Decorum Interior Design and Contract Furnishing division of Finders Keepers

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The Property(ies):

A variety of 2, 3 and 4 bedroom apartments at Oxford Waterfront's finest development in Jericho by Berkeley Homes.

The Client:

Corporate Landlord

The Brief:

To provide stylish, good quality furnishings to meet with the client's budget. All proposals were presented to the client providing choices of furniture, fabrics and colour schemes. We needed to be flexible between furnished / unfurnished and be able to provide furnishing packages as and when required.

Work carried out:

Installations at 10 apartments (furnished and unfurnished with serviced and ordinary lets) incorporating three different colour schemes and furnishing styles. overall, it was quite a difficult furnishing project as access was via the builders and through an underground car park with limited height - so no lorries or vehicles larger than a low van could get anywhere near the apartments. Fortunately, the builders helped out using fork lift trucks to move pallets and boxes across... nonetheless, pretty tough going for our installation team, especially when they were working around decorators still finishing and the lifts were not operational!

The Outcome:

All apartments promptly let with rents varying from £1,500 to £2,500pcm.

Case study 2« Previous case study / Next case study»

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 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« Previous case study / Next case study»

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 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« Previous case study / Next case study»

The Property:

Exceptional three bedroom, three bathroom luxury new penthouse apartment, with direct lift access, a large roof terrace and lake view, Oxford.

The Client:

Investment clients likely to move into the apartment in the future.

The Brief:

To create 'Wow' appeal with furnishings which would be suitable for the landlords but which will also stand the test of time as a rental property in the interim.

Work carried out:

A recent visit to one of the largest and most influential Interior Design exhibitions in the world inspired us with our proposal of shocking lime greens fabrics, zebrano furniture and feature sculpted glass dining and coffee tables.

Our aim was to infuse light and dark colours in a classic yet contemporary design with eclectic highlights such as an Elvis lip armchair and a more traditional Louis XV chair quirkily upholstered with brightly coloured polka dot fabric.

To bring exclusivity to the property, we designed bar stools and a coat and hat stand and had them custom-made by a Blacksmiths The sofa too was designed bespoke in order to perfectly fit the space and included a chaise end and circular footstool upholstered with fabrics chosen to further link the colours throughout.

The bedrooms were host to 6' zip and link beds for flexibility and headboards were tailor-made to run along the length of the walls, with canvases, bed throws, cushions and Object d’Art to finalise the overall appeal. With all kitchen equipment, bedding, bed linen and towels, a widescreen television and DVD machine, marble exterior table and woven chairs – Decorum's work is complete.

The Outcome:

A fantastic property which will appeal to everyone looking for exquisite city living… and who can afford a budget of £3,500pcm plus!

Case study 5« Previous case study / Next case study»

The Property:

Large two-bedroom, two bathroom duplex apartment, Abingdon.

The Client:

First time investor keen to take long-term investment advice from Finders Keepers.

The Brief:

Good quality durable furniture to stand the test of time – in a style to ensure ongoing appeal.

Work carried out:

Decorum liaised with the developers in advance of the building work even starting and made sure all electrical points/radiators etc were located in the most appropriate positions. Kitchens, work tops, tiles and flooring were also chosen at this early stage.

Our furnishing scheme was then selected – the solid wood birch furniture was ordered early to ensure good quality at a keen price. We chose cool blues, beiges and bronze colours to compliment the light wood and the natural light flowing through from the large east and west facing windows.

The Outcome:

A stylish modern apartment ideal for a professional couple or a company let. £1,200pcm

Case study 6« Previous case study

The Property:

Two-bedroom flat, North Oxford.

The Client:

Budget conscious, corporate landlord. The flat was originally furnished by Decorum 15 years ago.

Before rent: £850.00pcm

The Brief:

Minimum investment to upgrade the flat for rental for a further 15 years.

Work carried out:

Full internal upgrade with Decorum specifying choices with Bricks and Mortar for the kitchen and bathroom; units, work tops, tiles and colours. The floor was sanded back and re-sealed and a blue, lilac and cream colour scheme chosen. The existing furniture was re-used and re-spayed cream.

The Outcome:

The flat now meets current market expectations. It should let continuously, without void periods, at £995.00pcm.