Articles
The housing shortage debate continues and how best to tackle it. The newest initiative to show itself in the media this week was the one about the Empty Homes campaign.
A solution for the housing shortage in the UK
This is a great idea to effectively bring those empty homes in a current state of disrepair back into use. I can see plenty of opportunities where this scheme could be of great benefit. You can pass through Wirral and Cheshire and you will see that there are properties which could be brought back into use helping to alleviate the housing shortage that is currently upon us. This proposal will not only help to bring houses and flats back into use, but also revitalise the communities and surrounding areas. It should not only be aimed at derelict residential properties though; there are also commercial properties not currently in use. They too could also be converted into homes which could also be another approach to tackle our current housing shortage.
There was another proposal a few months back whereby they were looking at potentially taxing older people who were in large properties. Essentially they were looking at targeting homes where children had flown the nest. This approach was to incentivise them to downsize and move into smaller property. Again, the aim of this scheme was to bring larger family homes into the marketplace to help alleviate the housing shortage.
Great ideas to tackle the housing shortage
I think there are some great ideas coming to the fore to combat the housing shortage. It’s good to see these schemes getting useful media coverage and prompting the debate. Not all of them are fit for purpose, however I certainly believe that encouraging people to buy rundown properties and bring them back into use is certainly a big step in the right direction.
Category : Articles
Now is the time to break the mould to sell or let your property. In his 2011 autumn statement the Chancellor has said the UK’s position is worse than first thought. The growth predictions have been revised downwards and we are all going to feel the pain of the squeeze for a little longer. It’s even more important to ensure that what we are spending is necessary.
Alternative approach to sell or let your property
What is also interesting is that the demand for homes could rise over the coming years due to the shortage of supply of quality housing. So what does this mean for you? Well, if you are looking to sell or let your property now is the perfect time to try alternative approaches to market your property. Trying a do-it-yourself property listing website could allow you to save money. As I have mentioned in a previous post this method does mean you need to have more input into how you market your property including showing around potential vendors. However, in the case of selling your house or flat the benefits could see you saving £000s. From a letting point of view it could be £00s. So this could be a cost effective approach to property advertising.
When selling or letting your property privately you also have the option to market and promote to your existing social network. There are many hints and tips you can use if you are selling or letting in Cheshire and Wirral.
Break the mould selling or letting your property
There are tools available that can help you value your property. However, it’s important to note that in the current climate you need to price your home realistically to make it attractive to potential buyers or renters. Situations like the current squeeze mean you can break the mould and look to do things differently even if there is a little more effort required on your part. It’s worth testing the market; you never know you might be pleasantly surprised.
For those of you feeling lackluster about the festive season this year, I am here to help you create the perfect combination of style, decadence and warmth, ready for the season ahead. No home is complete without a little indulgence and every detail is important, from the lighting of the candle to the midnight fire. Furniture, fabrics and accessories with a brush of gold or silver, are ideal for creating a low key but effective look this season.
Inspirational surroundings are important and it is time to make your home not only family friendly, but a talking point too. Work within your colour scheme and match your decorations to suit your interiors. Spend time making your home looking amazing, for your friends and family to share and appreciate; these moments are precious whilst treasuring everything that is important to you.
FRENCH BRASS GYROSCOPE TABLE
Stunning Gyroscope Table from new Evolution collection from Porta Romana.
MALVERN FIRE TOOL SET
Antique finish brass and matt black steel fireplace utilities from Chesneys. Elegant fire guard to work with them from the same collection.
METAL WALL SCULPTURE
Really quaint Bus Stop scene wall sculpture, by designer Curtis Jere, available from Talisman London.
LARGE PENNINI CANDLE
Ultra stylish Piennini scented candle, created by master perfumer Olivier Polge, by Fornasetti, available at Selfridges
Dipika Parmar is owner and founder of Elysian Interiors http://www.elysianlifestyle.com/
If you would like to be featured, please contact movingsooninfo@gmail.com
Juliette Crane – an artist without boundaries
US-based artist Juliette Crane is set to take the UK market by storm with her beautiful paintings and unmistakeable style. Her work is well known in the US for its depiction of owls and girls; two characters which are very close to her heart and give her paintings such depth and appeal.
Juliette has been developing her own unique technique since she was five, which has evolved into the multi-layered style she has today and is part of what gives her work such density and emotion. Using spray paints and acrylics as well as water colours and even wax, she will often experiment with new techniques and materials. In this sense she is very much an artist with no boundaries who believes anything is possible.
If she feels like combining it, she does. She will always try something to see if it works, following her instincts and never holds back from telling a story. And it’s the layers, story and depth that sets her work apart.
Juliette says: “I think the character is the thing that others most relate to when they see my work so it’s very special and I never stop painting it until I get it right. Sometimes that takes layers and layers; a painting can be many different paintings underneath what people see when it’s finished. All of those layers become part of its story and I think you can see all of that in the character’s eyes, just like you can when you look at a person.”
Such is the appeal of these characters that Juliette has launched a successful e-course called How to paint an Owl and will shortly launch another entitled How to paint a Girl launched in January 2012. Through these e-courses, Juliette shares her enthusiasm for her subject matter as well as her personal techniques.
Currently Juliette Crane’s products are sold through US stockists and on her etsy site with imminent plans to expand worldwide. Her work is being launched in UK stores, Juliette is already at The Oak Studios in Hampstead, London and hopefully at Cherry Tree Gallery in Knutsford, which I will keep you posted with.
There are also plans to create a range of clothing, textiles and accessories featuring her artwork across a range including fashion, homewares, stationery and limited edition prints. Indeed a range of lockets, 2012 calendar’s has just been launched.
Plus Amazing iphone, laptop skins, and framed canvases at http://society6.com/juliettecrane
Juliette is also developing new projects that combine her love for art and storytelling with a view to launching a book in the future.
When an artist such as Juliette Crane believes that anything is possible, it usually is.
She is an inspiration and has amazing e-courses that will take your creativity to a new level.
If you would like to know more about Juliette Crane follow these links below and if you are a shop or gallery in the uk please contact fiona@happy4pr.com for details.
Juliette Crane works are a perfect accessory for the you and your home.
http://www.etsy.com/listing/83067564/online-art-class-how-to-paint-an-owl-an
http://www.etsy.com/shop/juliettecrane
http://juliettecrane.blogspot.com/
Knutsford Heritage Centre needs your help to raise funds to save their beautiful Tapestry. Listen to our interview with Trustee, Val Bryant who talks about the Knutsford Heritage Centre and all it does for the community.
I first went to see the Knutsford Tapesty in the summer, and was amazed at how much detail was captured in the finished piece. I bought the programme and shared the story with others; on how it was quiet incredible that a community came together, in the millennium to create such a work of art. Now under threat, the tapestry is being repaired, I met Trustee Val Bryant, to tell me why she loves her work, and Val gives me an update on the much loved ‘Knutsford Tapestry’
editor
Fiona
Champagne and Shopping! What a perfect combination, who could resist. The Arley Hall are hosting a ‘Christmas Shopping Spectacular in aid of the Seashell Trust. There are fantastic people involved and it is set to be a wonderful beginning to the festive build up this year.
On my Christmas wish list
Beautiful things from the Cherry Tree in Knutsford
For the children http://www.happyhats.co.uk
I am in love with these blankets from Beautiful Peagreen Boat
Beauty treats from http://www.bathing-beauty.co.uk
Go to http://www.arleyhallsshoppingspectacular.co.uk Doors open at 6pm tonight – 9.30pm Entry £8 pre paid or £10 on the door
Tuesday 8th of November 10am – 3pm Entry £5 on the door
editor
Fiona
Over the past decade there has been a huge surge in the collaboration of fashion and interiors, in an experimental way at first, but now there seems to be a definitive sign that couture fashion houses, are making their mark on luxury interiors.
Armani Casa, launched in 2000, is a prime example how the the influential labels around the world have been expanding into the interior market, with their bespoke furniture collections and hotel groups, creating a more of a luxury lifestyle world.
The launch of Hermes La Maison this year, reverts back to the companies original ties with the furniture industry. Now, as well as buying their stunning scarves, we can also leave, with their beautiful new ranges of wallcoverings, ceramics and tablewares.
For all the humour in his work, Jean Paul Gaultier is a design master. The limited edition range he has produced for the furniture brand Roche Bobois, reflects the nautical lines, and lacy corsets we have grown to love….and no doubt will be highly collectable.
Couture luxury can also be accessible for everyone on a smaller scale, through designer brands like Missoni and Zandra Rhodes with their hugely successful kitchen and dining room homewares ranges. Vivienne Westwood, now also has an extensive wallcovering collection, including classic prints from her first catwalk collection.
So alluring is the world of couture fashion and luxury interiors…..its difficult for us to decide whether to dress ourselves or our homes????
However if you have a healthy bank balance why shouldn’t your home look as good as your wardrobe.
Dipika Parmar
You may have seen my recent tweets yesterday about the fantastic day out in Ness Botanic Gardens. The weekend weather towards the end of October and now in November continues to surprise me amongst others! So it seemed to be the ideal opportunity to get outside for some fresh air and feel inspired.
It’s been a long time, too long in fact, since I’ve visited these gardens on the border of Wirral and Cheshire. They are well worth a visit and one I’d recommend you add to your list of activities. There is enough to keep the family occupied including different styles of gardens. It’s great to get some ideas for your own garden and even pick up a few accessories should you need them! Hope you like our Autumnal picture.
Neston property
To get there is a scenic drive in itself; from a property point of view you get to see a varied mix of developments ranging from thatched roofed cottages, stunning century old detached houses through to the modern day developments of houses and flats. A few of these properties have the added bonus of some fantastic views over to the North Wales coastline. My journey took me through Willaston, passed the disused Hadlow Road train station and though the historic market town of Neston as well as Heswall, Caldy, West Kirby and Hoylake.
Neston property availability
Within Neston there are homes to cater for all needs depending on your taste and preference with prices currently ranging from £50,000 for a one bed retirement property through to £1m plus for detached character property. No matter where you choose to live in Wirral or Cheshire we are so lucky to live near or within so much outstanding natural beauty. Even better to be able to take advantage of it with such great weather now!
So what is your favourite attraction in Wirral or Cheshire?
The right property for you may not necessarily be the right property for someone else. So what’s more important when finding your new home? Is it a bigger property, better location or quality of life?
The list is endless when searching for the right property and the priorities not only differ from person to person, bur they can change as well. So whether you are looking to move up the ladder or downsize you will still have criteria you are looking to match.
How to choose the right property
Usually we will have a vision of the type of property we’d like to live in and the area. However, the reality is the greater the requirements the narrower the options are. That’s not to say you shouldn’t have the initial checklist; it’s more about viewing potential properties and getting a feel for what’s important.
When I’ve viewed property I too have gone with the initial checklist, but found out I’ve compromised when deciding on where to live. You need to be able to benchmark against a visible option before deciding if a property is right. It’s also important not to rush in; I’ve waited several months and even over a year to find a property. You just need to weigh up the options before deciding on the right property for you. That’s not to say you will always find the right home.
It may take time finding the right property
It may take you some time before you find the home of your dreams. You may even decide on an alternative as a stop gap before you find ‘the next place’. This applies whether you are looking to buy or rent. Remember patience, and timing for that matter, is key!
What’s on your checklist when trying to find somewhere to live?
Cheshire is one of the UK’s most popular regions in which to live – you could say it has it all. There are few places that can boast quiet village life, expansive countryside and easy access to the North West’s most vibrant cities; Manchester and Liverpool. Indeed, the county combines the best of traditional and modern life and mixes business with pleasure perfectly.
This is no more apparent than in Chester, where medieval buildings jostle with some of the best shops, bars and restaurants in the county, making it a destination for locals and visitors alike. It is also home to the UK’s biggest zoo, with over 5,000 animals set in 80 acres of natural landscape.
But it is Cheshire’s proximity to Manchester and Liverpool that really elevates this county to an exceptional level. Both cities were traditionally the jewels in the North’s industrial crown and nowadays they continue to gleam with their thriving business communities, cultural heritage and internationally acclaimed shopping.
Cheshire offers excellent transport links by road and rail to Manchester and Liverpool, so whether you’re commuting to work or hitting the shops in the Trafford Centre or Liverpool One, it’s all easily accessible. Both cities are served by airports too; namely Manchester International and John Lennon.
Perhaps this is one reason why Cheshire has become the preserve of the rich and famous, with footballers and their wives/girlfriends choosing to live within its most salubrious enclaves such as Wilmslow, Altrincham and Alderley Edge, known as the ‘champagne capital’ of Britain.
But many others, including young couples, families and the retired also find Cheshire very much to their liking as the county combines village life and farmer’s markets with excellent schools and a varied social scene. And if you just want to get away from it all, the stunning natural scenery of the Peak District National Park is also on your doorstep.
Cheshire really does have it all.
For further information visit:
www.cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk
The new coalition government of the UK have decided enough is enough and suspended use of the Home Information Packs (HIPs) by home sellers.
HIPs caused confusion in the UK Housing Market
There was a lot of skepticism when the HIPs were made law back in 2007. It was very confusing as on the one hand you had home sellers paying upfront several hundred pounds for these Home Information Packs with no guarantee of being able to sell their home; whilst on the other hand potential property buyers ended up gathering the same information to satisfy the requirements of their mortgage lender. It appears that common sense has now prevailed.
The UK Housing Market could see more property listing websites
So what next for the UK housing market? Well, it means that sellers don’t have to pay upfront for these packs and it enables them to test the market without this extra cost. The National Association of Estate Agents are happy with the decision; however the biggest beneficiaries should be the private house sale websites. It should be encouraging news not only the existing property listing websites, but also potential new entrants to the arena giving consumers a wider range of choice something that has been championed of late by the Office of Fair Trading (OFT). It may also allow potential house sellers to try out an alternative approach to the traditional estate agents.
The hope is that the removal of the HIPs will not only get rid of needless red tape bureaucracy, but will now help to kick-start the housing market.
