HOME LIFE AT –– A magazine exclusively devoted to proper ty buyers, sel lers, tenants and landlords –– GET AHEAD GOOD TIMING IS KEY TO REMORTGAGING Autumn 2022 Issue 04 THE PERSONAL TOUCH 170 years of family heritage built on service and trust Village Life Why Kelvedon offers the best of both worlds SIBLINGS ON AMISSION Exclusive interview with TV’s Scarlette & Stuart Douglas
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boydens.co.uk 03 Welcome Welcome to the Autumn edition of Life at Home magazine As the nights draw in and the seasons change, attention often turns to changes in our wider lives, especially concerning where we live – and with a new year on the horizon, this has traditionally been a time of year to look for new beginnings. We tend to spend more time in our homes during the winter and so I hope you will find the hints and tips within this issue useful to make that time spent more comfortable. In addition to the usual seasonal content, this edition includes a focus on our West Essex Branch and the surrounding area as well as a significant focus on our people, which is part of what has always made Boydens special. My son, Philip, has written a piece about our family history and what it is like to work in a family business that stretches back many years and still retains that personal ethos, which brings repeat business to our door. We like to think that the family ethos we have worked so hard to develop and ingrain over the years stands us in the best stead to be able to assist you with honesty, straight-talking and integrity, and so, if now is the time you are looking to move home or if you wish to discuss your rental property portfolio, we are here to guide you. Please do not hesitate to call your local Boydens team – we will be delighted to assist. I hope you enjoy reading this edition of Life at Home. David Boyden Managing Director, Boydens Colchester Branch Aston House, 57-59 Crouch Street, Colchester, CO3 3EY tel: 01206 762244 [email protected] Sudbury Branch 64 North Street, Sudbury, Suffolk, CO10 1RE tel: 01787 883700 [email protected] Coastal Branch 73 Connaught Avenue, Frinton-On-Sea, Essex, CO13 9PP tel: 01255 851185 [email protected] West Essex Branch 121 High Street, Kelvedon, CO5 9AA tel: 01376 570335 [email protected] Contact Us
25% OFF FOOD Whilst we welcome you through the doors for our festive months of celebrations, good food, live music & cocktail specials, we also can’t wait to treat you and welcome you back for 25% off food when you dine with us Monday & Thursdays throughout January and February. We have worked hard with our teams using our award-winning local suppliers to create a vibrant menu with seasonal produce. Dine in our relaxed two-tiered restaurant that offers a daily a la carte menu and if you fancy a lighter bite for lunch or a snack, our small plates menu is also available in the secret courtyard, bar or lounge area. T&C’s apply* excluding Valentines weekend & Tea at the George. Redeemable Monday & Thursdays from our main menu. To view our full menu, festive offerings or to book your table scan the QR code. 116 High St, Colchester CO1 1TD | 01206 578494 USE CODE: SURLAH25 on our app or when recieving your bill
48 boydens.co.uk 05 Life at Home Contents 6 Homes with style Browse our shopping pages for inspiration and ideas for your home. 11 News Check out what’s going on in the property market and pick up essential advice. 14 Time to remortgage? Mortgage consultant Chris Pargin looks at remortgaging and why it’s always best to plan ahead. EDITORIAL EDITOR Anna-Marie Casas ADVERTISING SALES EXECUTIVE Debbie Taylor CREATIVE ART DIRECTOR Lee Thomas MARKETING CREATIVE MARKETING MANAGER Dominic Littler SENIOR MARKETING EXECUTIVE Tyler Chase PUBLISHING PUBLISHING DIRECTOR Clara Perry MANAGING DIRECTOR Allistair Hunter CONTACT Life at Home Magazine, The DS Group, The Nexus, Systematic Business Park, Old Ipswich Rd, Ardleigh, Colchester, Essex CO7 7QL Advertising Enquiries: 01206 585282 Editorial Enquiries: [email protected] Life at Home Magazine is published by DS Media on behalf of Boydens estate agency. The contents of this magazine must not be reproduced without permission. Life at Home Magazine is available FREE for property buyers, sellers, tenants and landlords registered with Boydens in North Essex and South Su olk. HOME LIFE AT –– A magazine exclusively devoted to proper ty buyers, sel lers, tenants and landlords –– GET AHEAD GOOD TIMING IS KEY TO REMORTGAGING Autumn 2022 Issue 04 THE PERSONAL TOUCH 170 years of family heritage built on service and trust Village Life Why Kelvedon offers the best of both worlds SIBLINGS ON AMISSION Exclusive interview with TV’s Scarlette & Stuart Douglas 18 54 Cover image Courtesy of Rangemaster rangemaster.co.uk 18 ‘I think we disagree more than we agree!’ We chat exclusively with property experts and TV presenters Scarlette and Stuart Douglas. 22 Family values Philip Boyden takes a walk down memory lane and explains why we have stood the test of time. 31 Hide and sleek Find out how to tackle clutter and create an organised space with some savvy storage. 42 Plain sale-ing Introducing the superstars who make your sale happen! 46 Meet our West Essex Branch team We catch up with the team at Kelvedon to find out how they can help you. 48 The best of both worlds Find out what makes Kelvedon and the surrounding area such a great place to live, work and visit. 54 The cherry on the cake We chat to ‘wonder baker’, author and TV cook Juliet Sear about her gorgeous new kitchen. 61 Don’t leave me this way What to do when a tenant abandons a property. 64 Moving expertise whatever the weather If you’re ready to move, check out some expert advice.
boydens.co.uk Shopping 06 HOMES WITH STYLE 51L Stove, Contura, from £1,650 A wood burning stove is 60 per cent more e cient at heating the home as heat transfer is convected into the room rather than being lost up the chimney in the case of conventional open fireplaces. This low-leg, castiron stove with single air-control is ideal for recessing into an existing fireplace opening, and can heat a 120 sq m space with 5kW e ciency. contura.eu LED Smart Bulbs, 4lite, from £9.95 Prior to the energy price crisis, a single LED lightbulb used £34 less electricity a year compared to an incandescent bulb. However, just one year on, LED bulbs will save 75 per cent more due to soaring electricity costs. Bright sparks at 4lite report the increased cost of energy means, from October 2022, switching to LEDs could save as much as £61 a year for every bulb at home. Based on 10 bulbs, this equates to a staggering saving of £611 a year of electricity – time to switch! 4liteuk.com Get inspired with our curated selection of products that are both energy efficient and on trend Hudson Burgundy Perfect Fit Blind, BlindsbyPost, from £25.44 In winter, windows can be a huge source of heat loss with up to almost a third of a home’s heating energy lost through them. Tightly installed blinds can reduce this by 40 per cent – equating to a 10 per cent saving in heating bills. Online blinds retailer BlindsbyPost has a number of di erent types of blinds that can provide insulation this winter, including thermal and blackout options. blindsbypost.co.uk Classic Fusion Round Tap in Polished Chrome, Quooker, £1,150 Boiling water taps have tanks that store water at high temperatures under pressure. Quooker is the only hot water tap to store water at 110 degrees and dispense at a true 100 degrees. The average kettle uses 2,200 watts to heat up 1.7 litres of water and costs around 2.5p per boil, while a Quooker boiling water tap costs just 3p per day to run on standby. quooker.co.uk Mini Fixed Feet, The Radiator Centre, £185.81 Starting o at only 80mm high – in four heights, four depths and lengths up to 2.6 metres – this e cient radiator is powerful, churning out almost 5000 watts at its largest size. But even better, it features LowH20 technology with a super-conductive and ultra-fast heat exchanger giving maximum heat for minimum energy consumption. theradiatorcentre.com
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boydens.co.uk Shopping Aurora Instant Hot & Cold Filtered Water Dispenser, Aqua Optima, £199 Both fast and convenient, this 3-in-1 kettle, water chiller, and water filter jug can help you save space in the kitchen while saving energy by only boiling and dispensing the water you need. Powered by Strix technology, it’s Quiet Mark accredited for minimal noise levels. amazon.co.uk Avant Silence Island Cooker Hood, Franke, £1,498 This stylish cooker hood not only o ers a more peaceful cooking experience, o ering noise reduction of up to 6db, but a more energy e cient one too with its A+ energy rating. Made from stainless steel and black glass, the hood measures 90cm wide and o ers three operating speeds plus an intensive setting with a quiet 68db sound level and an extraction rate of 750 m3/h. franke.co.uk Dual Flo Kettle, LAICA, £69 This eco-friendly, multifunction kettle and hot water dispenser only boils the water you need, making it friendlier to the planet while saving you money on your energy bills. With up to 1.5L capacity, you can boil and dispense just one cup at the touch of a button. amazon.co.uk 08 Heating expert, Wunda Group, shares its advice to minimise heat loss in your home this winter in the face of rising energy bills. 1. Check your insulation Up to 25 per cent of heat can be lost through the roof of an uninsulated home, so this is a great place to start to help save on costly bills. Consider fitting your hot water cylinder with an insulating jacket – it could save £35 a year as well as 115kg on carbon emissions. 2. Avoid ine cient heat sources Electric heaters are very expensive to run, (for example, a 5,000-watt electric heater will cost almost £1.50 per hour of use) and there are several additional factors which come into play that can add to the expense. 3. Zone your home with a smart thermostat When utilised properly, smart heating is one of the cheapest and most convenient ways to improve energy ratings in your home, cutting heating bills and reducing CO2 emissions. Most UK homes are still operating on one single thermostat for the entire home. 4. Don’t keep the heating on all day Leaving your heating on in every single room is needlessly expensive, especially if you aren’t using every room that you are heating. If you’re going away for a long period of time, turn the heating down or o to prevent spending money unnecessarily – but avoid switching the boiler o entirely as this can cause faults. 5. Explore underfloor heating (UFH) This can be an incredibly e cient and cost-e ective system for the home, costing on average 25 per cent less to run than radiators, but the real savings come when utilising a smart heating system alongside UFH to zone each room. wundagroup.com Hot tips
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You can always talk to us about the Income Tax and Capital Gains Tax considerations you may need to take into account. 3rd December 2022, 11:00 to 16:30 20+ Makers' from Essex Christmas Workshops during November 2022 Christmas Stock now on display in the gallery Next to the Finchingfield bridge The Green, Finchingfield, CM7 4JS www.wonky-wheel.co.uk [email protected] W O N K Y W H E E L Christmas at Finchingfield MAKERS'S MARKET
boydens.co.uk 11 News ‘Bills included’ becomes most searched for rental term New analysis from the UK’s biggest property website Rightmove reveals the effect the rising cost of living and record rents are having on people searching for a new place to rent. People looking for ‘bills included’ has jumped up to the top position for renters using Keyword Sort, a Rightmove tool that allows people to prioritise their property search results by choosing specific terms. It has overtaken those looking for pet friendly homes for the first time, and is now also higher priority than gardens and garages. Last year, ‘bills included’ was just outside the top five. Many people are also contacting agents about available rental properties across a much bigger area than four years ago, to have a better chance of finding somewhere available within their budget. Hybrid working is also a likely factor as many people have more flexibility about where they live. The average area renters are searching and contacting agents in has expanded from 70 sq km in July 2018 to 137 sq km currently. While the number of new rental properties coming onto the market is slowly getting better, there is still a huge imbalance between demand and supply. New rental properties were up 3% in July versus June, but total available rental properties remain 25% behind this time last year. The result is a fiercely competitive and fast-moving rental market, with prospective tenants seeing properties being snapped up twice as quickly as they were two years ago. Rightmove’s Property Expert Tim Bannister says: “People looking for a new place to rent are casting their net much wider than before, in the hope that it will help them find a suitable place that they can afford. Although it’s not as constrained as it was a few months ago, the number of homes is still nowhere near enough to meet demand from tenants. “The lack of homes is down to more people choosing to stay put and sign longer contracts, some landlords selling up due to more onerous taxes and others taking advantage of record house prices, and hybrid working shifting some demand to more rural and suburban pockets of Great Britain. This has all led to a fiercely competitive rental market in many areas with agents reporting that in some cases properties are being rented out in just a few hours.” Top five most popular search terms in Rightmove’s Keyword Sort, August 2022: 1 Bills included 2 Pets 3 Furnished 4 Balcony 5 Garden Top five most popular search terms in Rightmove’s Keyword Sort, August 2021: 1 Pets 2 Balcony 3 Furnished 4 Garden 5 Garage (Bills included was in position 6 in August 2021)
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boydens.co.uk 13 News Tidy House, Tidy Mind Not only is a clean and tidy home a selling point for any buyer, it also says a lot about your outlook on life! Research into homeowners by Procter & Gamble divided the respondents into those with messy and tidy homes, with some interesting and surprising results. As many as 76% of people who claim their house is ‘spick and span’ also describe their outlook on life as positive and ‘glass half full’. On the flip side, a staggering 72% of those who admit their house is a mess say they have a mostly ‘glass half empty’ outlook. Meanwhile, half of those (50%) with messy houses describe themselves as ‘artistic’. According to the data, if you’re a bookworm you’re more likely to have a messy home (38%), with a further 28% of untidy dwellers claiming they are ‘academic’. Surprisingly, Brits who have spotless houses are most likely to have an active social life, loving hosting parties and entertaining (17%), compared to a national average of 10%. Over a fifth of the Brits polled (22%) are guilty of secretly judging other people with messy homes, with 38% of tidy people confessing they don’t understand how they can live in a dirty, untidy house. Meanwhile the research suggests that cleaning could benefit our mental health, as almost a quarter (23%) of the Brits polled reckon cleaning their homes from top to bottom makes them feel calm and relaxed. In fact, 36% say that when their house feels clean and tidy, it makes them feel serene, while a third say being in a messy home is a sure way to make them feel stressed and depressed. Also, while having people round (68%) and hosting dinner parties (49%) would be out of the question for someone with a messy house, 42% admit they can’t even relax on the sofa if their home is a tip. At a Glance: *Properties in Essex had an overall average price of £406,432 over the last year. The majority of sales in Essex during the last year were terraced properties, selling for an average price of £367,670. Semi-detached properties sold for an average of £421,349, with detached properties fetching £610,458. Overall, sold prices in Essex over the last year were similar to the previous year and 13% up on the 2019 peak of £359,711. (Source: Rightmove, September 2022) *Properties in Su olk had an overall average price of £319,708 over the last year. The majority of sales in Su olk during the last year were detached properties, selling for an average price of £469,222. Semi-detached properties sold for an average of £285,619, with terraced properties fetching £234,892. Overall, sold prices in Su olk over the last year were similar to the previous year and 14% up on the 2019 peak of £279,373. (Source: Rightmove, September 2022) *Research by Comparethemarket has found that almost a third of homeowners whose fixed rate mortgages are nearing an end in the next three years will only consider remortgaging to a long-term fixed rate deal... see page 14 for more on remortgaging.
boydens.co.uk Finances 14 Against a backdrop of rising interest rates, homeowners are rushing to secure a good deal before the fixed term on their mortgage ends. Mortgage consultant Chris Pargin, of Pargin Financial Solutions, discusses remortgaging and why it’s always best to plan ahead. TIME TO REMORTGAGE? The mortgage market is as busy as ever, and we have been receiving a lot of remortgage enquiries stemming from recent interest rate rises. The rate increases have caused concern for people looking for stability on their monthly mortgage payments, and as a result many mortgage borrowers are looking to see when they can start renegotiating their next mortgage product. Of course, a lot of people are looking at their overall outgoings with the cost-of-living increases, and the monthly cost of paying the mortgage is a huge part of this – and is usually the starting point when it comes to household budgeting. It comes as no surprise that we have seen an increase in remortgage enquiries at this time.
Finances boydens.co.uk 16 Lenders have been playing their part in offering their clients a solution early, and we have had lenders recently alter the point at which they are able to offer new product rates to their clients. This means that we can review their options earlier and secure a new product before we would have been able to, previously. As a general rule of thumb, if people are looking to find out when they can start looking at their options, we usually speak to our clients six months prior to their product fixed rate end date, as some lenders do enable you to secure a new rate this far in advance. Many mortgage offers will last for six months also, so this is the ideal time as it can enable options with alternative lenders to be considered alongside your current mortgage lender. This way, we can compare alternative products available and advise on the best route forward, and it does usually provide enough time for the mortgage lenders and solicitors to complete their process. Although re-securing rates and looking to save money is often the reason for remortgages, we do also receive many enquiries from people who have other plans. Where people are looking to raise capital from a property, they will often tie this in with their remortgage, so that they can secure this additional borrowing as one mortgage part with one product end date rather than have multi-part mortgages that are arranged on different products with different dates of rate expiry. Some of our portfolio buy to let clients have in the past used their mortgage review as a time to look to grow their portfolio. When we look to renegotiate their product, we will review the property value and mortgage outstanding, and if the client would like to look to add to their portfolio, there may be a potential option of raising “There are many options when remortgaging, and the point that your rate is coming to an end is a real opportunity to review your entire situation.” capital from the subject property, which can then be used as a deposit for an onward purchase. Another popular reason for remortgaging is to repay a Help to Buy equity loan. The Help to Buy scheme is a popular way that many have purchased new build properties with the assistance of an equity loan from the government. When revisiting clients on this, we have looked at the potential of raising capital from the property in order to repay the equity loan, and again when a mortgage product is due to expire it can be an ideal time to consider this possibility. There are many options when remortgaging, and the point that your rate is coming to an end is a real opportunity to review your entire situation and see what options are available to you. Rather than just select a new product, the remaining mortgage term and monthly payment should be considered, as well as your wider financial situation and insurance arrangements. A lot can be gained from paying attention to these areas and conducting a full review, so the advice to all clients is to diarise the point to take some time out to review your circumstances and try not to leave it until the last minute. We do contact all of our clients in advance of their residential or buy to let mortgage product coming to an end in order to arrange this review, which can be a real additional benefit of working with a broker to keep on top of things. Article by Chris Pargin, of Pargin Financial Solutions. You can contact Chris on [email protected] or 07398163663. Pargin Financial Solutions Ltd and Boydens are separate entities. For estate agents, Pargin Financial Solutions Ltd acts as introducers only
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Interview boydens.co.uk 18 ‘I think we disagree more than we agree!’ We chat exclusively with property experts and sibling TV presenting duo Scarlette and Stuart Douglas, who have recently been helping homebuyers make their money go further on Channel 4’s Worst House on the Street and alongside George Clark on Flipping Fast. About Scarlette and Stuart Scarlette’s property journey began when she bought her first flat at the age of 24. She became an award-winning television presenter with A Place In The Sun (2015) and since then, has been a regular reporter for BBC’s The One Show as well as presenting her own primetime Channel 4 show Holiday Secrets: Is Last Minute Best? (2020). Former professional footballer Stuart bought his first property in 1999 – a converted hat factory in St Albans. He redesigned, refurbished, and eventually sold it for a healthy profit. This proved to be the catalyst for him to buy and develop in the locations of the football clubs where he played. With Scarlette’s candid input, he has developed and sold numerous properties. Stuart was nominated for Best Debut Presenter at the New Voice Awards 2022. How did you both get into the property market? Stuart was the one that got into property first, kind of by accident. As a footballer, he invested his money into his first house by renovating it and made a great return without even meaning to. Thirteen years later, he took me under his wing and taught me the ropes. We’ve been developing as a duo ever since! Tell us about your first experience of buying a property together and how that progressed to a career in television. Our first place together was in Barnet. It was a ground-floor converted Victorian flat; one bedroom that we turned into two, of which we made a good profit. We continued flipping properties and a few years later, an opportunity came up for ‘A Place in the Sun’, who were looking for presenters with property expertise. I did a screen test, got the job and the rest is history as they say! How would you describe your working relationship as siblings – do you mostly agree with each other on property matters and how do you resolve any differences? I think we disagree more than we agree! We have learnt over the years that compromise is our best friend though! Stuart keeps emotion out of renovations, whereas I try to, but struggle! We’re very good at meeting in the middle and, ultimately, we want the best for our prospective buyers, so we always have that at the forefront of our minds when we may have a disagreement. What’s best for me may not be best for someone else. Image courtesy of Channel 4, Flipping Fast
boydens.co.uk 19 Interview
Interview boydens.co.uk 20 Which is your favourite style of property interior and why? This is such a difficult question because no two properties are the same. I like to be as true to a property as I can. Yes, use elements of different styles and merge designs, but I like to be true to the period and build of the initial property. Traditional features are so beautiful, so enhancing and restoring them rather than removing does so much more justice to the house. If it was a new build? Go as modern as you like, but I would always say be gracious to the era of the house by at least giving a nod to the period here and there. Which part of a property (inside or out) gets you most excited when making an investment or starting a renovation project? The layout. A floor plan, honestly, is the thing to look out for when wanting to renovate. You can see exactly what can change and what can’t and how to make the most of the space on offer. Which simple home improvements do you think can add most value to a property? There are a few different ones here. A new kitchen and bathroom always add value to a property, but something that’s not too big of a job is sprucing up the kerb appeal. Having great outside space front and/or back really can add money to your home, and it doesn’t have to be expensive to do. What’s your biggest property success? Everything I’ve done within property I would like to believe has been a success. I never stop and rest on my laurels and am always seeking to surpass what I’ve already achieved, so I’m not sure I have seen my biggest success as of yet. And any property mistakes you care to mention? Every mistake is a learning curve so as much as I can’t think of any right now, I wouldn’t change them as I wouldn’t have the knowledge I have to date.
boydens.co.uk 21 Interview What are your top 5 dos and don’ts for buying or selling a new home? 1. DO as much research as possible – it’s key to minimising mistakes and errors in your purchase. 2. FAIL to prepare, prepare to fail – if you don’t do your homework, you’re taking a big risk with your investment. 3. DON’T expect everything to be plain sailing – there are a lot of ups and downs with property, so you need to be adaptable (just because your o er has been accepted, doesn’t mean it’s definitely going to be yours, so be aware). 4. DO have a contingency fund just in case you need some extra cash along the way. 5. DO make your house look as presentable and appealing as possible to give it the best chance of getting the best o er!
boydens.co.uk Business As a family business stretching back five generations, Boydens has quite a history. The fifth generation of the Boyden family, Philip Boyden now works in the business alongside his father David Boyden and, as Philip explains, this really is a family affair. 22 My involvement in the family business started at an early age. I remember making regular trips to the Colchester Branch in the early 1990s (or ‘Grandad’s Office’ as we referred to it), as my mum attended a cake decorating class nearby on Tuesday evenings. During this time, my sister Laura and I would spend time in the office where my dad and grandad were working. I recall enjoying a Tunnocks Caramel Wafer and still now, when I pass a certain point on the middle floor of the building, I sense a familiar aroma which takes me instantly back to those days. Values Family From left, Desmond Boyden who set up the residential property business in 1966; Desmond with son, David; and David who now works alongside his son, Philip
WHERE IT ALL BEGAN The Boydens story began back in 1852 when George Boyden, a master builder and Quaker, started his own business. His son, Aston, continued the building business which at its height employed 28 sta before being interrupted by the Second World War. Aston died in 1947. Aston’s son, Desmond, my grandfather, was too young to immediately join the building business, instead studying engineering and working for Woods of Colchester. For two years Desmond commuted to London working for a commercial Chartered Surveyors firm based in The Strand, before returning to Colchester to spend 11 years with local Chartered Surveyors firm, C M Stanford & Son, specialising in residential property and farms. THE EXPANSION OF BOYDENS In 1966, Desmond set up his own residential property business initially at Blackheath, Colchester and then onto Balkerne House in Crouch Street. Due to expansion, the business moved next door to Aston House in 1988, where the business has been based ever since. Desmond’s son, David, my father, joined the family business in 1976. In partnership with his father he developed the business, building Boydens’ reputation, taking the best of the family ethos – and combining this with the modern approach and expanding our business across Essex and Su olk. After graduating from university, I joined the family business in 2015.
boydens.co.uk Home 34 Seeing the Boyden name in lights above the door and on the various sales and lettings boards on properties in the area, and knowing this was part of my family history always instilled a feeling of pride. A popular misconception at school at the time was that other pupils would remark that my family appeared to own a lot of houses! My more formal involvement in the family firm began when, aged 17, I spent my summer between school and 6th form college working in Boydens’ Property Management Department carrying out Routine Inspections on rented and managed properties. During my gap year before university, I spent time working in New Zealand for a farming firm, which was a wonderful experience. I then headed to university where I undertook a degree in Rural Property Management, which included a work placement for a year as a surveyor taking instructions from Savills, negotiating the installation of pipelines over farmland on behalf of Anglian Water. After successfully completing my surveying degree, I joined the family business full time in the capacity of Sales Negotiator, based in our Braintree Branch. During this time, my experience in commercial property was utilised in providing a source of advice for all of our branches, including our Coastal Branch, in commercial property sales and rentals. Busin ss 2 Main image, David Boyden looks through an archived newspaper advert for Boydens; below, Desmond Boyden during his working days; and an old sign for the original building business, established by Aston Boyden in 1852
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boydens.co.uk Business 26 I moved to the Colchester Head Office in 2017. As a Senior Property Consultant, I love helping clients to successfully sell or buy their properties, getting as much pleasure from helping first-time buyers on their first step onto the ladder to those with high-end, bespoke properties. I enjoy the diversity of continuing to be the company’s specialist with the sale of land and commercial properties. There is no doubt that being part of a family firm is a source of pride to me, and makes working life so much more interesting. Dad and I are different characters, but we share the same core values and passion for the business to succeed and it is nice to work alongside him. I enjoy sharing the family history of Boydens with clients; to be able to do it as a member of the family does make it extra special and, I think, demonstrates that we really do care – with us it really is personal. I was particularly proud of my involvement in the rebranding of Boydens in 2016 which was a bold move in helping to modernise the company, and started a process which we continue to this day. We have faced challenges throughout our history – the property market is often used as a barometer of what is happening in the wider economy which has its ups and downs, but the quality of people working within Boydens is exceptional and so gives me great confidence in the future. This was never more prevalent than when we all faced the challenges posed by the coronavirus pandemic where we pulled together collectively to see us through what was a huge challenge for us, our staff, and indeed the whole world. Main image, from left, Boydens Managing Director David Boyden, Director Jennie Boyden, and Director, Senior Property Consultant Philip Boyden; left, Philip and David have fun during an office break; above, the Boydens head office in Crouch Street, Colchester, back in the day; and below, the old Boydens logo.
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boydens.co.uk Home 34 THE FUTURE With our excellent people, I think the future for Boydens is bright – we have ambitious and exciting plans and, whilst the property market is difficult to predict, my father and I have seen numerous peaks and troughs during our working lives. Moving forward, our people will be the catalyst for how we will grow, and we are determined to stay true to the core values we hold dear – those of honest, straight-talking and with the family principles we have held so close over the years, carrying on into the future. Busin ss 28 PERSONAL TOUCH True personal service and caring about what we do and demonstrating this to clients has always been a Boydens priority. It is quite rare these days to see a family business where the family are truly involved on a fundamental level, and on a daily basis. The longevity of the business is down to family succession planning, which has evolved in a structured way. Our history and deep-rooted connections bring us repeat business from recommendations, which is vitally important to us. My son and I are now working together alongside our excellent team, and I am using connections built up over the years as a catalyst for new business. We have a great deal to be proud of, and a lot to look forward to, as we continue to service our clients with the confidence and values that they have come to expect from us. David Boyden Looking to the future, David and Philip Boyden
Projects Extensions, Renovations, Loft Conversions, New Builds or Refurbishments Installations Kitchen and Bathroom Installations With over 25 years of experience in the building industry, here at Alpha Group, we pride ourselves on being builders that you can trust. We understand that having building work carried out on your home is a big investment, and one that you will want to be sure is in safe hands. We can help you create the kitchen or bathroom of your dreams, whether you’re looking for a complete redesign or a more modest makeover. We have the knowledge, experience, and tradespeople to make it happen. Fully Serviced Building Contractors for Commercial and Residential Projects Across Essex & Suffolk 01206 648888 [email protected] www.alphagrp.co.uk Get in touch Follow us on
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boydens.co.uk Home Could a lack of storage be affecting the value of your home? We look at how to tackle clutter and create an organised space. 31 HIDE AND SLEEK It’s the source of much frustration in households across the country – too much stuff and not enough places to hide things away and keep everything tidy. We asked storage design experts for their tips on how to make the most of three key areas in the home, to make everyday life less chaotic and add value to your property...
boydens.co.uk Home 32 KITCHEN There are few places where mess is more visible to guests than the hub of the home, the kitchen. With open-plan kitchen and dining areas becoming increasingly popular over the last few years, hidden storage that keeps worktops clear is more of a consideration than ever before. Features like breakfast cupboards with pocket doors that pull back to reveal a worktop with small appliances are high on the wish lists of homeowners planning a new kitchen. So too are deep drawers with sectioned interiors to keep pots, pans and crockery well organised, cutlery drawers with inserts that maximise utensil storage, and plinths that reveal items like muffin trays as and when needed. The pull-out pantry is a particular godsend for those who crave savvy storage solutions. Main image, Benchmarx Cambridge Forest Green True Handleless benchmarxkitchens.co.uk; above and right, Pronorm ProTech drawers in Anthracite (kitchens from £12,000) pronorm.de
boydens.co.uk Home 33
boydens.co.uk Home 34 “Larder units with mechanisms that glide forward easily to allow full sight and easy access to contents are a pleasure to use and a highly practical storage solution in any kitchen,” says Richard Turner, UK & Ireland National Sales Manager for kitchen manufacturer Pronorm (pronorm.de). “On an aesthetic level, opening out a tall larder with shelves of smartly organised baking ingredients, pulses and pasta can look impressive and says something about personal style and the value being placed on the kitchen as a whole.” A corner larder offers a clever way of using areas that are often under-utilised. “By being placed on the diagonal, the need for stretching around dark corners and reaching in odd angles are eliminated,” explains Sinead Trainor, Kitchen Category Manager for LochAnna Kitchens (lochannakitchens.co.uk). “Instead, you can simply see everything you have stored at a glance and access becomes as simple as stepping inside.” However, before ordering a kitchen with every storage consideration conceivable, it makes sense to declutter first. Also, assess how you will use the space and how much storage do you actually need? You don’t want to max out capacity from the outset! Another thing to factor in is that kitchen storage needs have evolved, particularly over the last couple of years due to the pandemic, as we adjust to the ever-changing landscape of homeworking and family life. Kitchens need to be functional above all when so much multi-tasking is required, observes Sinead, so storage should not be an afterthought. “A beautifully aesthetic kitchen that doesn’t work on a practical level won’t stand the test of time, so when designing a kitchen, storage must be one of the most crucial elements to consider. Don’t fall foul to the mistake of leaving storage to the last minute,” she explains. “Instead, when you’re first designing your kitchen space, think about how you and your family use the kitchen on a day-to-day basis and how your needs might evolve and grow in the near future. You can then use this information to select the ideal storage and design the rest of your kitchen around these elements.” If you’re not contemplating a new kitchen, but want to enhance storage capacity, there are some simple solutions to make the most of existing cupboards. Items like waste sorter bins are very handy for keeping the kitchen organised – and make the job of recycling easier. “They sit discreetly into kitchen units and allow users to quickly sort their waste for recycling and to maintain a clean, uncluttered kitchen space,” comments Jo Sargent, Sales and Marketing Director at kitchen solutions specialist Franke (franke.com). “Models with three compartments are handy for compartmentalising plastic, cardboard and cans.” mowlemandco.com franke.co.uk
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boydens.co.uk Home 36 BEDROOM Numerous studies have shown that the practical set-up of your bedroom can directly affect how much sleep you get. Removing clutter helps create a relaxing environment that is conducive to getting enough shut-eye. “A messy and cluttered bedroom will not only affect how fast you fall asleep, but the quality of your sleep,” says Carl Walsh, sleep expert and owner of Bed Guru (bedguru.co.uk). “If every time you get into bed you’re surrounded by mess and clutter, this can distract you as you’re trying to fall asleep, make you feel anxious or on-edge, and lead to a bad night’s sleep.” If a bedroom is particularly small, then multi-functional furniture such as under-bed storage is a must. Storage divan beds give you the option to have concealed draws coming from all angles, a great space saving alternative to a chest of drawers, while ottoman beds that open upwards provide plenty of under-bed storage and don’t encroach onto the floor space around the bed. Carl also recommends harnessing any vertical space on offer if needed, such as buying a bunk bed with storage for a child’s bedroom, while custom-size furniture will be your best friend, ensuring you make the most of every inch. Fitted wardrobes can also be miracle workers for small bedrooms and spaces with awkward nooks and crannies. “From a practical and aesthetical perspective, fitted wardrobes offer the most effective and efficient way to make use of the space within your bedroom,” comments Racheal Hutcheson, National Retail Manager for Sharps (sharps.co.uk). “A truly bespoke design, that has been created to fit the exact contours of your room will offer, on average, 40 per cent more space than ordinary fitted wardrobe designs. “Small or awkward spaces often need intelligent solutions to make the most of them, so consider curved corner rails, pull-out trouser rails and pull-down hanging rails to ensure your wardrobe is as efficient as it can be. “It’s important to take a wardrobe’s doors into consideration to ensure they are easily opened. If a bed is in close proximity to a wardrobe, opt for sliding doors to provide a sleek, effective alternative, whilst mirrored styles will help to make a space look bigger,” she adds. Bedroom island units offer additional drawer space, as well as a tabletop for displaying perfume and cosmetics or other finishing touches, according to designer Megan Baker, of My Fitted Bedroom (myfittedbedroom.com). “When mounted on wheels they can be easily moved around the room for the ultimate in flexibility.” Replacing the dressing table concept (which is often messy and filled with bottles, brushes and make-up palettes on display), built-in beauty bays are ideal for keeping make-up and toiletries hidden away, she adds. Unless your bedroom is particularly big, Megan recommends drawers versus shelves. “Open shelving is great if you have lots of space to play with, but in most modern bedrooms, storage is about making items accessible and neatly stored. Drawers help to translate that zen-like feeling that everything has its place to the inside of the wardrobe.” sharps.co.uk buttonandsprung.com
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BATHROOM As more and more of us crave the spa experience at home, demand has surged for storage solutions that help create the beautiful, soothing, sleek aesthetics befitting a calming sanctuary to escape and unwind. Bathroom bliss requires items such as ugly household cleaning products to be kept well tucked away. You want nice, luxury products on display, not bleach and toilet rolls! “Storage is often an afterthought when planning a bathroom, but when you consider how much stuff we keep in our bathrooms, it should be a priority,” observes Howard Birch, Director at luxury bathroom specialist, Aston Matthews (URL). “From spare loo roll to cleaning materials and cosmetics, if the bathroom is going to look smart and clutter-free, you need to incorporate as much storage as possible. “A basin unit is a useful option, providing drawers or a cupboard under the sink. Also, consider a mirrorfronted cabinet above the basin and if this also incorporates a light – even better.” Aside from the functionality provided, a vanity unit can provide a focal point in your bathroom. boydens.co.uk 39 Home Roseberry fitted furniture in London Grey utopiagroup.com; below, Aston Matthews S Line wall-hung basin unit in solid limed oak astonmatthews.co.uk
boydens.co.uk Home 40 “When it comes to the actual style of your vanity unit, it really comes down to personal taste,” comments James Stevenson, Creative Director at Imperial Bathrooms (imperialbathroom.com). “Perhaps you prefer a model with design flourishes and features such as glass legs or period handles, or maybe you’re more inclined towards a simple, more pared-back aesthetic with a classic look and clean lines. Whatever your preference, bear in mind that your vanity unit can play an all-important role in maximising your bathroom storage.” Maximise your space with fitted furniture that makes the most of tight corners and awkward spaces, adds Helen Clark, Head of Marketing at bathroom expert Utopia (utopiagroup.com). “In terms of interior storage, look for deep drawers and adjustable shelving to allow for those taller bottles. Compartmentalised drawer spaces are also excellent for organising make-up and personal grooming items.” Organise makeup and toiletries in drawers in transparent containers to make it easy and quick to grab and go – especially at peak times like the school run. Freestanding wall storage can be used to create a focal point, while in smaller bathrooms, wall-hung cupboards provide the ideal solution, creating the illusion of more space by maximising the visible area of the floor. A towel rail on a wall-hung unit or utilising the unused space on the back of a door for hanging towels and bath robes also incorporate practicality in a smaller setting. If your bathroom is really bijou, consider running a shelf above the bathroom door or utilising the wall space above the toilet for a storage unit. Orthex at homebase.com imperialbathroom.com
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