Homes and Property

Homes gossip: Nigella Lawson, Charles Saatchi, Damien Hirst, Gisele Bündchen, Apprentice house

By Amira Hashish
Nigella Lawson
© Dave Benett

Exclusive: Nigella sells to Candys for £25m


Two years after putting their Belgravia flat on the market for an eye-watering £36 million, Nigella Lawson and Charles Saatchi have finally exchanged contracts — selling to property developers Nick and Christian Candy. The brothers behind the One Hyde Park apartment scheme have snapped up the Eaton Square property for a mere £25 million, I can reveal.

Domestic goddess Lawson and her art collector husband moved out of the super-flat in 2010 after being plagued by neighbours’ renovation plans, which included a basement excavation under a garden.

But the discounted final selling price won’t be worrying the pair, who need take no lessons from the Candys when it comes to property investment. The smart couple purchased the flat for only £3.8 million in 2001.

They now live in a £12 million, 18th-century former factory near King’s Road, Chelsea, that has been divided to include seven bedrooms, a wine cellar, gym and a breathtaking £500,000 kitchen. Delicious.


Swimming pool in the Apprentice house

You’re tired? Relax in the pool – until you’re fired


The pressure is on for this year’s Apprentice hopefuls. But at least they can enjoy their downtime in a fabulous home with an indoor pool. The entrepreneurs are living in a swanky Bayswater pad, just a stone’s throw from Hyde Park.

The Victorian terrace house is hi-tech heaven with a glass-roofed living space that produces the sensation of being outdoors, in a climate-controlled indoor environment. No doubt contestant Gabrielle Omar, 29, an architect-turned-businesswoman, approves.

But the central London high life isn’t for Lord Sugar, who favours his leafy mansion in Chigwell, Essex. When he fancies a change of scenery, he simply takes his private jet to his holiday homes in Florida and Marbella.


Damien Hirst
© Rex Features

Now Damien Hirst serves Brit Art on a plate


To mark his retrospective at Tate Modern, opening today, market-concious Damien Hirst has designed his first homeware range.

From Pharmacy wallpaper to cashmere blankets featuring icons from his New Religion series, the Quintessentially/Other Criteria collection references some of Hirst’s most famous works.

The no longer so Young British Artist — he’s 46 — also puts his signature on butterfly print umbrellas, spot clocks and china plates. So if your budget doesn’t stretch to the record-breaking prices his works reach at auction, at least you can have a Hirst in your home without the hefty price tag.

Prices start at £65, though a dozen of these Superstition plates will cost you £10,500 at the QuintessentiallyGifts.com eboutique.


Gisele Bündchen and husband Tom Brady
© Rex Features

Supermodel Gisele has her new palace at last


After four years of building work, supermodel Gisele Bündchen and her American footballer husband Tom Brady are putting the finishing touches to their incredible new home.

The eight-bedroom palace now includes a sparkling moat, weights room, wine cellar, six-car garage and children’s playground.

It’s in the heart of Brentwood, one of the most exclusive Los Angeles neighbourhoods, and locals include fellow model Heidi Klum and Arnold Schwarzenegger.

Brady bought the 22,000sq ft lot in 2008 for £6.8 million and it is now worth £12.5 million. A very savvy move.

* Got some gossip? Tweet @amiranews | For more homes gossip by Amira Hashish, visit homeshotspot.com



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