The Stamp Duty Impact On Posh Property And Workers.

With around 15,000 job losses in the last year connected with the house market slump in the top end, I decided to find out the truth about whether or not the rise in Stamp Duty was really losing the country huge sums of money or whether the figures published up until last week (when ours were published) were purely speculation. 

Being an interior designer in the high-end sector of the market, the people I work with are all extremely important to me. The removal men, the painters and decorators, the gardeners, the electricians, plasterers, maintenance, furniture and carpet suppliers, builders, cleaners, stonemasons, carpenters, solicitors, estate agents, photographers,drivers and local retail have all suffered since the Stamp Duty rises have come into play with many of these hard working people losing their jobs and businesses. 

Lowering the top end of stamp duty is not about looking after the rich....just look at all the people affected above and it is clear that this is far from the case.

The people who have stopped buying property in the housing market on over £1.5million homes, have kept many of the businesses above, afloat and successful for years by their continued employment. Not only that but the people in this property bracket also spend money on retail and in the hospitality trades, so this also affects restaurants, bars, and shops.

With all this in mind, I asked an experience partner and tax expert with 30 years experience to run the numbers to calculate the loss of revenue to the country.

Alarmingly after 8 weeks of calculations, which I need to add that the HMRC don't even have these numbers yet, we found that the loss is catastrophic to the country at a staggering£300,000,000 to date (40% down) and should nothing change in this budget on March 8th and the government wait until the next budget in the Autumn, we are looking at an EXTRA loss of £370,000,000. The realisation is that there are no winners in this. 

Not only do we have the job losses for many, and the future is bleak for many more if nothing changes soon, but we also have a deficit that could pay for 25,000 new NHS nurses. This amount of money could run 2 hospitals for a year, and it could also go into affordable housing. 

I contacted the government and have spoken to 3 MPs and have their support, Jacob Rees-Mogg is one of those MPs. As yet Philip Hammond has not replied to me, and I 
have now contacted the Treasury for an urgent meeting before it is too late for this budget... as yet to no avail!

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Bathing In Gold

This unique creation hails from celebrity interior designer Celia Sawyer and Grace of London, whom together are creating a £100,000 bath masterpiece. Celia Sawyer explains all...

“I have been commissioned by an undisclosed client to create a bespoke piece of objet d’art for a bathroom that will transform their space into spectacular.

On the back of this I have requested the assistance of award-winning designer Robert James Grace of Grace of London to plan, produce and create the one-off masterpiece with me, alongside his team of British craftsmen.

The piece in question is a £100,000 bespoke bath. Curated from 24k carat gold, crystal and platinum.

My client has exceptional standards and only expects the best in the World. There was no need or desire to look any further than the UK to find the plethora of talent required to make this dream a reality. We have so many excellent British artisans and I love supporting home-grown talent. The exquisite craftsmen involved in this project are major players in their own right and it’s wonderful to see the design develop.

Grace of London pride themselves on 35 years’ experience at the top of their game in the field of mosaics and gold leaf designs. Founder Robert Grace now solely manufactures bespoke pieces for prestigious clients around the world.

“We create super-luxury sanitary-ware and furniture for exclusive, signature residences and clients around the world,” tells Robert.

Robert is putting together an array of artisans who will each work on the £100,000 bath tub. These incredible craftsmen who all hail from British roots include Clough Harris, Thomas Restorations and Locker and Riley to name a few; a team of people who are the most revered and respected artisans in their field, with royal warrants as testament.

Clough Harris was granted the Royal Warrant in 2006, honoured personally by Her Majesty for his part in the restoration of Windsor Castle. Thomas Restorations are world famous Royal Warrant Holders specialising in the restoration of some of the most valuable furniture in palaces and homes across the world. Locker & Riley is an award-winning fibrous plaster specialist working in palaces across the globe.

British talent and British heritage are at the heart of this project. Art, design, beauty and bespoke come together in harmony to create something truly exquisite and never seen before.  I will be able to reveal more over the coming weeks, I hope you love it as much as me!”

Luxury in Barbados

 

Very recently I booked to stay at the Colony Club in Barbados a hotel located on the renowned platinum West Coast of Barbados. I’d heard that the Colony Club had an appeal towards not only your average Barbados visitor looking for a great hotel and families, but to those who enjoy healthy eating, unique health conscious amenities and togetherness, which all sounded superb. I had to see for myself what exactly makes this hotel experience different from others I have stayed at on the Island.

On arrival I noted that the hotel itself is situated on a really excellent part of the beach, and has an array of fantastic water sports facilities, most of which are complimentary when you stay at the hotel. Generally in Barbados, these facilities elsewhere are often expensive so this is a major plus attraction and fantastic for the whole family to enjoy. The lush, seven acres of tropical gardens are well kept and give you a lovely vista whichever room category you should choose. To have the garden view is certainly not a disappointment.
I was shown my room and was very pleasantly surprised. The junior suites are extremely spacious, light and bright and what I really loved was that they were modern, and the luxury poolside rooms, ocean view and luxury ocean view rooms have recently been refurbished. Barbados has a very traditional trend in a lot of the hotels which is slowly changing, and more contemporary, up to date, bright fresh hotel rooms and restaurants are appearing which is refreshing. I am not knocking the old colonial style of the islands’ properties as this is certainly a major part of being in Barbados, but I do think that the functionality and the style of the Colony club’s accommodation really does work in a new up dated and exciting way.

 

 

Another great facility in this hotel is the swim up bar which boasts 2 happy hours each day. This is great as it means you can keep cool whilst sipping your rum punch and it also helps to break the ice as a good social space for people to meet and chat together. I met many really great, interesting people here without having to go outside the hotel. In fact the point is that you don’t need to go out of the hotel. The Laguna Restaurant which enjoys a striking open air setting with superb views over the hotel’s tropical gardens, aquamarine pools and ocean beyond, has been recently renovated, serving breakfast with organic teas, juicing and healthy dining choices. Menus are tailored for local cuisine and seasonally inspired meals.
My favourite place for lunch is the Sunset Bar and Deck where you can sit under the shade of the umbrella and really enjoy the sea breeze and the view.
The hotel also offers complimentary bespoke tours and activities, for those who wish to see some more of the Island, cooking demos, a complimentary water taxi for transportation between the Elegant hotels other West Coast properties as well as the four freshwater swimming lagoons ad whirlpool, tennis courts, spa and fitness centre. It even has a well kitted out library with board games, so more than enough for everyone of any age!
The staff are friendly and helpful, and I was offered a tour of the top suite of the hotel which is superb. I will most certainly be coming back to stay, and although all of the
96 stylish guest rooms and suites are excellent; I may just treat myself to this one next time!

What's really causing a stir in the interiors world in 2016? Celia Sawyer answers all...

The last few months have been a whirlwind. I’ve been designing inside a private aircraft (Airbus A340) for a high-net worth client, commissioned to consult on a new build property which is currently only a hole in the ground, and meeting various TV producers about new shows, I don’t know how it’s mid-August already!

One thing I have noticed are some key design changes this year. I feel 2016 is a pivotal time, where forward-thinking, unique designs are at the forefront of what we as interior designers are doing.

The first half of 2016 has very much been about individualism, embracing who you are and creating one-off pieces to match in the home. We are embellishing home-grown talent and artisans more than ever; those who are experts in their fields are coming together to create masterpieces as one. I have experience of this myself as I have teamed up with award-winning Grace of London to tailor-make bespoke and beautiful baths to act as art for the home. Heritage and appeasing British artisans to produce truly individual pieces, created by dedicated craftspeople, is playing an important role in luxury design this year. Equally locally sourced materials have become a staple.



Another element that is having its moment is 3D Printing Technology. This has been a huge influence in the first half of 2016. 3D printing allows designers the capability to specify and create custom pieces for clients. The options are limitless; if you can dream it - it can be done. Clients can pick a famous scene, works of art or favourite personal photographs and it can be used to create personalised wall coverings. A nostalgic, striking method to dress your walls in the most individual way possible. 3D printing is hugely innovative and I have seen a lot of the suppliers I work with be ahead of the curve and offer this. A stunning way to create focal points for each room in the home.

Luxury materials continue to wow in the interior design world. Many of my clients’ desire one-offs and finite materials in the home as these exude timeless quality and authenticity that modern materials cannot seem to match. Gold, brass, copper, iron, platinum are well and truly in demand.

Black and gold working together in harmony is exceptionally on-trend. Five years ago people feared black, now it’s having its resurgence in furniture, fabrics, lighting and entire room schemes. I love working with black velvet, gold piping, gold accessories and juxtaposing where the black and gold is used.

The design world is constantly moving and I love staying at the forefront, seeing new practices for the first time and encompassing them into my own work. Remember, trends are merely a collective thought, you do not have to follow them if they don’t ‘speak' to you. Your home should personify who you are and as we’re seeing this year, embracing the essence of you is mightier than ever.

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A Stunning Stay At Lucknam Park

A stunning property in the heart of Wiltshire, boasting 500 acres of un-spoilt countryside, elegant décor, fine dining, a beautiful spa and equestrian facilities.

My recent stay here was for a special occasion and it served as a perfect retreat for the whole family. The hotel is distinguished by 42 individually style rooms and suites. Our room was a lovely suite with a four poster bed and a generous seating area.

In terms of dining you have two restaurants, one more formal and a more relaxed informal option which works well having a younger family.

If you are one for fine dining The Park, with its Michelin star, is a great option. At the helm is Executive Chef Hywel Jones and his menu is colourful and creative offering mouth-watering dishes such as maple glazed chicken wing, celeriac ‘risotto’, wild mushrooms and confit baby onions to Loin of Bwlch farm venison, line-caught sea bass and pork dishes. It is good to know he heads up both The Park and The Brasserie so it is his food genius throughout.

We really enjoyed exploring the beautiful grounds of Lucknam Park, with its acres of lovely trees and fields. If you like riding there is a fully-encompassing equestrian estate to indulge in. The Equestrian Centre has 35 horses of all sizes and capabilities with the arena and stables offering an excellent space to book in a lesson. Catering for complete beginners, both adults and children, as well as the more proficient riders wishing to improve their skills in jumping, dressage or cross country, if you are a fan of riding or want to give it a go there couldn’t be a better chance.

Back inside the impressive property you’ll find an award-winning spa offering a sanctuary of relaxation, well-being and holistic purity. With 8 state-of-the-art treatment rooms (including 2 deluxe suites and one double treatment room) to the fully equipped gym offering Yoga and Pilates classes there is a lot on offer to suit the discerning individual. Specialist body treatments, men’s therapy, a delightful ‘mother-to-be’ collection, all make up an extremely impressive roster. Here I was treated to a fantastic famous Radiance Facial and an eye treatment which was one of the best spa experiences I have had. 

For the adventurer in you, Bath is nearby to explore, which is a fantastic city. A mix of old and new, some of the best high-street shops and restaurants line the streets. If you’re staying at Lucknam Park for a few days, I definitely recommend making the most of the hotel and surrounding area while you are there.

Elegant, refined, welcoming, and charming in every way, it’s not hard to see why Lucknam Park Hotel & Spa won the Luxury Travel Awards Hotel & Spa of the Year 2016! I look forward to being back soon.

For further information and bookings please click here

Summer Vacation Hot Spot; The Four Seasons, Cyprus

This splendid hotel is one of my regular haunts where the children and I love to return to time and time again. Being an independently owned and operated hotel they keep raising the bar. The hotel is set in a great location, being only a few minutes’ drive from the city centre, there is plenty to do should you wish to venture out.  

At The Four Seasons in Cyprus, the staff are attentive and friendly, and the whole experience on offer here is excellent. I thoroughly recommend staying here, and now with its striking recent refurbishment, the hotel goes from strength to strength. 

The hotel has recently completed major renovations and reopened earlier this year with a refined look, feel and functionality. The experience begins in the lobby, where the reception area has been recreated to offer a more personalized welcome. Furnishing, décor and glamorous and artistic light fixtures are based on slimmer lines and delicate designs for a liberating, relaxing effect. It’s inviting and interesting from the first instance.  

In all the guest rooms, a more contemporary style has been added. You can expect walk-in colour therapy showers and elegant furniture and décor in each room. Fresh feeling rooms, lighter and brighter aesthetically without losing their welcoming vibe and there are several new comfort features. These features are based on touch technology such as the in-room tablet that provides information and doubles as a remote control for all room functions.

The restaurants have kept their essence, yet now they are enriched in terms of ambience, décor and re-vamped menus. I very rarely leave the hotel as the restaurants are excellent and I recommend the hotels’ Chinese in particular as it is a fantastic experience for the whole family. The outdoor bar has a great vibe too, and the whole atmosphere is very chilled.  This is my first stop on arriving at the hotel. 

For in-house shopping, the Four Seasons boutique is a must and one of my favourite holiday shopping experiences, and it is fantastic to know that now that it has been extended and will offer even more designer labels.

For me The Four Seasons is better than ever and this five-star resort is the pinnacle of luxury, combining impeccable facilities with world class hospitality and service! I look forward to returning very soon. 

Website: http://www.fourseasons.com.cy/

 

Introducing Vivendo… Italian to the Soul

When it comes to buying furniture for the home there is always a lot to take into consideration. Fabrics, colourways, overall style and setting of your scheme.

If you are looking for a brand that boasts quality, excellence and an attractive price tag then look no further than Vivendo. They pride themselves on having a curate marketplace that connects consumers across the globe with Italian artisan furniture markers. With Italian heritage, their look, as you can imagine, is synonymous with style - somehow the Italians always know how to deliver!

Take the Giove Armchair; a true classic full of gentlemanly charm and confidence. Available in Hermes-esque tan leather right through to bold suedes and patterns with a plethora of colours to opt for. This iconic chair would suit most studies, libraries and living spaces. I recently ordered this for a client and he’s truly impressed with the quality of craftsmanship.

The Vivendo story began with three Italian friends. Moving to London they looked to fill their apartments with furniture that reminded them of home; high quality, design items that were both a bit unusual yet wouldn’t break the bank.  Something so simple in Italy provided rather difficult in the UK. Italy is one of the world’s leading furniture producers, with an eye for original design. The trio quickly learnt that the small selection of Italian furniture that made its way to the global stage carried a high price tag, causing them to reassess the furniture market and consequently Vivendo was born.

The stylish Camaiore dining chair (below) is one of their luxurious propositions for both well-appointed kitchens and formal dining rooms. Simple, yet strong, its generous proportions, with handsome solid oak legs and a superbly comfortable design would be a welcome addition to the modern home. 

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Vivendo’s selection and collections are curated by its art director, architect and design journalist / author Massimo De Conti. Collections include sofas, armchairs, tables and outdoor ranges, in addition to a complete accessories remit. As the company’s ethos is to go straight to the smaller, lesser-known manufacturers, with no physical stores and no middlemen, the furniture comes to you at the lowest possible price. As an interior designer this is hugely attractive.

Key sellers are the Galba dining chair for the very modern customer, made of plastic and having the added advantage of being stackable, along with the Giove afore mentioned. A true must if you’re currently deciding on an armchair for your home of project.

In Italian, Vivendo means living, and I can see Vivendo’s ethos is to fill homes with effortlessly stylish, well-priced, quality furniture.

With an eye for original design and a unique heritage in quality manufacturing, these contemporary collections are great value for money, enjoy shopping!

Inset: Outdoor furniture

 

The Four Seasons on Park Lane: A World of Luxury

After a recent stay at The Four Seasons on Park Lane, the hotel has certainly become one of my favourites. Loving luxurious things as I do, and working in the luxury market, I can sometimes be hard to please when it comes to attention to detail and the finer points of not only interiors, but also service. My recent experience at the Four Seasons fitted all the criteria and more, for an excellent stay.

On arrival, the staff were attentive, welcoming and charming, not to mention extremely professional. The hotel’s interior immediately grabbed my attention. It is spectacular, with layers of texture and fantastic detailing throughout.

I was shown to my room which was a newly-designed Westminster Suite; one of only seven which were launched in March of this year. It was light and contemporary, featuring walnut-veneer panels, powder-blue walls and Savile Row check. The bedroom with its king-size bed led to a separate dressing area, a spacious bathroom and Juliet balcony, with the design being a modern-take on Art Deco which I love. The suite feels very much like your own stylish apartment, with all modern comforts to hand, balancing eclectic sophistication with Mayfair’s fashionable history. There were two impressively-large TVs in both the living room and the bedroom, in addition to the bathroom incorporating a small flat screen TV in the mirror!

When you are at the Four Seasons, you sense the feeling of heritage and glamour relating back to the 1970's when the brand-empire had its defining moment and opened its first hotel in London. This very hotel set the tone for future direction of the company and pioneered many signature Four Seasons services now delivered on a global scale.

There are certain elements in this hotel that has garnered its success, the highly personalised 24-hour service making everyone feel like a VIP, the authentic and elegant surroundings, the impeccable service, quality and ultimate in luxury, it is easy to understand why the Four Seasons continues to grow in popularity.

During my stay I found time to enjoy the bar; an iconic social hub within the heart of London. Its décor is a mix of strong, deep red fabrics combined with dark-wood and leather creating a relaxing yet intimate feel.

Dinner was superb, with a menu offering a vast variation of dishes. I have to give top mark's to the restaurant Chef Eliano Crespi who completely looked after me. I particularly liked looking out onto the terrace, and although I knew I was in central London, this has been well-thought out and designed for privacy with its terracing.

On this occasion I didn't have enough time to use the Spa, which is found on the 10th floor. It is a one-of-a-kind rooftop sanctuary including a relaxation lounge, state-of-the-art Fitness Centre and the inaugural Spa. The Golden body glow treatment, where Omorovicza gold sugar scrub is used to polish and buff the skin, followed by an application of luxurious gold shimmer oil is definitely on the list for my next visit.  

After a great night’s sleep, I enjoyed a superlative breakfast. The staff can remember their guest’s names which is very admirable and was noted by me, something that just adds that extra touch of respectability, and as I was about to vacate the hotel, they offered help with my transport.  I was very happily chauffeured off into a Rolls Royce Ghost - now that is what I call luxury!

If you're looking to stay in London I can't recommend The Four Seasons on Park Lane enough. Please visit their website here

Buying Art for the Home

As some of you will be aware, I am one of the main dealers on Channel 4’s Four Rooms and buy a great deal of art amongst other collectibles. You should find this column useful if you are looking to buy art for your home, to work in with a scheme for aesthetic pleasure or purely as an investment. 

As it is extremely personal, take the time to work out what you like and what you don't like. If you want something to look pretty in a scheme, then go for a print on canvas or really interesting prints of black and white photography. You do not need to spend lots of money on this type of artwork as your scheme may well change and thus your artwork. If you are more serious and want an investment, visit some art galleries, do some research online, and find out what is appealing to you and who is the next best artist to invest in.

Art is subjective so you should only be guided by someone if it is purely for an investment, otherwise if it’s for a room scheme only, go with what you envisage works best.

If you are going to display your art at home, plan your space properly. If you're looking for artwork to act as a 'star piece' within a room it will need to have impact, and even create drama. Make sure if this is the case, it sits alone on a very plain wall which will set it off to its entirety, otherwise you will detract from its depth and the point will be lost. Similarly, if your walls already do the talking your artwork choices should be more sublime. It's crucial you decide the purpose and space options before purchasing anything.

If you are looking for art as an investment you will need to set yourself a budget. You can have fun with this and you don't have to be a big spender, rather set aside a sensible number in your head and see what's on the market for it and where you feel you're getting the most value for money. Whether it's £100-£30,000, it's wise to set a budget and try and stick to it. Another way to understand the market is at auctions; a place where you can learn a lot as you'll start to understand the value of art and become aware of what's going up in in the current market.

Presentation of your art is key so don’t skimp on a great frame whichever route you are taking with your art. Even if it’s a cheaper piece, the frame will “make it” and show it off to its full glory!

If you have any questions please free to ask me via Twitter or Facebook, and I'd love to connect on Instagram

Until next time... Celia x

 

Say it with Light

Celebrity Interior Designer Celia Sawyer tells us why lighting should be the first item on your to-do list when curating a new home

Lighting is one of the most important yet often most overlooked elements in good interior design. Lighting is key as it is the one single ingredient that affects all others; there is little point creating a beautiful home if it is insufficiently lit and your well-thought-out furniture and accessories not represented in the best way. Lighting can be quite technical but it is a wonderful medium to work with.

Never skimp on lighting as it is essential to creating ambience and depth in a room. Great lighting can be used in many ways and should be layered to suit your needs. For example if you have features in your room you wish to stand out and display, or areas you wish to highlight, position recessed ceiling spotlights to enhance these.

Work round the room the way you would walk through; observe how the lighting changes. Are your ceiling lights creating enough impact? How are they hanging? Do you require table lamps? These are all questions you need to ask yourself. An amazing chandelier will give your room the “wow” factor and could be the star feature of your room. Art-deco inspired lighting is a having its renaissance. Think geometric shapes, bevelled glass, gold chintz and reflective surfaces. Typical lighting fixtures include an illuminated ribbon running down the middle or the edge of a recess, which creates a streamlined glow, with a circular light placed in the centre of this area acting as a focal point. The Estadio light is a perfect example of this. 

 

Table and floor lamps will add that extra warmth and dimension to your room, but also with so many beautiful lamps available now, can become a sculpture in themselves.

If you are looking for chandeliers or made-to-order lamps, you will need to give yourself at least eight weeks lead time. Many companies have a range of stock lighting however if you want something really unique, you will most probably be ordering from overseas or a dedicated fabricator in UK who will need longer lead times. 

Practical lighting is also important, if you need an area to read or work, then you need to plan this accordingly and in the first wave of your lighting design.  I always use dimmer 5 amp systems these days so that throughout the day as the light changes outside, I can adjust the room lighting to suit the required mood.  You can also use different types of brightness, depending on the amount of light that you want to let into a room. Softer light provides a calmer atmosphere, where brighter lights are ideal for schemes that are busy, like an entertainment area. Think of lighting a little like adding a jacket (your wall lights) to your everyday dress (your practical lighting), and then adding jewellery and great shoes, (structural and feature lighting such as positioned spots and table lamps) and if you have the courage, an amazing hat (your star piece chandelier in the centre of your room)  

This bedroom suite showcases how lighting can be so effective. Various layers of light are incorporated, from spotlights in the ceiling providing a warm glow to LED’s embedded into the shelves by the reading corner. These lights highlight each item on the shelf drawing attention and adding an area of interest. The ceiling spotlights bounce light off the reflective surfaces such as the bronze wardrobe panels, bevelled glass and crystal. Finally the bedside lamps offer practical lighting for reading or similar in bed.

Kitchen lighting is always an interesting topic of conversation. A trio of hanging lights above breakfast bars or kitchen tables are a thing of the past and can quickly look dated. There are a lot of clinical looking hanging lights on the market; avoid these. If you do prioritise lighting from the offset make sure downlights and fantastic spotlights are incorporated into your plans early – this is all you really need in the kitchen.

Directional lighting plays a significant role in the home. This is the science behind your selected lighting; either to provide illumination for the entirety of the room or to highlight very specific elements, even to distract from a certain area in some cases. Track lighting is the perfect example of positional lighting, where you can use beautiful wall lights with adjustable necks pointed at specific elements. Often people use track lighting to highlight stunning artwork or collectables.

Another reason to insist on getting lighting right from the offset is because it affects colours and fabrics. You would be surprised how natural light versus man-made can throw a whole different meaning to your selected tones.

It is clear lighting provides magic and theatre in the home whilst being extremely practical in helping create a visually larger space. Taking lighting seriously will enhance the environment and complement your décor so there’s no excuses, this should be your first priority, and I hope you agree.

 

Let me know how you're getting on with your own interior design via @CeliasawyerTV Instagram: celia_sawyer or Facebook