9 apartments with impressive outside space
Gardens will be taking centre stage when the RHS Chelsea Flower show opens next week, but you don't have to live in a house — or be blessed with green fingers — to benefit from outside space of your own.
Many apartment developments and conversions come with balconies, patios or private gardens and some incorporate shared areas such as roof terraces or landscaped grounds that you can enjoy without the hassle of watering, weeding or mowing them yourself.
Whether you prefer a contemporary pad or period character, these homes don't skimp on al fresco areas.
Communal rooftop gardens with sweeping views crown this collection of studio, one-, two- and three-bedroom flats, duplexes and penthouses.
Built around a central podium garden, all have private terraces and are extremely energy efficient, with eco-friendly features such as solar panels, triple glazing and mechanical heat recovery systems. By The Hill Group.
An elegant 1,645 square foot apartment occupies the entire first floor of a Grade II listed Regency house.
It includes two double bedrooms, two bathrooms, a kitchen, dining room, study and a formal drawing room, and original original sash windows, fireplaces and plasterwork.
Residents have access to a secluded garden framed by mature trees. Find out more from Fine & Country.
Read more: 9 Edwardian homes that offer plenty of space
Standing in seven acres of communal grounds, Grade II* listed Whitlingham Hall was built in 1865 for a local banker and later passed to the Colman family, famed for founding Colman's mustard.
In 2002 it was converted into a number of grand apartments, including this one on the first floor. Huge windows in the two bedrooms, kitchen and sitting room face south, and three sets of French doors open on to a sprawling terrace overlooking topiary gardens. Contact Sowerbys.
It looks like a holiday snap taken in the Mediterranean, but this is actually a rooftop beach club in West London — complete with an olive grove and infinity pool — open only to residents of this swanky new development.
Each of the studio, one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments here has floor to ceiling windows and a balcony, and landscaped gardens, a gym, cinemas, a private dining room, lounges, a bar, steam room and sauna are among the numerous other facilities. Visit White City Living.
This ground and first floor flat forms part of a substantial period house and comprises three bedrooms, a bay-windowed sitting room, a kitchen, bathroom, cloakroom and box room which could be used as a study.
There's a well-maintained private garden with loads of room for children to run around, and a shared courtyard. From Anderson Strathern via ESPC.
Read more: 10 homes with glorious spring gardens
One- and two-bedroom homes with terraces, Juliet or full balconies are available in this new retirement village.
It's surrounded by 79 acres of gardens, lakes and woodland, and on-site facilities include a restaurant, library and a health and leisure club. You must be aged 60+ to buy here, and pets are welcome. From Audley Villages.
Much improved by the current owners, this first floor flat is one of three in a converted Victorian villa.
Accommodation consists of three bedrooms, two bathrooms, a kitchen, drawing room and a dual aspect dining room with two sets of bifold doors leading out to a large roof terrace. This overlooks the city's rooftops, and a communal garden is at ground level. Get in touch with Jackson-Stops.
Read more: 9 rural homes that are close to amenities
The height of luxury in every sense, this duplex penthouse is the city's the most expensive new apartment, sitting on top of a building with a doorman and gym.
It's been designed to an extremely high specification and includes three bedrooms, three bathrooms, a huge open plan kitchen and living area and a steam room.
An expansive wraparound terrace features an outdoor kitchen, a bar area and hot tub where you can unwind while taking in the amazing views. Through Priestly Homes.
A 20th floor apartment boasting not only a terrace, accessed from the open plan reception room, but also a balcony off the kitchen and dining area. Together these provide 1,000 square feet of outdoor space with far reaching views across south and west London. The property has two bedrooms, two bathrooms, an underground parking space and use of a residents' gym, 24 hour concierge, a lounge and courtyard garden. Find out more from Savills.
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Mary Fowler dream shattered as Panthers handed huge news about Nathan Cleary
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Enhancing Your Home Décor with Jacquard Chenille Curtains: A Blend of Elegance and Comfort
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The very word 'chenille' is derived from 'caterpillar' in French, which alludes to the yarn's fuzzy appearance. 'Jacquard,' on the other hand, refers to a type of weaving that allows intricate patterns to be woven directly into the textile from the loom rather than being dyed or embroidered afterward. When these two factors are combined, they create a fabric that is both rich in texture and adorned with intricate, eye-catching designs. One mix that often works well is 55% cotton and 45% polyester, which gives you the best of both worlds: The cotton provides breathability and a natural hand feel. Polyester, however, helps make the fabric more durable, helping it hold its shape. This blend guarantees a jacquard chenille curtain, once washed, will still be soft and cozy, like new and an investment that offers value and warmth for years to come. Benefits of Jacquard Chenille Curtains Visual Interest and Depth One of the first things you'll notice about Jacquard Chenille is the way light plays across its surface. The raised patterns cast subtle shadows, and the plush pile catches highlights, giving your windows an almost three-dimensional quality. This depth can turn a plain wall into a focal point without overwhelming other décor elements. Insulation and Light Control Because chenille tends to be thicker than standard cotton or polyester curtains, these panels often provide better insulation. In cooler months, that extra layer can help keep drafts at bay; in warmer months, it can slightly reduce heat transfer from the sun. While they won't replace heavy blackout drapes in a media room, they do offer a noticeable improvement over sheer or lightweight options when it comes to blocking stray light. Running your hand along a jacquard chenille panel is like discovering your favorite sweater in curtain form. The pile is gentle enough to feel almost velvety, which results in a more luxurious overall appearance. This tactile quality can enhance a reading nook or bedroom by making the space feel cozier at a glance without requiring extra pillows or throw blankets. Thanks to the polyester component, jacquard chenille tends to resist crushing and fading better than 100% cotton. Most manufacturers recommend a gentle machine wash cycle, followed by a low-tumble dry setting. Avoiding high heat helps preserve both the fabric's texture and its vibrant pattern over time. Shake them out occasionally to remove dust, and they'll continue to drape beautifully. Choosing the Right Pattern and Color Jacquard chenille curtains are available in a variety of patterns, ranging from traditional damasks to more contemporary geometric designs. 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Matching with the Furniture and the Accessories Because jacquard chenille is textured by nature, it's best to keep it in check by pairing it with furniture that has quieter lines, which won't compete for visual attention. If you already have patterned upholstery, consider a jacquard-chenille curtain with a reduced-scale pattern or a tone-on-tone weave to maintain unity. In spaces where everything else is neutral, you can make the curtains the 'hero' by choosing a bolder pattern. Patterns One Can Consider For those who like to have options at their disposal, curtain5com has the following jacquard chenille patterns to choose from: Bordeaux: A rich, wine-stained color with a complex floral or vine pattern. Cadillac: A mid-tone gray or slate and large-scale geometric pattern. Champagne: Light, with a subtle damask that flatters in brighter rooms. Manhattan: Usually charcoal or graphite and with a modern interpretation of classical scrollwork. 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This layered look is particularly popular in homes near the coast, where soft light plays a key role in creating a cheery, beach-inspired vibe. Caring for Your Curtains Shake the panels out frequently to release dust and retain the plush pile. Vacuuming with a soft brush attachment and low power can also minimize the level of dust or dirt that is exposed to the fabric. With those textured weaves, chenille being one of them, which can trap dust more easily than smoother weaves, a little bit of maintenance can go a long way Most jacquard chenille curtains are machine-washable, in a gentle or delicate cycle, anyway. You'll find it's the perfect accessory to help protect both color and texture. Never use bleach or caustic cleaners. Shake out the panels after washing to eliminate wrinkles, and hang them to air-dry right away. 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Go with a soft Champagne color to liven up a tiny space, a bold Bordeaux to ground a formal one, and you'll find that these are some of the most easy-to-live-with panels around. For those who are not ready to do a whole lot with jacquard chenille curtains, don't worry. The simple addition or exchange of your current curtains can change the way the room feels, from how it greets the morning light to the way it feels when you pull them closed in the golden-drenched dusk. And let's say you're interested in where to begin. If that's the case, then what retailers, such as OJCommerce, sometimes stock a curated, small collection of jacquard chenille options in several patterns and colors to suit different tastes? Bear in mind that precise measurement, clever layering, and regular maintenance are your friends when it comes to ensuring those curtains look their best. Savor the soft, plush feel and enjoy the intricate designs as you take pride in your beautiful windows, draped in elegance and comfort, for years to come. TIME BUSINESS NEWS
CBS News
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Jane Birkin's Hermes bag is going to auction at Sotheby's
The original Hermès Birkin bag, once worn by the late actor and singer Jane Birkin, is heading to auction at Sotheby's this summer. The leather handbag inspired what would be become one of the world's most desired, hard to acquire and priciest fashion accessories. While the auction house resells a range of secondhand Birkin bags, ranging in price from $5,000 to $220,000, there's only one original. "No handbag in the world carries as much cultural significance as the Hermès Birkin. But before it became the ultimate symbol of luxury, the Birkin was born out of necessity — crafted specifically for Jane Birkin herself," Sotheby's said in a statement Thursday announcing the auction. Jane Birkin is pictured with her namesake bag, which is set to go up for auction at Sotheby's this summer. Mike Daines / Shutterstock The original Hermès Birkin bag, which differs slightly form the model sold today, is on item in Sotheby's Fashion Icons auction, which takes place in Paris from June 26 to July 10. In the meantime, the original bag, which belongs to a private collector, will be on display in at the auction house's New York headquarters from June 6 to June 12. Chance encounter Birkin, who died in 2023 at age 76, was known for her artistry and style. In addition to her songs, including recordings with celebrated singer Serge Gainsbourg, she appeared in classic films including Michelangelo Antonioni's 1966 "Blow-Up." She was also admired for her political activism, capaigning for Myanmar's pro-democracy movement and the fight against AIDS, among other causes. "Jane Birkin was a French icon because she was the incarnation of freedom, sang the most beautiful words of our language," French President Emmanuel Macron wrote on social media when she died. An errant remark from Birkin to Jean-Louis Dumas, then the head of Hermès, on an Air France flight in 1984 spawned the creation of the Birkin bag, according to Sotheby's. At the time, Birkin complained she couldn't find a bag big enough to accommodate her belongings for daily use. Dumas quickly sketched a bag that he would go on to make, and later name, for her. The bag is now made in a variety of colorways, leather types and sizes based on the prototype Dumas made for the singer. But "the Original Birkin bag is a true one-of-a-kind — a singular piece of fashion history that has grown into a pop culture phenomenon that signals luxury in the most refined way possible," Morgane Halimi, Sotheby's global head of handbags and fashion, said in a statement. Costly, not expensive? Sotheby's has not indicated how much the bag could fetch. A spokesperson for the auction house told CBS MoneyWatch it will provide an estimate to interested parties upon request, noting the bag's exceptional provenance. By comparison, Sotheby's sold Princess Diana's historic black sheep sweater in 2023 for $1.1 million, 14 times its estimate of $80,000. In December, Hermès artistic director Pierre-Alexis Dumas, told "60 Minutes" that the fashion house's leather goods, including the Birkin bag, are as costly as they are because the company refuses to compromise on quality or craftsmanship. He also disputed the notion that Hermès goods are "expensive," while conceding hey are "costly" to make. "The cost is the actual price of making an object properly with the required level of attention, so that you have an object of quality," Dumas told 60 Minutes in the interview. "Expensive is a product which is not delivering what it's supposed to deliver, but you've paid quite a large amount of money for it, then it betrays you. That's expensive." Customers have accused Hermès of deliberately limiting production of Birkin bags, a notion Dumas dismissed as a "diabolical marketing idea" that the company does not employ. Rather, he insisted, the company can't keep up with the enduring demand for the Birkin bag, while only a few craftspeople are trained to make the item.. "Whatever we have, we put on the shelf and it goes," he said.
