Get smart for Autumn August 25, 2011 IT hasn’t been much of a summer, but with the cold and rain this week it definitely seems to be time to start thinking about that autumn wardrobe. This year’s autumn/winter trends are subtly inspired by the masculine side of 1970s fashion (as opposed to the pimped-up, checks ‘n’ flares side). “The trick is to [...]
FASHION NEWS August 25, 2011 DIOR’S STYLISH SMARTPHONE Dior calls itself “a pioneer in Haute Couture mobile phones” – which may not be as ludicrous as it sounds, as this is neither the first Dior has produced, nor the only brand to do so (for instance, Jill Sander is launching a smart phone). So, what does your €3,300 buy you? [...]
A love story that’s lost in translation August 25, 2011 Film ONE DAY Cert: 12A I’LL be honest. Despite its candy-like accessibility, I cried when reading One Day, particularly the bit near the end that you fear all along but that your conscious brain never allows itself to imagine. And I’m not alone. You’ve probably seen people, from hoodies to bankers, snivelling on the Tube, [...]
ALSO OUT THIS WEEK FILMS, MUSIC, GAMES August 25, 2011 FILM AS BLOOD RUNS DEEP Intriguing crime drama starring Nick Stahl as a cop investigating a murder. FINAL DESTINATION 5 The sci-fi series enters the 3D sphere in this special effects fest. HIT FIRST, HIT HARDEST Gritty, if hardly original, prison caper from Denmark. DVD LITTLE WHITE Lies French drama starring Marion Cottilard and Francois [...]
Getting the most from your home August 25, 2011 WHETHER you’re keen to sell your home, attract lucrative renters or simply want to make your rooms look good before the winter sets in, sprucing up your home with a little DIY is a good idea. Don’t panic if you don’t have stacks of cash available or begrudge the idea of spending money on a [...]
CANTERBURY, KENT August 25, 2011 STOURMOUTH Price: £1.1m On 2.2 acres of land, this country home has recently been restored. A long gravel driveway leads you up to this seven bedroomed house. This huge property has a farmhouse kitchen, cellar and wine vault. Contact: Strutt & Parker on Canterbury 01227 451 123 or go to www.struttandparker.com OLD RECTORY Price: £795,000 [...]
PROPERTY NEWS August 25, 2011 NEW HOMES COMING TO CLAPHAM A new residential development on St. John’s Hill, Clapham, opens its showrooms on 3 September. Developed by Loncor Homes, the Lismore comprises 14 two and three bedroom apartments and a high-specification three-bedroom townhouse. Contact: Hamptons International on 020 7758 8488 or go to www.hamptons.co.uk RENT TO RISE AGAIN BY CHRISTMAS [...]
RENT August 25, 2011 Director of Central London lettings firm Draker Lettings Q. I have several rental properties in central London and want to see if I can maximise my return next year by letting some or all of them for the Olympics. What should I charge and should I look for shorter tenancies now to ensure that they [...]
Homes still pay on the Cote d’Azur August 25, 2011 WHAT with European economic chaos, earthquakes and hurricanes pummelling the US and the most valuable company in the world losing its CEO, one rather can’t help but recall Benjamin Franklin’s saying: “In this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes”. Well, perhaps Franklin missed one thing in his list of [...]
Barnes thrills with English storytelling at its terse best August 24, 2011 THE SENSE OF AN ENDING BY JULIAN BARNES Jonathan Cape, £12.99 IN the past, I have found Julian Barnes – most famously author of Flaubert’s Parrot – less tractable than his contemporaries. If given the choice between Ian McEwan – of whose even-shorter novella On Chesil Beach this book reminds me – or Martin Amis, [...]