Decorum Interiors

Case study 1

The Property:

A two-bedroom new-build Apartment in East Oxford.

The Client:

Private Investment client opting to put money into property whilst interest rates are so poor.

The Brief:

To be furnished to attract the apartment’s target market.

Work carried out:

New build properties can look a little bland… but as this apartment is flooded with natural light, we chose white hi-gloss furniture with acrylic dining furniture and glass top tables to create the illusion of even more space and therefore, enabling us to inject vibrant lime green, aubergine, red and black, to create a sophisticated urban living space.

The Outcome:

Champagne with the landlord at the handover meeting… and then the property promptly let (on the first viewing) with fantastic feedback from the tenant.

Case study 2

The Property(ies):

7 spacious 1-bedroom apartments in North Oxford

Search and acquisition via Finders Keepers Ltd. Frank Webster, director of Finders Keepers (www.finders.co.uk) spotted a plot of land for sale in North Oxford and immediately put our client onto it suggesting a variety of apartments with great rental potential. After months of negotiations with planning and various revisions, approval was given for 7 x 1 bedroom apartments.

The Client:

Budget conscious corporate landlord

The Brief:

To provide furnishing packs which would aesthetically meet tenants expectations but also be cost effective and durable for long-term letting.

Work carried out:

Decorum Interiors were involved from a very early stage to make choices on bathroom, kitchen, tiling and flooring. We attended the meetings on site to ensure any queries linked with furnishing (i.e.:socket positioning etc.) could be sorted out promptly and by attending these meetings could get a more clear indication on a building completion date and therefore arranging booking in our deliveries. We started and finished furnishing before the builders were properly off site(!) - fully equipping with kitchen equip, bedding and towels, telephones, stereos, TVs etc. For variety we included two very different colour schemes each considerate of the north-east / north-west orientation.

The Outcome:

All apartments let exceptionally quickly at a quiet time of year - achieving their full rental potential with normal lets from £950pcm and services lets at £1,500pcm.

Case study 3

The Property:

Excellent quality newly built two-bedroom apartment overlooking the canal in the heart of Jericho, Oxford.

The Client:

An Investment landlord who purchased the property via Finders Keepers 'Search and Acquisition' service.

The Brief:

The landlord, preferring the country lifestyle himself, was keen to be advised by Decorum Interiors to furnish in a way which will have ongoing appeal to tenants aspiring to 'city living'.

Work carried out:

As we were involved with the builders from an early stage, we were able to select a neutral oak kitchen with a granite effect work top and neutral beige/cream/black coordinating bathroom tiles. The apartment was therefore a blank canvas and we chose a very smart and sophisticated scheme of black, cream, beige and gold. To compliment the oak kitchen wall and base cupboards (as the kitchen is in the living room), we selected a range of excellent quality solid oak furniture for throughout the apartment. The curtains selected for the living room were a luxurious gold and black embroidered silk on a grey base, fitted from eye-let heading to create the perfect link between classically stylish and modern. A cream leather corner unit quietly divides the living and dining areas with a feature black and beige upholstered armchair linking harmoniously with the black leather dining chairs. Double beds were placed in both rooms to open up all possibilities for letting.

The Outcome:

The landlord - although not interested in living in the apartment himself, was delighted and the apartment let promptly at £1,700pcm.

Case study 4

The Property:

Apartment block furnished to a high specification 10 years ago – now in need of revitalising.

The Client:

Budget conscious corporate landlord.

The Brief:

To carry out minimal essential work to bring it back in line with tenants expectations.

Work carried out:

We found undertaking this work very difficult as we had originally furnished the apartments over 10 years ago. At that point, we supplied such good quality items that some of the larger and more solid items of furniture needed sanding and re-sealing but were actually in perfectly good condition. We had become a victim of our own success! So… all the changes had to take place in the soft furnishings – the sofas, lighting, artwork, throws, cushions etc. – and it worked.

The Outcome:

Apartments successfully let at £1,500pcm after previously dropping to £1,300pcm.

Case study 5

The Property:

4 micro apartments in East Oxford.

The Client:

Corporate landlord

The Brief:

To make the apartments look good meeting young expectations and to get the top floor apartment ‘habitable’ even if it’s the smallest living space in Oxford!

Work carried out:

Quite a challenge as each apartment was unique, most were small and all windows proved to be more complicated than necessary (one small bedroom had 8 windows including 2 circular windows – one in the wall and one in the ceiling!) leaving no space for furniture.

The Outcome:

A huge success with instant lettings.