2018 fitness goals: Residents benefit from free yoga and fresh fruit in West London

2018 fitness goals: Residents benefit from free yoga and fresh fruit in West London

by Priscillia Mudiaki United Kingdom ,
  • 1 in 5 failed to keep their 2017 resolutions (YouGov)
  • 62% of adults are obese and 38% sedentary (NHS Health Survey for England)
  • Free yoga classes and fresh fruit offered at be:here Hayes

January has always been a peak time to get back into shape and stick to fitness goals. However, while many Brits embark on New Year’s resolutions with vigour, the majority are broken just a few weeks later. According to YouGov poll, one in five people in 2017 failed to keep their resolutions in just first week.

And yet, embracing healthy living has never been so highly recommended as the NHS’s latest Health Survey for England reports that over half all adults are obese (62%) and more than a third sedentary (38%). So, what is the key to sticking to this year’s health and fitness goals or even start new ones?

Award-winning build to rent operator Be, is committed to delivering what tenants want and is helping its residents to achieve their 2018 fitness goals, starting with free on-site yoga sessions.

Residents at Be:here Hayes, located at the Gatefold Building in West London, will be able to enjoy exceptional yoga classes starting on 30th January 2018 from 7-8 pm with a qualified yoga instructor.

“We want to encourage and support residents who want to start their journey to healthy living.  Community is key here at the Gatefold Building and these new yoga classes will give the opportunity for residents to meet and motivate each other.”

Layla, Property Manager, be:here Hayes

For those not so enthralled with the idea of downward dogs, the be:here team are also offering free fresh fruit every Tuesday. Dubbed #tastytuesday, residents can collect their complementary piece of fruit in the main reception and start their day right.

In addition to these new free offers, each home at be:here Hayes has been designed with residents’ wellbeing in mind. The apartments are spacious and light with many enjoying double-height windows and each with either a terrace or private garden. The communal gardens complete with landscaped planters, roof terrace and front lawn also offer plenty of outdoor space for residents to enjoy.

A recent study in the American journal, Lancet Public Health, found that people living close to physical activities – including gyms and playing fields – are most likely to lose weight. For residents who want to participate in regular exercise, Hayes has everything nearby.

The stylish development is just a 10-minute walk to the gym and a 10-minute cycle ride to Little Harlington Playing Fields. For runners seeking to improve their health, the prime location of Green Flag awarded Lake Farm Country Park is perfect for Be:here Hayes residents as it is just a 15-minute walk from the development.

1 bedroom homes at be:here Hayes start from £1,195 pcm with no agency, admin or referencing fees.

For more information please contact be:here Hayes on 0203 845 4796 or visit http://www.behere-hayes.co.uk/.

Own your dream home in the sun, just like ‘Dragon’ Duncan Bannatyne

Own your dream home in the sun, just like ‘Dragon’ Duncan Bannatyne

by Maria Tilev United Kingdom

The Overseas Property Show
Saturday 27th & Sunday 28th January 2018, 10-6pm
National Motorcycle Museum, Birmingham
Free Admission & Parking
eTickets: www.theoverseaspropertyshow.com

Duncan Bannatyne, well known entrepreneur and TV personality, made the decision to sell his home in France to take advantage of Portugal and all the benefits it has to offer.

He found his home at the popular Overseas Property Show, where he met with founder of the property exhibition, Chris White, who helped him to find his dream home in the Algarve, Portugal.

WATCH THE VIDEO: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LHbwLryc8GI

With a busy lifestyle and many demands, the Dragon’s Den star wanted a place where he could retreat to, providing him with the means to escape the pressures of life and when he bought his home in the Algarve through Ideal Homes International, life had never tasted so sweet!

Portugal is an increasingly popular location for buyers looking to relocate and buy second homes due to its fantastic quality of life, ease of access from the UK, growing property market and welcoming atmosphere. Additionally, the benefits reaped from tax incentives have become one of the biggest motives behind high net worth individuals relocating to Portugal.

Whether you’re looking to buy or invest in Portugal like Duncan or indeed Spain, Florida or Cape Verde, the Overseas Property Show is where smart buyers come to make their dreams come true!

The Overseas Property Show is returning to Birmingham next weekend, Saturday 27th & Sunday 28th January at the National Motorcycle Museum. Free admission, free parking and all the information you need to set your plans to buy overseas in motion is here, so what are you waiting for?

On the Market: What you can buy abroad for the average price of a home in Birmingham (£240,065):

2 bed apartment with sea views in Portugal – EUR 275,000

This immaculate 2 bedroom apartment on a quiet condominium is located in between Armaçao de Pera and Porches. Both towns are only a couple of minutes drive away. The apartment is within a 15 minute walk to a beautiful local beach, and only a few minutes walk to restaurants, bars, supermarkets and amenities.  

2 bed sea view apartment in Spain – EUR 259,900

Ocean Homes is a private residential complex located on the very edge of the beach. A seafront location with direct access to the promenade and the sea. The complex 17.800m2 plot, incorporates a central lagoon with an island, garden areas, sunbathing and relaxation zone and swimming pools. In a unique beachfront location with 2 & 3 bedrooms and characterised by large spaces, modern materials and fittings.

Duplex suite, Cape Verde – EUR 232,550

An expansive duplex suite with a spacious living area, a bathroom with a whirlpool bath and separate shower are all found on the lower level. A staircase leads to the master bedroom on the second level. The bedroom has a built-in wardrobe and large plasma TV. The suites also come with a private terrace and hot tub to enjoy the spectacular sea views.  

The Overseas Property Show
http://www.theoverseaspropertyshow.com
January 27th & 28th, 2018, 10-6pm
National Motorcycle Museum
The Kirkmichael Suite
Birmingham, United Kingdom
B92 0EJ

Additional information: +351 289 513 434 or 0800 133 7644

Investment eggs in alternative baskets

Investment eggs in alternative baskets

by Maria Tilev United Kingdom
  • Surrenden Invest offers a more balanced, profitable and counter-cyclical portfolio
  • 51% of survey respondents considering alternative investments in 2018 favour hotels (JLL UK hotels forecast 2018)
  • New Whitley Bay hotel investment promises strong yields and 94% ROI (Surrenden Invest)

Investing in a hotel room isn’t a new concept. For decades, institutional investors have been purchasing hotel rooms around the world, leasing them back to paying guests and enjoying the lucrative income.

What is new however, is that thanks to a new breed of investment firms such as Surrenden Invest, private individuals are now also able to access the so called “beds-sector” and the market is booming.

When priced out of mainstream sectors and looking for higher yields than traditional property asset classes such as residential property, offices and retail can offer, savvy investors know that there are numerous appeals to investing in alternative property such as hotel rooms.

“Given the cyclical nature of the property sector, adding an alternative asset class to an investment portfolio provides the benefit of countering dips on the mainstream side, such as traditional buy-to-let.  The hands-off and hassle-free aspects of room ownership are highly appealing, hotel room investors can sit back and relax whilst the management team market, manage and maintain the room.”

Jonathan Stephens, MD, Surrenden Invest

Hotel rooms offer a lower entry price and lower risk profile compared to traditional property investment, along with immediate income from the date of purchase.  Buy Back-schemes, which are in place in many hotel room investments offer a guaranteed exit when the lease ends.

Overall, there is confidence in the UK hotel sector, performing well in 2017 and mirroring property investment in general; a weakened sterling, growth in staycations and improved infrastructure development all contributed to investments in built assets exceeding those of 2016.

Looking ahead to 2018 and the outlook is equally bright. CBRE’s 2018 Market Outlook expects the UK property sector to continue to perform solidly, with the beds sector, which includes hotels, weathering any uncertainty well.

“While some property sectors will see extremely patchy growth performance, the rise of Industrials & Logistics looks likely to continue and the ‘beds sectors’ such as hotels, built-to-rent and healthcare are also set to grow strongly.”

Miles Gibson, Head of UK Research at CBRE

Looking to the regions, JLL have forecast year-on-year regional hotel occupancy growth of 0.3% in 2018, whilst PwC anticipate a further 2.3% RevPAR growth for the UK regional sector in 2018 with an expected 12,000 new hotel rooms coming on stream during the year.

Another key driver which made its presence known in 2017 and will continue to do so in 2018 is inbound tourism to the UK. Visit Britain’s inbound visitor forecast for 2018 is at 41.7 million visits, an increase of 4.4% on 2017 levels and a total spend of £26.9 billion

Surrenden Invest is delighted to have partnered up with leading financial and property group, The High Street Group to deliver the benefits of hotel investment to its private clients.

The latest opportunity provided by Surrenden Invest is the Whitley Bay Hotel; an exclusive 32-bedroom hotel located in an excellent position in Whitley Bay, Tyne & Wear, just a short walk from the town centre and its award-winning Blue Flag beaches.

The hotel is just 25 minutes to Newcastle city centre by Metro, 30 minutes to Newcastle International Airport and 10 minutes from the International Cruise Terminal by car. Durham and a variety of tourist locations in Northumberland can also be reached in under 50 minutes.

The hotel offers guests an enhanced budget-boutique package, rivalling that of standard budget hotel groups such as Travelodge or Premier Inn. Guests will find rooms furnished to a higher-than-average standard with en-suite facilities and extremely comfortable beds.  A personal level of service ensures each guest receives a warm welcome and a wonderful stay thus delivering a 70% rebooking rate.

Renovated at a cost of £1.25 million in 2017 Whitley Bay Hotel has seen occupancy levels increase month on month. The average hotel occupancy rates in the North East of England is 75%, in the 3 months from July – September of last year Whitley Bay Hotel achieved an average occupancy rate of 83.8%.

Investors in the Whitley Bay hotel will receive an immediate guaranteed yield from day 1 for up to 10 years with a guaranteed Buy Back offer at 110%, backed up and securitised by the High Street Group of Companies. An investment of £70, 000 is required for an income of £59,000 net and an ROI of 94%.

Whitley Bay town itself has grown to 36,000 people and has become increasingly popular with visitors. It comes alive at weekends and bank holidays, when young and old alike enjoy the local amenities including restaurants, bars and nightlife.

A decade ago, in 2007, North Tyneside Council announced a £36 million regeneration plan for the coast at Whitley Bay.  This has included, among other projects, the regeneration the Spanish City site with its iconic dome, completed in 1912. The dome is expected to reopen summer 2018 complete with fine dining seafood restaurant, champagne and oyster bar, a tearoom, fish and chip restaurant and ice-cream parlour.

To find out more about allocated property investment please contact:

Surrenden Invest
info@surrendeninvest.com
London office: 0203 3726 499
Liverpool office: 0151 3477 459
www.surrendeninvest.com 

First national lettings business to help ‘Generation Rent’ get on the housing ladder

First national lettings business to help ‘Generation Rent’ get on the housing ladder

by Charlotte Ashton United Kingdom

No Agent partners with Experian, reporting rental payment history to enhance tenants’ credit histories

On a mission to clean-up and revolutionise the UK rental sector, No Agent will be one of the first national letting business to ensure their tenants’ timely rental payments are counted towards their credit reports through Experian’s Rental Exchange initiative.

 “Rent is usually the largest regular payment in a household and should be the main indicator of creditworthiness. Yet tenants paying rent regularly don’t see this reflected on their credit scores in the same way homeowners do with their mortgage payments. It’s making it even harder for them to get on the ladder and it’s simply not fair. So we are partnering with Experian to change things for Generation Rent.”

Calum Brannan, CEO, No Agent

 

No Agent manages private rental property across England by combining technology with a team of experienced property professionals. Their proprietary technology will be integrated into Experian’s Rental Exchange system and, following rigorous testing, No Agent will share rent payments data with Experian. This data will then be included in tenants’ Experian credit reports.

“Historically, it’s been easier for people who already own a home to build a credit history than those who want to get on the property ladder. Monthly mortgage payments were factored into credit scores, whereas rental payments were not considered. We felt it was time to give renters a level playing field. We’re pleased to welcome No Agent to the Rental Exchange, so their tenants can strengthen their credit histories simply by paying their rent on time.”

Mark Goodfellow, Rental Exchange Partner, Experian

 

“We started No Agent to fix the letting experience for both landlords and tenants, and we strongly believe technology is the solution. Through the Experian Rental Exchange, our tenants will boost their credit history with on time payments, access more affordable credit and get on the housing ladder faster. And our landlords are getting an extra assurance that their tenants pay in full and on time.

I am very proud No Agent is leading the charge in creating a marketplace that’s fairer for everyone.”

Calum Brannan, CEO, No Agent

 

The private rented sector is growing steadily, with a quarter of UKs population forecasted to be renting privately in five years’ time. Legislation was slower to catch up but things are changing. Last year saw a parliamentary debate following a 140,000-strong e-petition, the launch and second reading of Lord Bird’s Creditworthiness Assessment Bill in the House of Lords. At the beginning of the year the government launched a  £2 million initiative to find the best fintech platform to record rental payments by tenants.

 

———-Notes to editors———

About No Agent:

No Agent’s mission is to create a fairer, more equitable marketplace for both landlords and ‘generation rent’. The company uses technology to remove the pain points and inefficiencies of traditional lettings agents. The end-to-end property management platform fuses tech with great customer service to automate the entire rental process. Landlords choose how much they control and how much they pass on to No Agent, and have complete visibility over their property status – at any time, from anywhere in the world. Landlords pay a low monthly fee, while tenants don’t pay any fees.

https://www.noagent.co.uk


About CEO Calum Brannan

In 2015, Calum set out to find a solution for renting out his property in Coventry. After a few bad experiences with local letting agents, he was looking for a service that would offer him the same friendly and simple user experience as AirBnB, but for long term rentals. He looked around and noticed there wasn’t anything like that on the market, so he set up to build it.

Today, No Agent directly employs over 30 people and coordinates a network of 500 Property Partners across England who do on-demand work such as viewings and inspections. In October 2017, No Agent opened an Operations Centre in the West Midlands to deal with the increasing demand for services.

No Agent Chair is Gillian Kent, the former CEO at Propertyfinder.com and the former MD of Microsoft MSN. Amongst the board members are Nick Hynes, former CEO and founder of Overture Europe and Carl Uminski, Co-Founder of Somo – world leading independent mobile transformation company.

An Iconic Art Deco building is for the taking in Doncaster

An Iconic Art Deco building is for the taking in Doncaster

by Priscillia Mudiaki United Kingdom

As Doncaster is set to benefit from the government’s new £15 million Northern Cultural Regeneration Fund, the town is extending its cultural offering to investors.

The major renovation of historical landmark Danum House is among one of these inspirational projects aimed to boost the Northern Powerhouse. Housed in a five-floor art deco building in the heart of Doncaster town centre, Danum House – also known as Duke Street – is being turned into a stylish residential building with open plan apartments, complete with rooftop cinema and concierge service.

Built in the 1930’s, originally as a department store, the Grade II listed building, which boats 29,950 sq of space, sits in an imposing corner location at the other end of popular Frenchgate Shopping centre, where its distinctive V-plan layout and bold curved angles form a striking landmark. It gained its Grade II-listed status in 1997 but the premises began to fall into despair after the closure of TJ Hughes department store.

Designed by T.H Johnson & Son, the building is an impressive example of the art deco style of architecture, which highlights the appeal of own and live in there. This iconic building needed a new lease of life to save its great character from the scrap heap.

Empire Property Concepts developer acquired in August 2016 permission to convert its upper storey into 78 luxurious Art-Deco flats. Their transformation is unique as it breathes fresh life to the historical features of the building by retaining them.

Jeffrey Taylor, who is the developer partner, commented: “The redevelopment of Danum House has fulfilled an empty historical landmark within the town centre helping towards the regeneration of Doncaster and the surrounding areas along with the power house of south Yorkshire. The new building will be particularly appealing to those with an Art-Deco flair looking to live in Doncaster as it will provide a high standard of town centre accommodation.”

Everything about the Art Deco look of Danum House –  the Vitrolite tile cladding, glazed central rounded staircase and bronzed metal frame windows – will be retained in the revamp of the building, giving its admirers and art aficionados the chance to live there.

Designed for open plan living, the new homes will make the most of natural daylight with floor-to-ceiling windows and private interior balconies. Not only will the new flats combine classic period touches with contemporary comfort but also, they are extremely spacious as the smallest apartment in this development is 465 sq. ft. – the size of some two bedroom apartments in London or Manchester!

Investors can buy these 1,2 and 3 bedrooms apartments through Properties in the world from just £83,000 and the benefit of a 5.7% NET assured returns for five years. Works will be completed in March 2018.

“Doncaster could soon be seeing average values rising at similar rates to those in Manchester. Prices in the town are extremely low, so for those who invest early, rental yields are likely to be substantially stronger”

Jean Liggett, CEO, Properties of the World

 

For more information, visit http://propertiesoftheworld.co.uk/ or call +44 (0)20 7624 5555.

 

Achieving Advantage – Top student accommodation provider Collegiate offers full service partnerships for 2018

Achieving Advantage – Top student accommodation provider Collegiate offers full service partnerships for 2018

by Priscillia Mudiaki United Kingdom

 

  • Record 30,000 student bed spaces delivered in 2017 (Cushman Wakefield)
  • Collegiate Advantage delivering superior services to partners around the world
  • 2018 to see key corporate focus on innovation, capacity and capability at Collegiate

 

The number of new student bed spaces delivered in 2017 hit a record high of 30,000 in 2017, according to the Cushman Wakefield Student Accommodation Annual Report 2017. The figure means the total number of purpose-built bed spaces in the UK has now reached 602,000 for the 2017/18 academic year.

One of the leading contributors to the development of the market in 2017 was Collegiate. The company also has big plans for 2018. Far from being purely an accommodation management company, Collegiate has built a unique full service offering, delivering development, design, construction support, specifiers and long-term operations services to a range of corporate partners.

“Too many companies position themselves as student accommodation managers, without considering the bigger picture. That’s why we’ve developed the Collegiate Advantage programme, based on our work on over 500 development projects in the UK and overseas, where we’ve served students from more than 100 countries.”

 

Heriberto Cuanalo, CEO, Collegiate

Developers and investors seeking excellence in 2018 can benefit from a range of Collegiate services. Quality and excellence are built in at every stage of the process, which delivers an end-to-end package designed to focus on corporate partners’ needs and students’ future desires. This blend of experience is what gives Collegiate the edge, allowing the company to deliver unparalleled value while future proofing its operations and the work it undertakes with its partners.

“We have worked as partners with Collegiate on three prestige schemes over three years and their design and specification support, and operational capacity, have helped Studious to achieve a strong reputation with both consumers and with the investment market. Our schemes have durable high-quality specifications and a sense of style that will see them succeed over the long term. We receive excellent feedback from students and their parents alike, our schemes have always been 100% full and we are well positioned for sustainable rental growth.”

 

Sevi Rixson, Managing Director, Studious

 For the cross-sector experience Collegiate team, the focus in 2018 will be about continuing to innovate, in partnership with organisations in the UK and overseas. From viable, intelligent design to extensive operational capacity, Collegiate has the breadth of delivery needed to operate with multiple partners across multiple countries. The organisation has doubled in size every two years – and 2018 looks to continue the trend.

 

For more information on achieving advantage in 2018 contact Collegiate on +44 1235 250 140 or visit www.collegiate-ac.com.

 

Brand new Lisbon site redefines luxury student living, as private sector makes its mark

Brand new Lisbon site redefines luxury student living, as private sector makes its mark

by Priscillia Mudiaki Portugal United Kingdom
  • 87% of UK student bed spaces delivered by private sector (Cushman Wakefield)
  • Collegiate is leading student accommodation development in both UK and Portugal
  • Launch of Collegiate Marquês de Pombal announced for 15 January 2018

 

The recent Cushman Wakefield UK Student Accommodation Report revealed that 87% of all new purpose-built student bed spaces in the UK were delivered by the private sector. A record 30,000 new beds were delivered in 2017, with leading provider Collegiate proud to have expanded both its portfolio and reputation for excellence within the student accommodation sector.

Nor is it just the UK where Collegiate is making its mark. On 15th January 2018, the brand new Collegiate Marquês de Pombal site in Lisbon will open its doors to the first cohort of students looking for outstanding accommodation in the Portuguese capital.

 

“We’re delighted to be launching our spectacular new site at Collegiate Marquês de Pombal on 15 January 2018. With outstanding facilities, a residents’ club lounge and dinner party room, this site will mark a new standard in student accommodation in Lisbon.” 

Heriberto Cuanalo, CEO, Collegiate

 

A range of study zones provide calming settings for students to read, undertake research and write essays. Meanwhile, carefully designed rooms also ensure that each individual can study in private should they prefer. The site also features an on-site library for the peaceful absorption of knowledge.

The locally-inspired interior boasts extensive natural elements and stylish artwork, reflecting the character of the surrounding city.

The site has been designed with contemporary young people firmly in mind, from international students living in Portugal for the first time to domestic pupils looking forward to completing their studies in the capital.

On-site amenities include a stylish swimming pool, sauna, private fitness suite, luxurious cinema and private dinner party rooms.

“Each Collegiate site is unique, with the interior design shaped to suit the city around it. At Collegiate Marquês de Pombal, that meant bringing to life the sophistication and grandeur of Lisbon, while also recognising the importance of outdoor life.”

 

Heriberto Cuanalo, CEO, Collegiate

With a 24/7 professional concierge service, state-of-the-art security and high-speed broadband and Wi-Fi, Collegiate has set the scene for an outstanding and secure university experience, designed to enable each individual student to flourish, both academically and socially.

 

For more information and to book accommodation in university towns and cities across the UK and Europe, contact Collegiate on +44 1235 250 140 or visit www.collegiate-ac.com.

Brollies and boots or sunshine and sea views?

Brollies and boots or sunshine and sea views?

by Maria Tilev United Kingdom

Ever dreamt of retiring somewhere warm and sunny?  Perhaps you’d like to own a holiday home in Spain or Portugal to sound quality time with friends and family?

Now you can!  Begin the journey by visiting the free-to-attend  Overseas Property Show at Birmingham’s National Motorcycle Museum on Sat 27th and Sun 28th January 2018, open 10am-6pm daily.

Whether you want a brand-new dream house or something more rustic, a rental investment or a permanent residence, the Overseas Property Show is the perfect place to look.

Our carefully selected, qualified property industry experts will take the guesswork and daunting amounts of research out of the equation and answer any questions you may have about purchasing abroad directly during individual face-to-face conversations.

You will have the opportunity to meet a wide range of experts individually during personalised consultations and find out all about mortgages, currency exchange, tax incentives, residency, legal requirements, the buying process, design and build and much, much more.

Buying a home abroad can seem intimidating, especially when you aren’t familiar with the physical and legal environment.  That is why events like these are an invaluable help – there is so much knowledge and advice all under one roof!

“Our goal is to ensure visitors who come to the show have access to independent opinions, gain valuable information about their location of choice, understand their options, and are able to walk away feeling much more confident about their buying decisions than they did before.” 

Chris White, Founder of The Overseas Property Show. 

At the Overseas Property Show you’ll be able to browse stunning luxury properties in the prestigious Quinta do Lago on Portugal’s Algarve coast or perhaps you’ll find your ideal home on one of the wonderful islands of Isla Canela in Spain or Cape Verde?  Who knows, you might even be able to snap up a fantastic bargain from the repossessions portfolio?!

Let 2018 be the year you make the dream come true.

Join us at the National Motorcycle Museum in Birmingham 27th & 28th January 2018, 10am-6pm daily

Admission & parking free.

For e-tickets visit: www.theoverseaspropertyshow.com

Additional information: +351 289 513 434 or 0800 133 7644

Alexander James Interior Design on course for smooth sailing in 2018 as Sunseeker’s partner for the London Boat Show

Alexander James Interior Design on course for smooth sailing in 2018 as Sunseeker’s partner for the London Boat Show

by Charlotte Ashton United Kingdom

January 2018 will see the prestigious London Boat Show return once again to the capital. Held between 10th and 14th January at the ExCel centre, the all-new London Boat Show is a celebration of everything that can be done on the water.

Heralded by the organisers as “better than ever”, visitors can climb aboard classic boats and modern yachts, pick up the latest marine technology and spend quality time with sailing legends. Packed with global, national and boutique brands, the London Boat Show showcases the very finest companies with multi award-winning interior designers, Alexander James Interior Design, very much present.

Building on the company’s already established partnership with both luxury yacht company Sunseeker London Group and The Luxury Network, Alexander James Interior Design, recognised as one of the World’s Top 100 Interior Designers, will once again be utilising their twenty years of experience to exclusively dress five stunning Sunseeker yachts on display at the London Boat Show.

“We are delighted to once again be invited to inject our passion, style and sophisticated luxury into the already glamourous yachts for which Sunseeker is so well known. The London Boat Show is one of the most prestigious events of the year and we are proud to be involved.”

Robert Walker, Managing Director, Alexander James Interior Design

For this year’s London Boat Show, the Alexander James stylists have styled five Sunseeker vessels: San Remo, Manhattan 52, Manhattan 66, Predator 78 and 76 Yacht.

A variety of handpicked soft furnishings and home accessories have been used to dress the yachts, complementing the already exquisite styling that is innate to the Sunseeker brand.

Alexander James has also partnered with small couture house, Heirlooms Fine Linens who are supplying the bedding as well as with British perfumer Jo Malone to incorporate only the finest accessories upon the vessels.

“I have approached the design of each Sunseeker yacht by giving them a distinct look, using different colour palettes to give them an individual feel. I have then used cushions, throws, floral arrangements and decorative accessories to provide a sense of sophistication and lifestyle.”

Stacey Sibley, Creative Director, Alexander James Interior Design

The Alexander James team is also set to welcome on board these superbly dressed yachts legendary footballer Sir Geoff Hurst who will be opening the Sunseeker stand at the London Boat Show on 10th January.

For more information, visit Alexander James Interior Design at www.aji.co.uk or call 020 7887 7604.

10 Easy Tips to Refresh Your Home for the New Year

10 Easy Tips to Refresh Your Home for the New Year

by Charlotte Ashton United Kingdom

Have you been hooked by that excitement brought by the new year to embark on positive change in your life? Well, transforming your surroundings and refreshing your home for the year ahead can be incredibly symbolic in supporting any change you wish to implement.

The fascinating environmental psychology theorem of ‘place attachement’ demonstrates how strong the bond is between a person and their environment, meaning that adapting or altering the space in which we live can have a subconscious, positive influence on us and even be a visual reminder of our new year resolutions. At the very least, a good refresh of your home decor gives it a new lease of life, ready to face 2018 with vitality and energy!

With this in mind, the experts at Alexander James Interior Design, recognised as one of the world’s leading designers, have put together their 10 easy tips to refresh your home for the new year which don’t require extensive funds or efforts. So go on, have some fun and enjoy revitalising your beautiful home!

  1. Declutter and De-Stress

Now that you’ve put away all those Christmas decorations, dare to go one step further and do away with all those home accessories and furniture pieces that are holding your home back from looking fresh and stylish.

Decluttering ‘de-stresses’ and simplifies your home, allowing for a space in which every item has a considered, rightful place and creating a sense of harmony throughout. It is the perfect way to create a blank canvas to redesign and refresh your home décor!

 

  1. Trendset with 2018’s Colour of the Year

Refresh your home this new year with the very fashionable, newly announced Pantone colour of the year 2018, Ultra Violet!

“The Pantone Color of the Year has come to mean so much more than ‘what’s trending’ in the world of design; it’s truly a reflection of what’s needed in our world today.” – Laurie Pressman, Vice President of the Pantone Color Institute.

Inject this stunning shade into your interiors by using it as an accent colour, punctuating throughout with new cushion fabrics, artwork and homewares.

“A dramatically provocative and thoughtful purple shade, PANTONE 18-3838 Ultra Violet communicates originality, ingenuity, and visionary thinking that points us toward the future”. – www.pantone.com

 

  1. Reposition and Reset

Rearranging your furniture is the greener, cheaper and simpler way to refresh your rooms. In just a few simple movements, you can transform the ambience of a room and make a huge impact.

Place furniture in an entirely new location in the room, rotate them in a different direction or even swap pieces from different rooms.

  1. Impact with Artwork

Replacing your artwork with new pieces is an extremely effective way of creating a fresh visual impact in your interiors.

It can change the key focal point of a room, completely shifting the style or tone of the space in a different direction, or it can be a powerful means of punctuating with your new scheme’s accent colour. If your purses are feeling a little stretched after Christmas, moving artwork into different rooms can have the desired effect!

  1. Luxuriate with Cushion Fabrics

An affordable and gorgeously indulgent way to refresh your home for the new year, replacing your cushion fabrics is the perfect way to treat yourself in 2018! It allows you to introduce a new accent colour to your decor or rich, tactile textures, setting the tone of the whole interior. We recommend cushion fabrics by Villa Nova, Zoffany and Kirkby Design, for a plush, quality feel.

  1. Restyle Your Haven

What better to way begin the year than with a brand new bedding set and throw? We recommend bedding sets from The White Company, and luxurious bed throws from Johnston of Elgin. This can dramatically freshen up your bedroom, and more importantly, can help with the perfect night sleep.

  1. Ambient Aromas

Scent plays such an important role in interior design, dramatically influencing how we experience a space. The new year has arrived and it’s time for a new scent!

We recommend the luxurious candles and diffusers from Jo Malone and The White Company, particularly this exotic Lime Basil and Mandarin candle and this Indian Ocean breeze Seychelles Diffuser.

  1. Revitalise Your Coffee Table

Make your coffee table a focal point in the room, restyling it with beautiful books, ornaments and a diffuser or candle. If you prefer a minimalistic look, use the rule of three to ensure it looks balanced and stylish.

“The rule guideline of threes say that things arranged in odd numbers are more appealing, memorable, and effective than even-numbered groupings. Three seems to be *the* magic number.” – Apartment Therapy.

  1. Freshen with Florals

Whether you opt for fresh flowers that emit an exquisite floral scent, or faux flowers that offer a beautiful authentic look, adding florals to your interiors is the perfect way to refresh your home for the new year. Display in all rooms to abundantly rejuvenate your entire home interiors with life and vitality, and for a twist of style, arrange your flowers in vases of different heights and widths.

  1. Enhance with Lighting Schemes

Rethinking your room’s lighting scheme can create a new atmosphere and give it the boost it needs. Introduce ambient or background lighting where there isn’t already, or accent lighting to highlight special features, colours and patterns in furnishings.

Adding table lamps and floor lamps can also make for a stylish feature in any room, enhancing key areas and making rooms look more spacious. We love lighting from Heathfield and Porta Romana.

For more information and tips, please contact Alexander James Interior Design on 020 7887 7604 or visit www.aji.co.uk.