy with over 500 employees, dealing with all strands of the property market, from agricultural estates to commercial investments and residential sales. Our Winchester office works in conjunction with our London offices covering the south and southeast, and our residential property teams offer a wealth of experience and expertise in all property matters. We pride ourselves on our top-quality personal service, which generates repeat business from our many longstanding clients. What types of properties do you sell and let? We cover all price ranges, from £300,000 apartments to multimillionpound estates, and we tend to deal with “best in class” properties at each price point. At our Winchester office you will see everything from onebedroom city centre apartments to £10m country houses. We let quality properties of any size, from a onebedroom pied a terre (£675-£1,000 pcm) to substantial seven- or eightbedroom city and country houses at up to £10,000 pcm.
How much do properties typically cost in Winchester? It depends hugely on location, as prices differ considerably between the city centre and the outlying villages. However, as an indication, a good three-bedroom townhouse with parking in one of the more favoured streets of Winchester is likely to be priced at around £600,000, and the same house to rent would be around £2,000 pcm. What are the current trends in your area? We are seeing plenty of activity from downsizers looking to release capital and purchase smaller properties closer to amenities. We also enjoy a lot of activity from buyers drawn to the city by its excellent state and private schools. Furthermore, with an appealing cosmopolitan atmosphere, Winchester is also popular with professionals who work in London. What attracts buyers to Winchester? Winchester is increasingly known as a ‘foodie destination’, offering everything from independent cafes to Michelin-starred restaurants. The city also hosts one of the best farmers’ markets in the country.
With the South Downs National Park, New Forest, the South Coast and some of the best fishing rivers on the doorstep, a huge variety of outdoor pursuits are within easy reach. A wide range of shops and cultural attractions add to a great selection of leisure activities, and excellent road and rail links also drive demand from purchasers. Where is the best place for firsttime buyers to purchase a home? First-time buyers dependent upon London for employment will find Fulfood and Hyde attractive, while those looking for more affordable accommodation will be drawn to the north of the city and its outlying suburbs. What do you expect to happen in the property market over the next 12 months? We anticipate a ‘steady as she goes’ market over the next 12 months. The impending general election is likely to have a distorting effect upon the late spring market, as voters inevitably take their eye slightly off the ball as political campaigning reaches a fever pitch. The market will return to normal once there is some certainty as to the makeup of the next government.
Find out more at www.carterjonas.co.uk; 01692 833365
get to the point selling off plan now the point | the upper drive | hove The Point is an elegant boutique development of just eight luxury 1 and 2 bedroom apartments and one stunning 3 bedroom penthouse, all with private outdoor space. Spacious and stylish, each with a luxurious specification which will seduce and delight. Tremendous attention has been paid to every detail and the advanced design, incorporating sustainable energies, will please the most discerning purchaser. Prices from £295,000
01273 829300
FIND US ON:
e: thepoint@mishonmackay.com w: www.mishonmackay.com Computer generated image is for illustrative purposes only. Exact finishes must be verified.
a new concept in designer city apartments, created with flair and passion to deliver a superb contemporary living environment
Guide Prices are now from:
£1,650,000
Show Home open seven days a week by prior appointment.
Only two plots now remain
NAUTICA REACH
Four contemporary 4-bedroom detached houses virtually adjoining the beach, with no road in between and stunning views across to The Needles.
MILFORD ON SEA FEATURES INCLUDE:
• Integrated fridge, freezer and dishwasher
• Automated lighting system
• Quartz or granite worktops with upstand
• Double garage with electrically operated doors
• Oak stairs with glass balustrade and oak handrail
• Mechanical ventilation heat recovery system
• Under floor heating throughout • Built-in wardrobes to all bedrooms offering substantial storage, complete with full height sliding doors
Nautica Reach Ravens Way
Milford on Sea Lymington
Hampshire, SO41 0AS
• First floor balconies with seamless glass balustrades providing spectacular sea views • Quality triple glazed windows and external doors
close to stunning beaches and at the heart of village life, these substantial, prestigious homes have been created by award winning Architects to suit even the most discerning of purchaser.
• PEAs band “A”
George Long
Situated in this prime location,
James McNeil
Associate
Senior Sales Negotiator
t: 01202 492518
t: 01425 613958
www.savills.co.uk
www.pennyfarthinghomes.co.uk
Images may include optional upgrades which may only be available at an additional cost, please contact us for clarification or refer to the brochure. * The prices and particulars regarding properties are correct at the time of the production of this literature, however can be amended at any time, you should check the latest position with us before viewing.
Just 5% Deposit
A CHANCE TO BUY A PIECE OF HISTORY
Exceptional homes, Picturesque location, Easy access to Central London Visit www.marcityhomes.com or
A unique opportunity to purchase a contemporary apartment in a Grade II listed building. The Malt House offers a collection of 1, 2, 3, and 4 bedroom apartments & duplexes. √
Integrated fridge/freezer
√
Integrated washer/dryer
√
Integrated dishwasher
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Porcelanosa tiling
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Master bedrooms with ensuite
Call 0154 325 6647 to find out more. The Malt House Cairns Close Lichfield, WS14 9TP themalthouse@marcityhomes.com
Connells Office 01543 262376
SPECIAL OFFERS AT KINGS HILL The Poppies
WEST MALLING • KENT ME19 4LU A superb development of 2, 3, 4 & 5 bedroom homes
Have a house to sell? Don’t worry! Ask us about Part Exchange or our Home Change scheme. Let us help you to buy your brand new home! Computer Generated Image
2 bed prices from
£269,950 3 bed prices from
£309,950 4 bed prices from
£404,950 Our marketing suite is open daily from 11am to 6pm
Tel: 01732 523226 Or call our Head Office
Tel: 01622 626800 View our virtual show home tour at Also at Iwade, Sevenoaks, Hurstpierpoint and Fairseat
www.hillreed.co.uk
Imagery for illustration purposes only. YOUR HOME MAY BE REPOSSESSED IF YOU DO NOT KEEP UP REPAYMENTS ON YOUR MORTGAGE AND/OR YOUR EQUITY LOAN. Full details available on request. Details correct at time of going to press.
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New development embraces a colourful history at Kings Hill As it continues to supply new housing for Kent’s expanding population, the Kings Hill development is always mindful of its illustrious past
View across Kings Hill Golf Club Veteran Neville Croucher at the Dambusters event in 2013
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i ngs Hill, located to the south of the village of West Malling in north Kent, has been taking shape since the late 1980s. Now approaching 3,000 new homes, the 800-acre village also has a large employment zone providing opportunities for some 5,000 jobs and a wealth of shops and amenities. It has won a number of awards and is hailed as an exemplar of its type, transforming the former site of RAF West Malling into a brand new community. Across the whole village, there are numerous reminders of its former military role. There are streets and developments named in memory of key figures involved with the airfield since its founding in the First World War and an array of public artworks that commemorate aspects of its operations. The latest of these was unveiled this September. ‘Kings Hill…A Place of
The unveiling of ‘Kings Hill…A Place of Landings’
A young Kings Hill resident traces the new roundels Landings’ was commissioned by Kings Hill developer Liberty Property Trust UK and Kent County Council and is centred on the art deco control tower that has been retained on the site. It comprises several different elements, including brass reliefs, large-scale roundels embedded in the ground, and word trails. They represent some of the aircraft that operated from the airfield, slang and anecdotes recalled by the veterans stationed here, and one even shows the Beatles’ Magical Mystery Tour bus, recollecting the time that the Fab Four filmed their surreal movie on the airfield. “Public artwork has significantly contributed towards the highly aspirational new community we see today and which has been recognised nationally as best practice in placemaking and new community creation,” said John Simmonds, deputy leader of Kent County Council, at the unveiling of these artworks. “Kings Hill
is a ‘garden village’, demonstrating the benefits of an excellent and well-balanced public/private sector collaboration.” Kings Hill has been developed by Liberty Property Trust, which has overseen the creation of homes by many of the UK’s best housebuilders over more than 20 years. It has also ensured that the original vision of Kings Hill as a place to live has been seen through, involving the creation of its employment zone and amenities that now include two primary schools, a village green and pub, an 18-hole golf course, two major supermarkets, numerous other small shops and businesses, medical and community centres, a nature park and a host of sports facilities. Consistently cited as a model from which other mooted ‘garden villages’ across the UK should learn, Kings Hill continues to develop and forge a future that may be as significant as its past.
Tug of War, one of Kings Hill’s public artworks
THREE HOUSEBUILDERS ARE CURRENTLY SELLING NEW HOMES AT KINGS HILL:
Bellway Homes – Signature, a development of two-bedroom apartments alongside houses with two to five bedrooms. Current prices from £242,995 to £548,995
Crest Nicholson – Woodland Place, a collection on two- and three-bedroom cottages and four- and five-bedroom houses. Current prices from £312,000 to £512,000
Hillreed Homes – The Poppies, a scheme of two-, three-, four- and five-bedroom homes. Current prices from £258,000 to £464,950
36 surrey
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Consero Design: The art of interiors
T
racing its origins back to 2004, Consero Design is a leading interior design and project management house that creates bespoke interiors of the highest quality for private clients and on open-market projects for contractors or individual small-scale building firms. The design house is the sister brand of Consero London, a leading luxury developer operating in London and the Home Counties, which won Gold for the Best Luxury House at the WhatHouse? Awards 2014. However, the two brands often work separately from each other and each have individual management teams. Consero Design is led by joint managing directors Emma Lawrence and Marcella Dunne. Supporting them is a team of highly talented, dedicated and forwardthinking interior designers, with offices in London and Surrey. The design house has itself won a number of awards and describes its aims as “exceptional quality, design integrity, fine attention to detail and pursuit of absolute perfection”. The company has worked on a wide array of interiors ranging from stylish London apartments, through cosy executive family houses to luxury residences with ‘stately home’ quality interiors. This includes a mix of new-
One of the sumptuous reception rooms at ‘Furzecroft’, in St George’s Hill, Surrey
Formal dining room at award-winning ‘Furzecroft’
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The bar at ‘Treetops’
build homes and refurbished, historic properties. In total, Consero Design has worked on a portfolio of properties valued at over £1bn, located in some of the most highly regarded residential addresses in London, such as Notting Hill, St John’s Wood, St James’s and Hyde Park, and in Surrey’s prime private estates, St George’s Hill and Wentworth. Following a consultation with the client, the design team will create a bespoke scheme and deliver luxuriously dressed living spaces incorporating items such as bespoke colour walls, handcrafted silk wallpaper, antique mirrors, feature screens, chandeliers and custom-made furniture, drapes and curtains. This total interior design and project management service creates a luxury from conception, planning and design through to completion. “Outstanding customer care” is another key tenet of the business: each customer is dealt with personally by one of the directors, who acts as their daily account handler and liaison. These directors will travel to the client’s homes, offices or wherever they are in the world in order to provide them with updates on the interior design of their home. Find out more at www.conserolondon.com; 01932 506 600
Your kitchen. Your adventure.
S
toe
Exciting designs and installation tailored to your needs Head office: 01903 872704 Email: mark@rightsidekitchens.co.uk www.rightsidekitchens.co.uk
surrey
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37
Launch of new homes on former Milford Hospital site
Special event marks the unveiling of a new David Wilson Homes development in Upper Tuesley
A
full appointment book is the sign of strong demand and that’s exactly what David Wilson Homes had when it launched its much-anticipated Leithfield Park development in Upper Tuesley at the end of November. Several reservations were made over the opening weekend of sales at the former Milford Hospital site, just
outside Goldalming. The development will comprise over 100 new homes, with two-, three, four- and five-bedroom house types. There will be a mix of new build properties, designed to reflect the local architectural vernacular, as well as three refurbished hospital buildings and an unusual opportunity to custombuild your own home on one of ten plots at the north of the site. Lynnette St Quintin, sales director
for David Wilson Homes Southern Counties, says: “We are delighted to have finally launched the longawaited homes at Leithfield Park. We are very proud of this superb collection of quality new homes and are not surprised that the launch weekend was fully booked with appointments. “The very fact that we have taken reservations for several of the homes already is a good indicator that the
development will continue to be popular with homebuyers. This really is an exciting new development for discerning Surrey homebuyers with a wide range of properties available.” The combination of village setting and proximity to transport links and amenities is sure to appeal to a wide range of house-hunters. Milford has its own station, just a mile from the new development, with regular services to
London, Guildford and Portsmouth. The A3 is just five minutes away and it’s only two miles to the wide range of shops, pubs and restaurants in Godalming. Prices at Leithfield Park start from £404,995. David Wilson Homes will be launching an exclusive collection of detached four- and five-bedroom homes in spring 2015. To find out more visit www.dwh.co.uk; 0844 5566155.
38 surrey
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Property of the month: The Gallop, South Sutton
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is six-bedroom detached h property is located on The Gallop, one of the most sought-after roads in the south Sutton area, close to the Surrey/Greater London border. The open-plan layout here promotes great sense of space, with a reception area large enough to house a grand piano and a stunning wooden staircase rising to the second floor. The stylish kitchen/diner has a homely feel, with its classy range cooker offering a traditional flourish. The ground floor also features a separate family room, media room, large utility room, downstairs bedroom and a study, making the accommodation
ideal for growing families. Upstairs, the two main bedrooms both boast vaulted ceilings, expansive skylight windows and en suite facilities. The master bedroom also has French doors that lead out onto a balcony overlooking the garden. The outdoor space here is ideal for entertaining guests, with the large mature garden including a spacious patio. To the front, there are parking facilities for several cars. In summary, this beautiful property is a modern and comfortable setting for families, and is sure to be popular with commuters who can take advantage of the excellent local schooling and convenient transport links into London.
THE FACTS PROPERTY: Six-bedroom detached home WHERE? South Sutton, Surrey, SM2 HOW MUCH? £1.1m AGENT: Fine & Country, Cheam CONTACT: 020 8770 3377
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DESIRABLE NEW HOMES in sought after locations
This is a computer generated image and some details may vary
WALNUT TREES HILL Ashbury, Oxfordshire SN6 8DB
BADELYNGE YARD High Street, Urchfont, Wilthsire SN10 4QP
An exclusive community of just 10, four and five bedroom detached, homes of exceptional quality
A characterful community of 19 beautiful family homes, ranging from two to five bedrooms, in the heart of this idyllic village
From £659,950 to £789,950
From £245,000 to £760,000
This is a computer generated image and some details may vary
This is a computer generated image and some details may vary
MANOR FARM Up Hatherley, Cheltenham GL51 3ED
ROWDEN COURT off Coppice Close, Wiltshire SN15 2NN
Last few refurbished homes remaining – two, three and six bedroom (Grade II listed project)
A development of one, three and four bedroom homes, nestled on the edge of the historic market town of Chippenham
From £265,000 to £625,000
From £235,000 to £340,000
For further information about any of our developments please contact 01454 316633 or email info@redcliffehomes.co.uk
redcliffehomes.co.uk
Strictly limIted editions antlerhomes.co.uk
Antler Homes builds limited edition, luxury award winning homes, set in the most desirable locations. We dedicate many hours to finding the best locations, with great access to local amenities and travel connections. Every Antler residence combines traditional detailing with contemporary design, the use of innovative space optimisation and skilled craftsmen working closely together with our highly trained staff: the result is a stunning, individual home built to the highest standards. Part of our versatility is our ability to adapt our design-led approach to almost any site and achieve delivery of some of the best looking new homes in each location. For more on award winning Antler Homes in Berkshire, Hampshire, Surrey, Dorset and Greater London visit
antlerhomes.co.uk
Best Small Housebuilder 3 years running
CURRENT RELEASES FROM £850,000 – £4.5M
Superb new homes in an award winning environment
Due to the ongoing sales success at Vista, a new phase of 2 & 3 bedroom homes has been released at this popular development. With completions due for Autumn/Winter next year this new release offers the opportunity to secure a superb new home at today’s prices, and with prices starting at just £339,950, purchasing ‘off plan’ represents a superb investment opportunity.
DON’T MISS OUT - VISIT OUR SHOWHOME FOR FURTHER INFORMATION
a t D R AY T O N G A R D E N V I L L A G E
Computer generated illustration indicative only
Drayton Garden Village is an exciting new 21st century village to the West of London. With village greens, children’s play areas and tree lined boulevards these landscaped areas provide a wonderful backdrop for our range of 2, 3 & 4 bedroom houses, all finished to a very high standard.
Showhome & Sales Centre open daily 10am - 5pm
For further information please call 01895 431901 or contact our selling agent, Cameron on 01895 444424
High specification throughout Generously sized private gardens Allocated parking for all plots Award winning landscaping Excellent transport links - close to M25, Heathrow and the forthcoming Crossrail Prices from £339,950 Christmas opening times: CLOSED Tuesday 23rd - Friday 26th December OPEN Saturday 27th - Monday 29th December
CLOSED Tuesday 30th - Thursday 1st January
OPEN AS NORMAL Friday 2nd January onwards
Vista Sales Centre & Showhome, Drayton Garden Village, Porters Way, UB7 9AU Open 7 days a week 10am - 5pm
cameron-group.co.uk ILH29140 Vista, DGV - What House Magazine CD:5/12 PD: December issue (created week 50) Size: 340x265mm
inlandhomes.co.uk
COMING SOON THE COPPICE II REGISTER YOUR INTEREST TODAY
A SELECT DEVELOPMENT OF 1, 2, 3 & 4 BEDROOM HOMES WOODPECKER CRESCENT, BURGESS HILL, WEST SUSSEX RH15 9XY
REGISTER YOUR INTEREST TODAY
0333 321 8903
thecoppice@croudacehomes.co.uk
The Coppice
The Coppice
CUCKFIELD ROAD, HURSTPIERPOINT, WEST SUSSEX BN6 9SD 0333 321 8656 The Clayton, 4 Bedroom Home
HELP TO BUY SCHEME AVAILABLE*
chalkersvale@croudacehomes.co.uk
OPEN DAILY FROM 10AM TO 5PM
All imagery is illustrative and may vary from shown. *Available incentives are subject to reservation criteria, scheme approval and restrictions (including the Government Help to Buy scheme) and can be development specific, please ask our Sales Consultants for more information.
5 RATED HOUSE BUILDER
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43
The ‘Colonial Collection’ at St Irvyne’s, Broadbridge Heath,West Sussex Abundant space and a high-specification define these splendid family properties
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Th
h e village of Broadbridge Heath, located just to the west of Horsham, is a sought-after area in a district that is being transformed by a raft of new developments from a wide range of housebuilders. Among the most distinctive new homes currently on the market there – and certainly some of the largest – are those forming the Colonial Collection at St Irvyne’s, a scheme being constructed by Countryside. These large executive properties with four or five bedrooms each offer between 2,600 and 3,100 sq ft of living space for the modern family. Arranged in a picturesque, family friendly corner of the development within mature landscaping, they represent the very highest standard of homes available in this desirable area.
e
The colonial-style exteriors are clad in white weatherboarding, while inside, grand entrance halls, impressive staircases and feature glazing to front and rear elevations make a real statement on entering and exploring each home type. Countryside has commissioned its professional designers to decorate and style a number of different home types to complete the experience for visiting house-hunters. Notable features include well-appointed and comfortable kitchen/dining/family rooms that will be the hub of family life, useful utility rooms, generous living spaces with French doors opening out onto the gardens, log burners and grand fireplaces. Many of the master bedroom suites in these homes feature separate dressing areas fitted with large wardrobes in addition to a luxurious
en suite. Depending on the house type you choose, you may also have a conservatory area or study, while a spacious double garage is standard. The homes currently available in the Colonial Collection range from £679,995 to £850,000. Prices for the three-bedroom homes currently start from £410,000. Find out more from Countryside at www.st-irvynes.co.uk; 01403 242142
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From top: The ‘Glenwood’ house type, from £795,000 The ‘Lexington’ house type, from £850,000
LET US HELP YOU TO SELL Move Assist available. Please ask for details.
ro view f Actual
Show Home and Sales Office open Thursday to Monday, 10am–5pm. Please note the office will be closed from 5pm on Monday 22nd December and open at 10am Friday 2nd January.
Tel: 01752 408091 Email: theboatyard@cavannahomes.co.uk
www.cavannahomes.co.uk *correct at time of print.
5 lot 4 lot p p m
THE BOATYARD IS AN EXCITING WATERFRONT DEVELOPMENT OF 53 CONTEMPORARY TWO, THREE AND FOUR BEDROOM HOMES LOCATED OFF THE OLD WHARF, ORESTON, PLYMOUTH, PL9 7NP.
Current Prices from £349,950*
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WHAT HOUSE? AWARDS 2014 SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPER OF THE YEAR
The best of all worlds • A unique collection of 1, 2, 3, 4 & 5 bedroom homes in an outstanding 85 acres of glorious parkland • Just over 1 mile from Chichester city centre and 9 miles to West Wittering Beach‡ • Ask about Help to Buy* or Part Exchange† for a money saving move • Linden Homes was awarded Sustainable Developer of the Year at the WhatHouse? Awards 2014
CHICHESTER
Marketing Suite and Show Homes open daily 10am – 5pm
2 bedroom apartments from £265,000 3, 4 & 5 bedroom homes from £410,000
0844 417 5632
Connolly Way, off College Lane PO19 6PQ
lindenhomes.co.uk/graylingwell
YOUR HOME MAY BE REPOSSESSED IF YOU DO NOT KEEP UP REPAYMENTS ON YOUR MORTGAGE OR OTHER DEBT SECURED ON IT. Credit is secured against your home. Photographs show typical Linden homes at Graylingwell Park and the local area. Interiors may include optional upgrades or extras available at additional cost. *Subject to status, Help to Buy Terms & Conditions and available on selected properties in England only. Eligible applicants will be offered an equity loan up to a maximum of 20% of the purchase price (based on the open market value). Applicants are required to fund at least 80% of the purchase price by means of a conventional mortgage, savings/deposit where required. The equity loan is provided by the HCA and held as a second charge. This offer is not available in conjunction with any other promotion. Full details will be provided on request. †On selected homes only. Subject to status, terms and conditions apply. Not available in conjunction with any other offer. ‡Distances approximate. Price and details correct at time of going to press.
46 sussex
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High demand for Affinity Sutton’s new homes in Midhurst
Our Housing Association of the Year is finding success with its private sale homes at The Montagues
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f finity Sutton’s latest development in Midhurst, West Sussex, has been a huge hit since it launched just three months ago. A substantial number of the 22 newly built two-, three- and fourbedroom houses and apartments for private sale at The Montagues have already been reserved off-plan, meaning opportunities are dwindling for house-hunters in the area to secure the property to suit their needs there. The four-bedroom show home at The Montagues reflects the development’s boutique style and gives property seekers a chance to see first-hand the high-quality specification that all of the homes Computer Generated Images are indicative only.
across the development have. Each kitchen is equipped with contemporary Paula Rosa walnut and high white gloss cabinets and come complete with integrated Bosch appliances. Villeroy & Boch sanitaryware in the bath and shower rooms is complemented by Hansgrohe brassware, continuing the quality theme. Downstairs, large French doors lead out onto a private garden while upstairs, the bedrooms all benefit from large windows, filling them with natural light. One of the bedrooms benefits from its own en suite bathroom, ideal for busy families or when guests are staying. The completed development will also include a carefully restored Grade II listed Regency villa, which the
company is converting to four threebedroom apartments. This development offers residents all the benefits and appeals of country living, with the homes set within beautifully landscaped gardens located in the heart of this picturesque market town. The setting has certainly assisted sales. Simon Ginsburg, senior sales manager at Affinity Sutton, says, “We’re extremely pleased with the number of reservations so far. There is a wide range of buyers, who are not only attracted by the variety of homes available at The Montagues but also the different options to buy.” Help to Buy is available at the development and a number of homes are also available through shared
ownership and shared equity schemes. The development has been named after the Viscount Montague family, which lived at the nearby Cowdray Estate during Tudor times. It sits on the former St Margaret’s Convent School – in fact, the Grade II listed Regency villa was once one of the original school’s buildings. Midhurst is a quintessential Sussex market town, boasting numerous quaint, independently owned local shops and cafés, such as Marmaduke’s antiques and collectables store, The Real Flower Company, which was listed in Vogue magazine’s top 100 shops outside London, the Vintage Tearooms and Faustino’s Wine and Tapas Bar. It’s a very desirable area for families
too, with a number of well-regarded schools within just a few minutes’ walk of The Montagues. These include Midhurst Rother College, which has been rated ‘Outstanding’ by Ofsted, and Midhurst Church of England Primary School. Midhurst is an excellent base for commuters, too, thanks to convenient connections to a number of West Sussex’s most vibrant towns including Chichester, Petworth and Petersfield. The town is just nine miles from Haslemere, where regular, direct train services to London Waterloo take under an hour. Prices at The Montagues start from £365,000 for a three-bedroom house. To find out more, contact selling agent Jackson-Stops & Staff on 01730 810 132.
BUY A NEW 3 OR 4 BEDROOM HOME WITH JUST A 5% DEPOSIT!
A collection of brand new 3 and 4 bedroom homes in the centre of Midhurst, West Sussex
H E L P TO B U Y C A N H E L P YO U P U R C H A S E A 3 B E D RO O M H O U S E AT T H E M O N TAG U E S : You only need a 5% deposit
£18,250
The government lends you 20% interest free for 5 years*
£73,000
You need a 75% mortgage
£273,750
Total purchase price
£365,000
• • • • •
Contemporary specification Private gardens and off street parking Shops and amenities of Midhurst on your doorstep Flexible ways to buy Buy now, move in early 2015
3 BEDROOM HOUSES FROM £365,000 MARKETING SUITE AND SHOW HOME O P E N T H U R S DAY – M O N DAY, 1 0 A M – 5 P M Petersfield Road, Midhurst, West Sussex GU29 9 JP
T: 01730 810 132 E: sales@themontagues-midhurst.co.uk W: themontagues-midhurst.co.uk Prices and information correct at time of print. *Interest free for the first 5 years after which interest will be charged on the value of the loan at 1.75% which will increase annually by RPI+0.5%
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surrey
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Shared ownership homes an attractive option in Horley
Russell Square offers an affordable home in Surrey with an easy commute into London
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h is new apartment scheme from Thames Valley Housing offers one- and two-bedroom apartments on a shared ownership basis, whereby buyers can purchase an initial share for as little as 45% of the full market value of the home with just a 5% deposit. For a one-bedroom property with a full value of £182,500, an eligible purchaser could take a 45% share worth £82,125 with a 5% deposit of just £4,106. Rent is paid to Thames Valley Housing on the share that hasn’t been bought, and service charges are payable. Additional shares can be purchased at a later date, a process known as ‘staircasing’, until the purchaser owns 100% of the home. Kush Rawal, sales and marketing director at Thames Valley Housing, says: “People who don’t know about shared ownership are amazed that they can buy a home for so little and with such a low deposit. What’s more, there’s no compromise in quality or setting. Russell Square is in a fantastic location, close to the town centre, opposite Waitrose and a short stroll from the station.”
In fact, transport links from this appealing town are very good, with a journey time of just 33 minutes to London Victoria and 38 minutes to Brighton from Horley station. The town is well connected to the local area, just five miles from Redhill and Crawley, a mile from Gatwick Airport and close to the M23. While shared ownership offers a way for some people to get on the first rung of the property ladder on a limited budget, there’s no compromise on quality with a home purchased under this scheme. At Russell Square, the building has been designed with some striking architecture: each apartment has a private balcony, while top-floor penthouse apartments feature roof terraces, and there is a landscaped courtyard and undercroft parking. Interiors are stylish and contemporary, providing almost everything that a first-time buyer might need. Designer kitchens are very well equipped with an oven, hob, fridge/freezer and washer/dryer while bathroom suites are cool and chic, with Roca fittings. Some apartments even include the luxury of an en suite shower room to the master bedroom.
To help potential buyers envisage what life might be like at Russell Square, there is a show apartment at that has been professionally decorated by interior designers. There is a large, open-plan living area that offers plenty of room for relaxing or entertaining, while the bedrooms are generously sized. Storage space can be an issue in some starter homes, but the show home demonstrates that here there is plenty of space to store everyday items and possessions, including a large fitted wardrobe in the master bedroom. The show home is available to view without an appointment from Thursday to Monday, 10.00am to 4.00pm. Sales advisors from Thames Valley Housing are on hand to give guidance on shared ownership and the purchasing process. Full market prices start from £182,500 for a one-bedroom apartment (£82,125 for a minimum 45% with shared ownership) and £212,500 for a two-bedroom apartment (£95,625 for a minimum 45% with shared ownership). Find out more from Thames Valley Housing on 020 8607 0550.
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Inspired by tradition
TRADITIONAL CHARACTER, CONTEMPORARY LIVING If you're searching for a new home with traditional charm as well as all the internal features you desire for comfortable, convenient and stylish living, look no further than Hopkins Homes and Hopkins and Moore. We are East Anglia's leading developers, building collections of homes to exceptionally high standards, each one individually designed to complement its setting, be it town, village, countryside or coast.
Call us or visit our website for further information hopkinshomes.co.uk • 01394 446860 Hopkins Homes builds traditional award winning homes throughout Suffolk, Norfolk, Cambridgeshire and Essex
CB THE CROFT AT
BASTON
DESIGNED EXCLUSIVELY FOR THE OVER 55 S
A wArd w inning Homes built exclusively for tHe over
M
ake your life your own at The Croft at Baston, a stylish development surrounded by beautiful grounds, with a variety of facilities and services close by to suit every lifestyle. The development consists of 49, one and two bedroom bungalows, as well as three bedroom chalet bungalows for those who want a little extra space.
The properties by What House? ‘Best Retirement Development’ Winner Larkfleet Homes are located around attractive walkways and gardens, creating a pleasant community environment. There is also a community club house on site where residents can enjoy taking part in their own hobby and activity groups as well as regular communal events. All the homes have been designed to need minimal ongoing maintenance so homeowners
55s
can benefit from the independence and security of property ownership without the day-to-day concerns of property upkeep. Not only a place to live, it offers a lifestyle that means you will have more time and energy to do the things you enjoy doing, every day, within a bustling community environment. What’s more, Larkfleet offers a range of buyer services, to make your move to Baston easy and trouble-free. Award winning developer
The Croft at Baston is not just a place to live but a community of like-minded neighbours who enjoy a lifestyle full of possibilities.
A new development, built exclusively for the over 55s.
Call 07825 275820 for more information.
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The Croft at Baston, Mayfield Gardens, Baston, Lincolnshire PE6 9QW
We care about the community
52 armchair gardener
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Gifts for gardeners
C Clothes call: All-weather gardeners will appreciate Genus’ Performance Gardening Gilet, which has fast-drying properties and useful pockets, £89, www.genus.gs
What do you give the gardener in your life for Christmas? Richenda Oldham reveals her favourite finds for the green-fingered
oosing h Christmas presents for family and friends is always a test of how well you know them - particularly if they have a strong hobby or interest, such as gardening. In fact, this increases the pressure on the purchaser to get it right. Avoid panic present buying
at the last minute - this is guaranteed to be a disaster as judgement can be impaired when you are forced to make decisions quickly. Instead, stay cool, calm and collected and ask for suggestions (in good time for you to order them) or take inspiration from the following ideas.
Show of hands: Hard working gardening hands need their share of pampering. The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) and Bronnley obviously feel that way, too with the RHS Natural Gardeners Therapy collection of toiletries, soaps and fragrances inspired by natural aromas such as citrus and bergamot, exfoliating hand wash, £9, nourishing hand conditioner, £9, www.bronnley.co.uk
Cherry ripe: Prunus incisa kojo-no-mai is an early flowering hardy dwarf cherry with attractive twisted branches. It’s easy to grow and features blush pink blossom and is often given as a good luck gift, £27.50, www. treesdirect.co.uk
Tools of the trade: this superb Orla Kiely tool box is the perfect gardener’s gift - it looks good, yet is totally practical, being made from galvanised steel and complete with roof storage space and a carrying handle, £39, www.quinceliving.co.uk
Herb garden: this is such a cute idea for flat dwellers with no garden or balcony. It’s a mini indoor herb allotment, complete with picket fence and a shed, plus miniature plant pots, seeds, soil pellets, £24.95, www.prezzybox.com
Sipping pretty: Gardens aren’t just for toiling in are they? This traditional deckchair is made from reclaimed sailcloth, which is both durable and weatherproof - the perfect place for sipping one’s Pimms at leisure, £150, www.quba.com
Foot perfect: Wellington boots are a must for the British gardener, but that doesn’t mean they can’t be stylish and practical. The Ilse Jacobsen Ladies rubber boots, shown here in Indigo, are both functional and smart, £110, www.scandinavianshop.co.uk
Busy bee: Help declining numbers of bees with these charming packets of seeds, which have been specially chosen for their attractiveness to bees. The blue pack features Cornflower, Love in a Mist and Scabious, while the yellow pack contains Sunflower, Cosmos and Pot Marigold, £7.95 each, www.annabeljames.co.uk
Off the cuff: What English Rose could resist the challenge laid down by these gardening gauntlets made from cream leather with English linen cuffs - ideal for protecting your arms from prickly plants, £27.95, www.annabeljames.co.uk
In the frame: a mini greenhouse could be just what someone with a small garden is looking for. Measuring just 143cm long, the Lacewing has a PVC cover that will protect plants against frost and UV rays, £49.95, www.primrose.co.uk
One of the highest yielding property investments in the market / Rental yields of up to 32% net per annum.
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Effective freehold property (99 year lease) Fully guaranteed and warranted construction of units and support facilities Motel will be five miles from Watford City and less than 40 miles from Williston, the most expensive place in the US to rent a home
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VINTAGE VINTAGE We are Brighton’s largest furniture shop selling 20th Century Vintage and Retro Furniture throughout London and the South East of England. Our furniture dates from the 50s, 60s and 70s. All our furniture is fully restored to it’s former glory plus we also offer furniture restoration.
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interiors 61
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Go Natural – Let It Snow Hessian bunting, 2.5 metres long, £7.99, www.gingerray.co.uk
Reindeer – Set of 12 red and white reindeer decorations, £8, from The Contemporary Home www.tch.net; rustic natural wood Christmas reindeer, £11, www.simplyaddstyle.com; Dobbies champagne glitter reindeer head, £9.99, www.tesco.com
Sparkle – Let it Snow felt bunting, £12; silver stag snow globe; £25, glitter pillar candle; £16, Christmas decorations from £7 each; stag cards, £7; www.lauraashley.com
Vintage – Vintage postcard gift bags, £3.95, www.deepuddy.co.uk; festive retro car decorations, £10.75, www.berryred.co.uk; Christmas Story Book Nordic – Alpine Christmas decorations inspired by chalets, skiing and Fair Isle knitwear, tree decorations, £3 each, www.ellieellie.co.uk www.janconstantine.com
‘Tis the season to be jolly Get into the Christmas mood with Richenda Oldham’s top seasonal decorating trends
O
ut of all the yearly seasonal chores that a homeowner faces, decorating the home for Christmas arrives like a snowy blast of fresh air. For anyone who doesn’t slavishlyfollow interior fashions, changing their paint schemes/wallpaper religiously every year, Christmas decorating offers the change to be bang on trend without having to break the bank.
GO NATURAL Sackcloth or hessian is in full swing and offers a coarse texture, which looks gorgeous mixed with a little sparkle. It’s a big part of the overall back-tonature look, with twig Christmas trees and woodland creatures. Try making your own hessian bunting and printing it with snowflakes or stars using white or glitter stencil paint, finished off with red and white gingham bows.
NORDIC Nordic or Scandinavian style is an attractive style with a strong
folksy, homespun element. It’s rustic minimalist approach works well in contemporary homes looking for just a touch of the traditional. Fir trees, snowflakes and reindeer are familiar Nordic motifs, as of course, is a red and white colour scheme. Choose: pine cone baubles, hand-made felt tree decorations, fir tree wreaths with berries, rustic lanterns and knitted accessories.
REINDEER Reindeer have always been associated with Christmas, however they have also been taking centre stage as a decorative icon. In the seasonal accessories line-up, reindeer are appearing in every finish imaginable. Look out for knitted, felt, metal, diamanté, gold, tartan, wood, silver, plastic and glittery reindeer.
SPARKLE This is a very elegant look that’s light and feminine. It includes attractive champagne tones, as well as silver, white, diamanté and frosted
trimmings. Make sure you bring out your favourite silverware and crystal to get the best out of this look.
HIGHLAND FLING Tartan is strong theme that picks up on the eternally popular red and green Christmas colours. There are tartan bows, throws, baubles, stockings and garlands to choose from. Remember to add a touch of gold to give the tartan a lift.
VINTAGE This is pure nostalgia and is proving a great favourite, because it’s not about antique period style, it’s about vintage, so childhood retro favourites from the 40s, 50s and 60s are very much in evidence. You can decorate your Christmas table with delightful gingerbread men printed paper napkins, plates and cups or cheery red and white vintage font stationery with 1950s style Santas. Look out for clip-on vintage cars and old fashioned paper chains - either bought or homemade.
Highland Fling – Be a tartan terror this Christmas – perfect for period style properties, Rannoch 2.1m pine tree, £99; traditional baubles, from £2.99; LED lights, £40; wreath, £20; garland, £25; tartan stocking £10, www.dobbies.com
62 interiors
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Alternative Christmas trees
Release your inner avant-garde spirit and think outside the box with Richenda Oldham’s selection of five alternative Christmas trees. Best of all, there will be no pine needles to clear up afterwards… 1
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1. Table-top twig tree - This delightful, tiny wooden twig tree is just 65cm high and will make a charming table centrepiece, £39, www.tch.net. Try decorating it with mini felt decorations from www.poundland.co.uk or tiny feather bird clips from www.petraboase.com; 2. Contemporary tree - A string of fairy lights is all that this stylish modern wooden Christmas tree with star-shaped cut outs needs. Available in a range of colours including natural birch (shown), £220, www.bombus.co.uk; 3. Scandinavian tree - These beautifully simple but elegant Nordic trees will appeal to purists who prefer less glitz and glamour, Design Ideas Alpine Trees, £5.95, www.scandinavianshop.co.uk; 4. Inflatable disco tree - Shrinking violets should turn away now. This eye-catching inflatable Christmas tree, complete with star, stands a whopping 2.4m tall and contains two disco lights that project colourful light throughout the tree, £89.99, www.glow.co.uk; 5. Silver birch LED tree - The Dobbies Silver Birch LED tree looks stunning here teamed with blue cones and glass baubles. It’s ideal for small spaces and could be put on a table for added impact, LED tree from £24.99, blue cones, £3.99, www.tesco.com
Professional kitchen design
Online gallery and developer testimonials: www.moorebydesign.co.uk The Hersham Centre, Hersham, Surrey, KT12 4HL Tel 01932 379076
interiors 63
Find your new home at Whathouse.com Hole-in-the-wall gas fireplaces have a streamlined, minimalist appeal, with no hearth or surround, www.platonicfireplaces.co.uk
An eco-friendly bioethanol fire will produce ambient heat that drifts across the room, Cocoon Vellum Bioethanol Fire, £2,100, www.gomodern.co.uk
Inglenook fireplaces add character to a room, but are more practical if fitted with a wood-burning stove, Hunter inglenook stove, £1,399, www.ludlowstoves.co.uk
Electric fires are convenient and can be highly sophisticated, complete with logs, flame and even smoke effects, www.dimplex.co.uk
For an open solid fuel fire use a simple freestanding fire basket to hold the logs and choose a surround that reflects the age and style of your house, Buckingham surround, £1,980, Cadogan fire basket, £594, www.chesneys.co.uk
Change of hearth
A fireplace will add life to a room, giving it a focal point. So whether you have your heart set on a hearth filled with burning logs or a simple gas fire, read Richenda Oldham’s suggestions
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i res offer both warmth and comfort, not to mention being the centre of attention in a room and even improving it. But what type of fireplace should you choose to cosy up to in the depths of winter? First you should start by selecting the type of energy you want to use. • Natural gas - if you want clean, no fuss instant heat, then gas is a good choice - it’s also the cheapest form of heating. Always make sure you use a Gas Safe Register approved fitter. • Electric - these are simple to install and maintain – it’s literally a case of plug in and go. The best electric fires have a flickering flame appearance to create the atmosphere of a gas or real fire.
• Solid fuel - the different types of solid fuel used for domestic heating range from wood, biomass and biofuel pellets to coal or coke. Real fires and solid fuel stoves add atmosphere, but there will be ashes to clear up the next day and don’t forget to get your chimney swept twice a year.
KNOWING YOUR FLUE
• Bioethanol - these eco-friendly fires have an adjustable real flame and give out no harmful gases, sparks or soot, making them ideal for houses or apartments without a chimney. The flame is caused by burning bioethanol, a renewable energy source made from fermented sugar and starch from plant by-products. They are an ideal alternative to electric fires and don’t incur any installation costs.
This is a metal flue box, which creates a false internal chimney breast. The box is connected to a series of metal flue pipes, which end in a terminal that passes through the roof. This flue can be used with multi-flue gas fires and electric fires.
BRICK CHIMNEY A conventional brick chimney (also called a Class 1 flue) with a chimney stack on the roof is easily recognisable and allows you to install most types of fire.
CLASS 2 PRE-FABRICATED FLUE
CLASS 2 PRE-CAST FLUE Many new properties have rectangular pre-cast flues instead of chimneys.
They run up through cavity walls and are made from hollow concrete flue blocks, ending in a ridge vent on the roof. You can use this flue with multiflue gas fires and electric fires.
DIFFERENT TYPES OF FIREPLACE OPEN FIREPLACE (CLASSIC) An open recess in a chimney is known as an open fireplace. It can be complemented with different types of fire surrounds, from wood and stone to metal, usually with a mantelpiece. Always make sure your fireplace has a hearth, which should extend beyond the fireplace opening by around 300mm and 150mm on either side. You will also need a good quality fire
basket to hold the logs or coal.
OPEN FIREPLACE (INGLENOOK) Old-fashioned inglenooks are one of the best known types of open fireplace and are ideally suited to traditional stoves, which are designed to burn logs and smokeless fuel cleanly and efficiently.
HOLE-IN-THE-WALL Hole-in-the-wall fireplaces are becoming very popular and offer a stripped back to the basics look with no surround or mantel. They are literally just an opening in a wall with either a fire basket or a gas-fuelled fire bed.
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