Vic Reeves and Chris Robshaw host Evening Standard New Homes Awards 2013
May 18, 2013
Comedian Vic Reeves took to the stage and entertained a ballroom packed with property industry experts at this year's London Evening Standard New Homes Awards. Also on hand at the Dorchester to help Reeves present the awards was England Rugby captain, Chris Robshaw.
The awards celebrate all sorts of new-build houses and apartments, from starter homes in the commuter belt and "green" developments, to clever conversions and the ultimate in luxury London living.
All the entries were judged by a panel of independent experts with experience in property, construction and architecture. Every year the judges find many things to impress them, but this year they really did feel was the best year yet.
And the final gong presented was the coveted statue of Eros - the Grand Prix Award. All the category winners are in contention to win the "Best in Show" accolade.
This year, 3 Lime Grove Mews by St James - a gated scheme of family townhouses in Shepherds Bush - scooped the main prize. According to the judges, these west London houses really do have the “wow factor”, with top-floor winter gardens and a luxury feel, while being practical and flexible family homes.
For our full four-page report, don't miss Homes & Property on Wednesday 22 May.
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The future of our homes: The Prince's House at Ideal Home Show 2013
March 15, 2013
We've had a private tour of The Prince's House at the Ideal Home Show this morning. Designed by 'Future Traditional', the winners of the Prince's Foundation Young Designer Competition, this year's low-energy home includes a two-bedroom town house on one side and a 485sq ft flat above Highgrove's pop-up shop.
(Above) The exterior of the Prince's House; and the colourful interior of the town house, mixing high-street homeware with designs by local craftspeople
The Prince's House combines traditional ways of building with new technologies. Made from clay, wood and lime, the eco-home is also insulated with recycled newspaper, making it 70 per cent more energy efficient than current building regulations require. Following the show, the house will be relocated to a real development site.
The team at House Beautiful magazine have styled the interior, showcasing clever space-saving furniture with a good mix of affordable High Street homeware and locally-sourced crafted pieces. And every item in the house and flat was approved personally by Prince Charles.
(Above) The 485sq ft flat inside the Prince's House uses a clever range of space-saving furniture to create different spaces in the open-plan living area
(Above) The Highgrove pop-up shop sells goods inspired by the Prince of Wales's gardens at Highgrove House - from organic jams and snacks to garden tools and home accessories
(Above) Also in the Highgrove Shop: cushions, lampshades and throws by British designer Clarissa Hulse
Ideal Home Show: March 15-April 1, Earls Court London (idealhomeshow.co.uk).
For more details on the Ideal Home Show and other London events this month, see our March events diary.
The View from The Shard: visitor galleries revealed
January 11, 2013
The first breathtaking images taken from the viewing galleries at the top of London's tallest landmark have been released, revealing spectacular 40-mile, 360 degree views of the city from 800ft above ground.
The View from The Shard officially opens to the public on 1 February 2013. Visitors to the attraction will travel in 'kaleidoscopic' lifts using hi-tech video screens and mirrors to create the effect of soaring through iconic ceilings and roofs of London to the viewing galleries which start at the 'cloudscape' on level 68.
The triple-height main viewing gallery at Level 69 reveals the first the first glimpse of the spectacular views across the entire capital. Digital interactive telescopes can help visitors identify over 200 famous London landmarks.
The viewing gallery on the 72nd floor, the highest public level of the building, is exposed to the elements via a partially open-air, vertico-inducing viewing platform, surrounded by the giant shards of glass that form the top of this iconic building.
The remainder of the building will become a 'vertical town' with offices, restaurants, the five-star Shangri-La hotel and ten magnificent luxury apartments spanning levels 53 to 65.
Tickets for The View from The Shard public viewing galleries are booked in advance and cost £24.95 for adults and £18.95 for children. The View will be open from 1 February; entrance via Joiner Street, London SE1; 9am-10pm daily. Visit theviewfromtheshard.com.
Our preview of 2013's top trends
January 08, 2013
Our first issue of 2013 comes out tomorrow and we're looking ahead at this year's biggest trends, from London's next property hotspots, to the three interiors trends set to dominate our homes during the next 12 months. Plus we've got the latest news on the best homeware sales throughout the capital in January.
Outdoors, our predictions for 2013 will see gardeners taking to the streets and cleaing up their own neighbourhoods and we look forward to the Chelsea Flower Show celebrating its centenary year in May.
The latest looks for our Spring homes are already being unveiled and we look forward to sharing them with you here soon.
