Jeff Banks. Hot Spot: King s Road, Chelsea. Top 5 city cars. Splash of colour LATEST TRENDS FROM THE FASHION & INTERIORS EXPERT

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1 summer 2013 issue 2 Jeff Banks LATEST TRENDS FROM THE FASHION & INTERIORS EXPERT Hot Spot: King s Road, Chelsea London s most exclusive road Top 5 city cars Ratings on mini movers Splash of colour Colour advice from our Dulux expert

2 London s most exclusive road Ratings on mini movers Colour advice from our Dulux expert summer 2013 issue 2 CATH4714 Catalyst Magazine_Summer13_v13.indd 1 21/08/ :47 THERE S SO MUCH MORE IN CRAVEN PARK A new development of 1&2 bedroom apartments COMING SOON! Craven Park Road, London NW10 CALL or visit Wel come Welcome to the second edition of Catalyst. This edition is bursting with loads of ideas, top tips and inspiration to welcome the summer months in. From painting ideas to garden tips, there is something for everyone. For those who are new to shared ownership schemes, there s lots of useful information about how it all works as well as details of a range of fabulous apartments and houses that are currently available. The Catalyst team page 26 Jeff Banks LATEST TRENDS FROM THE FASHION & INTERIORS EXPERT Hot Spot: King s Road, Chelsea Top 5 city cars Splash of colour Contents summer 2013 issue 2 // Interview 04 Cover story Jeff Banks The Best of British! // Insight 10 City cars The top 5 eco cars 16 The simple guide to shared ownership Get a foot on the property ladder // Hot Spot 20 The King s Road, Chelsea Live the high life in one of London s most iconic postcodes // Interiors 26 New nostalgia Take inspiration from vintage styling and fashionista pieces 28 How does your garden grow? Get the best ideas for your outdoor space this summer 32 A splash of colour Decorating Special Wow your home with colour tips from our Dulux expert Published by Catalyst Housing Ealing Gateway, Uxbridge Road, London W5 2AU Tel: catalysthomes@chg.org.uk Art Direction & Design Fresh Lemon 2 catalyst december 2012 A DEVELOPMENT BY CATALYST 3

3 // Interview Interview // The Best of British! Jeff Banks CBE has certainly carved out an amazing career in the worlds of fashion and interiors. He opened his first boutique, Clobber in 1964 and went on to present the highly successful BBC series, The Clothes Show. His CV makes impressive reading and he now has 20 shops in China and outlets in Australia and Japan. He talks to Catalyst about his working life, his latest ranges and his passion for cycling 4 catalyst summer

4 // Interview Interview // Jeff Banks has always been an entrepreneur. He started his own business at the tender age of 11, which in anyone s book is rather young to start working. My dad left my mum and I had won a scholarship to a grammar school but my mum was pretty short of money and couldn t afford to buy my school uniform. I decided to help her out and made a barrow using old pram wheels and sold and delivered paraffin, which everyone used in those days. I sold 75 gallons of it a night and made a healthy profit. I was making about eight to 10 pounds a week and that was more than my mum was earning working at Bhs! I was always very fashion conscious and had my uniform made to measure by a tailor in Catford and my shoes were handmade by Sid in Battersea. He was a famous shoemaker in the 60s and a lot of famous people went to him to get their shoes made, as they were really very special. Eventually when I was 15 I sold the business for 4,500 and that was six times the value of my mother s house! He wanted to be a painter but in his own words he simply wasn t good enough. He studied interior structural design hoping that he would eventually become an architect but when he left Central Saint Martins College in London he couldn t get a job. So in 1964 he decided to open his own boutique called Clobber in Blackheath, south-east London with a friend and persuaded his friends from college who included Ossie Clark and Jean Muir to design for it. Clobber was a phenomenal success and people like John Lennon, George Harrison and Terence Stamp all went to the official opening. It was mayhem and we even had mounted policemen outside to control the crowds. They were amazing days and a lot of fun. Eventually Jeff decided to sell his share and set up his own label, The Jeff Banks Collection which again was a big success. He opened his first store in London and set up his own manufacturing business called the International Clothing Company. But tragedy struck when in 1974 his business headquarters burnt down and Jeff was ruined. But he managed to bounce back eventually and he started working on the television as a kind of sideline. I started with a regular 10-minute fashion slot for the BBCs lunchtime show, Pebble Mill. Then he thought up the idea of doing The Clothes Show, which was the first ever fashion TV show and was such a hit that it ended up having 10 million viewers! Jeff was only 23 when he managed to buy his first apartment in Blackheath. It was in a lovely Nash terrace and was quite small but I made it really swanky and I lived there for about two years. I met the pop singer Sandi Shaw who I eventually married and we decided to buy a bigger house in nearby Shooters Hill, which was much bigger than my small flat. I now live in a two-storey manor house just outside Henley-on- Thames. It is a beautiful early 18th century house with I LOvE PAINTINg AND CONCENTRATE ON DOINg ABSTRACTS NOw AND I OFTEN INCORPORATE THE IDEAS AND DESIgNS INTO MANy OF My HOuSEHOLD AND INTERIOR PRODuCTS. Right Jeff Banks fashion and interior designer Below Rugs in a traditional knitting syle by Jeff Banks 12 bedrooms set in 200 acres. About 25 acres have been turned into an arboretum where we grow rare trees. During the winter I let a friend of mine use the rest of the land for his polo ponies and in summer we have white park cattle graze on it. They are a particular type of cattle that dates back to Anglo Saxon times. I have a design studio in the house and a studio where I paint. I love painting and concentrate on doing abstracts now and I often incorporate the ideas and designs into many of my household and interior products. His new interior ranges are very eclectic this season. I call my paint range South Beach Miami. It features lots of sorbet colours and pale pistachio and lemon. I think the days of having one coloured feature wall are gone and now it s fashionable to opt for one big colour and let the accessories like cushions, rugs, curtains and blinds be the accent. Generally the trend is moving away from taupe and more bright shades are being used interiors only follow fashion trends and clothing wise this season both men and women are going to be wearing an explosion of colour and interiors will echo this. I have got several themes for my rug collection and I ve done a range of Kilim rugs but in contemporary colours and designs, which look amazing. I ve also used traditional knitting designs, which originate from places like the Aran Islands and Skye. The texture of the knitted effect on the floor is really interesting and I ve also continued with my multicoloured rugs, which are available in about 30 colours. I love drawing these, as it s very exciting to see how the colours blend and work together. I THINK THE DAyS OF HAvINg ONE COLOuRED FEATuRE wall ARE gone AND NOw IT S FASHIONABLE TO OPT FOR ONE BIg COLOuR AND LET THE ACCESSORIES LIKE CuSHIONS, RugS, CuRTAINS AND BLINDS BE THE ACCENT. 6 catalyst summer

5 // Interview Above Millenium White Alfresco range HIS ADvICE TO ANyONE BuyINg A HOME AT THE MOMENT IS TO LOOK OuTSIDE THE CITy CENTRE where PRICES ARE HIgH I have also just launched my Pour La Maison china range which is inspired by the colours of the south of France a beautiful Provence blue and Portofino green which are very distinctive and traditionally Mediterranean and they sit very well against a pale grey backdrop. Jeff now has 20 shops in China, 70 outlets in Australia and 70 in Japan and has just opened his first menswear shop on the high street in Brent Cross. He has his ranges in Debenhams and his own shops throughout the UK. He travels constantly but still finds time to support everything British. In 2009 he was awarded the CBE for services to fashion and charity and he was chosen from an eminent list of British designers to design the clothing that the 130 members of the Olympic bid team wore in Singapore. He also redesigned the Girl Guide uniform where the opening order was for 400,000 polo shirts! Jeff gave the copyright to the Guide Association and the royalties enabled the organisation to buy its building on Buckingham Palace Road. So what does Jeff do in his spare time? I love cycling and I ve taken part in many sponsored cycle rides raising money for the British Heart Foundation. I rode 1000 miles from London to Lake Como and I ve also ridden from Lands End to John O Groats, which was 875 miles. It certainly keeps you fit! His advice to anyone buying a home at the moment is to look outside the city centre where prices are high. Investigate the cost of travel if you are commuting and weigh that up with the cost of buying a home on the outskirts of town. More and more people are looking for a better quality of life and although it might be tough during the week when you are commuting, living away from the centre will be like being on holiday at the weekends, which has to be good. Sometimes we have to be brave and change our lifestyle and look at different areas I m sure most people would be very surprised that by moving a few miles away what a difference there is in property prices and that they are bound to lead a much nicer lifestyle it can t get better than that! Pre-owned homes for sale At Catalyst we have a specialist Sales Team dedicated to pre-owned shared ownership properties, otherwise known as resales. These properties become available when existing shared owners wish to sell their stake in the property, normally as a result of moving up the property ladder. Properties vary in share availability, location, age and design while providing an opportunity to buy an older property in an established community. For the latest selection of pre-owned shared ownership properties visit Here s an example of a resale property you will find available on our website Two bedroom apartment at Lewin Terrace, TW14 Available for 43,750 (25% share) Full value 175,000 *Prices are correct at the time of print and are subject to change. Terms and conditions apply. Catalyst Housing is a charitable housing association. Lewin Terrace 8 catalyst summer

6 // Insight With the price of petrol as high as it is and with everyone trying to rack up their green credentials the city car is the way forward. Small yet perfectly formed, here s our pick of the top five. 2 On the move! Volkswagen Up! Finally, a VW city car that you d want to own! Neat styling, refined engine and packaged to perfection. On paper, the Up! is just VW s latest city car, successor to the Fox and Lupo. In reality, it s the most stylish and complete small car on the market, and a landmark in the genre to rival the original Mini. Why? Because it appears to have been engineered to the same standard as a Golf. In its ride, refinement and interior design, it doesn t feel like a budget offering. Instead, it feels like a premium car that has been shrunk in the wash. It has bags of space too there is so much leg and headroom that four adults can comfortably spend a long journey in the Up! In fact, there is more cabin and boot space than most cars in the class above! Clearly an ideal city car, the Up! is also a great choice for the open road, especially if you choose the more expensive and powerful of the two tiny 1-litre, threecylinder engines on offer. A turbocharged 120mph Up! GT will be launched later this year which should be worth waiting for. OUR PICK High Up!: 10,515 ENGINE 999cc, 3 cylinders FUEL 60.1 mpg ACCELERATION 0-60mph; 13.2 sec TOP SPEED 106 mph 1 Above Skoda Citigo a fine city car Opposite Volkswagen Up! packaged to perfection Skoda Citigo Ignore all the old jokes you have ever heard about Skoda. The brand, now owned by VW, is making one of the best city cars around. Of course you recognise it the Citigo is a lightly altered VW Up! which makes it a very fine city car and one well worth considering. There are some minor styling tweaks notably to the front-end treatment, the shape of the front headlamps and the rear sidewindows. Nevertheless, the Citigo is a spacious and peppy car to drive, it s well engineered and ticks all of the car-about-town boxes. The handling is neat and tidy, the steering is light and visibility is great, all of which makes it simple to park too. It is good value for money and a few hundred pounds cheaper than the VW Up! But it isn t as attractive as its Volkswagen equivalent so, if you want a less powerful engine then go for the Skoda, otherwise we d recommend the VW Up! OUR PICK GreenTEch SE; 8,890 ENGINE FUEL ACCELERATION TOP SPEED 999cc, 3 cylinders 60.1 mpg 0-60mph; 13.2 sec 106 mph THE CITIgO IS A SPACIOuS AND PEPPy CAR TO DRIvE 10 catalyst summer

7 // Insight 4 Insight // Fiat 500 Toyota iq The car that made them famous! And I m not just talking about the city car hype. First shown in 2007, the 500 has proved to be a record-hit for Fiat, pulling in sales and hugely improving the brand s image. It s not hard to understand why the Fiat 500 has become a must-have fashion accessory throughout Europe. But it s not a blast to drive the ride is jittery and bouncy at fast speeds, and boot space is limited too. The retro-chic style it exudes on the outside is carried through to its cabin; it feels like a well built and practical evolution of the iconic 1950s 500. Fiat offers a wide range of engines with scope to personalise your car, although the different versions are quite basic and don t come with many standard features. The basic 1.2 litre engine is surprisingly impressive but it s the unique 0.9 litre, two-cylinder TwinAir engine which is champion. True, it won t get near Fiat s ambitious fuel consumption claims, but it is exempt from congestion charge and could brighten up your life today! OUR PICK 0.9 TwinAir: 11,600 ENGINE 875cc, 2 cylinders FUEL 68.9 mpg ACCELERATION 0-60mph; 11.0 sec TOP SPEED 108 mph 3 Much effort has been expended in the design and development of the dinky iq. Launched in 2008 as the world s smallest four-seat car, Toyota has brought a new standard of sophistication to the market with six space-saving innovations and multi-award winning engines. The iq is a funky looking car which is just a hand span longer than a Smart ForTwo, its main rival. Buyers tempted by the car s image can choose between a road tax and congestion charge exempt 1.0 litre engine, or a more beefy 1.33 Dual VVT-i version. Toyota has packed in a load of features, especially for its size. The cheapest model provides all the must-have items including air conditioning, airbags and stability control. Its small dimensions and incredibly light turning circle make parking in tight spaces a doddle. Most impressive though is the fact that it doesn t struggle beyond the city s limits. The compromise is that you have to choose between rear passengers or boot space. Not cheap, but a fully packaged and reliable city car for those who hate parking and don t have many kids. OUR PICK 1.0 IQ: 10,445 ENGINE 996cc, 3 cylinders FUEL 64.2 mpg ACCELERATION 0-60mph; 14.7 sec TOP SPEED 93 mph Below Fiat 500 the car that made them famous Above Toyota iq a fully packaged and reliable city car Below right Hyundai i10 ideal for those on a budget Hyundai i10 The Hyundai i10 is a well-rounded, intelligently designed and thoroughly engineered city car. It s cheap to buy and run too, and comes with a whole host of features. There are two versions on offer a 68 bhp eco-focused 1.0 litre blue model and an 84bhp 1.2 litre engine although the higher priced blue model doesn t make financial sense for those who live outside London. If you re like the majority of i10 buyers who go for the 1.2 engine, you can expect a lively performance around town. It s still far from being rapid something true of any city car but it definitely feels agile as its handling is composed, safe and fun thanks to its dramatically improved refinement. Although there s nothing wrong with the cabin s layout or with the way it looks, there isn t any real spark to the design. Compared with a VW Up s! interior, the i10 seems drab and uninspiring. Space, however, is generous mainly due to its height. Overall, an ideal choice for those who are on a budget and aren t image conscious. A major bonus is the five-year warranty with every new car. Toyota iq: launched in 2008 as the world s smallest four seat car A well-rounded, INTELLIgENTLy DESIgNED AND THOROugHLy ENgINEERED CITy CAR OUR PICK GreenTEch SE; 8,890 ENGINE 999cc, 3 cylinders FUEL 60.1 mpg ACCELERATION 0-60mph; 13.2 sec TOP SPEED 106 mph 5 12 catalyst summer

8 // Case study // Insight FIRST STEPS & Share to Buy Housing of the future is the people s choice Catalyst Housing s zero carbon development The Greenway (the first housing in London to meet the very highest standards in three key environmental and sustainability measures), was voted Best small development by the readers of First Time Buyer magazine Making home ownership affordable FIRST STEPS is the Mayor of London s service which helps first time buyers into affordable home ownership. The service has undergone some changes recently, and is now managed in partnership with online property portal Share to Buy. FIRST STEPS is the only place you can find all the affordable housing properties in London in one place, so if you are interested in Shared Ownership or renting log on to Customers used to have to go through our applications form process with FIRST STEPS. Now, that FIRST STEPS is in partnership with Share to Buy the process is much simpler you register with Share to Buy, search for a property you like and then contact the housing provider directly. Registering on ensures you will receive alerts when new properties that meet your criteria are added to the site, making it even easier you to find the right property for you. Furthermore, you ll be kept up-to-date with the latest information about the affordable homeownership market, including details of the Share to Buy FIRST STEPS Affordable Homes Show which is coming up later in the year. For those who don t live in London, Share to Buy also advertises properties all over England. The number of properties on the site is increasing all the time. This includes homes from Catalyst Housing, such as two bed apartments at Aylesbury Quarter in Aylesbury, where a 35% share is available from 49,700. James Cartlidge, Director of Share to Buy, said The large deposits needed to purchase a home outright makes it impossible for many to buy their first home. The properties listed on are designed to help people get over the obstacle of large deposits. Affordable homeownership shared ownership, intermediate rent and now Help to Buy make it easier for people to save for a deposit and get their foot on the property ladder. It is exciting times for the affordable homeownership market, and our partnership with FIRST STEPS will help even more Londoners find the right home for them. The Greenway in Hounslow was built to the Code 6 level of the The Sustainable Homes Standard - the highest level possible. It is only awarded to homes that can demonstrate the very highest environmental standards. When it opened in December 2012, Mayor of London Boris Johnson praised it as a fantastic project which combines the highest environmental standards with truly innovative design. With decent sized, energy efficient homes. The Greenway boasts precisely the qualities I want to see in housing developments right across the capital. The 18 properties, which were delivered by Catalyst in partnership with Willmott-Dixon, MEPK Architects and Above Catalyst team receiving the First Time Buyer Readers Award for The Greenway First Time Buyer Readers Award - Winner the London Borough of Hounslow, have been designed from the ground-up to be ecologically sensitive and low-energy, ensuring that The Greenway leads the field in providing housing to help its residents live environmentally-friendly yet cost effective lives Julia Moulder, Director of Development for Catalyst said: We re delighted that The Greenway has been recognised by First Time Buyer magazine s Readers Award. This is a well deserved acknowledgement for all those who worked to deliver an exceptional and zero carbon development. For the next two years we ll be monitoring the green technologies in action to and using that to help inform our future developments to ensure we are building homes to benefit new residents. 14 catalyst summer

9 // Insight Insight // The Simple Useful Info guide to Shared Ownership For first time buyers, shared ownership is a great way to get a foot on the property ladder. Here s how... What is shared ownership? Shared ownership makes buying a home more affordable, allowing you to buy a share of between 25%-75% of a property and pay a subsidised rent on the rest. The combined monthly cost of rent and mortgage is usually substantially less than if you were to buy the property outright. When can I buy more shares? After the first 12 months you have the option of buying more shares, in multiples of 10% (all the way up to 100%). This is known as staircasing. A new valuation will be required, with the fee and any updates paid for by you as the leaseholder. This figure will then set the price of the share you want to purchase. What about the price? Government funding stipulates that all our property valuations are set at current market values and reviewed every three months, so you are guaranteed not to be overcharged. What are the costs involved? As well as the purchase price, there are other costs involved when buying a shared ownership home: Valuation fee When you make a mortgage application you will also need to pay the valuation fee. The cost will vary according to lender and the purchase price. Legal fees and stamp duty You will need a solicitor who will advise on other fees such as Land Registration, search fees and stamp duty. Reservation fee This is paid to Catalyst Housing to ensure your chosen property is reserved. It will contribute towards the purchase price. Deposit On exchange of contracts you will be required to pay a deposit usually at least 5% of the share you are purchasing. Your solicitor will discuss this with you in more detail. Rent and service charge The monthly rent and service charge are payable in advance. After you have exchanged contracts, the fees for the first two months will need to be paid. Are there any ongoing costs? Yes. Regular costs include: Mortgage Monthly mortgage repayments cost depends on the amount borrowed and interest rate being charged. Rent Monthly rent is calculated on the share that you do not own. It is reviewed annually and any increase linked to the Retail Price Index (RPI). Service charges A monthly service charge is payable for the upkeep of communal areas. Repairs You will have full responsibility for repairing and maintaining your property. ALL OuR PROPERTy valuations ARE SET AT CuRRENT MARKET values MONTHLy RENT IS CALCuLATED ON THE SHARE THAT you DO NOT OwN AND IS REvIEwED ANNuALLy Utility bills After completion you are responsible for utility bills so you will need to provide gas, water and electricity meter readings to your suppliers. You also need to send a copy of meter readings to Catalyst Housing. Eligibility Catalyst Housing will give priority to: People who live or work in the same borough or local authority as the development. People who have a local connection (E.g. close family ties in the area). Social tenants (people living in council or housing association accommodation). Ministry of Defence (MoD) employees. First-time buyers. If you are not in one of these priority groups, you can still apply. What are the conditions? When purchasing a property with three bedrooms or more in London, a household income cap of 80,000 applies. The income cap for less than three bedrooms is 66,000. Outside of London, the income cap is 60,000. The share percentage you can own is linked to income and subject to a financial check from an Independent Financial Adviser (IFA). For a full list of terms and conditions, please visit catalysthomes.co.uk. 16 catalyst summer

10 // Insight The Simple guide to Help to Buy If you want to buy but are struggling to find a large deposit, Help to Buy could put a new home within reach. Here s how If you want to buy a new home but are struggling to find the big deposit you need to get a good mortgage deal, or are worried about the higher interest rates on a large mortgage, help is at hand. Help to Buy a new scheme from the government that is available through Catalyst. Government loan 20% 50,000 5% Deposit 12,500 What is Help to Buy? The Help to Buy equity loan scheme was launched on 1st April 2013, and is designed to make it easier and cheaper for anyone to buy a new-build home even those who can only put down a 5% deposit. The scheme enables home buyers to borrow up to 20% of the value of the property from the government, which will be interest-free for the first five years. Buyers apply for a mortgage in the normal way to fund the rest of the purchase. How does it work? Here s an example. You find the newly-built home of your dreams costing 250,000 and want to buy it. You can put down a deposit of 12,500, which is 5% of the purchase price, so you need to borrow 237,500 to cover the remaining 95% of the purchase price. Only a handful of lenders offer mortgages for 95% of the value of a property and those that do charge high interest rates on these mortgages. Cheaper mortgage rates usually kick-in when the mortgage is for 75% or less of the property s value. But to benefit from these lower rates for our 250,000 home, you would have had to find a huge deposit of 25% of the property s value, or 62,500. With Help to Buy, you can borrow up to 20% of the purchase price of the property ( 50,000 in our example) from the government, enabling you to get a more cost-effective mortgage from a bank or building society for 75% of the purchase price ( 187,500). And the loan from the government loan is interest-free for the first 5 years.* Who can benefit? 75% Mortgage 187,500 First time buyers and home owners who are looking to upgrade to a new, bigger home are all eligible for Help to Buy as long as they can put down a minimum deposit of 5% of the purchase price of the property. Please note that all figures in this article are purely indicative and should not form the basis of any purchasing decisions. There is no cap on how much you can be earning to qualify for the scheme. Are there any restrictions? There are some restrictions on the property: It must be a new-build You must buy it outright (shared ownership isn t available under this scheme) The property must be in England (the scheme isn t available in the rest of the UK) It must cost 600,000 or less. How do I apply? Catalyst is a government-approved agent for the Help to Buy scheme. We could help you get on the property ladder or upgrade to a new, bigger home. * In the 6th year, you ll be charged a fee of 1.75% of the loan s value. After this, the fee will increase each year by Retail Price Index plus 1%. THE SCHEME ALLOwS HOME BuyERS TO BORROw up TO 20% OF THE value OF A PROPERTy FROM THE government For more information visit 18 catalyst summer

11 // Hot Spot: The King s Road, Chelsea Hot Spot: The King s Road, Chelsea // The King s Road As part of The Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea, The King s Road has a reputation for being an exclusive address, full of multimillion pound mansions and high-end apartments 20 catalyst summer

12 // Hot Spot: The King s Road Hot Spot The King s Road, Chelsea Walking west from Sloane Square, you soon notice that there is a wide variety of homes available close to The King s Road. Neoclassical buildings and grand Victorian terraces sit alongside 60 s low-rise flats like the Cremorne Estate, and 70 s red brick high rises, the most notable of which is the vast World s End Estate. The King s Road itself runs west for two miles from Sloane Square, on the border of Chelsea and Belgravia, to just past Chelsea FC football stadium, near the border with Fulham. Along its length is a unique mix of independent and high street chain shops, restaurants and galleries, including the world famous Saatchi Gallery, housed in the Duke of York s HQ. Who lives there? Once a private thoroughfare enabling King Charles II to ride to Kew, The King s Road has been at the forefront of cutting edge culture for decades. It began with the opening of Mary Quant s Bazaar Boutique in the 1950s, continued under the influence of Ossie Clark (nicknamed the King of King s Road and whose collections sold in the Quorum Boutique) to Vivienne Westwood and Malcolm McLaren who were pioneers in establishing the spiritual home of Punk. To live on The King s Road is to become a part of London s cultural history. The reputation that The King s Road is a favourite for the rich and famous still exists; many celebrities still call the area home. However, the success of Channel 4 s Made in Chelsea has introduced the idea that The King s Road is now a playground for the young, beautiful and rich, rather than only the famous. Heirs, diamond magnates, entrepreneurs and financiers live, shop, socialise and spa-break on this two mile stretch of south west London. Shopping Shopping is a vocation for the residents of The King s Road and it is easy to see why. A weekend would not be enough time to visit every shop, boutique and department store; some 400 businesses line each side of the street. The iconic Peter Jones department store, with its impressive glass-walled 1930 s architecture, marks the start of The King s Road. Owned by the John Lewis group since 1905, the store offers everything you d expect from a high-end retailer, as well as a rooftop restaurant with fantastic views across the city. Opposite is Gieves & Hawkes, traditional gentlemen s tailors, and if you prefer your suit a little more continental, two doors down is Boggi, an Italian menswear and accessories boutique. Walking west, you will find your pick of the chicest, independent fashion boutiques; dress up at Harvest, which specialises in glamorous eveningwear, or Austique, which showcases fresh young fashion brands like Alice + Olivia and Markus Lupfer. Elsewhere, shop for the coolest international brands, including Sandro and Maje, or peek inside Igloo and Petit Bateau, two of the cutest kids stores on the street. Pop Up shops are commonplace on The King s Road; past Pop Uppers include Oliver Sweeney luxury shoes, Selvedge fine textiles, and the ready-to-wear collection from British designer A. Sauvage. Chelsea Antiques Fair and Chelsea Art Fair run Right White Edwardian houses of Chelsea TO LIvE ON KINg S ROAD IS TO BECOME PART OF LONDON S CuLTuRAL HISTORy 22 catalyst summer

13 // Hot Spot: The King s Road Hot Spot: The King s Road // annually in March and April respectively. Designer Sales UK holds regular sample sales here too. A cover charge of just 1 is a small price to pay if you manage to grab a discounted Chloé, Moschino or Armani piece. It s not just fashionable clothes that attract shoppers to The King s Road, but fashionable interiors too. The stunning Designers Guild, near the corner of Old Church Street, offers unique, quality furnishings, wall coverings and upholstery. India Jane Interiors offers classic furniture, objet and ceramics from around the world. And Limelight, with its collection of vintage movie posters, is on hand to help you decorate your home with a twist. A weekend would NOT BE ENOugH TIME TO visit EvERy SHOP, BOuTIQuE & DEPARTMENT STORE Drinking and eating out Fans of award winning eateries have a choice of AA Rosette restaurants, offering a variety of international cuisines. Choose from hybrid South American-meets-Asian food at Sushinho, pan-asian at Will Ricker s Eight Over Eight, or book a table at the glamorous Chutney Mary Indian restaurant, sister to the Michelin starred, and much feted, Amaya. For less formal dining, The Jam Tree, a fairly new addition to The King s Road, is a modern gastro-pub with great antique décor and a superb garden. The menu here is designed to mix modern British and international cuisine. Grab Saturday brunch here, where anything goes, from eggs Benedict to Caribbean curried lamb, or choose from the delicious canapé menu, serving everything from wantons to jerk chicken skewers. When you ve finished tucking in, head out to the back garden and chill with a drink or two in the late afternoon sun. If American-style food is your thing Byron, on the corner of Old Church Street, serves great burgers in a stylish yet simple restaurant. Nightlife is legendary on The King s Road. Raffles, the private members club, hangout of royalty, socialites and locals alike is the most well-known nightclub in Chelsea, if not London. However, if you prefer to rub shoulders with a more eclectic mix of people, there are plenty of other places to grab a cocktail or pint. The Chelsea Potter, located on the corner of Radnor Walk, is a family-friendly, traditional pub serving cask ales and traditional British food. Nearby, the Cadogan Arms, a King s Road institution, is a laid back pub with sleek décor and a billiard table to boot. Leisure Pampering is a pastime in Chelsea and there are enough spas, hairdressers and nail boutiques including Space NK, Orico and Hari s Hair ready to preen you up to your Royal Borough best. If just being pampered isn t enough head to Bluebird, a café, restaurant, clothing emporium and spa, located at the old Bluebird Garage. From high-end designer fashion, like Balenciaga and J.W. Anderson, to stylish interiors like Fornasetti and luxury beauty products including Aesop, Bluebird is the independent answer to a shopping mall. Above Chelsea Bridge at dusk Culture vultures should visit the Proud Gallery showcasing photographic work from world-renowned artists. A recent exhibition showed the work of Terry O Neill, Norman Parkinson and Peter Schlesinger (et al), in a retrospective of the life and style of Ossie Clark. And located on Sloane Square, The Royal Court Theatre prides itself on its reputation for being the coolest theatre in London and its dedication to staging new works by British and International writers. If something more mainstream takes your fancy, then the Curzon Cinema in the middle of The King s Road offers art-house and independent films. Almost opposite, Cineworld is there to screen the latest blockbusters. Unusual for such a central location, Chelsea has plenty of green open spaces for a Sunday afternoon stroll; the most well-known of which is Ranelagh Gardens and the Royal Hospital grounds. Open daily, it is home to the famous red-coated Chelsea Pensioners and also hosts the annual flower show. Properties The latest addition to the well-established residencies on The King s Road is Kingsgate Apartments, located towards the western end of the road on the corner of Gunter Grove. The development will offer 43 properties; 12 of Above Kingsgate Apartments, Chelsea shared ownership apartments by Catalyst Right Green and Stone one of many quirky indepenedent shops on King s Road which will be one bedroom apartments available through shared ownership to those who live or work in the borough. The Kingsgate Apartments building has a striking, glass-walled architectural design, which will revamp the area once home to a multi-story car park. These stunning new apartments are not only in a highly desirable location but will be built to a high specification that maximises light and space to offer a stylish yet comfortable living environment. Also designed to save energy and help create a sustainable community, each apartment will receive a Code for Sustainable Homes (level 4) rating. Useful websites: catalyst summer

14 // Interiors Interiors // New Nostalgia Taking inspiration from classic vintage styling right through to more fashionista pieces, be brave and bold and give your living space a look all of its own Below Left: Pug cushion, 6; shaggy cushion, 9, F&F at Tesco Direct. Below Right: Paris wall clock, 10, Asda On Trend 7 6 Above: Florence double bed frame, 199; floral wall clock, 10; cream wood multi frame, 8; pink ruffle knit bed throw, 12; botanical flower double duvet set, 11; Hastings six drawer tallboy, 395; cream lamp with floral detail, 25, Asda. Inset: Tour Eiffel ceramic table lamp, 35; china bird, 3, Tesco Direct Above: Chelsea small sideboard, 499; metal heart mirror, 45, bottle vase, 7, Tesco Direct 52 PRETTy FLORAL PRINTS MIXED with KITSCH CREAM ACCESSORIES OFFER CLASSIC COuNTRy CHARM with A TwIST Below: Rust-Oleum Chalkboard paint is a scratch resistant finish enabling a writeable and wipeable chalkboard surface on walls, metal, wood and plastic. Available in spray paint, from 6.99 and brush applied, from 11.99, Rust-Oleum Below left: Positano citron ceramic table lamp, 40; green and smoke bubble vase, 5 each, Tesco Direct. Below right: Vintage tumbler and soap dispenser, 6, Asda Top: Queen s head stamp rug, handmade from 100% New Zealand wool, 795, Darlings of Chelsea. Left: Four-seater Slangevar sofa in sunshine, 1,445, Sofa.com. Above: Paris cushion, 7, Asda 6 Above: Topiary 90cm obelisk spire in pot 52.00, Tesco Direct Contacts 26 catalyst summer 2013 Asda asda.com Darlings of Chelsea darlingsofchelsea.co.uk Rust-Oleum rustoleumspraypaint.com Sofa.com sofa.com Tesco tesco.com 40 27

15 // Interiors garden grow? Interiors // How does your Whether you have a tiny garden, a simple patio, a pretty window box or a few indoor houseplants, make the most of your outside space this summer W Left: Grow your own eucalyptus lemon bush or chop suey greens with free recipe included, 1.85 each, Squires Garden Centres Right: Verve Strawberry balcony hanger, 7.98, B&Q For more expert gardening advice visit dobbies.com Steve Guy Head of Horticulture, Dobbies Garden Centres Main image: Wooden grow house, 99, Dobbies 15 ant to grow your own crops but don t have any outdoor space? No problem there s plenty you can grow on a windowsill so you can still enjoy the delicious taste of a homegrown harvest. Those of us who live in apartments or smaller homes face a real challenge when it comes to finding space to grow food at home, but there are over 600 acres of growing space available on windowsills in the UK. Lets face it there is nothing more delicious or exciting than growing your own vegetables, which will be packed with nutritional goodness and flavour. o along to any of Dobbies 32 stores nationwide and improve your gardening skills with the Garden Grow How talks. Horticultural experts hold interactive talks in store each weekend to get you growing. The spring and summer programme includes: Perfect Potatoes, Herb Gardening, The Veggie Patch, Veg on a Ledge and Feeling Fruity. 59 Above: Blooma Saba bistro table, 59 and folding chair, 15, B&Q Need a helping hand? Below: Set of three wooden planters, 42, Tesco Direct 28 catalyst summer 2013 For help and advice on transforming your garden, get hints, tips and inspiration for your outdoor space B&Q s YouTube channel has lots of How to videos from How to Grow Herbs to Ideas for a Smaller Garden - explained simply and clearly by their gardening experts. youtube.com/bandq 29

16 // Interiors Interiors // garden grow? how does your Top Ten Tips Above Indoor allotment with whitewashed picket fence, three miniature plant pots with drainage trays, soil pellets, seed packets of basil, coriander and oregano, herb scissors and shed, 24.99, Lakeland When all the planting is done then it s time to put your feet up, relax with a delicious long drink and enjoy the warmer evenings Retro Chic On Trend Left: Portable BBQ, 22.50, Tesco Direct Far left: American lounge chair, 25.50, Dobbies Above: Milan bistro set, 69, Tesco Direct Follow our top ten tips to growing veg on a ledge and you ll reap the rewards in no time Get started on your miniature farm. Ideally, plant your mini crops in April to May and enjoy them for dinner throughout June to October (alternatively plant indoor and enjoy all year round). Salad crops are best suited to growing on a windowsill. Lettuce, compact cherry tomatoes, chillies, radish, leafy herbs and spring onions are all ideal. Choose a cut-and-come-again salad-leaf mix this will re-sprout after picking so you ll get several harvests for the price of one. There are all sorts of window boxes to choose from, select a style that matches your house and pay attention to the size. If you are unable to find what you want, you could always try building one from wood, nails and glue. Position your window box on a windowsill inside if there is still the risk of frost or outside if the risk has passed and add a layer of drainage material to the bottom Pick the windowsills that get the most sun during the day you want your plant to have around six hours of sunshine a day. Fill the window box with compost and plant or sow your crops according to the instructions. It s okay to add a few different crops to one window box! Feed and water the veggies regularly, making sure the compost in the window box never dries out. If your window box is inside, move it outside as the weather warms up. Harvest crops as and when you want to eat them, filling any gaps you create with more young plants or seeds. Move the window box indoors as temperatures dip. This will extend the harvest by a few more weeks and encourage green chillies and tomatoes to ripen. Stockists B&Q diy.com / Dobbies dobbies.com Lakeland lakeland.co.uk / Squires Garden Centres squiresgardencentres.co.uk Tesco tesco.com 30 catalyst summer

17 // Interiors Decorating special Splash of colour! Add a E veryone wants to add their own personality to their new home and if you have just moved in then you are probably looking at plain white or magnolia walls. So why not try some colour to help give the rooms their own special charm and create a very personal space. New, fresh and exciting colours will bring life and zest into your home. You simply have to be brave, take a leap of faith and use colour where you least expect it to accentuate and highlight features in the rooms. Tantalising colours can be found everywhere from the catwalk and the world of fashion to the colours you see in the garden, inspiration is all around. A key trend this year is to mix bold colours with florals and patterns to completely refresh your room or create a dramatic feature wall which will also add original appeal. Mixing textured paints and finishes will add a crisp, bright and fresh look that is easily achievable with any budget. Marianne Shillingford Dulux Creative Director and Head of Dulux Design Service Paint white furniture, flooring and ceilings to cleanse the visual palette without removing an ounce of fun. Another easy way is to add accessories in florescent shades that fizz against vibrant wall colours and use white furniture to bounce light around the space. Pick up on ice cream shades of colour for soft furnishings and balance with warm grey for flooring, furniture and accent pieces. When painting a wall, allow delicate waves of colour to bleed into each other from the walls through to the furniture and furnishings. To increase light in a home you need to make it bounce. Paint the woodwork and furniture in a gloss finish. Pale pastel sky blues increase a sense of light and openness in a room and if you add a bit of reflective technology to your decorating you can increase the light of the walls by 40%. Try the Dulux Light & Space range to make a room look like there are no walls between you and the fresh summer sky. One key look using the Dulux Collective Passion palette is flocking a beautiful technique of blending two colours together to create a stunning dip-dye effect that can become the focal point to any room. Left: Make a real statement with this striped feature wall using Dulux Striking Cyan Matt Emulsion, for 1.2 litres teamed with Craig & Rose 1829 Chalky Emulsion in Pantry White, for 2.5 litres, B&Q: diy.com 32 catalyst summer 2013 FRESH AND EXCITINg COLOuRS will ADD LIFE AND zest TO your HOME Equipment Method Use a spirit level and a bit of chalk to mark the wall where you want the two colours to blend. Use a small brush and paint the edges neatly before filling in the large areas with a roller or a 3 perfect finish emulsion brush. Always start from the top of the room and work down, so if there are any drips you ll be able to paint them out as you go. When you get to the chalk line with the first colour, just let the roller or brush run out of paint along the line so you have an uneven feathered edge. Start the next colour along the line just beneath and work upwards into the first colour to get the flocking effect, and then carry this colour down to the skirting or floor. Once both colours are dry, you can work on the blended line with one or both of the paint rollers. To make it easier don t apply too much pressure or have too much paint on them. Try blending three colours together too and if you have a big area to cover, it s much easier and more fun if you have a friend to help you! Spirit level Tape measure Chalk 2 x paint rollers or 2 x 3in. emulsion brushes Small brush for painting the edges Dust sheet Paint Combination Paint mixing matt emulsion in Sapphire Springs 3, for 2.5 litres and Paint mixing matt emulsion in Bermuda Cocktail 2, for 2.5 litres, Dulux dulux.co.uk Pric es co rint rrect at the time of p Above: Paint Mixing matt emulsion in Sapphire Springs 3, 2.5 litres, for 2.5 litres with Paint Mixing matt emulsion in Bermuda Cocktail 2, for 2.5 litres, Dulux 33

18 // Interiors Splash of colour special Add a On Trend Interiors // Decorating B&Q ( has a useful How To section on its website with many tips and ideas on decorating. Left: Crown Laguna Bay is used on the chimney and Crown Palm Springs on both recesses showing how adding a bold splash of colour and coordinating with another in a softer tone can create a stunning focal point in any room. Both are from the Crown Matt Emulsion collection available in 8 colours per 1.25 litre, decoratenow.co.uk. Kirstie Allsopp has also made a series of new How To videos on B&Q YouTube, with everything from How to Paint a Chair to How to do Decoupage. Decorate Now ( offers the biggest brands and products for all your decorating needs plus there is expert advice from their Help Desk. The easy to use features include the Moodboard tool where you can be creative with colours and textures and the Colourtool which enables you to try your favourite colours in a variety of roomsets. They stock thousands of products which are delivered directly to your home. Above: Stripes are very fashionable at the moment and can work well on one or two walls at most any more and you could begin to go stir-crazy! This brilliant yellow shade will certainly brighten up a room that gets little natural light and uses Matt Emulsion in Electric Yellow and Light Rain, for 2.5 litres from the Colours range at B&Q Left: Crown Delicious Pink has been used as a stunning feature wall in this kitchen, combined with Crown Oxygen on the walls and ceiling. Delicious Pink is from the Crown Kitchen & Bathroom Matt Emulsion with Mouldguard collection. It is steam resistant, super tough and stain resistant with added mouldguard for extra protection. Priced at per 2.5 litres there are 16 colours available in the range. Oxygen is from the Kitchen and Bathroom mid-sheen with Mouldguard collection and is priced at per 2.5 litres. 17 colours are available in this range. Both paints are wipeable. Available from 34 catalyst summer 2013 BE BRAvE AND TAKE A LEAP OF FAITH use COLOuR where you would LEAST EXPECT IT! Main image: Turn a plain kitchen into something really eye-catching by painting blocks of toning colours to great effect. Paint Mixing in matt emulsion, Bongo Jazz 3, Orange Fizz and Rock Candy 2, all for 2.5 litres, Dulux 35

19 // Interiors wall Off the Wallpaper is right back on trend and is now available in some very interesting prints and textures to add a different dimension to any room. Interiors // Decorating special Left: Give your walls a real wow factor with digital wall art. The digital wall art range from Nono consists of a collection of giant digital images on wallpaper panels which when put together create a wall mural that will impact on any room. Suitable for bedrooms, bathrooms, living rooms or studies, they will dramatically change the look and feel of a room. All these designs are produced on nonwoven, paste the wall paper, making them easy to install. Full installation instructions are included. Nono Wallpower Next, Reach Out is 279m wide (in six panels) with a 280m drop, 270, from Below: Not everyone owns a complete library but you can cheat and use this bookcase wallpaper in an alcove to create your very own book collection. Statement bookcase wallpaper is a roll from B&Q, On Trend Below: To give a room real interest choose a brick wallpaper on one wall only. Muriva brick wallpaper is a roll from B&Q, Above: You don t have to live in the capital to add some quirky London scenes to your room. This striking wallpaper depicts the various landmarks of London for you. Muriva Britannia wallpaper is a roll from B&Q, 36 catalyst summer

20 Interiors // Decorating special How to: Create your own painted rug 1 Floor treatments Before you start painting your floor ensure you plan the pattern. It s a good idea to draw to scale on paper first. 5 2 Apply a coat of Farrow & Ball Wood Primer and Undercoat. 3 Paint the entire area with two coats of your chosen background colour. 4 Once you are happy draw your pattern onto the floor with a pencil. 6 The way we decorate our homes is changing. Nowadays we are not only decorating our walls; floors are getting a makeover too! S een as the fifth wall, floors have become a space to do something different and creative. Farrow & Ball have specially-made floor paint which is available in a palette of 132 colours. It is hardwearing, with a classic eggshell finish and can be used on any interior wood or concrete floor including garages and workshops. To do something completely different and creative, use floor paint to paint a rug directly onto your floor. Make sure you carefully consider which shape and pattern you want to go for before you start painting. A round rug painted underneath a circular table will create an interesting feature, while a large rectangular run can be used to frame a room. Use masking tape to mask the areas required for your first colour. Or, for a more hand-painted feel, paint free-hand! Paint two coats of your chosen colour with a paint brush. 7 8 Allow the paint to dry before removing the tape. Repeat for each colour until you are happy with your own design. Main image Main floor is painted in Dove Tale floor paint and the stripe is painted in Pointing floor paint. Both are 55 for 5 litres from Farrow & Ball, 38 catalyst summer