Embassy exodus returns acres of central London to its residents
As the embassies exit Mayfair and Marylebone, their former bases will free up stunning family homes. While the move of many embassies to Nine Elms at Vauxhall is creating a new residential quarter including thousands of new apartments.
Fast new commuter routes are changing London's property map
Regeneration throughout London continues to change the property map, with the orbital train network and recent Tube line extensions creating faster commuter routes with good-value homes, including Deptford, Bromley and Woolwich.
Brighton spotlight
The East Sussex city of Brighton and Hove offers its residents the best of both worlds: a relaxed life at one end of the line within an hour's commute of London, and a good mix of Regency terrace houses, seafront apartments and family homes.
Canterbury spotlight
The compact city of Canterbury sits 60 miles south-east of London in Kent. In recent years its property market has been boosted by a high-speed rail service into St Pancras, which cuts the journey time to the capital to less than an hour.
Chelsea Flower Show preview 2013
This year the RHS Chelsea Flower Show promises to be suitably fabulous as it celebrates its centenary year with stunning gardens, including the Forget-me-Not Garden by B&Q and Prince Harry's charity.
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: Stoke Newington, N16
This modern home of almost 1,000sq ft is close to Stoke Newington's high street. A 27ft reception room and two large bedrooms give the flat a spacious feel.
Out of town: Tetbury, Gloucestershire
The beauty spot of Leighterton, with its poppy fields, ivy-covered churches and popular local gastro pub, is home to this four-bedroom house with stone-walled gardens.
Life-changer: Dolwyddelan, Conwy
Have a station all to yourself by buying the Old Station Master's house at Roman Bridge, where trains will stop at your door on request. You also get three bedrooms and 10 acres of grounds.
Oxford spotlight
The small city of Oxford is famous for its university and honeyed stone architecture, but its huge range of property - from affordable new homes to luxurious Victorian houses - and one hour commute to London, are big attractions to home buyers.-
Buy of the week: Stoke Newington, N16
This modern home of almost 1,000sq ft is close to Stoke Newington's high street. A 27ft reception room and two large bedrooms give the flat a spacious feel. -
Out of town: Tetbury, Gloucestershire
The beauty spot of Leighterton, with its poppy fields, ivy-covered churches and popular local gastro pub, is home to this four-bedroom house with stone-walled gardens. -
Life-changer: Dolwyddelan, Conwy
Have a station all to yourself by buying the Old Station Master's house at Roman Bridge, where trains will stop at your door on request. You also get three bedrooms and 10 acres of grounds.
Property search
Design trends: going tribal
From African prints to Balkan motifs, the tribal look comes to London this autumn. Amira Hashish says be brave with your blend of fabrics, pattern and colour for boho chic at its best
Jasper Conran plates
Wedgwood and Jasper Conran have teamed up for the Kilim dinnerware range (from £15). The vivid prints are inspired by the ancient Kilim carpets produced in the Balkans and Pakistan. In rich reds oranges and limes, the motifs would make an otherworldly addition to a dining table. Be brave and use bright green John Lewis Playnation glassware (from £6) for that extra tribal touch (johnlewis.com)
Wedgwood and Jasper Conran have teamed up for the Kilim dinnerware range (from £15). The vivid prints are inspired by the ancient Kilim carpets produced in the Balkans and Pakistan. In rich reds oranges and limes, the motifs would make an otherworldly addition to a dining table. Be brave and use bright green John Lewis Playnation glassware (from £6) for that extra tribal touch (johnlewis.com)
Marks & Spencer jug
M&S has jumped aboard the tribal-influenced bandwagon with its Caravan range. This multicoloured bird-painted jug is a bargain at £35. And snap up the matching tea, coffee and sugar tin set for only £9.50. There are even mugs (£6) and teatowels (£9) to match. A budget-friendly way to bring your kitchen up to date (marksandspencer.com).
M&S has jumped aboard the tribal-influenced bandwagon with its Caravan range. This multicoloured bird-painted jug is a bargain at £35. And snap up the matching tea, coffee and sugar tin set for only £9.50. There are even mugs (£6) and teatowels (£9) to match. A budget-friendly way to bring your kitchen up to date (marksandspencer.com).
Anthropologie
These embroidered linen-cotton Jacinto cushions come in bolster, square or rectangular shapes (£88-£148). Merging earthy native American motifs with contemporary Palm Springs, they are boho bling. And as well as being stylish, they have the fun factor — a winning combination.
These embroidered linen-cotton Jacinto cushions come in bolster, square or rectangular shapes (£88-£148). Merging earthy native American motifs with contemporary Palm Springs, they are boho bling. And as well as being stylish, they have the fun factor — a winning combination.
Anthropologie
While you're browsing, check out Anthropologie's Fish Bone Chair (£2,550), a functional sculpture, about 104cm (3ft 5in) tall, crafted in eucalyptus wood by artist Adam Birch, whose apprenticeship in forestry led to his own tree surgery company and a constant supply of raw material. Each piece is hand-hewn according to its natural shape (anthropologie.eu).
While you're browsing, check out Anthropologie's Fish Bone Chair (£2,550), a functional sculpture, about 104cm (3ft 5in) tall, crafted in eucalyptus wood by artist Adam Birch, whose apprenticeship in forestry led to his own tree surgery company and a constant supply of raw material. Each piece is hand-hewn according to its natural shape (anthropologie.eu).
Eva Sonaike pouffes
Driven by her passion for African fabrics, London-based designer Eva Sonaike set up her label in 2009 and is already stocked in the capital's top department stores. Her mission of "Bringing Colour to Life" is accomplished in the brilliant new Aburi collection. The pouffes (from £399) are particularly eye-catching: the Ijoba (pictured) features a threetone blue circular petal pattern (evasonaike.com).
Driven by her passion for African fabrics, London-based designer Eva Sonaike set up her label in 2009 and is already stocked in the capital's top department stores. Her mission of "Bringing Colour to Life" is accomplished in the brilliant new Aburi collection. The pouffes (from £399) are particularly eye-catching: the Ijoba (pictured) features a threetone blue circular petal pattern (evasonaike.com).
Rifat Ozbek cushions
The tigers and leopards of the Central Asian Steppes sparked Ozbek's design concept for the Ottomania collection. Deep reds, browns and purples are merged with greens and bronzy yellows for a warm take on tribal. The hand-dyed and printed cushions, made from silk Ikats, velvets and Suzanis, are ultra-sumptuous. Prices range from £40-£190 (astikbyrifatozbek.com).
The tigers and leopards of the Central Asian Steppes sparked Ozbek's design concept for the Ottomania collection. Deep reds, browns and purples are merged with greens and bronzy yellows for a warm take on tribal. The hand-dyed and printed cushions, made from silk Ikats, velvets and Suzanis, are ultra-sumptuous. Prices range from £40-£190 (astikbyrifatozbek.com).
Etsy lampshades
Etsy's Tribal Swirl lampshades would light up any room. Decorated with silky braids and hotpink pompoms, the handmade gems are made from reclaimed lamps (£180; etsy.com). Team the bold, brash colours with Oka's hand-woven Mandalay Offering Table (£159; okadirect.com) for a jazzy contrast.
Etsy's Tribal Swirl lampshades would light up any room. Decorated with silky braids and hotpink pompoms, the handmade gems are made from reclaimed lamps (£180; etsy.com). Team the bold, brash colours with Oka's hand-woven Mandalay Offering Table (£159; okadirect.com) for a jazzy contrast.
Andrew Martin furniture
British king of the tribal look, Andrew Martin, always puts cool twists on a trend. Funky fabric Kilim Sukma Chairs (£1,195) and distressed fudge leather Marlborough Chairs (pictured, £1,895) mix and match patterns and colours to make a real statement. Also, check out the stunning Kelim Footstool (pictured, £995). These are the kind of standout pieces that would spice up any room (andrewmartin.co.uk).
British king of the tribal look, Andrew Martin, always puts cool twists on a trend. Funky fabric Kilim Sukma Chairs (£1,195) and distressed fudge leather Marlborough Chairs (pictured, £1,895) mix and match patterns and colours to make a real statement. Also, check out the stunning Kelim Footstool (pictured, £995). These are the kind of standout pieces that would spice up any room (andrewmartin.co.uk).
Moroso Londres
Designers Bibi Seck and Ayse Birsel have created a wide range of striking furniture items, including this huge Madame Dakar (£2,544) armchair. They employ a traditional weaving method which is also used in making fishing nets — Seck and Birsel work it with plastic threads. From the M'Afrique collection (moroso.co.uk).
Designers Bibi Seck and Ayse Birsel have created a wide range of striking furniture items, including this huge Madame Dakar (£2,544) armchair. They employ a traditional weaving method which is also used in making fishing nets — Seck and Birsel work it with plastic threads. From the M'Afrique collection (moroso.co.uk).
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