The Upper Room unveils its Spring lecture series

3rd March 2021

Rottweiler interrogator Jeremy Paxman and hit West End playwright Michael Frayn are among the speakers as The Upper Room’s popular lectures move online this spring. 

The seasonal lecture series is a critical fundraiser for W12 charity The Upper Room and its important work supporting socially excluded and economically disadvantaged people.

Horton and Garton is a proud financial supporter of the charity.

Launching this year’s talks is national treasure and Chiswick residents Clare Balding who will be talking – among other things – about her new book, Heroic Animals. 

“The book features 100 amazing animals and the stories behind their achievements,” she explained, adding that she will also be chatting about women’s sport, children’s literacy and her own broadcasting career.

“I’m looking forward to taking questions from the audience,” she added. 

TV’s most versatile presenter Clare will be in conversation with former BBC media correspondent and Chiswick Book Festival director Torin Douglas on Tuesday, March 16 from 8pm-9.15pm.

Tickets for the online event are £10. After you book, you’ll be sent the link with the chance to submit questions, too. The event will be livestreamed on the Chiswickbuzz website. Book your tickets: https://live.chiswickbuzz.net/box-office/

Playwright Michael Frayn, best known for Noises Off, Copenhagen and Democracy, will speak on April 21, with University Challenge quizmaster and ex-Newsnight presenter Jeremy Paxman giving you a starter for 10 on May 19.

If you miss any livestream, you can still watch afterwards.

Seasonal treat

The lecture series at the charity based at St Saviour’s Church in Cobbold Road has become a fixture in the local calendar, supporting the work of a charity which provides 25,000 meals a year to homeless people and works to make the socially disadvantaged economically independent. 

Past speakers from West London have included former BBC presenter Matthew Price, Misha Glenny, Lord Dubs and Lord Willetts. 

For more details about the lecture series, visit: https://theupperroom.org.uk

A focus on London garden design with Alexandra Noble

24th February 2021

Many properties in Chiswick are fortunate to have good sized gardens, if you’re thinking about selling your home in the coming months and want to get your garden in order before going to the market, this article might offer some useful pointers. With a clear passion for gardens and an art for creating serene spaces Alexandra is the perfect person to share some of her favourite plants for a London garden and discuss the places from which she takes inspiration.

Reinvent your London garden with our step-by-step guide

Whether you’re thinking of selling and want to spruce up your outside space or have just bought a home and the garden needs some work, there are a number of ways to improve your garden.

Step 1 - See what’s salvageable

It’s not always the case that everything needs to be ripped up and started over again in order to reinvent your London garden – see what’s salvageable.

Established plants that have been left to become overgrown can usually be tamed and if desired, moved to a new location, or left as they are and added to.

In a time where we’re all trying to be a little more environmentally friendly, upcycling existing items and taking care to move or work with existing plants and their eco-systems is definitely a positive idea.

Step 2 - Add new flowerbeds

Many don’t realise that lawns actually require quite a bit of upkeep so it can in fact be a relief to increase the size of a flowerbed or add new ones.

It’s important to think practically when preparing a new bed or border, flowers that require sunlight won’t thrive in the shade so think objectively before you start digging up the ground.

Patience is the key with many gardens, whilst buying mature plants can give you instant impact it can take at least a month for a garden to settle and usually 6 months or longer to see the full effect of your efforts.

If you’re making improvements to the design of your London garden prior to selling it’s wise to plan in advance.

Step 3 - Choose plants to add interest and texture

Garden centres can be overwhelming with the number of plants available in all shapes and sizes and the instructions for planting and keeping them can seem like they’re written in a foreign language.

We asked Alexandra what was her favourite plant or particular materials she enjoys working with the most?

“I work with a lot of umbellifers as I adore the otherworldly, dreamlike quality they can bring to an outdoor space.”

If you’re not particularly green fingered but want to have greenery in your garden finding low maintenance and hardy plants is a good idea.

 What plants would you recommend adding interest to a garden but remains fairly low maintenance and hardy?

“Look for grasses such as Stipa tenuissima (Mexican feather grass) or Anemanthele lessoniana (New Zealand wind grass). These look wonderful planted en masse and just need to be combed through once a year in spring to remove old leaves (ensure you have gloves on to avoid cuts!)”

Step 4 - Work with a garden designer

We’re a little bit biased but we love Alexandra’s work.

If you’re serious about making a lasting impact to your garden and one that will not only look impressive but will be fit for purpose, it’s a good idea to work with a garden designer.

A garden and landscape designer can ensure the garden fulfils your needs. Some see a garden as an extension of their home meaning they’re looking for seating areas that flow from the property, others might want a robust and low maintenance space that the whole family can enjoy.

We had the privilege of selling a home where she had beautifully designed the garden to create a space that made you feel as though you’d left London and been transported to a peaceful green nirvana.

What was the inspiration for the Chiswick Worcester Drive project?

“The countryside! The client wished to feel more of a connection to nature despite the urban context.”

We can confirm, having been at the property in person, that the garden Alexandra created made you feel like you were no longer in Chiswick and were instead stood in the countryside.

About Alexandra Noble

Alexandra has a talent for creating gardens that are especially green and almost seem a little wild yet are well thought out and beautifully arranged as well as being practical and meeting the needs of the owner.

You trained as an architect before you moved into garden design – why gardens?

“I love the creativity that designing gardens affords – creating planting palettes which not only look beautiful but also provide for pollinators is one of the most enjoyable parts of my job.”

London has many parks and gardens that are open to the public – where do you like to visit?

“Where do I start! I adore the grade 1 listed conservatory at Chiswick House and Gardens when their heritage camellias are flowering in early spring as well as picnics in Queen Mary’s Rose Garden at Regent’s Park during midsummer evenings. Another fantastic visit is the Isabella Plantation in Richmond Park when the rhododendrons and azaleas are ablaze in April/May.”

The value of a garden

Gardens can significantly impact the price of a property but that doesn’t mean that simply having a garden adds to the value regardless of its condition.

An unkept and poorly presented garden can in fact put buyers off as they realise, they’ll have to invest further finances to make the garden useable. Research has shown many times that a well-kept garden can boost a property’s value. 

The pandemic has made homeowners appreciate outside space that much more.

We strongly advise potential sellers to spruce up their garden in advance of coming to the market as buyers now see outside space as an additional room. Where it might have now been a ‘nice to have’ it’s now a highly valued part of the property and for many a necessity.

If you’re thinking about selling and would like to talk to Paul about your property in Chiswick, please do get in touch.

Staying a cut above the competition

23rd February 2021

After the long winter lockdown, the offices of Horton and Garton are in urgent need of a proper haircut.

So, it was some relief that the Government announced this week that hairdressers will be allowed to open their doors again to clients – hopefully on April 12 – as long as Covid-secure measures are in place.  

First impressions count. And as estate agents, it’s a prerequisite to at least look professional in attire and presentation.

Being the local market leader, our track record proves that we are a cut above the competition (or two or three…) when it comes to selling and letting properties across Hammersmith, Chiswick and Shepherds Bush.

These struggling salons and independent businesses will need your support when they re-open. And it’s likely that your local stylist will pre-booking appointments from April 12 onwards. Move quickly as these appointments will be in high demand!

Here are a few of our favourites in Hammersmith and Chiswick:

Adam & Potsie
280 King Street, Hammersmith W6
020 8748 5806

Bohemia
196 King Street, Hammersmith W6
020 8563 0405

Pure Barberism
229 King Street, Hammersmith W6
020 3674 3892

Big Jim Trims
6 Devonshire Road, Chiswick W4
020 3645 8295

The Hogarth Club
Airedale Avenue, Chiswick W4
020 3504 3670

Chiswick House & Gardens – Join our campaign to raise funds

16th February 2021

One of W4’s finest treasures, Chiswick House & Gardens is a popular place to venture if you live in the area.

We’re spoilt to have ready access, totally free of charge, to such a beautifully maintained site.

You might be unaware though that the Coronavirus pandemic has caused funding towards the upkeep of the house and its grounds to dwindle considerably.

Now, Chiswick House & Gardens is in need of our support more than ever to ensure we can continue to enjoy the space freely for generations to come.

To help, Horton and Garton has made a donation of £1,000 – we’re really fond of the house and its grounds, we often take a walk around in our free time, or even between appointments if time allows.

Lego® brick model of Chiswick House

As part of their efforts to raise vital funds, Chiswick House Friends are building Lego® brick models of the stunning Palladian villa at various points during its history, where donations are made per brick added to the model.

Progress of the build is being displayed on the Chiswick House Friends website where daily photos are uploaded.

The model will be on show in the Gardens Café and when restrictions are lifted local school children will help with the build.

Donations can be made via the Just Giving page where further information about the model and history of the house can be found. A donation of just £2 will add one brick; £10 will add five bricks. Donations of £15 or more will add one brick for every £1.50 donated.

Click here to donate

Who are Chiswick House Friends?

Chiswick House Friends are a local charity with appoximately 600 members who together play an important role, contributing to restoration projects and funding new commissions to improve and enhance Chiswick House and its wonderful grounds and gardens.

Chiswick House and Gardens are managed by a trust who maintain and protect the villa and its grounds, and the Friends work closely with the Trust supporting activities and projects.

We asked Dr John Armstrong, Chairman of Chiswick House Friends, a few questions:

The Lego® Brick Fundraiser has so far raised over £30,000, nearly half of the target set by Chiswick House Friends – what will the funds raised go towards?

All the funds raised by the Lego Brick Fundraiser go to the Chiswick House and Gardens Trust, which runs the park, to replace some of the £0.5m hole in their finances arising from the cancellation of events due to Covid.

The site has annual costs of about £1m – paying for gardeners, rangers and security, maintenance and so on.

As a local resident what is it that you most enjoy about Chiswick House and the surrounding area?

As a local resident, I walk my dog in the park at least once every day and love the Gardens especially the wilderness areas. I am also fascinated by the architecture of the House and love the way it has been through three quite separate arrangements (all of which will be illustrated in the Lego model!)

Which annual event (or events) are you most looking forward to attending once they’re permitted to go ahead?

I used to really enjoy the Opera, which Chiswick House Friends ran every year until about five years ago – maybe we will be able to organise this again once the present difficulties are past.

I also love the energy and excitement of the Dog Show, put on every autumn – at least until last year for obvious reasons. It is a real community event, for everyone, and is I am told the largest dog show in London.

Where to live near Chiswick House

As a local estate agent, we know just how much of a draw it is for buyers to live near Chiswick House.

If you’re looking for a property in the area there are a few roads we can highlight that you might wish to consider.

Grove Park

Grove Park surrounds most of Chiswick House and Grounds.

The property in Grove Park is a mix of Edwardian homes and houses built in the Twenties and Thirties. For the most part the properties in Grove Park are substantial houses, some boasting 100ft gardens and those near the River Thames often enjoy private river frontage.

This area of W4 is located to the south of the A4 main road, though several underpasses connect Grove Park to Chiswick High Road if you’re on foot or cycling.

Chiswick Riverside

Though Chiswick has considerable river frontage due to the shape of the postcode area, the Chiswick Riverside area that includes the Corney Reach development, near to Duke’s Meadows, is particularly sought after.

The modern development is a mix of apartments and townhouses that enjoy river views and in most cases off street parking, all within just a few minutes’ walk of Chiswick House.

Estate agent in Chiswick

As a longstanding estate agent in Chiswick, Paul Cooney has an intrinsic knowledge of each of the residential areas within W4.

Many areas of W4 are within walking distance of Chiswick House - it’s a beautiful slice of serenity that Chiswick residents are incredibly fortunate to have free access to.

We’re delighted to have been able to support Chiswick House and Gardens in some way during these challenging times and hope others are encouraged to also contribute in any way they can.

Virtual Property Valuation – Selling your home during the pandemic

10th February 2021

If you’re hoping to take the next step towards selling your home but would initially prefer not to meet in person, a virtual property valuation is the solution.

Here’s how we value your property virtually and our top tips for selling your house during the pandemic.

How does a virtual valuation work?

In the current climate a virtual property valuation might be preferable.

We’ve conducted many market appraisals in this manner over the past 12 months, and even before the pandemic if it’s more convenient for a seller.

There are several ways for us to value your property virtually:

• Live walk-through – We open a video call, and you show us around your property.
• Pre-recorded walk-through – You send a video tour of you walking through the property for us to evaluate
• Desktop appraisal – You can send over the property address, number of rooms, describe the decorative condition and approximate size. We’ll be able to provide an estimated price range.
• Telephone appraisal – If you’d prefer to have a discussion and simply receive a general idea of the value of your property and learn more about the market a telephone appraisal could be a good initial step.

For those who wish, we are now able to visit a property and conduct a valuation, adhering to government guidelines.

Can you sell your property virtually?

Yes, absolutely. As an example, during the first lockdown the Horton and Garton Chiswick office valued a property virtually, photographs and a virtual tour were captured in full PPE and adhering to guidelines by a professional company, the property was showcased online and following an online viewing a buyer put an offer forward. The transaction successfully concluded with both parties very happy.

In the current climate it’s entirely possible to see a property without a physical viewing, this said its wise for vendors to prepare for some in person viewings. Buying a home is a personal decision and many buyers will want the assurance of having stepped inside themselves prior to completing a purchase.  

With the proper precautions in place an in person viewing from a fully vetted and qualified buyer who’s extremely serious about proceeding to purchase, can be conducted in a safe manner at a very low risk.

Property price advice

A property’s value is determined by a number of factors, these points contribute to the property price advice we share:

• Condition of property – a property that will require considerable work to be liveable will have a vastly different price than one that has recently been renovated to a high standard.
• Tenure – houses are largely freehold but if a property is leasehold the number of years remaining on a lease will have an impact on the price.
• Any planning permissions or scope for improvement – it is sometimes the case that a current owner will have investigated extending or remodelling and have commissioned architects’ drawings and obtained planning permission but not yet carried out any work.
• Comparable sales – we have access to several databases which provide us with historic property prices allowing us to give an accurate idea of current values based on similar properties that have recently sold.
• Current market climate – Being on the ground and talking to buyers, and sellers, allows an agent to understand the appetite better. The mainstream media reports only figure for broader areas and does not address micro-markets such as Chiswick.
• Experience – This cannot be measured but it is incredibly important. An agent who has local experience and a track record of success will be able to offer a much clearer advice on the price and the best strategy for selling.

Pricing strategy

Online property portals show very clearly the date when a property was first listed and when a property has been reduced in price.

Properties that have been online and available for sale for some time often make prospective buyers think there is something wrong with a property for it to have not sold yet.

A price reduction also gives the wrong message with buyers put off by vendors who might have high expectations.

The initial price that your property is advertised for can dictate the level of interest and the eventual selling price.

Horton and Garton is well known for our precision pricing and we will give potential sellers a fair and reasonable value based on the current market climate and the property itself.

How to sell a property during a pandemic

The strategy for sale will be dictated by several factors including the speed at which a seller wants to move. At this time sellers are generally only putting their homes on the market if they absolutely wish to sell, though time scales vary. 

As well as depending on the type of property and the demand in the local market. Sellers are seeing the greatest success when they prepare their property for virtual viewings – we recently published a blog with more details.

We also recently spoke with a professional home organiser in London who shared tips on how to declutter your property which can significantly improve how a property looks online (and in-person).

People around the world are self-isolating, and the UK is currently in a national lockdown meaning prospective buyers are spending more time than ever on the internet and on social media platforms.

Beautiful photographs, a professionally-written description and virtual tours done correctly can significantly boost the saleability of your property.

Steps we take when valuing in person

 We are able to value a property in person and take precautions to ensure the most up to date guidelines are followed.

Should you wish for us to attend your property we will maintain a two-metre distance, we will cover or remove our shoes and wear a facemask.

During the appointment we will avoid touching anything in the property unless it is absolutely necessary to do so.

Chiswick estate agent

As a long standing and experienced Chiswick estate agent, I can offer competent and clear advice on selling your home.

With the media releasing information that is often conflicting and misleading, a seasoned local agent can offer clarity, especially during a pandemic.

To talk about the sale of your property in Chiswick please do get in touch.

Making Sense of Scents in W12

9th February 2021

We are in the midst of deepest and darkest winter. It is bleak outside and if the ground isn’t hard, it’s pretty muddy. Although nature seems dormant, there is much to observe and tantalise the senses outside. There are fragrant winter shrubs and much loved bulbs pushing through the cold earth which attract and sustain us, as much as solitary bees and insects throughout the winter.

Your guide to 10 winter flowers and shrubs now gracing Wendell Park

Take a journey with me through Wendell Park and I will tell you a story about these plants and people. About two years ago, we gathered, the core group of gardeners who call ourselves the Wendell Park Gardening Friends with a mission to improve and develop the borders in the park by introducing more biodiversity, support our local park keeper and come together to garden as a group.

The north border which boundaries St Saviour's Church vicarage wasn’t looking much with a fallen tree and a lot of ivy covering the ground and the fences. Spearheaded by Frances, and a determined twinkle in her eye, we worked really hard to clear the leaves and debris from the area and demarcated a border, adding much compost. Frances was keen on a winter to spring border to keep us going through the hard winter months. We decided on shrubs that would bring pleasure when winter seems harsh and spring still a long way off. You will find these shrubs all around the park.

1. The first is Viburnam bodnantense ‘Dawn’ – we have several in the park and the most established one grows against a wall near the Cobbold Road entrance and some younger ones in the north border. It has a fantastic sweet spicy smell born on clusters of small pink flowers. It comes from Bodnant, a beautiful garden in Wales, to which I have distant ancestral connections. Some of the fun of gardening is finding these connections.
2. The next can be found in the north border and the children’s area and outside my front door. It is Daphne odora Aureomarginata. This lovely small shrub is evergreen and has pretty pink fragrant flowers from now til spring. Daphne was a water sprite in Greek mythology who was pursued by the Greek god Apollo. To escape his unwanted attention, Daphne begged the rivergod to turn her in a laurel tree (Laurus nobilis). Daphne means laurel in Greek and the Daphne plant was known as ‘small laurel’, although it is not related to a laurel at all, all quite confusing! Nevertheless, its smell can bring cheer.
3. Sarcoccocca confusa or Sweet Box is another small evergreen shrub with deep green leaves and attractive white, deliciously smelling flowers in winter through to spring. Then it has pretty purple, red or black berries over summer until it next flowers the following winter. Sarcococca means flesh berry. It is a hardy little plant, shade tolerant and according to the RHS “tolerant of atmospheric pollution, dry shade and neglect.” S. confusa ‘Little Gem’ is a useful variety.
4. Next in our north border and flowering now is witch hazel (Hamamelis x intermedia ‘Pallida’). I love this plant for its spidery golden flowers – there are also many other varieties with colours from orange, pink to red – and its therapeutic and healing properties. It is deciduous and this cultivar has strong citrusy fragrant winter flowers along its stems until spring when leaves appear and these turn a spectacular buttery yellow in autumn. Hamamelis means ‘together with fruit’ referring to flowers and fruit from the previous year occurring together. The witch in its common name has its origins in Old English ‘wice’ meaning ‘pliant’ or ‘bendable’ and the twigs were used as divining rods. Extracts of the plant made the witch-hazel ointment and remedies in years gone by.

   

5. Winter jasmine (Jasminum nudiflorum - pictured above) is another favourite to brighten up a winter’s day. Its lemon, yellow flowers appear on the stems of this vigorous climber from November until March. The deciduous shrub needs pruning back after flowering and is happy to scramble over fences and walls. The plant originates from China where it is called Yingchun – flower that welcomes spring.
6. Winter honeysuckle (Lonicera fragrantissima) is another bush with a lovely smell. It is also known as ‘sweet breath of spring’.  Rather than its rambling summer counterpart, this is a deciduous shrub which can grow to 2 m. It can be deciduous or evergreen in a mild winter and doesn’t mind partial shade. It was introduced to the UK by a Scottish plant hunter in 1845 called Robert Fortune, also known for his cunning acts of biopiracy, with the shaved head and ponytail he wore to blend into China. 
7. Wintersweet (Chimonanthus praecox) is the next plant which imparts a strong sweet smell from creamy yellow flowers.  They turn into nuts over the summer.  Like winter honeysuckle and winter jasmine, this plant also originates from China where it is revered and its dried flowers used to scent linen, similar to lavender. Its starry flowers give a strong pungent smell to a winter’s day and Dan Pearson calls it his ‘February fix’ in his Dig Delve blog.
8. The compact Skimmia x confusa ‘Kew Green’ works well in our north border and its compact nature can also be a good plant for ‘winter interest’ window boxes.  It prefers shade and a slightly more acidic soil so plant with ericaceous compost for best results. It smell is divine and its leaves are also aromatic with a citrusy aroma when crushed.

   

9. The two final plants in this list are probably my favourite.  Hellebores (one variety pictured above) with their simple, cup shaped flowers are perennials that appear now and last well into spring. They come in many varieties and colours.  I love the Helleborus odorus and Helleborus niger. They have evergreen strappy leaves which I cut back in the autumn or early winter as the new flowers begin to appear. They can self seed and pop up all over the show once established and don’t mind shade. There are grim and bizarre myths associated with this plant, mainly because it is poisonous. Its name derives from the Greek ‘to harm’ and ‘food’. However, there is a charming legend about a young girl who visited the baby Jesus in Bethlehem. She felt ashamed that she had no gift for him, and as her tears fell to the ground the helleborus sprouted. She picked the flower and gave it to Jesus. Hence its common name Christmas rose.

   

10. And last, but not least, the dear little snowdrop (Galanthus nivalis - pictured above). It gets its botanical name from Gala (milk in Greek and anthus flower). It is a bulb and we have planted in the woodland areas around Wendell Park.  Snowdrops are best planted ‘in the green’ in acidic soil created naturally by leaf mould in woods and en masse to get the lovely carpet effect that can be glimpsed in woods and Wendell Park. This humble little flower symbolises hope and purity.

The sense of smell is closely linked with memory. A mossy woodland smell reminds me of my arrival in warm, damp England after a childhood spent in hot, dry Africa, a sense of arrival and a sense of a new life. Winter is a time to slow down, enjoy a walk in the gentle winter sun to replenish Vitamin D levels, observe nature and enjoy the scents of winter.

Decluttering Your Home – Home Organisation

3rd February 2021

Selling Glamoursmith and SheBu

29th January 2021

Have an old tablet or laptop? Donate your device today and help a family in need

25th January 2021

Making the most out of virtual viewings

25th January 2021