London property: price per square foot

(click the map to enlarge)

When we came across this map in Homes & Property, we instantly bookmarked it. The map breaks down the price per square foot of London property by area, and was accompanied by an insightful article, by David Spittles, about how to find a property deal in the current market and profit.

Here are some thoughts from the article worth noting:

- The city is a collection of micro markets where local dynamics influence property values. Qualities like good schools, conservation areas, nice shops, bars and restaurants can all lift prices in some streets.

- You don't have to leave central London to find good value. A house just a few streets away from a prime location, can be much cheaper. And it will most likely "level up" once improvements take place.

- Regeneration projects and transport upgrades are occurring through the city, which makes grabbing a property in this area a smart move, as it will only increase in value.

More from the article, right here.

(And of course, if you end up buying a property and need a professional renovation-related opinion, give us a call.)

And the winner is....

When we finish a project we always ask our clients to complete a feedback form. To show that we truly value their comments, each client who participates is entered into a draw. The winner receives vouchers to John Lewis / Waitrose stores.

Charlotte and Mark from Twickenham won our last draw. The accompanying photos show just some of the work we completed on their home last January.

The draw is completely random, but it is worth mentioning that Charlotte and Mark, like all our customers, were very pleased with the work. They said, "Communication was excellent. The team led by Rafal was outstanding. We will be back for more work!"

Congratulations, Charlotte and Mark.

Home inspiration in Queen's Park

We enjoyed this peek into the home of Iris fashion boutique owner, Sarah Claassen. Located in Queens Park (NW6), the home was completely refurbished. Building work included a reconfigured layout, new walls, floors, ceilings, and a two-storey extension into the garden. 

You'll see the use of black walls and floorboards, a colour that most people overlook as too dark and harsh for a family home. Sarah manages to soften the black, using Farrow & Ball's Off-Black and contrasting the colour with restored white ceiling roses and cornicing, and gorgeous plaster heads—one of the few original features that could be saved in the house.

The flooring is Engineered Character Oak, with a black stair runner, bringing all the elements together.

What do you think of Sarah's home? Would you consider using black or off-black as a main colour in your home? 

(All images scanned via LivingEtc, May 2011.)

Ealing bathroom

We've just completed work on a lovely bathroom in Ealing (photographed, above). We were so pleased when we received this positive email from the client:

"Thanks so much to your team for all their hard work. They did a fantastic job and I'm pleased with the finish and quality of my bathroom."

You can find more customer feedback on our website, right here.

Hampton Wick Bathroom Renovation

Here's a glimpse into another Tiptoe Builders' project—the building of a luxury bathroom in Hampton Wick. This photo was taken mid-way through the project, just after the plumbing phase and as the beautiful 50x50 limestone tiles were being laid along the floor and walls. 

The project involved removing various walls in the bathroom, which our builders will replace with glass screens and glass doors. The finished project is sure to result in a luxurious, top-end bathroom that our clients will love. 

(Update: You can see the 'After' photo right here.)

The Lancasters

The talk of London property these days is The Lancasters—a new luxury development in the heart of Lancaster Gate, just opposite Hyde Park. Just recently a former Thistle hotel, The Lancasters is now 77 elegant, traditional-meets-modern homes.

The renovation took several years to complete and aside from the front facade, involved nearly a complete re-build of the property.

Properties inside The Lancasters, range from studio to 4-bedroom penthouse duplexes—or 640 square feet to 5,217 square feet. Residents of the development also have access to a concierge service, valet underground parking, swimming pool, spa and gymnasium facilities.

A luxury building development on a truly massive scale. We love the photos and the floor plans (all available on The Lancasters website.) Your thoughts?