Loving Your Home - Waltham Forrest

S P R I N G 2 0 1 4

LOVINGYO U R

HOMEIN WALTHAM FOREST

& NEWHAM

BE BOLD:GO STRIPEY Why chevrons areno longer just forroad markings

SPRING PRODUCTSWe love spring products

LOVING YOUR PROPERTYWye perfection pays

...is where your home is

“Never shy away or think ooh that’ll be

too much!”Sophie Robinson

shares her tips and tricks

Main image: Clarke 2 seat sofa £650 Clarke armchair £500 | Tetta wool rug £250Left hand side: Oken table £35 eachRight hand side: Knot knitted round pouf £95Rox cube footstool £65 eachDurrie floor cushion £90

www.habitat.co.uk

Tottenham Court Road, King’s Road, Finchley RoadMini Habitat stores in Homebase: Battersea, Bracknell, Bury St Edmunds, Chelmsford, Edinburgh, Ewell, Frome, Hemel Hempstead, Horsham, Leeds, Orpington, Ruislip, Solihull, Truro, Walthamstow. See website for new store openings. Details correct at time of going to print

Cool, calm and colourful

www.haart.co.uk

LOVINGY O U RH O M E

Welcome to the Spring issue of Loving Your Home, the magazine from haart estate agents. This issue is jam-packed full of great ideas to help you sell or rent your home and includes plenty of pages of properties listed with haart, as well as advice, guidance and local information on the housing market.We’re so excited to share this season’s trends with you and are sure they’ll help you to invest more love into your home.

Now the dark days of winter are behind us, it’s an ideal time to brighten up your life and home with a splash of colour. We chat to interior design expert Sophie Robinson, one of the judges of BBC 2’s The Great Interior Design Challenge, who shares some top tips in her interview on page 8.

Our décor feature is all about chevron stripes - which can add a bold colourful statement to any room. Plus we’ve come up with some

ingenious ways to put your own personal stamp on a rented property, see page 7.

With three Bank Holiday weekends approaching, why not embrace the opportunity to tackle those DIY projects you’ve been putting on hold? In our ‘Ask the Experts’

section on page 11, our team of interior designers show how to achieve vibrant looks in the home without too much effort

or expense. Don’t forget to use our handy check list on page 26 if you’re on the move!

Buying, selling or renting with haart couldn’t be easier. If you see a property that takes your fancy, just call your local haart office between 8am and 10pm seven days a week. Or for more properties and information visit haart.co.uk.

Welcome Contents

04. We love: Spring products

05. Spring trend: Lemon aid

06. High street v Highbrow

07. Decorating tips

08. Sophie Robinson

11. Ask the experts

12. Loving your property

14. Save space stop hoarding

15. Space saving solutions

16. Be bold: Go stripey

18. Loving your garden

19. Loving your kitchen

20. Apps and gadgets

22. Loving your life

23. Loving your area

24. Intelligent advice from haart

25. Local area spotlight

26. Properties for sale and rent

Inside back cover Moving checklist

Loving Your Home

Published by Mosaic Publicity on behalf of:

Spicerhaart Estate Agents Ltd (04430726) Colwyn House, Sheepen Place, Colchester C03 3LD

W: mosaicpublicity.co.uk T: 01206 841933

Jenna Gregory, Editor Philippa Green, Writer Chris Douglas, Designer Karen Ainley, Chief Executive

With thanks to: Martin Evans, Lucy Halliday, Sophie Robinson, Sven Wombwell and Mark Baumann.

Jenna Gregory,Editor

Competition rulesReaders’ letters (Love to share): Entries should be made by 31 May, 2014. The winning question, email, letter, status or tweet, submitted by readers of all editions of Loving Your Home will be picked by the editor, and its writer will receive £250 of John Lewis/Waitrose vouchers. The winner will be notified by email, post, social media or telephone call. If a reply by the winner to confirm their postal address is not received in 5 days of being selected, a new winner will be picked. Prizes are non-transferable and there are no cash alternatives. Only one entry per person; entrants must be aged 18 and over. The editor’s decision is final and no correspondence can be entered into.

Love to share If you try any of the ideas from this issue and would like to share them, tweet us your pics or email us at [email protected]

Our chosen tweet, photo or email will win £250 of John Lewis vouchers! So get sharing! #LovingYourHome

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www.facebook.com/haart.estate.agentswww.twitter.com/haart_uk

It’s all mellow yellow, page 5.

Sophie Robinson’s interview page 8.

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©2014 Spicerhaart Estate Agents Limited (“haart”). All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying or recording, without permission. While every care is taken, prices and details are subject to change and the publisher can take no responsibility for omissions or errors. Information contained within is for general purposes only and we will not be liable for any loss or damage arising. Please note that although the property information contained in this magazine is believed to be correct at the time of publication, the nature of the property market means that both the availability of the properties and the relevant asking prices may well change following the date of publication and no responsibility can be taken for any loss or damage arising from action taken as a result of the information in this publication. Readers should take specific steps to confirm with their local haart branch the continued accuracy of any information on which they wish to specifically rely.


April showers – Keep your hair frizz free in

the April showers with this heart umbrella,

BrolliesGalore.co.uk, £19.95

We would love to hear what you’ve been up to, send us your

questions, letters, tips and photos and you could win £250 of John Lewis vouchers. See page 3 for details.

New home? If you’ve just moved into a new place or are looking for a house-warming gift for someone then check out these…

Home and lifestyle news

We love: Spring products Transport cushions

Add some va va vroom

to your sofa with these

vintage-esque

transport cushions.

The Cadillac, Vespa

and Berlin bus designs

also come in art prints, trays and mugs so you

can mix and match to liven up your living room.

Cushions, £25 each, John Lewis.

George Home – After much anticipation

the team at George have finally launched

the George Home range coming to Asda

stores and online from 28 March. The first

Spring/Summer collection focuses on four

main trends that draw on British culture

and fashion. Our favourite is the glamorous

1950s retro ‘Riviera’ trend with its candy pop

pastel colours, seen here. Birds duvet set,

£12, round cushions £5, pin-up cushion £7,

bunting £6, lamp £25.

Sparrow keyring and key holder, £10.99, MyHaus.com

Not another bill – Still sad that Christmas and

the presents are all over? Subscribe to receive

surprise presents through your letterbox

each month with NotAnotherBill.com. The

box of surprise gifts will introduce you to

up-and-coming artists, designers and brands.

Previous presents have included art prints,

posh toiletries, wall hangers, funky aprons,

tea towels and more. Choose what categories

you prefer from home décor, art, jewellery,

ladies’ or gents’ gifts, or opt for a total surprise.

Subscription £18 a month,

NotAnotherBill.com

Sainsbury’s new ‘General Store’ furniture

range – The pallet and crate trend has

taken the blogging and Pinterest world by

storm in the past few months. But if making

furniture from disused pallets isn’t your

thing, Sainsbury’s new ‘General Store’ range

could be just the solution. All the pieces are

made from solid, reclaimed pine that are

between 60 and 80 years old and weathered,

to create that timeless ‘inheritance’ look.

Our favourite pieces are the 2-door cabinet,

£499, the bar stool, £75

(left) and the pallet

lookalike coffee table,

£179 (below).

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A warm welcome with Hello You lovely people door mat, £24.95, Amara.com

Personalised Post-code puzzle, £19.99, Firebox.com

Vintage house number, £4.95, DotComGiftShop.com

Pom Pom Cube

pouffe seat – Take

a well-earned rest

from all those Bank

Holiday weekend DIY

jobs with this funky foot

stall, which looks like a jelly bean sweet

shop with its multi-colour pom poms.

utting your feet up for five minutes never

looked so appealing. Available from

CultFurniture.com for £149.

@

@

www.haart.co.uk

Yellow is the colour of Spring and a hit for designers this year. Adding a dash of uplifting yellow is an instant way to refresh any room. Designers take a modern twist on the traditional yellow for Spring 2014 by pairing soft pastels with vivid brights to create a colorful equilibrium. Inspired by a mixture of blooming flowers and travels abroad, designers are using this colour to add refreshing brightness to rooms. No longer is yellow just mellow…


Spring trend: Lemon aid

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1. Pull the other one Bisley Glo filing cabinet -drawer in lemon yellow £245 - Paperstone.co.uk

2. Like bees to honey Le Creuset honey pot and silicone dipper £22 - LeCreuset.co.uk

3. Soft landing Jacquard knit cushion £16 - BHS

4. Hello sunshine unched metal flower bowl

£25 - Debenhams

5. On the wire Ben de Lisi, wire candlestick holder £7 - Debenhams

6. Light up your life Aerial pendant light £30 - Habitat

7. What a lovely pair! Solid oak ‘Pear’ side table, available as one pear or as a ‘pair’ £210 - ObiFurniture.co.uk

8. Yello! Wild & Wolf corded telephone £49.95 - John Lewis

9. Bright bath time Hand and bath towels £1 - £6 - George Home

10. Got your number Eames birch wood tray numbers £30 - DesignedInLondon.com

11. Just in time Make baking fun with this yellow duck-shaped kitchen timer £34 - Alessi.com

12. Drink to this Xavier Pauchard yellow stackable bar stool £65 - CultFurniture.com

13. Take a seat Eames style bright yellow plastic retro side chair £50 - FusionLiving.co.uk

14. Loved up Yellow and grey love felt cushion £12 - George Home

15. Who needs the Beatles? Seletti submarine accessories set for the bathroom £46 - MadeInDesign.com

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LOVINGY O U RH O M E Home and lifestyle news

High Street Highbrow

Ticks all the boxesNewgate Putney wall clock Heals

Just in timeHome Collectionlarge wall clock Very.co.uk

Not just a hat rack!Vitra Hang it all coat rack by Charles & Ray Eames, Heals

Etsy.com: If you haven’t got the patience to get crafty but you love the handmade look, this website is for you. It’s like the crafty version of eBay. Packed with thousands of worldwide independent sellers, the first time you visit could open up a can of worms. Be warned it’s addictive! We’ve spent many a sleepless night on this site. It’s pretty much the best thing ever!

Websites we love right now

Origami style Ru ed enigma pendant The Range

All folded up Kami paper pendant shade

Habitat

V

Smooth seatingMauve Barbot velvet occasional chairDunelm Mill

Put your feet upMorrocan stitched pouffeDunelm Mill

Leather luxuryLeather Morrocan cover pouffeNotOnTheHighStreet.com

Plush perchVelvet tub chairOliverBonas.com

Hang about! Gumball coat rack DotComGiftShop.com

FromBritainWithLove.com: This website sells items crafted by British designers. Everything from cushions and cards, to office supplies and outdoor living, there’s so much to love.

£11.99

£55

£149.99

£19.99

£95

£445

£198

£90

£80

£5.95

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versus

www.haart.co.uk

Decorating tips


Spruce up your rental property When you rent a property it can be difficult to make it your own without upsetting the landlord. As a tenant you are legally allowed to make any change to a property’s décor. However, the same legislation demands at the end of the tenancy the property needs to be left as you found it, especially if you want to get your deposit back. If you’re planning something, tell your landlord first, many have preferences about what you can and can’t do so check first.

Upcycling tippdate an old chest of drawers with different

coloured door knobs. These John Lewis ones have been used to help mark each drawer differently, highlighting the different contents in each. We love this!

Cupboard knobs - left to right, from top: Bombay Duck Pattern Flower ceramic £3.95, Glass Swirl £5, small Rose Quartz £2, Bombay Duck Bonbon ceramic round £4.95, Henna with filigree silver £ . 5, eramic Vintage lower £ . 5, eramic lower osy £5.95, Small green Adventurine £12, Bombay Duck Vintage Rose ceramic £5.95 – all from John Lewis

Here are some of our decorating tips to help add personality to your rental property without leaving a permanent mark.

Hang new curtains: It’s simple to hang new fabric curtains to revive a room, which can be much easier and less permanent to fit than made-to-measure blinds. Use the existing pole and fixings and just keep the old curtains to hang back up when you move. This Spring, bloom-patterned pair are between £40-£120 from Next.

Accessorise: Bring colour to every room with accessories without too much expense. If your property is already furnished, adding cushions and throws can transform a sofa.

Stickers: Stickers are a great way to add art and colour to a wall. NotOnTheHighStreet do some fantastic ones, such as trees, city skylines and world maps. You can also add stickers to kitchen and bathroom tiles in the same way. Both can be removed without leaving a trace.

Light up a room: A lot of central pendant lamps require an electrician to fit them. They can also be harsh on a room. Consider instead adding floor and table lamps to create softer and subtle mood lighting. Try the Blake Floor Lamp, £150, or the Large Floral Globe table lamp with etched glass (left), £120, both from Next.

Use matt paint, not gloss: Gloss paint may be tempting, especially if you have kids and they tend to wipe their mucky hands on the walls, but shiny walls won’t go down well with your landlord.

Cover the floors: Don’t go to the expense of investing in new floors. Instead, disguise flooring you don’t like with large rugs, which also add colour and character.

Wallpaper panels: Paste your favourite wallpaper to MDF panels instead of the walls. This looks great as a headboard behind a bed or as a feature wall with patterned wallpaper. It can be easily changed, plus you can take it with you when you move.

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The interview

Sophie Robinson

You may have seen Sophie

Robinson as the star judge

on the new BBC 2 hit TV show The

Great Interior Design Challenge.

Here, she tells us what it was like to

be a judge on the show and shares

her tips and tricks on what you can

achieve in the home.

You were one of two judges for the BBC2 show The Great Interior Design Challenge. For those that missed it, what was it all about?

Well, the 12 episodes followed 24 amateur designers, who had never been paid to do interior design; they’d just designed their own places. Professions ranged from painters and decorators to coffee-shop owners, so we had a diverse group of contestants. ne thing they had in common was a huge amount of talent and creativity. But we put them through their paces with just 48 hours and a £1,000 budget to do up the willing homeowners’ rooms. Those who often did the best had practical skills and could make things on a tight budget. Failing that, if they were innovative and savvy with their shopping purchases they also did well. Where we saw contestants fail was if they could only deliver their own personal style, and therefore not interpret the brief for the client. However, I’m happy to say, very few clients didn’t like the end result! All in all it was a fantastic show, which you can still watch via BBC iPlayer, and proved that this country is brimming with creative design talent.

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By Jenna Gregory

www.haart.co.uk

What was it like judging amateur interior designers? It felt like a real privilege. Daniel Hopwood, the other judge on the show who is an award-winning architect and designer, and I were often inspired by the contestants’ creations. Even though we’ve been in the business for years they were showing us innovative ideas. It was very difficult when aniel and I didn’t agree on who should win. We just had to thrash it out! And there was lots of disappointment when we couldn’t put contestants through – they really wanted it so badly, so it was sad to let people go.

What impressed you the most with the amateur designers? I feel one of the hardest tasks for the designers was that they had never met the client or seen the room until the day the project started. Although they were delivered a brief a week in advance in order to prepare a design, if the client didn’t like it, it was very hard for them to make changes at such short notice. I was impressed by how much they cared about their client and wanted them to like their design. Their level of professionalism was remarkable – and amazingly there were no tantrums!

How did you first get into interior design? I was always obsessed with interior design from a young age and was constantly re-decorating my bedroom. I went on to study furniture design at university and just by luck one of my friends’ mums was an interior stylist so I became her assistant after graduating. I fell in love with doing up room sets and the whole photo-shoot process. This led to a career in magazines starting with the BBC Good Homes magazine. I now freelance for various publications and home-furnishing clients.

What is your favourite interior design-project that you have worked on in the past? This is a tricky one! There are too many to choose from. Thousands of set designs for the magazines and hundreds of home renovations. However, one project I did for the Ideal Home Show really stands out. It was with Madame Tussauds and I had to imagine and create a room set that the celebrity lived in. Ant and Dec, George Clooney and Tom Jones were just some of them. Tom Jones was my favourite – we had him singing in the shower in a very bling, Vegas-style, bathroom. Unfortunately, they were all only for wax celebs.

Do you put the same time and passion into styling your own rooms at home? Yes, I’m equally obsessed about it but my own rooms at home aren’t quite so ‘designed’. I make them a lot more relaxed and eclectic because it is our home very different to those I do for clients.

Where do you get your design inspiration from before a project? As a magazine stylist it means I receive all the press previews from manufacturers so I’m privy to new products and ideas. I also flick through all the home-style magazines so I get ideas from them. My husband, Tom, and I have recently renovated our own holiday lets, pictured here, and I took inspiration from the Brighton Pavilion, which is really eccentric and full of fantastic colour and decorative pieces. I am also influenced by art, global trends and design eras of the past.

Bold &beautiful

And how do you collect ideas? Are you a Pinterest fan? Pinterest is massive at the moment, and I love it. I used to have magazine tear out sheets and would Sellotape everything to scrap books. Now it’s more digital. If you have an idea you can just do a Google search for inspiration. I have the Pinterest app on my iPad and just pin my favourite ideas to mood boards. I do like to acknowledge where an idea came from though and always try to name the stylist or designer.

What advice would you give budding home decorators who want to take interior design further?If you want a career in interior design you need to look at training at university, colleges, design schools, or online courses. If you simply want to do more with your own home The Great Interior Design Challenge book has all the fundamentals of interior design included, as well as some great quick and affordable design ideas. So read up, start a interest board and, as Daniel always said on the show, “It’s only paint!” so experiment as you can always change it.

Do you have a favourite product, an absolute must-have for the home? It’s all very well for a room to look designed but every living room needs a really comfy sofa. Go for cosy, not posey. I hate sitting on a sofa that has all the comfort of a dry biscuit! It has to be comfy; it’s all part of making you feel good in your own home, especially after a hard day.

Are there any key trends for 2014 we should be looking out for? The main trend continuing this year is the ‘Salvage style’. So think bare bulb lighting, bare brick style, disused pallets, really industrial with copper and metal furniture, and exposed plumbing and piping.

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Sophie’s simple tips for bringing a tired room back to lifeThink neutral: If you’re starting from scratch think of neutral investment buys – carpet, sofa. Then accessorise with colours and over time add to the room when you can afford to.

Upcycle: Work out what furniture you already have and upcycle and upholster. Paint up old wooden furniture with specialist one-coat paints like Annie Sloan’s chalk collection.

Customise: Add a trim to plain curtains or cover a plain lampshade with new material.

Feature wall: To add colour to a room buy one small tin of paint for a feature wall or two rolls of patterned wallpaper.

De-clutter: Too much stuff will make a room look overcrowded. Instead group collections together in box shelves or put photo frames together. Scattering them around the room will only look messy.

Think in pairs: My favourite trick! Invest in a pair of lamps rather than a single pendant lamp, this will look more designed. For example a pair of lamps either side of the sofa. A pair of paintings, a pair of cushions, a pair of chairs also gives the room a sense of balance and calming symmetry.

LOVINGLOVINGY O U RY O U RH O M EH O M E

Sophie Robinson will be hosting master classes on interior design in London, along with fellow judge, Daniel Hopwood, and the two finalists from The Great Interior Design Challenge

Visit the website for details: SophieAndDaniel.com

Have you got a designer trade secret you can share?

My general rule of thumb is to never shy away and never think “ooh that’ll be too much!” Rooms generally look better if you’re bolder in your choice, so just go for it. Often people who go for the

safe option, commonly an overdose of beige, only feel disappointed with the results. }{

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Pictures: Sophie Robinson’s holiday lets. Words: Jenna Gregory.

www.haart.co.ukHome and lifestyle news

Ask the experts Got a home and interior question?

I want to make my hallway and stairs look more appealing. Are there any good tips for doing this without repainting the whole hall?

Adding a splash of colour to your entrance hall creates drama and style. One really colourful trend that will create a wow factor is ombré stairs, pictured right. Strip your stairs back to their natural floorboards, sand them and then paint the sides in slightly different colours of the same theme. ick up five or six sample pots of paint in consecutive colours and paint two stairs in each colour. Try an angled brush for getting close to the edges. But if you prefer it soft under foot then John Lewis has launched a new olour nlimited carpet range (left), which offers a bespoke colour- dye service in their different carpet types. rovide them with a sample of the colour you want them to match and they’ll order your free hand-dyed, colour-match sample. Then if you’re happy with the colour, they can measure up and estimate.

We would love to hear from you, send us your questions and you could win £250 of John Lewis vouchers*

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*See page 3 for competition rules.

Q

Q

Q

Are there any ways I can update my bathroom without buying a whole new suite? My bathroom is currently tiled white with an enamelled standalone bath.

Sometimes just accessorising a bathroom can make it look new. Fresh coloured towels, a new bathmat, toothbrush pots and a colourful shower curtain can make a huge difference. Next at Home and M S have some great matching bathroom accessories. If you don’t fancy changing or painting your tiles then you could paint your bath tub to make a statement. B esigns.co.uk now offer a bathtub paint service for £1 8 with over 100 Farrow and Ball paint colours to choose from. A coloured bathtub will make a real statement.

Large stripy bathroom towels, (left), £32 NotOnTheHighStreet.com

Are there any affordable but stylish ways to cover ugly electric radiators without having to buy an expensive wooden frame? Most wooden radiator covers or bespoke carpentry can be

expensive. If you’re not a dab at DIY then perhaps think about moving furniture as focal points, which can take your attention away from the radiator, such as placing a sofa to obscure it or adding a desk worktop above. Alternatively, Homebase now offers some affordable radiator cover options starting at £29.99 for an 80 x 80 cover which are ready to be painted or stained to match your décor. If your budget can stretch a little further Totally-Rad.co.uk, (left), offer bespoke covers.

There are some great electric radiators available at the moment with prices starting from £80 for attractive chrome rails, (right), visit HomeSupply.co.uk.

Email us your questions to [email protected]

LOVINGY O U RH O M E Loving: Your property

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3 bedroom semi-detached

Location: Near Wye, Kent

Who lives here: Mary Anderson

Selling for: £325,000

The area: Located just outside of the countryside village of Wye, this property has staggering views across the Kent downs. Canterbury is only 15 minutes away and the fast train line to London will have you in the capital in less than 40 minutes.

The look: Simple and understated, yet elegant and chic, this gorgeous 19th century home has a mix of rustic and contemporary styles.

It is not often we come across a home such as this. The time spent making this home the very best it can be has been a labour of love for Mary. The attention to detail is staggering and shows what can be done if no corners are cut or short cuts taken, it will pass anyone’s test of quality.

Wye perfection pays

Mary’s perfectionist detailing even made her knock at someone’s house to find out what the exact colour was of the door. She said: “I loved it so much I had to ask! I had been looking for the perfect door colour and I wanted this. The lady laughed and said it was Green/Blue by Farrow & Ball. The next day I ordered a tin.”

As well as these finishing touches and new furniture, Mary has refurbished every part of this semi-detached property, from replastering to new electrics, plumbing and heating.

The main focus with the renovation was the hub of the home, the kitchen, which has brand new solid oak fitted units and a new cooker situated in the hearth where the range cooker would have once been. The engineered oak floor runs through the kitchen and beyond into the study, which takes you to the downstairs bathroom - another renovation achievement for Mary.

When she began work on the bathroom she realised the roof of the period extension could be lifted and has transformed the space with a vaulted ceiling where a contemporary chandelier now hangs. The high-quality fittings and fixtures including the natural stone tiling, rain-storm shower and under-floor heating, make bathtime feel like an escape to a 5-star hotel or spa.

As a commuter to London, Mary wanted a luxury countryside retreat that would feel like bliss when getting home. Mary said,

“I look forward to arriving back here after a long day at work. And weekends feel like an escape to the country – you wouldn’t know you’re just 40 minutes from the City. The people of Wye are so welcoming, and I love the local food markets on Saturdays. I don’t want to leave really but I want to move closer to my parents.”

the look

www.haart.co.uk

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For more information call Matthew Chivers at haart Ashford on 01233 620340 until 10pm weekdays or email [email protected]

Get the lookLiving room

Madame Coco velvet armchair, £935, SofaWorkshop.com

Branch coffee table £397 Bouf.com Lille White Stripe

Wallpaper, £34 per roll, Laura Ashley

Mirrored bedside table £139.99, Dunelm Mill

Large indoor stainless-steel lantern, £15, Matalan

Kylie Minogue bedding & cushion, £25, BHS

Five Light Pendant £34.98, B&Q

Kylie Minogue Kylie Minogue

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Save space

stop hoarding

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Take advantage of the natural urge that comes this time of year to have a spring clean and get rid of items that are weighing you down. Be ruthless and throw out items you no longer need or use, especially those that are taking up valuable space, for a more streamlined minimalist lifestyle. With a clearer living space comes a clearer mind, able to focus on enjoying experiences and what’s really important in life.

Home and lifestyle

Clutter types: There are two types of clutter. The first is la y clutter, which is little more than rubbish maga ines, un-filed papers, unwanted Christmas presents, pots of paint samples, all these things need to go. It’s all superficial and it’s easier to get rid of than memory clutter. These type of nostalgic items remind us of some important person, event or achievement in the past - it’s sentimental and often hardest to part with. To tackle this, set aside some time to do it, and try the emergency test what would you grab if there was a fire Secondly, work out what makes you happy and create a memory box. You’ll then learn how to balance the possessions you want to own with the space you have. When you find this balance, you’ll learn how to keep it.

Wardrobe detox: First of all, start by whipping your wardrobe back into shape with a cleansing clothing detox. Organise your items into three piles. The must keep pile for items your wear regularly, the maybe pile for items that are needed but not worn often and finally a goodbye pile to those items you need to send packing.

Think about dressing for now, don’t keep clothes you wore five years ago or clothes you want to wear next year. Also forget about those fidget pieces. If it makes you feel tense or doesn’t let you enjoy what you’re doing there’s no point in keeping it. Once you’ve streamlined your pieces create a capsule wardrobe by categorising everything into colours or items. If your wardrobe still won’t squeeze everything in, consider packing your winter clothes away in the loft for the summer. Also invest in slim velvet hangers that take up minimal rail space.

Spare room: Bring love back to your spare room rather than making it the dumping ground for clutter. According to a recent survey, one in four households have a designated clutter room, often as well as a loft and a garden shed full of clutter. Tennis rackets, gym equipment, old books and maga ines collecting dust, and spare stuff we may need one day. Most often you won’t and it needs to go.

If your son or daughter has left home but their stuff hasn’t, warn them that you will be doing a clear-out. Give them a few chances to do it themselves and if they don’t, go for it, but warn them before you bin anything!

Under-stairs cupboard: We all need somewhere to store the vacuum cleaner and the ironing board, but when space is so valuable why not consider turning your cupboard into a downstairs toilet, a built-in dog bed or even add a few extra feet to your hall or living room by opening it up to fit a sofa or a desk workspace. Without the under-stairs cupboard to hide clutter away you’re less likely to hoard.

Useful ways to de-clutter: M&S Shwopping scheme: Simply take your unwanted clothes to any M&S store and they will pass them on to Oxfam, in return you will receive a £5 gift voucher to spend in Marks and Spencer when you spend over £35 in store. So far the scheme has raised £4 million for the charity.

Boot sales: Earn some extra pounds for your unwanted goods. It’s amazing the things people buy. Remember your trash is someone else’s treasure. If it’s too good to go for pennies, work out what it’s worth first at ValueMyStuff.com.

Up-cycle: Give old furniture a new lease of life by upholstering with new fabric or adding colour to wood with chalk paint. If you don’t do this in a year though, you never will.

Swishing events: Also known as swap shops, these events let you exchange your unwanted clothes for new ones. Items should be high-end and good quality, so anything that doesn’t make you feel great, take a deep breath and swap them to a better home. For events in your area visit Swishing.com.

Charity shops: Charity shops rely on donations from the public and some will take furniture, including British Heart Foundation stores, Bhf.org.uk. If you sign up and donate to Oxfam they will let you know how much your goods have raised. If you are a UK taxpayer you can add “Gift Aid” to your donation, meaning the charity can receive an extra 28p from the Government for every £1.

www.haart.co.ukHome and lifestyle

Space-saving beds add an extra dimensionProp up a pillow and take a look at these

latest space-saving beds, all with

superb storage solutions. With space at

a premium in most homes, these clever designs will have you packing more than a

few Zzzzzs.

Children will love their own personalised, brightly coloured Funky Bunk, great for when their friends come to stay. As well as a double-length, full-depth wardrobe, there are plenty of drawers to keep clothes and toys packed away. From £1,490. SpaceSavingBeds.co.uk

For the older child, the Harper High Sleeper has a helpful hideaway for homework. What youngster won’t want to reach for their books from these shelves, nestling under a single bed? Also available in the range is a mini wardrobe, two drawers, a desk and a pin board. From £550 (self assembly). next.co.uk

This HEMNES day bed will look fantastic in a spare room or conservatory. For just £260, this sofa doubles up as a single bed, with drawers providing ideal storage for sheets and pillow cases. Ikea.com

Amazing SpacesTo see how other people turn tiny spaces into the most incredible places to live, work and play, visit George Clarke’s Amazing Spaces on Channel 4oD online.

By day, a study; by night, a spare bed. This StudyBed comes in a choice of finishes, including real wood veneer, white and bespoke painted or stained. The single StudyBed has a full-size 3 ft single bed, with a large desk area and plenty of room to attach pin boards, pictures and posters. A double-bed option is also available. From £1,560. StudyBed.co.uk

Channel4.com/programmes/george-clarkes-amazing-spaces

Fantastic in a spareroom

15


Be bold: Go stripey

Chevron stripes are no longer just for road markings

These bold zig zag stripes are now the latest dramatic trend for interior design. If you’re after a statement wall or a key piece of furniture, we show you how to create this look at home.

Chevron is the V-shaped pattern that has taken the design world by storm in the form of wallpaper, accent rugs, throw pillows and even wall art.

Many people call this classic pattern a zig zag but it is a bit bolder than that and is essentially a series of Vs laid out in a row.

The pattern is both modern and fun, but can also look completely timeless when mixed into more traditional décor. It can feel both masculine and feminine, making it incredibly versatile for family homes.

Chevron may be all the rage these days but that doesn’t mean it’s new. In fact the chevron pattern appeared on pottery and rock carvings as early as 1800 BC in Ancient Greece.

A few thousand years later it became part of parquet flooring and was first laid on the floors of the Versailles alace in rance in the 1 th

entury. The intricate chevron patterns of parquet flooring would have been an indicator of status, wealth and taste. More recently in the 1970s, the geometric bohemian pattern returned for the colourful decade.

Flash forward to now and as we look at all the accessories and fabrics coming out for spring, it’s obvious the chevron pattern isn’t going away soon and is, in fact, making more of a long-term impact in all design items around the home.

Amongst traditional décor it looks so unexpected and will add that wow factor to a room. To update your home and use this trend here’s how to re-create the look at home...

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www.haart.co.uk

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Get the look at home with these products

Statement wallOne of the boldest but easiest ways to introduce a little chevron love is to paint an accent wall - it looks especially fun in a kid’s room. Use masking tape to create the pattern (the thicker the tape the bigger the pattern will appear), paint the entire wall and then remove the tape to reveal your chevrons. The American brand of masking tape called Frogtape actually do a chevron pattern so you don’t have to cut the tape into strips. It’s available from Amazon or eBay with international postage. The same masking tape method can be used to add the pattern to a piece of upcycled furniture such as a chest of drawers or even to the edge of wooden stairs.

An alternative way to create the chevron is to cut the shape using a stencil and a sharp craft knife. Or chevron wallpaper is just as good for creating an impact without the need for tricky tape or stencil cutting!

Parquet flooring If you’re lucky enough to have parquet flooring you certainly shouldn’t be hiding it. Restore it by sanding, varnishing or even staining it with a coloured wood paint for a really vibrant chevron look.

Bedding and curtainsChevron bedding and curtains are other low-maintenance ways to add a splash of this geometric trend to a room.

CushionsIf you’re not ready to fully commit to the trend then don’t go all-out chevron just yet, instead add a dash of pattern and colour to your living room with some bright chevron cushions. Perfect for updating a sofa for spring. This one, left, is £50 from LindseyLang.co.uk

Fabrics There are some really stunning chevron fabrics available. Take a look at sellers on Etsy and then try upholstering an old chair back to life with this pattern. It adds just the right amount of playfulness to a neutral room without going too crazy! Without the need for too much sewing you could also add fabric to the dining room as a table runner or staple it to the back of a blank wooden canvas for a piece of wall art.

LampsA chevron lamp makes a quiet statement while still adding a pop of designer influence to a room. A chevron lampshade is an even easier way to commit to the trend because it’s so easy to change but while it’s on trend it adds the perfect finishing touch to a room if you want to add impact. This one, left, is £30 from NotOnTheHighStreet.com

Rugs An oversized chevron rug is the perfect way to add colour and fun to any decor. Amongst a traditional setting it makes a stark contrast and is bound to be the talking point of any room. We love this bold retro one, £69, from Urban

utfitters.

How to get the look:

Wilde shower curtain, £5, and matching laundry bin, £4, Wilko.com

Yellow and charcoal chevron French Provincial side chair, £365, ShopSpacePlace from Etsy.com

Chevron Ampersand Giclée print, £28, NotOnTheHighStreet.com

Chevron orange and natural pouf ottoman, £85, Zeldabelle from Etsy.com

Monochrome chevron knitted cushion, £22, RoseAndGrey.co.uk

Scion Dhurrie Paste the Wall Wallpaper, Topaz, £36 per roll, John Lewis

Chevron light switch cover plate, £6.25, Etsy.com

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Loving your garden

18

Veg to plant in March - AprilYou are going to be busy because March and April are the best months to plant most of your crops! These are just some of the vegetables that need to be planted:

Garden advice from Sven WombwellGarden designer and garden TV presenter. Author of garden books including Allotment Gardening for Dummies. Sven is also UK Sales Manager for Roshults, luxury Scandinavian garden furniture.

Marching to summerChelsea Flower Show Royal Horticultural Society’s Chelsea Flower Show, 20-24 May 2014

If you are looking for inspiration for your garden visiting the RHS Chelsea Flower Show in May is an absolute must.

It takes an amazing 25 days to set up the whole show and on open day there will be 550 exhibitors, some from around the globe, and some truly stunning gardens.

Just as London Fashion Week sets the trends for retailers for the forthcoming year, so does the Chelsea Flower Show for gardeners. This year we expect to see several emerging trends. The big one for 2014 is going native’ - meadow gardens with wild flowers, birds, and pollinating

plants to encourage the bee population.

Another trend will be front gardens and what you can do with a small suburban space. This is great if you’re thinking of the shop window appeal for your home. With a few hard-working, low-maintenance shrubs you can add colour and depth with not much hassle. A favourite is lavender as it looks and smells great, but we’re looking forward to seeing what the Chelsea designers have in store.

If you time your visit to arrive on the final day, Saturday 2 May, that’s your chance to buy some of the beautiful plants to stock your own garden with from 4pm. But if you are leaving by public transport, before you buy make sure it’s feasible to carry your new and beautiful plants home!

The five-day long show is open daily from 8am with the last entry at 5. 0pm. n the first two days the show is open only to RHS members and among the VIP visitors there are usually members of the Royal family who attend the opening day each year.

Ticket prices vary from £30 if you enter at 5.30pm or £58 if you are not a member and want to stay all day. For more details visit the RHS website at Rhs.org.uk

Wipe your feet on a grassy flower mat with the Daisy Garden Door Mat. £69 - Myhaus.com

If you live in a flat or

studio, or have little

garden space, consider

bringing the outside in.

broad beans, runner beans, cabbage

Brussels sprouts,

carrots, leeks, lettuce,

onions, peas, tomatoes

welove

Start a mini indoor kitchen allotment to grow your own herbs and small veg. £25.99 - Firebox.com

Window boxes add instant colour to the side of any home, we love this forget-me-not blue wooden one. £14 - Primrose.co.uk

www.haart.co.uk

Loving your kitchen

1 9

When it comes to cooking up a tasty treat, British Masterchef Mark Baumann has a new trick up his chef white’s sleeves.

He has developed an eponymous butter, which adds such a flavoursome punch that it has been snapped up by some of the UK’s major supermarkets.

Baumanns Butters come in garlic, Cheddar cheese and bacon, and caramelised red onion and balsamic vinegar flavours, ideal for everything from jacket potatoes and steaks to fine dining that will impress your friends.

2kg fresh live mussels

Drop of vegetable oil

50g garlic butter

banana shallots (easier to peel), finely sliced

1 large carrot, peeled and finely sliced

1 leek (the white part), washed and finely sliced

This recipe is so simple and really impressive when entertaining or just as a decent comforting meal when on your own with a hunk of French bread. Use Baumanns Garlic Butter or you can make your own by mixing 100g of softened unsalted butter, two crushed garlic cloves, some salt and pepper and whatever mixed herb you fancy, then roll in to a tube and refrigerate.

Wash and de-beard the mussels to remove any grit and throw away any that are opened or damaged. Shred up the carrots, the leeks and shallots. Heat up a little oil in a pan; when the oil is warm add the clean mussels and stir with a wooden spoon. As they start to open, add the vegetables and shallots, pour in a glug of wine and bring to the boil, add the garlic butter then the cream and season with salt and pepper. Boil gently for a couple of minutes, finally, throw in the ripped parsley and serve in a bowl. Mop up the juices with your delicious French bread.

Mark Baumann’s moules marinières - Serves 4

150ml white wine, you could use sherry or cider

200ml of double cream

Salt and black pepper, freshly ground

Flat leaf parsley, roughly shredded (table spoon)

To watch our video of Mark preparing the mussels visit: www.youtube.com/LovingYourHome

Kitchen products We love:

Grate Stuff - If you have to peel carrots for the Easter bunny, or for Mark’s recipe, make it less tedious with this fun Karoto sharpener, £10.90, MadeInDesign.co.uk

Mark, the owner of Baumanns Brasserie in Coggeshall, Essex, features in the International Who’s Who of

hefs he is a guest presenter of TV ood’s flagship programme, Great Food Live and has starred in his own ITV series ‘Baumann goes to market’. He is soon to launch a new upmarket chain of restaurants, Bourgee, aimed at guests with a palate for a decadent dining experience. www.BaumannsBrasserie.co.uk

Meet the mussel man

Egg-static – rustic egg trug. We don’t have our own chickens to lay eggs to fill this but we still love it. It would look particularly good with chocolate Easter eggs in, too! £35, SparrowAndFinch.co.uk

You crack me up extra thick Easter egg, £28, HotelChocolat.com

Classic crème egg, 60p each

Lindt limited edition Easter egg, £8, ChocolateTradingCo.com

Easter Eggs decoration kit, £19.90, NotOnTheHighStreet.com

Claridge’s Easter Egg, £45, Claridges.co.uk

NotOnTheHighStreet.com

Claridge’s Easter Egg, Claridges.co.uk

It’s egg-citing! With Easter just around the corner we’ve picked our favourite of this year’s hatch of chocolate eggs.

Butterfly and ooty Easter eggs, £3 each, Thornton’s

Best apps & gadgets

Colour inspector - £0.69 for iPhone

This app transforms your iPhone into a colour

detector. So if you find a product that you love

the colour of, you can now co-ordinate the rest of your room to match. It uses the

camera of your device to provide the exact ‘RGB’ values and the common name of the colour. The RGB number

can then be used to get the exact same paint colour, or used in digital

design materials on the computer.

Houzz - Free

You can spend hours on Houzz. Dubbed as the encyclopaedia of interior

and exterior design this popular American

app and website has over 2 million design photos and over 90,000

inspirational ideas to browse through. You can also add favourite photos to your idea books,

join discussions and ask the experts for DIY advice.

Houzz.com

Pinterest - Free

This is the social media platform that lets you create mood boards or ‘pinboards’ with pin-teresting ideas from anything on the web. You can also pin your own

pictures or share others’ ‘pins’. There are millions of photos and boards to provide inspiration for your home, plus thousands of experts you can follow for ideas.

Pinterest.com

Sun Seeker - Free

Full version £4.99 on iPhone, £3.79 on Android

This may be an essential app for any budding meteorologist but it’s also very handy if you’re looking

for a new property. It uses the GPS in your phone to find the sun position and sun facing for your current location. So, if it’s cloudy when viewing a potential property you’ll know exactly how much sunlight the garden will get, for how long and at what times depending on the time of year. This also becomes very useful for gardeners who want to know what to plant where.

It also helps if you’re thinking about how to decorate a room. One tip is to avoid a lot of blue in north facing darker rooms, it can make the room feel very cold.

iHandy Carpenter - Free

Full version £1.49 on iPhone, £1.24 on Android

The iHandy’s five essentialcarpenter tools include a plumb bob, surface level, spirit level, protractor and ruler.

We’ve opted for the simplified free version which is quite simply a spirit level on your phone. Ingenious. Never will a picture frame go on the wonk again. Easy to use as well as aesthetically pleasing.

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haart - Free for iPhone and iPad

Our fantastic haart app will help you view property for sale or let while you’re on the move. Search from our extensive database of properties and save your favourites. There is also a handy list of local property facts as well as a map highlighting the locations of each property.

To download the app go to www.haart.co.uk

Rightmove & Zoopla - Free

If you’re searching for a property, these two apps are essential for your phone and your property search. Hunt for properties by favourite locations on a map, by postcode, by price or by estate agency group, and add filters such as preferred property types to your search. You can save your favourites and if you find one you like you’re able to call or email the agent by the hit of a button

Both apps are simplified versions of the websites but they allow for quick and easy lunchtime search sessions. Plus Zoopla gives the added bonus of telling you what your neighbours sold for, and a current estimated valuation of the property if you’re thinking of selling.

Rightmove.co.uk | Zoopla.co.uk

Bestapps&sites


www.haart.co.ukBest apps & gadgets

iKettleFirebox.com £99.99Imagine a world where there wasn’t a tiresome wait for the kettle to boil. Well, the tea-gods have spoken and that time has arrived in the shape of iKettle. This clever and stylish gadget connects wirelessly to an app on your smartphone and will prompt you when it’s time for tea. At the touch of a button you can set the kettle to boil, then keep warm until you’re ready to use the water. The best part is you can set it as your alarm and it will gently wake you up with, “Good Morning! Would you like me to pop the kettle on?” How did we ever survive without it? We may even purchase a second one for the office to avoid that time consuming tea round.

Lumen BulbFirebox.com £49.99Another find from Firebox (yes, it is one of our favourite websites!) is the Lumen Bulb and app. This bluetooth LED bulb screws in to your light fitting like a normal bulb and connects to the app on your smartphone so you can turn the light on or off without leaving the comfort of your sofa. It has a number of different feature modes: dim the lights for a romantic setting, change the colours in time to the music for a party, flash for incoming calls, or mimic a sunrise for a gradual wake up. Similar in size to a regular screw-fit bulb, Lumen says it will produce over 30,000 hours of 40w light. It also gets the green energy tick of approval, using five times less power than a standard bulb.

SugruSugru.com £6.50This is a strange one to explain but basically Plasticine just got crazy. Making and mending things will never be the same again. This new moulding rubber compound is genius and could revolutionise the DIY and craft world.

When you open a sachet of Sugru it begins to self-set on contact with air but you have 30 minutes to mould it to the shape you want. It will stick to loads of materials including steel, ceramics, glass, wood, fabric and most plastics.

What’s even better is it’s soft, durable, bendy, waterproof, weatherproof, will withstand temperatures of -50°c to +180°c and it comes in different colours. So you can now fix the handle on a saucepan, cover broken cables, make cameras drop-proof and add waterproof elbow and knee patches to kids’ clothes. And if you change your mind it’s removable.

The makers have added tons of other creative ideas to the website at Sugru.com.

One to watch: WristifyWristifyMe.comEver struggled with getting the temperature right in your house? You’re too hot while the other half is layered up in blankets and slippers? Well the clever kids at MIT University in America thought outside the thermostat box and have invented the air-con wristband. Wristify, a thermoelectric device, can alter the wearer’s body temperature at a rate of 0.4 degrees per second by sending either hot or cold pulses, depending on what’s needed, to the person’s wrist. This sends signals, essentially overriding the brain and, consequently, helping buildings conserve energy. The Wristify prototype won the first prize of $10,000 at the MIT annual science fair but, unfortunately, it’s still 1-2 years away from the first retail product.

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GadgetsBenQ W1080ST ProjectorProjectorShop24.co.uk £790For movie fans, gamers and gadget geeks alike, this is one investment you need to make this year. True film aficionados need a wall-sized screen and with the BenQ W1080ST Projector you can create this in HD and 3D. The ST part of the name stands for ‘Short Throw’, which means you can project on to the wall of a very small room. Gone are the days when you needed a mansion with a cinema room and custom- made leather recliners, now you can create the home-cinema experience with one of these bad boys, a packet of popcorn and some 3D glasses (which come provided as part of the pack).

www.haart.co.uk


Gym craze: Metafit: If you want to lose those excess pounds fast and get fit in the process check out Metafit™ the latest exercise regime that is really NOW.

This metabolic workout, unlike typical circuits, lasts for only 30 minutes but targets the largest muscle groups in the body so that you achieve a better and quicker effect.

To find a local trainer, Visit: Metafit-training.com

Get running: It’s too late to apply for the 2014 Virgin London Marathon but why not soak up the atmosphere by cheering the runners on and spectating on 13 April. You can also still sign up to other running events around the country, check out MarathonRunnersDiary.com, or for a shorter 5km sprint why not do a Race for Life to raise money for Cancer Research this June. Visit: RaceForLifeBlog.org

Sports day social: Find your team spirit with this year’s Rugby Rocks tournament, now renamed The Summer Social, which encompasses sport by day and bands and DJs by night. This year, groups can enter teams for rugby 7’s, netball, hockey and volleyball, or spectators can simply sit and enjoy a drink in the Pimms tent.

25 May (Leeds), 31 May (London), 7 June (Edinburgh), £6-£40 per person/ £50-£200 per team, Visit: SummerSocial.co.uk

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New cinema releasesMuppets Most Wanted (PG)

(in cinemas 28 March)

Kids and grown-ups alike will be looking forward to the next musical Muppets adventure. Ricky Gervais joins Kermit and friends for a globe-trotting adventure that takes on evil doppelgangers, master criminals and an abundance of big star cameos, not to mention some toe-tapping tunes.

The Amazing Spider-Man 2 (in cinemas 18 April)

Everyone’s favourite neighbourhood Spider-Man (Andrew Garfield) is back for an action-packed comic-book adventure that looks even bigger than the first instalment. New powerful enemies will test the hero to his very limits, all while he tries to maintain his relationship with girlfriend Gwen Stacy (Emma Stone).

Films and DVDsNew DVD/Blu-Ray releasesGravity (PG-13) (released 4 March)

Award-winning thriller Gravity allows us to chillingly explore space with two stranded astronauts (Sandra Bullock and George Clooney) after their space station is destroyed and their new mission is to get home. This technically ground-breaking and visually stunning film will leave you gripping your seats and gasping for breath until the very end.

Saving Mr Banks (PG-13) (released 24 March)

Delightful drama Saving Mr Banks reveals the touching true story behind Mary Poppins. We watch the charming Walt Disney (Tom Hanks) attempt to persuade difficult author P.L. Travers (Emma Thompson) into selling the rights, but we soon start to understand why she is so reluctant to give Mary Poppins up.

Loving your life

IDEAL HOME SHOWIf you haven’t got your home fix by reading this issue then get yourself tickets to Britain’s biggest and most loved home show for property ideas and inspiration. The Ideal Home Show will tour the country between March and June with hundreds of interior, garden and technology exhibitors. Our favourite part is always the model show homes and, new for this year, is the multi-generation home showing how families can live together today, with multiple generations using the same space for different needs. 14 – 30 March (London), 23 – 26 May (Glasgow), 6 – 8 June (Manchester)

Reviews by Martin Evans and Lucy Halliday - Martymcfly88.wordpress.com

Get fit

Clooney) after their space station is destroyed

seats and gasping for breath until the very end.

the touching true story behind Mary Poppins.

Hanks) attempt to persuade difficult author P.L. Travers (Emma Thompson) into selling the rights, but we soon start to understand why she is so reluctant to give Mary Poppins up.

23

Love your area

Night at the Museum The Museums at Night event returns to venues across the country this May. Celebrate national history month by sipping a cocktail whilst browsing an exhibition late at night or simply just wander around, soaking in some history after dark. The exhibits might not come to life as they do in the film, but museums across the country are hoping the event will help exhibitions come alive. If this is all way past your bedtime, then The Big Power Nap, which is basically one giant sleepover, may appeal to you. We like the sound of the illuminating light displays, the ghost hunt and the toy treasure hunt, but there are tons of activities to go and see. Visit: MuseumsAtNight.org

Wonderground You know it’s Spring again when the Southbank comes back to life. This year Wonderground in London will take over the area around London’s Southbank centre from May until September. There will be Victorian circus acts, cabaret, music and dance, theatre and much more.

Visit: LondonWonderground.co.uk

Flying highDelight in the breath-taking acrobatics of Cirque du Soleil, which returns to London in June after their sell-out January tour. The stunning circus troupe will be showcasing their phenomenal skill and agility at London’s O2 in their new show, Dralion, to celebrate their 30th anniversary.

From 4 June 2014. Visit: CirqueDuSoleil.com/dralion/

Get ahead of the trends Find the next big fashion trend at Graduate Fashion Week, which celebrates the UK’s best fashion students, showcasing their designs on the catwalk.

31 May – 3 JuneVisit: Gfw.org.uk

Spring clean your lifeFancy a new start or a change in your life? If you head straight to the self-help section in the book shop this could be for you. The School of Life offers fascinating self-improvement classes, including “How To Find a Job You Love” and “How to Balance Work with Life”. If your New Year’s resolutions of changing jobs or improving your career haven’t gone to plan, these courses could be for you. Other popular sell-out classes include “How to be Creative” and “How to be Cool”. With day workshops starting from £40, it’s much cheaper than therapy or counselling.

Ongoing dates throughout the year Visit: TheSchoolOfLife.com

Secret cinemaThis mysterious movie craze is so popular now that it extends to weeks of interactive and live cinema fun. The film and theme is kept hush-hush until the day, but you can expect live music and DJs, hundreds of actors who recreate the film as you stumble across the set, food stalls and an impressive set decoration. The effort these guys go to is definitely worth the ticket price, making for an exceedingly impressive alternative night out.

Visit: SecretCinema.org

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50 things to do before you are 11¾ Get the children out and about with the National Trust’s 50 things to do before you are 11 ’ challenge. There are events all over the country throughout the year but spring is a great time to start getting outdoors, getting fresh air, exercise and generally getting mucky! If all 50 tasks are completed each child can collect an explorer badge plus there are certificates and secret challenges to unlock along the way. At Sutton House, the Tudor House in the heart of East London, they are organising a range of activities such as camping in tepees, building dens, climbing trees, hunting for bugs and teaching children how to find their way with a map and compass.Visit: 50things.org.uk and Nationaltrust.org.uk/Sutton-House15 May - 17 May. Visit: 50things.org.uk

LOVINGY O U RH O M E Intelligent advice from haart

Move on up with help from haart

With the housing market thriving, you may be wondering whether you should hang on to

your property and wait a little longer until prices have risen further before you sell it.

Our advice is you should sell now – because the next property up the ladder will also be rising in value too, making it harder for you to buy.

There are some great new schemes around to help people get on or move up the housing ladder, by making it a lot easier to obtain a mortgage.

Help to Buy Mortgage GuaranteeIn October 2013, the Government extended its Help to Buy scheme for buyers of both new-build and older properties up to £600,000. The Government underwrites the lender’s risk by being a guarantor for up to 15% of the loan.

24

We were one of the first agencies to respond to the Government’s change in legislation by having Help to Buy advisers in all our branches. So if you are interested in finding out more, please call your local haart branch between 8am and 10pm or visit haart.co.uk.

Help to Buy Equity LoanThe Equity Loan, introduced in April 2013, is for new-build homes only up to £600,000, where the Government provides a loan of 20% of the property’s cost and the buyer finds the deposit plus the mortgage for the remaining 75%. The loan is interest free for the first five years.

What you needIn all cases, the purchaser will need a minimum deposit of 5% of the purchase price and funds are also required to cover stamp duty, legal fees and moving costs.

Paul Smith established the haart group 25 years ago and his regular ‘Intelligent Advice from haart’ blog and videos can be seen on the haart.co.uk website.

By Paul Smith Chief Executive of haart

Borrowers will have to meet each scheme’s various requirements. Properties bought for investment purposes are excluded.

Other schemes worth considering are NewBuy or Shared Ownership. Details of all these schemes can be found at:

Gov.uk/affordable-home-ownership-schemes.

High demand for propertyAccording to our own data, people now need to find around £ ,000 on average to obtain a mortgage, compared to almost five times as much previously.

As a result, we have nine people on average chasing every property on our books, we are achieving 98.9 per cent of the asking price and prices for a three-bed property have increased on average by 6.7 per cent over the past year.

Dream home

3-bed Cambridgeshire historic detached property

This historic detached property is set in an acre of its own grounds in a rural Cambridgeshire location and has been extended by the current owner. Its exposed beams and me anine layout offers an abundance of character and country charm. Located just outside Wisbech and only a short drive to nearby Peterborough, this former pumping station has accommodation comprising porch, hall, shower room, utility, lounge, dining room, a walk-in storage cupboard, sun room, office/bedroom and a kitchen. Upstairs continues with three bedrooms and a bathroom.

£340,000

Call David Cummings at haart of Wisbech on 01945 590015 for more details

Milton Keynes£160,118

Cambridge£219,388

Wisbech£119,743

Chelmsford£261,425

East Ham£235,475

Maidstone£236,819

Fleet£293,747

Bristol£214,268

Cardiff£230,092

Ipswich£163,379

Norwich£167,806

Derby£133,373

Sheffield£158,163

Leicester£149,997

West Bridgford£140,068

Local area spotlightIntelligent advice from haart

25

Client testimonialsSouth Woodford &Ilford, London

East Ham, London“Open house events are attracting dozens and dozens of buyers – well over 80 in one case – resulting in multiple offers, often well over the guide price. Prices here are amongst the lowest in London and that’s attractive, not least with Crossrail coming and further dock redevelopment.”

Simon Short East Ham branch manager

“I recently moved into my new home, let through haart, South Woodford. I’d like to give a

big thanks to all the staff at haart who were absolute stars throughout the process. We

were in a difficult situation due to another agent letting us down badly and leaving us

virtually homeless, but haart were there for us in our hour of need and helped us find our

lovely new home. Thanks – you guys are the best.”

Andrei Valy - South Woodford Branch“We have now exchanged contracts. It has been a long journey over several months,

starting with Gero and his team at haart Ilford. Over the last couple of months haart,

and in particular Asha, have been outstanding, helpful and patient with us. Once again,

thank you very much.”

Barbara and Maxim Segal - Ilford Branch

20:1

0.34%

119.28%

www.haart.co.uk

Map shows average price for semi-detached properties in 2013 in areas covered by the branches shown of haart, Darlows and Haybrook.

Average price data obtained from the Land Registry. Average house price comparison covers branch postcodes. Buyers registered means applicants who have registered with the branch in the last 6 months and are still looking for a property. Properties available means properties registered with the branch which are either (i) for sale or (ii) sold subject to contract but which the branch is still marketing. Data collated February 2014.

East Ham haart branch

% Average price change (2013 v 2012)

First time buyer applicants (Jan 2014 v Jan 2013)

Ratio of buyers registered to number of properties available (Jan 2014)

NEWSEast Ham

If you want my help to sell your home, call in or phone me

Simon Short Senior Branch Manager*source: haart data for 3 months ended 28th February 2014

We have 1676 people on ourbooks looking for homes in this area*

We achieved 99.38 % of finalasking prices on properties we have sold in the last 3 months*

- 06 - For more properties in your area visit haart.co.uk

8am - 10pm everyday

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MOVE STRAIGHT IN

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FAMILY IN MIND

SALES

East Ham

Call us now on: 020 8471 8282

Sandford Road, East Ham£260,000This very well presented mid terrace house is located on the ever popular Central Park Estate and boasts sizable rooms and a garden.

• Mid Terrace House• Three Bedrooms• Three Reception Rooms

• Utility Room• 30' Rear Garden• EPC Rating: C

Whitta Road, Manor Park£145,000 - £165,000 Looking to move straight in? We have found your perfect home. Located off Forest Drive in E12, this beautifully maintained, first floor, one bedroom apartment is offered chain free.

• First Floor Flat• One Bedroom• Double Glazing• Beautifully Maintained• Station Location• Chain Free• EPC Rating: C


8am - 10pm everyday

HRT013806683

SALE BY TENDER

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LOVE AT FIRST SIGHT

SALES

East Ham

Call us now on: 0208 471 8282

Lichfield Road, East Ham£279,995 - £289,995Located off Hatherley Gardens is this four bedroom, terrace house with summer house in rear garden, which is currently used as a fifth bedroom. Other features include through lounge, first floor bathroom, gas heating to radiators, plus much more.

• Mid Terrace House• Four Bedrooms• Through Lounge

• Recently Refurbished• Summer House• EPC Rating: E

Plashet Grove, East Ham£300,000 - £320,000This spacious Victorian, mid terrace, family home is in an excellent position, close to Green Street shopping and Upton Park Station. There is no chain and multiple accommodation benefits such as cellar, kitchen/diner and two reception rooms.

• Mid Terrace House• Three Bedrooms• Two Reception Rooms• Kitchen/Diner• Cellar• EPC Rating: D


8am - 10pm everyday

GREAT TRAVEL LINKS

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A MUST SEE!

SALES

East Ham

Call us now on: 0208 471 8282

Dersingham Avenue, Manor Park£265,000 - £275,000Ideally located between Ilford, Manor Park and East Ham, this extended family home also boasts no onward chain and excellent scope for improvement.

• End Of Terrace House• Three Bedrooms• Through Lounge

• Rear Garden• Great Travel Links• EPC Rating: D

Rectory Road, Manor Park£250,000Now needing a full refurbishment this property is ideal for those requiring a blank canvass to create their dream home. With a good proportion of rooms and the right amount of imagination, this property can be transformed into a stunning family house

• End Of TerraceHouse• Three Bedrooms• Kitchen/Diner

• Two ReceptionRooms• Garage• EPC Rating: E

*source: haart data, dated 18th February 2014

NEWSEast Ham

If you want my help to let your home, call in or phone me

Julie Edwardes Branch manager

We have 235 tenants registeredlooking for the right property*

Of the Lets we agreed in January, we achieved 97% of the final rental asking prices*


8am - 10pm everyday

A HOME TO CHERISH

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CENTRAL PARK

LETTINGS

East Ham

Call us now on: 020 8586 2588

Cotswold Gardens, East Ham£1,400 PPMLive in the sought after area of Central Park in this newly refurbished home, still boasting original features. This beautiful, three bedroom house offers a kitchen/diner and an open plan lounge/family room.

• Semi Detached House• Three Bedrooms• Lounge/Family Room

• Kitchen/Diner• Original Features• EPC Rating: D

Pullyns Avenue, East Ham£1,400 PPMThis three bedroom detached house in the popular Central Park area has two good size reception rooms, kitchen, lean to, two double bedrooms, one single and a family bathroom.

• Detached House• Three Bedrooms• Neutral Decor

• Lean To• Local Schools• EPC Rating: D

NEWSIlford


Calogero La Lomia Senior Branch Manager*source: haart data for 3 months ended 28th February 2014




8am - 10pm everyday

HRT004109068

QUALITY-COMFORT-CONVENIENCE

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NEEDS A LARGE FAMILY

SALES

Ilford

Call us now on: 020 8518 1890

Ranelagh Gardens, Ilford£525,000 - £550,000This extended four bedroom end of terrace period property is located on one of Ilford's finest roads, directly off Cranbrook Road within close proximity to Valentines Park, Gants Hill and Ilford Stations.

• End Of Terrace• Four Bedrooms• Three Reception Rooms

• First Floor Bathroom• Original Features• EPC Rating: D

Ashgrove Road, Goomayes£440,000 - £460,000This fantastic family home with four bedrooms is in a prime location for Goodmayes and Seven Kings Mainline Stations, offering easy access to the City of London.

• Semi Detached Huse• Four Bedrooms• Two Reception Rooms• Two Bathrooms• Oak Flooring• Station Location• EPC Rating: D


NEWSIlford


Liam Davorn Branch manager


Of the Lets we agreed in January, we achieved 100% of the finalrental asking prices*


8am - 10pm everyday

LIGHT AND SPACIOUS

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RECENTLY MODERNISED

LETTINGS

Ilford

Call us now on: 020 8554 7982

Empress Avenue, Ilford£900 PPMThis newly renovated, first floor, one bedroom flat is both light and spacious with a separate kitchen with dishwasher and washing machine included.

• First Floor Flat• One Bedroom• Spacious Lounge

• Kitchen Appliances• Bay Windows• EPC Rating: D

Eton Road, Ilford£1,400 PPMThis recently modernised, three bedroom, family home in a very pleasant residential road is offered in excellent condition, the accommodation comprises lounge, dining room, fitted kitchen, three well proportioned bedrooms and a family bathroom.

• Mid Terrace • Three Bedrooms• Two Receptions

• Family Bathroom• Residential Road• EPC Rating: E

NEWSLeytonstone


Ginny Pattni Branch Manager*source: haart data for 3 months ended 28th February 2014




8am - 10pm everyday

HRT017205474

IN HOME SPA

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BEAUTIFULLY DECEPTIVE

020 8539 1194

Leytonstone

Call us now on: 020 8539 1194

Colworth Road, Leytonstone£750,000 - £780,000This is the home of your dreams. You will be amazed at the unique features that this property has to offer, as well as the wonderful location and the plentiful space, from the moment you enter it will feel like home.

• Mid Terrace House• Five Bedrooms• Three Reception Rooms

• Three Bathrooms• Kitchen/Diner• EPC Rating: D

Cann Hall Road, LeytonstoneGuide Price £550,000 This amazing five bedroom family home is finished to an exceptional standard throughout. The property comprises two reception rooms, a spacious kitchen/diner, three bathrooms, five double bedrooms and a garden housing both a Jacuzzi and sauna.

• Mid Terrace House• Five Bedrooms• Two Reception Rooms• Three Bathrooms• Fully Refurbished• EPC Rating: D


NEWSLeytonstone


David Greenslade Branch manager




8am - 10pm everyday

CHARMING

HRT045600046

HRT045600039

SUPERB PERIOD HOME

LETTINGS

Leytonstone

Call us now on: 020 8539 2116

Newport Road, Leytonstone £1,150 PPMIdeal for a professional couple or friends looking to share, this two bedroom ground floor flat is within walking distance to both Leyton and Leytonstone Stations.

• Ground Floor Flat• Two Bedrooms• Fully Fitted Kitchen

• Private Garden• Sought After Location• EPC Rating: D

Connaught Road, Leytonstone £1,600 PPMSituated in a popular location, just a short walk from Leytonstone Tube Station, makes this an ideal home for professionals who commute. Still boasting period features, this three bedroom detached property offers both style and substance.

• Detached House• Three Bedrooms• Period Property

• Through Lounge• Station Access• EPC Rating: E


8am - 10pm everyday

ROOM TO GROW

SALES

Loughton

HRT017504090 HRT017504321

ECO FRIENDLY HOMES

CHAIN FREE

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JUST A LITTLE BETTER

Call us now on: 0208 502 3838

Stradbroke Grove, Buckhurst Hill£650,000-675,000This three bedroom semi detached family home, located on a beautiful tree lined road, has all Buckhurst Hill amenities close by. With potential to extend to the side and rear (STPP), there is plenty of opportunity for future expansion.

• Semi Detached House• Three Bedrooms• Through Lounge

• Sought After Location• Garage• EPC Rating: E

Yardley Lane, Chingford£400,000 - £425,000Finished to the highest standards, we present a choice of three detached, brand new, ECO friendly homes. Each has a NHBC certification, a low carbon footprint, fully integrated kitchen, guest cloakroom WC, master bedroom with en suite shower room, LED lighting and under floor heating on the ground floor.

• Detached House• Three Bedrooms• En Suite

• ECO Friendly • Energy Efficient• EPC Rating: C

Yew Close, Buckhurst Hill£345,000 - £365,000If you're looking for a property close to shops and the Central Line, then this property is for you: five bedrooms, ample parking and offered chain free!

• Mid Terrace House• Five Bedrooms• Kitchen/Diner

• Ample Parking• Transport Links• EPC Rating: C

North End, Buckhurst HillOIEO £510,000The prestigious gated development of Roebuck Heights is positioned ideally in Buckhurst Hill. This is a unique opportunity to acquire this shared freehold apartment with far reaching views from the South East facing balcony.

• Stunning Apartment• Two Bedrooms• Underfloor Heating

• Secure Parking• South Facing Balcony• EPC Rating: B


8am - 10pm everyday

SOUGHT AFTER LOCATION

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TOP MARKS

SALES

Loughton

Call us now on: 020 8502 3838

Green Trees, EppingO.I.E.O £750,000This detached character style, four bedroom home was built by Berkeley Homes and offers easy access to both thre High Street shopping facilities, schools, buses and the Central Line Tube Stsation.

• Detached House• Four Bedrooms• Two Bathrooms

• Conservatory• Station Access• EPC Rating: D

Firs Drive, Loughton£480,000This three bedroom detached property in a cul de sac off of Goldings Hill, boasts a fitted kitchen, main reception room, additional family room and a double garage to rear.

• Detached House• Three Bedrooms• Two Receptions

• Double Garage• Local Amenities• EPC Rating: E

NEWSPlaistow


David Karrass Senior Branch Manager*source: haart data for 3 months ended 28th February 2014

We have 361 people on our bookslooking for homes in this area*



8am - 10pm everyday

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REFURBISHED

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APARTMENT WITH A VIEW

SALES

Plaistow

Call us now on: 020 7476 3114

Sheerness Mews, Royal Docks O.I.R.O £350,000Set within the prestigious Royal Docks Development is this very spacious (approx. 1000sq ft) three bedroom, purpose built apartment overlooking the River Thames.

• Apartment• Three Bedrooms• Lounge/Diner

• En Suite• Allocated Parking• EPC Rating: C

Canning Town£325,000A phenomenal opportunity is yours, if you want to take advantage of it. This part of East London/Canning Town has been highlighted as a property hotspot and this refurbished three bedroom family home has everything the dicerning buyer looks for.

• Mid Terrace House• Three Bedrooms• 25ft Through Lounge• Modern Kitchen• Two Bathrooms• EPC Rating: D

NEWSSouth Woodford


Jacqueline Greenough Branch Manager*source: haart data for 3 months ended 28th February 2014




8am - 10pm everyday

HRT020105628

ONE NOT TO MISS

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HIGHLY REGARDED

SALES

South Woodford

Call us now on: 020 8530 5991

Hollywood Way, Woodford Green £550,000 - £600,000Set within this highly regarded and desirable location is this splendidly appointed three bedroom extended semi detached family home.

• Semi Detached House• Three Bedrooms• Three Reception Rooms

• Well Presented• Off Street Parking• EPC Rating: D

Milkwell Gardens, Woodford Green£325,000A delightful three bedroom mid terrace family home with a fully fitted kitchen/diner, lounge and bathroom. The property is only a short walk from Woodford Station, schools and amenities.

• Mid Terrace House• Two Reception Rooms• Conservatory• Fully Fitted Kitchen/Diner• Station Access• Local Amenities• EPC Rating: E


NEWSSouth Woodford


Dermid Thomas Branch manager




8am - 10pm everyday

GATED COMMUNITY

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TRÉS ELEGANT

LETTINGS

South Woodford

Call us now on: 020 8530 6060

Queen Marys Avenue, South Woodford £1,400 PPMSituated in a private gated community is this luxurious two bedroom, two bathroom apartment. The development offers extensive water gardens and a 24 hour concierge, set within the village community of South Woodford.

• Apartment• Two Bedrooms• Two Balconies

• 24 Hour Concierge• Gated Development• EPC Rating: B

Cowslip Road, South Woodford£2,250 PPMJust a stone's throw away from the lovely High Street of South Woodford is this beautiful Georgian style four double bedroom town house, comprising, three reception rooms, modern kitchen and bathroom plus an en suite.

• Detached House• Four Bedrooms• RefittedBathrooms

• High Standard• Lovely RearGarden• EPC Rating: C

NEWSWalthamstow


Hayley Steele Senior Branch Manager*source: haart data for 3 months ended 28th February 2014

We have 804 people on our bookslooking for homes in this area*



8am - 10pm everyday

MAKE IT YOUR OWN

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POPULARITY GUARANTEED

SALES

Walthamstow

Call us now on: 020 8520 6731

Sophia Road, Leyton £475,000 - £500,000This three bedroom detached family home is up for grabs after 52 years and is now looking for a new family to enjoy it. Offered chain free with kitchen/diner plus two more receptions and a south facing garden.

• Detached House• Three Bedrooms• Two Reception Rooms

• First Floor Bathroom• Outside WC• EPC Rating: E

Gaywood Road, WalthamstowGuide Price £350,000 Perfectly located for both Lloyd Park and Walthamstow Central, this terrace house is sure to prove popular. Offering two reception rooms, two bedrooms, upstairs bathroom and a west facing rear garden.

• Mid TerraceHouse• Two Bedrooms• Two Receptions

• First FloorBathroom• West FacingGarden• EPC Rating: D


NEWSWalthamstow


Richard Hollingworth Branch manager




8am - 10pm everyday

HRT061900421

LET YOUR FAMILY GROW

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IMMACULATE

LETTINGS

Walthamstow

Call us now on: 020 8521 5906

Bisterne Avenue, Walthamstow £3,000 PPMPrepare to be knocked out by this once in a life time opportunity. Situated in a popular residential location within walking distance to Wood Street Station this enormous detached house with seven bedrooms is in a class of its own.

• Detached House• Seven Bedrooms• Three Reception Rooms

• Luxury Bathroom• Modern Kitchen• EPC Rating: E

Riverhead Close, Walthamstow£1,500 PPMBe quick to secure this modern, three bedroom cul de sac property. Ideal for a growing family or sharers, the property benefits from a modern fully fitted kitchen, large lounge/diner and cloakroom.

• Mid Terrace House• Three Bedrooms• En Suite• Cloakroom• Spacious Lounge/Diner• Off Street Parking• EPC Rating: C

e ffer rt a e r t e e ar et

a u r t u at u t rt a e u

u ta

H0135054

(call charges will vary)

LOVINGY O U RH O M E Helping you move

haart moving checklistA month before you move

Book time off work if necessary.

If you are living in rented accommodation give notice to your landlord.

Have a clear out. Anything that you don’t need should be recycled, sold at a boot sale or given to charity.

Get quotes from removal firms from the British Association of Removers by visiting Bar.co.uk or get quotes for hiring a van if you plan to move furniture yourself.

btain packing materials such as newspapers, tissue paper, boxes, cardboard, wrapping, padding and parcel tape.

ontact your telephone and utility providers and tell them you’re moving.

Two weeks before you move ontact the removal firm with the final details.

Start packing things you rarely use.

hone the telephone company and ask them to connect the phone in your new home.

Arrange building insurance and contents insurance for your new home.

Tell the local authority that you’re moving.

One week before you move ack everything except things that you will need between now

and your move.

Re-direct your mail.

ay any outstanding bills.

ut important and valuable items such as passports, birth certificates and jewellery in a safe place.

btain a TV licence for your new home.

The day before you move inalise last-minute packing.

efrost the fridge and free er.

isconnect appliances.

heck your utility suppliers have switched on your gas, electricity and phone in your new home.

lean the house.

Leave a welcome’ card for the people who have bought your house, along with a few local takeaway menus and any instructions they may need.

Get a good night’s rest

Your moving day Ensure you take electricity, gas and water meter readings.

heck all appliances are disconnected.

Secure all windows and doors before heading to your new home.

To find out about buying and selling from haart call 0845 899 9999 8am - 10pm everyday

Mark fragile

items clearly

Moving into a new home can be a stressful experience. However, a little bit of forward planning can go a long way towards making your move as smooth as possible. Use our haart checklist to make the process easier.

Label which

boxes are for

which rooms

Don’t overload

your boxes


If you need more information, call us on 0845 899 9999 or visit haart.co.uk

Result!

Call us 0845 899 9999 to see how we can help you.

The haart way gets better results. For some that means more money in the bank. For others, it

ans a i k o o fin ing a nan fas in which case we speed things along.

One thing we know for sure: a happy client, is a happy client.

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Loving Your Home - Waltham Forrest

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