London's new garden squares
London is already the greenest capital in Europe, with homeowners enjoying more than 600 garden squares. And the good news is that there are more to come.
As the BBC move out, Shepherd's Bush switches to a new programme
As Aunty leaves the Bush the borough seizes the opportunity to create a proper neighbourhood.
Spotlight on Camden Town
The shops and markets clustered around the high street and canal make Camden one of the most colourful of London's neighbourhoods. The area's period homes and loft-style apartments attract a mix of homebuyers.
Revealed: from Reading to Redhill – the top 20 commuter stations
Choose your route. Our exclusive property buyers’ guide shows travel times, costs and house prices.
My design London - Russell Norman
Owner of Polpo, Spuntino and Polpetto restaurants in Soho, and da Polpo and Mishkin's in Covent Garden, restauranteur Russell Norman opens up on his favourite London haunts.
Find a rated tradesman
Want to add value to your property, make your house a home, or sell your place fast? With 1,000s of tradesmen nationwide, rated and recommended by previous customers, this is the smart way to find a reputable tradesman.
Buy of the week: Camden Town
This two-bedroom flat has a pretty park on its doorstep, while buzzing Camden Town is only 10 minutes’ walk away. Big sash windows and high ceilings give a spacious feel and there’s a private garden with a studio/home office (£525,000).
Swap of the week: Willersey, Glouc
This little Cotswolds beauty is just across the road from the village green and duck pond. For £530,000 you get beams, exposed stone walls and an open fireplace, plus four bedrooms, a useful attic room and lush gardens to enjoy.
Life-changer: Trescowe, Cornwall
For a project brimming with potential, what about this coastal home, yours for £545,000? The family space includes six bedrooms, while its collection of outbuildings overlooking an acre of gardens could become income-generating holiday lets.
Spotlight on Camden Town
The shops and markets clustered around the high street and canal make Camden one of the most colourful of London's neighbourhoods. The area's period homes and loft-style apartments attract a mix of homebuyers.
Property search
Britain’s hot new designers: graduate degree shows
New graduates are putting their creations on show so now is the time to grab a bargain, says Corinne Julius
Edward Taylor's Fifties cabinet and coat rack add retro style
Jonna Saarinen's cheerful, patterned crockery, trays and table linen
However, at this time of the year the public also gets to marvel at the work of the UK's newly emerging designers at graduate degree shows - and if you are really savvy, you might commission work from a future design star.
Lighting seems to be a theme this year and some of the most innovative work is from Giles Godwin Brown (Sheffield Hallam University). His wall-mounted task light is in birch, stainless steel and aluminium, and some might say it looks like a traditional anglepoise that has been run over by a steam roller.
Mid-century modern and wood are key features this year, as in, for example, Paul Povey's (Building Crafts College) star-shaped table base in oak with circular glass top. Sofia Linden's take in her comb table and storage unit is for asymmetrical slats of wood.
This motif is taken up by Yvette Cox (Plymouth) in her steam-bent ash light Fluidity. Wooden rods share the honours in Ornella Stocco's (London Metropolitan) Underconstruction, with decorated porcelain elbows (rather like plumbing fitments). The system can be assembled in different ways to make tables or storage.
Rose Warner's origami-style bowls are crafted from silver
THE SHOW
* New Designers, Part two: July 6-9
Business Design Centre, Islington, N1
Wednesday, 3pm to 9pm; Thursday 10am to 8pm; Friday and Saturday 10am to 6pm. For information visit newdesigners.com. Tickets £9.50 (booked online) or £14 on the door.
NEW DESIGNERS DISCOUNT
Readers can buy tickets for £8.50 when they book in advance, quoting code ND128. Call 08448 480140.
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