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When the first visitors arrived at the show apartment and sales suite that opened just a few weeks ago at Highlands in Gidea Park the main topic of conversation was the interior design. Visitors loved the colours, the fabrics and cool use of furniture and accessories, and the ‘peach skin like’ finish of the kitchens.
“The rooms are gorgeous and yet homely,” said Daphne Edwards, one of the first to see the apartment and sales suite. “You really feel as if you could make one of the apartments your own home.”
Highlands, which when complete will afford 23 beautifully presented one and two-bedroomed apartments designed exclusively for buyers of 60 years and over, with features like a stylish residents’ lounge and conservatory, a library and state-of-the-art safety and security systems, is currently in the throes of construction and will be complete this summer. For now, it is the show area that has the wow factor.
Sarah Nicolson, the interior designer for Great Homes, the award-winning Essex-based company behind the project, is delighted with the finished look of the show area. “I think the look is very fresh and modern,” says Sarah. “I didn’t want to create a showroom look but one that was elegant and felt like a real home. Somewhere where people could relax. I think it works really well. I am delighted.”
Sarah has introduced subtle shades of cream and frosted minks to the main lounge and dining areas of the show apartment, which work well with a striped sofa and chairs topped with cushions, a dressed table and the lavish drapes and blinds she chose and had made by Jill Winn of Essex-based Curtain Concepts. The top notch Willis and Gambia wood furniture sets it off a treat.
A fully fitted kitchen with a ‘peach skin like’ wood surface to the units lies off to one side of the dining area. It has integrated Bosch appliances, such as a washer/dryer, fridge and freezer, oven, combination microwave, hob and extractor, all of which will be included in all the apartments when Highlands is complete. Spot and pelmet lighting give the room a glow.
Sarah has continued the elegant cream theme through the private hallway of the apartment to the bathroom where a suite, complete with a supersize shower, bath and vanity unit in white, soft cream walls, carpeting and tiling with a border of mosaic tiles in shades of mink provide the perfect base for new residents to add their own styling. The colourway will be the same for all the apartments’ bathrooms.
The main bedroom of the apartment is presented in creamy lilac with the dramatic introduction of aubergine for the drapes, cushions and bed coverings, while the second bedroom of this two-bedroomed apartment has a cream décor with a teal twist. Both are furnished with beds, chests and a wardrobe or desk to show how versatile the rooms can be while providing a cosy place to sleep.
The sales suite of Highlands, which is located in Main Road, occupies one of the apartments and is, itself, part furnished as a show home. Its bedroom is a delight. A mix of creams and terracottas, it is warm and welcoming. Throughout the apartments are touches of refinement. For instance, the bathrooms have superior fittings, there is coving to all rooms except the kitchen and bathroom, there are bespoke wood windows and doors, and the internal oak doors have quality brass furniture. This level of refinement will be evident in all the apartments.
Sarah is now looking forward to completing the spacious residents’ lounge, conservatory and library that look out over landscaped gardens. The gardens are private with many mature trees that have been protected against damage during construction. These are just some of the features that Highlands will eventually offer its new residents.
The development, which is based on the Arts and Crafts architectural style of the Gidea Park conservation area, and the concept of Sandringham Court in Hadleigh and Windsor Court in Ashford that won Great Homes prestigious accolades in the Daily Mail UK Property awards, has many other features too. For instance, it will have a CCTV entryphone camera, a duty manager and a 24-hour emergency support and careline facility through specialist company Peverel, plus an integrated fire alarm system, alarms to ground floor apartments and a gated driveway.
For further information on Highlands, which is located close to the shops and amenities in Main Road, Gidea Park, visit the show apartment and sales suite. It is open every weekend, Saturday and Sunday, 10am through to 5pm. If it is more convenient telephone Great Homes Limited’s selling agent Porter Glenny on 01708 725000. Great Homes Limited website can be visited at www.greathomesltd.co.uk. |
