Inside a colourful mews house with clever space-saving hacks
City living is all about maximising often minimal assets. Few of us have basement pools or cavernous walk-in wardrobes, but turning an entrance hallway alcove into a shoe cupboard is a standard strategy. Willow Kemp, 35, believes in 'big ideas, small spaces', and when it came to moving into her home near Kensington Gardens, London, at the start of the year, that manifesto went beyond the usual giant drawers for storage under a high bed (although she has those).
For instance, there's a secret wine cellar underneath the seagrass flooring in the compact kitchen that her fiancé, Henry, is in the process of stocking. On the top floor there's a pull-down Murphy bed in the guest bedroom that can vanish into the walls, which are
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The Sun
37 minutes ago
- The Sun
Shoppers run to Tesco for £19.50 ‘chuck on' summer dress that is ‘gorgeous on' and comes in three colours
IF you're searching for the perfect summer dress that you can just chuck on and feel instantly stylish, you'll want to leg it to Tesco. The supermarket's in-house fashion label, F&F, is renowned for its stylish buys at affordable prices. 4 4 4 4 And fashion fans have insisted the new strapless midi dress is a must-have for the warmer summer months. And the best part? You'll get change from a £20 note. The £19.50 frock boasts a ribbed, fitted bandeau top and flowy skirt with pockets. It can easily be dressed down with flip flops or Birkenstock sandals, or paired with heels for a fancier look. The supermarket find ranges from a size 6 to 22 and comes in three colours - khaki, black and stone. But it's not available on the website so you'll need to be quick if you want to get your hands on it. According to Tesco workers at one local store, the F&F buy is "gorgeous" addition to any wardrobe. In a short TikTok clip, they said: "Gorgeous new cream colour added to our strapless dress range. Mixed material and pockets on skirt." And fashion fans have been left in a frenzy over the dress, which is great for avoiding tan lines. "I bought this today it's gorgeous on. My store has every colour", one gushed. A second wrote: "Just bought this because I just know it'll be impossible to get by the time I go away." A third chimed in: "This is so flattering on! I just need a tan now!!" A fourth said: "Ummmm hello TESCO you superstar - thanks for providing this dress, [it] is just sensational!" "£19.50 for that dress?? Noooo!! Stunning", insisted a fifth. But a sixth cried: "I can't find these anywhere! not even online! I neeeeeed." Is supermarket fashion the new high street? DEPUTY Fashion Editor Abby McHale weighs in: The supermarkets have really upped their game when it comes to their fashion lines. These days, as you head in to do your weekly food shop you can also pick up a selection of purse-friendly, stylish pieces for all the family. Tesco has just announced a 0.7 per cent increase in the quarter thanks to a 'strong growth in clothing' and M&S has earnt the title of the number one destination for womenswear on the high street. Asda's clothing line George has made £1.5 million for the supermarket in 2023, 80 per cent of Sainsbury's clothes sold at full price rather than discounted and Nutmeg at Morrisons sales are also up 2 per cent in the past year. So what is it about supermarket fashion that is becoming so successful? Apart from the clothing actually being affordable, it's good quality too - with many being part of schemes such as the Better Cotton Initiative. A lot of the time they keep to classic pieces that they know will last the customer year after year. Plus because they buy so much stock they can turn around pieces quickly and buy for cheaper because of the volumes. More supermarket bargains Eagle-eyed shoppers have fallen in love with Tu's Yellow Striped Tie Detail Midaxi Tea Dress, which is priced at £28. Describing it online, the Sainsbury's team say: "Perfect for summer occasions, our yellow tea dress has been designed with puff sleeves, an elasticated waist with shirred detailing, finished with a tie fastening at the neckline for a touch of elegance. "Cut to a flattering, midaxi length. Wear with suede sandals and golden accessories." The dress is already sold out online so you'll need to be quick to get your hands on it in store. If you're self-conscious about a mum tum or your upper arms, delighted fashion fans say this is definitely one for you. One said: "Absolutely beautiful dress... even prettier in person. It's a lovely light fabric to wear in summer and feels very flattering on my plus size body. "The pockets are an added bonus! Very pleased with this purchase." A second wrote: "Bought this because I was drawn to the colour for the summer. "Love the length of the skirt and the fit at the waist - really flattering!"
The Sun
2 hours ago
- The Sun
I'm a wedding planner – here's the five things I'd skip on my own big day, it could save you thousands
GETTING married is one of the happiest times of your life - but planning a wedding can be as stressful and expensive. Your dream big day can cost thousands of pounds, and wedding budgets can very quickly start to spiral out of control. 3 3 There are so many different things to consider - from the venue and the guest lists to the menus, cars, flowers, and much more. So it's no wonder that brides and grooms can quickly find it becoming overwhelming - both financially and mentally. Luckily, one expert is on hand to help engaged couples celebrate their special day in style, but without breaking the bank. Nick Bramer from Country House Weddings has urged couples not to include every trend they see on social media, no matter how tempting. The wedding planner has spent years helping couples create their perfect day and has learned what elements truly matter and which ones simply aren't worth the investment (or should just be outright avoided). And he even revealed the five things he would never do for his own wedding - and why other couples should think twice before adding them to their plans. Nick said: 'After organising hundreds of weddings, I've learned that the most memorable celebrations aren't necessarily the most expensive ones. "They're the weddings where couples focused on what truly mattered to them and their guests, rather than trying to tick every box they'd seen on Pinterest. 'The wedding industry is brilliant at making couples feel like they need everything to be perfect, but perfection often comes at the cost of personality and genuine enjoyment. "Some of my favourite weddings have been the ones where couples said no to half the extras and instead invested in great food, good music, and making sure their guests felt welcome. Your wedding should reflect who you are as a couple, not what magazines tell you it should look like." Stunning coastal wedding venue in Scotland with spectacular views reveals major £750k revamp 1. Hiring an expensive photographer without seeing their full portfolio It's a common belief that the best suppliers are the most expensive, but this isn't always the case. Just because a photographer charges premium rates, it doesn't necessarily mean that they will deliver the best results. Wedding photography can cost anywhere from £1,000 to £5,000, but those on the higher end of the scale could be basing their price on their marketing rather than their actual skill. Nick explains: 'I've seen couples spend £4,000 on a photographer who promised the world, only to receive bland, cookie-cutter shots that looked identical to every other wedding they'd shot that year. "Price doesn't guarantee creativity or the ability to capture your unique story." Instead, he suggests meeting potential photographers in person and reviewing complete wedding galleries, not just highlight reels. The most memorable celebrations aren't necessarily the most expensive ones. They're the weddings where couples focused on what truly mattered to them and their guests Nick Bramerfrom Country House Weddings 2. Booking entertainment that doesn't match the crowd One of the biggest mistakes that Nick says couples make when planning their wedding is booking the wrong style of entertainment. The wedding planner said he often sees too many couples choosing entertainment based on what looks impressive rather than what their guests will actually enjoy. And this can actually throw off the whole vibe of the day. He suggested considering the guest list carefully before booking any kind of evening entertainment. For example, if most attendees are over 50, a classic covers band might work better than a DJ spinning the latest hits. He said: "I once saw a couple hire a string quartet for a crowd that clearly wanted to party. 'By 9pm, half the guests had left because there was nothing to keep them engaged". 3 3. Splurging on designer wedding favours Wedding favours are, in theory, very sweet reminders of your big day and a lovely treat for your guests. However, most guests actually leave them behind or throw them away within weeks. And considering that couples often spend hours planning to get their perfect thing and often spend hundreds of pounds on them, Nick says they're just not worth it. He explains that he has seen couples stress over personalised candles, miniature photo frames, and custom sweets that end up sadly forgotten on tables. Instead, he suggests that couples opt for something they can enjoy on the day, like a high-quality treat like chocolate. Or even put the money they'd spend on favours towards something else, like a couple of hundred pounds on better food or drinks at the bar. Nick explains that this is something guests would probably appreciate more - and you'd get more value for money. He explains: "Couples spend an average of £3-5 per guest on favours, which adds up to £300-500 for a typical wedding. "I've never seen guests genuinely excited about taking home a miniature jam jar with the couple's names on it". 4. Choosing a venue based on Instagram photos Social media doesn't often reflect real life, and something that might look magical online might not look that great in person. As a result, Nick has warned couples against booking a venue based on their filtered photos on social media. Lighting, angles, and editing can hide serious flaws that will all become obvious on your wedding day. Instead, he suggests always visiting potential venues in person - preferably at the same time of day as your planned celebration. Nick says: 'I've seen couples fall in love with venues online, only to arrive and discover the 'spacious' room is actually cramped. 'Photos rarely show practical issues like poor acoustics or limited parking.' Expert's seven tips to keep wedding costs down IN a bid to help couples save some cash, one expert has revealed their seven tips to keep costs down for the big day. Claudia Postigo, founder and Head Wedding Planner at The Planner Co, reveals how couples can save significant money on wedding aspects that many go overboard on. Choose off-season dates - "By choosing to have your wedding during the off-season, such as winter or early spring, when demand is lower, you can save a considerable amount of money on venues, caterers, and other services.' Leverage DIY décor - "DIY projects help to add a personal touch to your wedding, while having the added bonus of saving you a lot of money." Book non-traditional venues - "Non-traditional venues tend to be more affordable and provide a unique and memorable wedding experience." Reduce the guest list - "This both cuts down on catering costs and creates a more intimate and meaningful atmosphere for your special day.' Go digital - "In an era where most things are digital, it makes sense to go paperless for your wedding invitations and save-the-date cards." Recycle, Reduce, Reuse - "When it comes to wedding décor, why not try recycling and reusing items from previous weddings or events?" Consider a smaller wedding cake - "To save some money, opt for a smaller wedding cake for the ceremonial cutting and a larger sheet cake for guests to enjoy.2 5. Going overboard with unnecessary extras that add no real value It's so easy to get carried away when planning a wedding and want to do everything and buy everything. But Nick says that there are so many unnecessary extras that couples often spend a fortune on but don't add any real value. Wedding vendors excel at selling add-ons that sound amazing but provide little actual benefit. Things like chair covers, upgraded linens, and premium flower arrangements can quickly double your costs. However, they don't significantly improve your guests' experience. Nick has urged couples to think carefully about little extras and if they're really needed. This might help keep costs down and give you fewer things to stress about on the big day. He said: 'I've seen people spend £800 on chair covers when the venue's chairs were perfectly fine. "Focus your budget on elements that directly impact your guests' comfort: good food, decent drinks, and reliable sound systems.'
The Guardian
2 hours ago
- The Guardian
The 10.30pm dinner: is British food culture becoming more Spanish?
Name: 10.30pm dinners. Age: Previously unheard of. Appearance: The new face of UK nightlife. I'm sorry, you must have tried to access a Spanish publication by mistake. No, this is a new British trend. Do keep up. The only way a British person will eat their dinner at 10.30pm is if a) they have been drinking and b) that dinner takes the form of a kebab in a polystyrene tray. I hate to burst your bubble but, according to the Times, a number of upmarket London restaurants have started to embrace late-night dining. But that's so late. Don't be a wimp. Mountain in Soho now has a latest reservation slot of 10.30pm. At weekends, Speedboat Bar (also in Soho) is open until 1am. And Noodle and Beer in Chinatown stays open until 4am from Thursday to Saturday. OK, but why? Well, there are a couple of possible explanations. One is that this is a sign of our continuing Covid bounce back; a hint that we might tentatively be returning to our dining habits of old. I never ate at 10.30pm in the first place. Then how's this? London's nightlife has all but died. Pubs close early and there are fewer and fewer places to go out dancing. If people want to stay out late, eating is all they have left to do. That isn't much of an incentive. Well then, how's this? Jeremy King, who operates Arlington and The Park, has offered diners a 25% discount if they eat after 9.15pm at The Park and 9.45pm at Arlington. A late-bird special! Now you're talking my language. Exactly! Get on board. Spain's entire dining culture happens late at night, and they love it. That depends on who you ask. Last year Spain's labour minister said that eating late was a result of the country's gruelling work hours, and that those hours directly contributed to poor mental health. But still! Are there any other health issues to consider? Oh yes, three years ago Harvard Medical School ran a study about eating late. It found that those who ate late at night experienced drops in the hormone leptin, which signals satiety, and they burned off calories more slowly. In simple terms, please? Eat late, put on weight. So this is silly. No, it's great! Nobody is saying eat at 10.30 every night. But live a little! Go out into the world and enjoy all it has to offer! Can I be back in time for the end of Newsnight, though? Sure, but you might need to skip pudding. Do say: 'Dining is the new big night out.' Don't say:'Mate, last night I got absolutely off my face on gazpacho.'
