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Spectacular hill-top luxury mansion with 360 panoramic sea views O

Built to the highest of standards with first class luxury facilities & exquisite finishes! Situated in La Zagaleta, one of Europes most exclusive areas on the Costa del Sol, offering highend facilites including a tennis club, equestrian club, 2 golf courses, 2 club houses, a heliport and more! This magical dream home has all the luxury you could wish for such as a private cinema, wine cellar, games room, indoor & outdoor pools and a private gym with spa facilities.

Price On Application > 6 BEDROOMS / 7 BATHROOMS

> INFINITY POOL & JACCUZZI

> 1772m2 BUILT

> GRAND ENTRANCE HALL

> 500m2 TERRACE WITH VIEWS

> UNDER FLOOR HEATING THROUGHOUT

> 7500m2 PLOT

> MAIN GATE & SERVICE ENTRANCE

Contact us for full details, availability and to view the property. Subject to status. Visit our website to find more properties for sale and rent, bank repossessions, property management and aftercare services: www.dreamlifeproperty.com

CALL +34 952 885 600 Email: housemag@dreamlifeproperty.com

DREAMLIFE PROPERTY Property Experts Costa del Sol & Costa Blanca

Are you losing your property dream while looking for a better bargain? When looking to buy a property in Spain it is easy to focus on the bargain side of a deal in the hope of finding a better deal than the last one. With prices in Spain now up to 60% below the asking price at the peak market back in 2007 and mortgages available with up to 110%, it is no longer about “finding the best bargain” but choosing a property and actually buying it. What does the future hold? Martin Jørgensen, the president of Dreamlife Property answers some questions:

DREAMLIFE PROPERTY SPAIN

- Tell us a little about your company. - How can you describe the success you are having? Dreamlife Property has more than 15 years experience Hard work is the key, there are no shortcuts in this busiin all aspects of Spanish property, we ness. We also negotiate hard, getting “Anyone looking to buy property in understand the importance of a clear the best deals for our clients. The Spain should finalise their research by and transparent communication and clients feel our genuine effort to help hooking up with a reputable real estate we make every effort to provide the them. We have a team that really agent, select a few of the best properties very best real estate cares for them. That is the success. and fly over to buy without delay!” service available in Spain. We have offices on the Costa del Sol and on Costa Blanca, and a - What are your top tips for anyone looking to buy a fantastic team working for us! We are also the only Preproperty in Spain? mier Partner of Rightmove.co.uk on the Costa del Sol. As a Find and get to know one agent you like, and only one small company, we are quite proud of that! agent! Commit to that agent and make them work for you. There is no need to contact 100 agents and run around - Why should anyone buy a property in Spain right now? viewing properties like crazy with different agents you don’t Quite simply it is the right time! Buying a property today know. Your own agent can show you all the properties you can save you a lot of money. Right now, the property tax is want, all the agents work on a multi listing system, meanonly 4% on new properties and developments. The banks ing you can view any property, no matter who has them have started lending again and confidence in the Spanish listed! Keeping to one agent lets you build a relationship real estate market is blooming, you even get up to 110% and trust, and the greater understanding achieved as you mortgages, making the entry level for realising a property work together will give you a far better chance of finding dream quite realistic for everyone. your dream home. Waiting around for a further 1% price drop will only waste -What is your prediction for the future? your dream home. The market has virtually bottomed out Many of the popular areas and developments are now and whilst prices are not going up, in the right areas they starting to sell out, you might not be able to come back in now being reduced by that little bit less. Quality properties 2 - 3 years and find the great bargains that exist today. in good areas sell quickly. Costa del Sol Agents on the coast are busy and people We simply work with our hearts are buying, investors from Europe and is driven by international buyers and will outside our shirts. continue to gain new buyers from around other continents are buying up properties. the world. We’re as south as we can be in Europe and we have an excellent climate providing some of My prediction is that we’ll have a small increase in the the best locations to invest in this part of the world. market prices in the Marbella region during 2012 on certain segments and areas. Real estate rule number one is - What makes Dreamlife Property stand out? location, location, location! Following all logic and common We simply work with our hearts outside our shirts. Our cli- sense, Costa del Sol will always be the right location. ents get to know us and we establish a strong relationship together. Every request is important to us, no matter how Dreamlife Property will always be the best large or small it might be. They also appreciate that we are choice to help you find your home on the a complete, one-stop solution that takes care of all their Costa del Sol & Costa Blanca. property needs in one place. Our success in the last couple of years speaks for itself, we are extremely busy this summer, we have had to hire more staff - again!

CALL +34 952 885 600 Website: www.dreamlifeproperty.com

DREAMLIFE PROPERTY Property Experts Costa del Sol & Costa Blanca

2-3 bedroom luxury penthouses & apartments with up to 110% finance!

Buy a luxury property today for as little as €6000 with up to 110% finance! Situated in a luxury development in an prestigious area on the New Golden Mile, surrounded by some of the best golf courses and beaches on the Costa del Sol. Built to the highest standards offering modern luxury comforts within walking distance to the beach & amenities, perfectly suited as a holiday home or permanent living in wonderful Spain.

Prices from only €196.000 > MORTGAGE FROM €415 PER MONTH

> PRIVATE PARKING & STORAGE ROOM

> 2 - 3 BEDROOMS & 2 BATHROOMS

> UP TO 110% FINANCE AVAILABLE

> LARGE TERRACE / SOLARIUM

> FULLY FITTED BOSCH KITCHEN

> HOT & COLD AIRCONDITIONING

> ONLY 4% PROPERTY TAX

Contact us for full details, availability and to view the property. Subject to status, terms & conditions. Visit our website to find more properties for sale and rent, bank repossessions, property management and aftercare services: www.dreamlifeproperty.com

CALL +34 952 885 600 Email: housemag@dreamlifeproperty.com

DREAMLIFE PROPERTY Property Experts Costa del Sol & Costa Blanca

Spacious 2-3 bedroom luxury townhouses with sea views & up to 100% finance!

Spacious luxury homes representing extremely good value for money! Luxury townhouses situated in a dominant position on the border to Sotogrande on the Costa del Sol, in a private & gated hill-top urbanization with 3 communal swimming pools and tropical gardens, offering breathtaking panoramic sea views over Sotogrande port, Gibraltar, Morocco, Africa and the Mediterranean Sea. A viewing is highly recommended.

Prices from only â&#x201A;Ź209.000 > SPACIOUS BUILT SIZE - UP TO 230m2

> PRIVATE PARKING FOR 1 - 2 CARS

> 2 - 3 BEDROOMS & 2 - 3 BATHROOMS

> FULLY FITTED SIEMENS KITCHEN

> MASSIVE ROOF TERRACE / SOLARIUM

> FULLY FITTED LAUNDRY ROOM

> ONLY 4% PROPERTY TAX

> VERY SPACIOUS & LIGHT INTERIOR

CALL +34 952 885 600 Email: housemag@dreamlifeproperty.com

DREAMLIFE PROPERTY Property Experts Costa del Sol & Costa Blanca

The First Word from Our Editor PERFECT HOMES MAGAZINE

PUBLISHER AND MANAGING DIRECTOR: STAN ISRAEL Stan.israel@sunsearchmedia.com EDITOR: STAN ISRAEL Stan.israel@sunsearchmedia.com SPONSOR: MARRIOTT VACATION CLUB sunsearchmvcmagazine@sunsearchmedia.com FEATURES EDITOR: Annabel Milnes-Smith annabel@sunsearchmedia.com CREATIVE DIRECTOR/ DESIGN AND LAYOUT: Sherelisa Bossi production@sunsearchmedia.com CHIEF ACCOUNTS AND ADMINISTRATION: Lisa Brown sunsearchmvcmagazine@sunsearchmedia.com info@sunsearchmedia.com LOGISTICS MANAGER Kinga Biñczak info@sunsearchmedia.com PHOTOGRAPHER Simon Bayne production@sunsearchmedia.com CONTRIBUTING WRITERS: Anabel Milnes-Smith, Alex Brown, Lesa Israel, Alan Gulliver, SPECIAL THANKS TO: Gael Vignon Marketing Director of El Corte Ingles British Consulate

Welcome to the first issue of Perfect Homes Magazine, are aim is to establish ourselves as the definitive go-to guide for style savvy modern living. Our readers can expect the very latest trends and products packing our pages, and throughout the year we will showcases the must have items that every house and home needs. Our team works tirelessly to wean out the industry’s leading experts to offer our readers up to the minute advice on everything from upcoming trends and design to landscaping, property and mortgage advice. Our USP will be, to offer a consumer friendly, visually stunning, informative and practical read. Over the forthcoming year I look forward to working with sponsors, contributors and readers who will join us in ensuring that Perfect Homes Magazine becomes the number one magazine upon the coast. Mr Stan Israel Director & Editor

TECHNICAL SUPPORT Borja Quero SALES EXECUTIVE: Nicole Scheike nicole@sunsearchmedia.com PRINTERS: IMAGRAF IMPRESORES SA Nabuco (Pol. Ind. Alameda), 14. Malaga, 29006 SUNSEARCH MEDIA AND MARKETING GROUP S.L Avda. Del Prado Urb. Locrigolf Local 4, Nueva Andalucia 29660 Marbella, Malaga T. +34 952 814 882 Deposito Legal Nº MA 486-2012

The views and opinions expressed by contribuutors to Perfect Homes Magazine may not represent the views and opinions of the publishers. AHH Magazine takes no responsibility for claims made in advertisng or advertorials in this magazine. No part of Perfect Homes Magazine may be reproduced or copied in anyway without prior witten consent of Perfect Homes Magazine.

63 PERFECT HOMES

CONTENTS 22 Gardens Zen

Light, space & Peace

26 Sunsearch Nordica

A new type of Property Company

36 El Corte Ingles

Exclusive Interview with GaĂŤl Vignon

47 British Consulate

Tips from Alex Brown Property Adviser

52 Scandinavin Style 72 Flower Power 80 Richard Lewis Interiors Exclusive Interview

94 Perfect Homes goes Around the World 132 Let There be Light

Contemporary Lighting Options

140 Thinking Outside the Box Prefab housing

148 Classifieds View all our publications on-line go to:

www.issuu.com

Search: Sunsearch Magazine Perfect Homes Magazine

PERFECT HOMES4 7

Marriott Vacation Club Holiday Package from only €299 per couple! Luxurious apartments in a stunning seafront resort, with access to all amenities Offer includes: • 4 days / 3 nights in a well-appointed two-bedroom apartment • Car hire for up to 4 days The use of all resort facilities, including restaurant and bar, beauty & fitness centre, indoor and outdoor pools, whirlpools, sauna, kids club, barbecue area, mini golf, paddle tennis court and more is included in the package. You will also receive a 90 minute presentation and personal tour of the resort. This offer is valid for bookings made before June 16th 2012.

Reserve your place today: Call: +34 951 082 370 Email: cds.preview@vacationclub.com Reference: UP06Sunsearch There is limited availability, so book now to avoid disappointment. Additional nights may also be available on request at an additional cost and subject to availability. This invitation is not available to residents of Andalusia; please contact us for local resident offers. The offer is for couples aged between 30 and 70 with a joint annual income in excess of €65,000 Full terms & conditions apply. Contact us for details. © Copyright 2012, Marriott Vacation Club International. All rights reserved.

CDS_printAdvert_05.2012.indd 1

IPY-12-005

04/05/2012 14:43

Explore a new dimension The Manhattan 73

Sunseeker Marbella Muelle Benabola, Casa D, Portal 3, Apt 114, Puerto Banus, 29660 Marbella, Malaga Telephone (0034) 952 815 733 Email info@the-brokerage-division.com

Brokerage web site: www.the-brokerage-division.com Sunseeker designs and builds a range of luxury motoryachts from the new Portofino 40 up to the 155 Yacht

www.sunseekermarbella.com

PERFECT HOMES Magazine talks to Allan Gulliver of Marina Estrella sole distributors of Sunseekers on the Costa del Sol about the Sunseeker Predator 60

hen open yachts first made their appearance in the Med, they were just that – open to the elements. Their designers’ emphasis was on speed, style, and sun pads. But over the years, these sleek speedsters have grown hard tops, enclosed deckhouses, and even compact flybridges. By contrast, the new Sunseeker Predator 60 is a return to the open yacht in its purest form. Its bridge and cockpit are sheltered by a hard top, true, but there is no bulkhead or glass doorway aft to break the main deck’s flow. Furthermore, this yacht features one of the largest, sexiest automatic sunroofs on the water today. Carbon fiber beams support its massive glass panels, which slide open at the touch of a button to open the cockpit up to the sun or stars overhead. “It’s a weekend boat. It’s easy for two people to handle. There’s a great entertainment space – you can have 15 people in the cockpit – and at the same time you can sleep up to eight people,” said Alan Gulliver of Sunseeker Marbella, based in the prestigious Puerto Banus, Marbella. The new Predator 60 also reflects a talent for space planning on the part of Sunseeker’s design team. A great many amenities are seamlessly packaged into this yacht’s relatively small footprint, making it an all-inclusive entertainment zone. The teak-laid swim step is extended to create an optimum water-sports platform. Our test boat was equipped with a hydraulic version, which facilitates launching a dinghy or PWC. The Predator 60 also has a tender garage, equipped with an electric winch. (For those who prefer to leave the driving to a

103 PERFECT HOMES

captain, Sunseeker offers a small optional crew quarters in place of the garage.) The Predator 60’s cockpit is one of the best in its size range for hosting a party. Two L-shaped settees, sheltered by the hard top, provide an exceptional amount of seating without making the deck feel crowded. To starboard, a cocktail table flips open to form a dining table. A wet bar with a cold box makes it easy for guests to grab a beer. Our boat’s owner had opted for a fridge instead, along with a barbecue grill and a 42-inch pop-up television, concealed in the back of the forward passenger seat. “It can be customized. You can have almost whatever equipment you want,” said Gulliver. There is a more intimate salon below-deck for “after parties” or inclement weather. Tucked into one corner is a galley that, while compact, is fully equipped with three-burner stove, fridge/freezer, microwave and large sink. On our 60, the salon/galley décor was elegant and understated, with walnut paneling and cabinetry lightened by off-white upholstery panels. The entertainment system included a robust Bose surroundsound system, a Sunseeker hallmark. Headroom in the salon is a respectable 6’ 6”. As Gulliver mentioned, eight people can sleep aboard the Predator 60, if the owner opts for a convertible sofa in the lower salon. There are private staterooms for six people, including a forward VIP with double berth, a twin cabin to starboard and a full-beam master stateroom aft. The two guest staterooms share a head, although the VIP has its own access door.

This bathroom also doubles as the day head.

providing a top speed of 35 knots @ 2,350 rpm.

The master stateroom is a luxurious hideaway. In addition to a double berth on centerline, it has a settee and vanity, a full-length wardrobe and ample drawer storage. Headroom here is 6’ 4”.

With a nearly full fuel tank, we maintained a smooth and comfortable cruising speed of about 28 knots at 1,900 rpm.

Three hull windows on either side provide light; one of the panes opens to create a cross-breeze. The en-suite bath has a separate shower stall and a chic, eggshaped Decca sink. All the hardware on the Predator 60 is substantial, imparting a feeling of security. Safety is more than subtext with Sunseeker.

Any questions about the Predator 60’s offshore performance were answered by the news that this particular boat would be delivered from Poole to her new owner in Marbella on its own bottom. “I love this boat. It’s so beautifully balanced,” said Gulliver. “This is why you buy a Sunseeker!”

On deck, the side workarounds are deep with high stainless rails running forward to the bow. Both the forward and aft sun pads also have safety rails. There is a chart flat at the helm in addition to the large array of electronic navigation instruments mounted in the striking carbon fiber dash.

LOA: 63’ 7” (19.37m)

The double helm seat commands a nearly 360-degree view through the raked windshield, sweeping side windows and, of course, the hard top’s open back.

DISPLACEMENT (FULL LOAD): 75,854 lb. (33,500 kg)

With the sunroof open, the Predator 60 offers a wind-in-yourhair driving experience, although the windshield does minimize the breeze. An adjustable footrest and flip-up bolster seat let the driver sit or stand and look over the windshield’s top frame as preference dictates.

FRESH WATER CAPACITY: 185 u.s. gal. (700l)

Sunseeker offers the Predator 60 with a variety of propulsion packages, including Arneson drives that the shipyard says boost top-end performance to more than 40 knots. Our boat was equipped with twin Cat C-18 Acert 1150s, which still packed plenty of punch,

RANGE: 280 Nm

LOA (W/LIFTING PLATFORM): 65’ 4” (19.92m)  BEAM: 16’ 3” (4.95m)  DRAFT (FULL LOAD): 4’ 11” (1.49m)

FUEL CAPACITY: 793 u.s. gal. (3,000l)

ENGINES: 2 x caterpillar c-18 acert @ 1,150hp MAX SPEED: up to 35 kNots  CRUISING SPEED: 28 kNots

CONSTRUCTION MATERIAL: grp BUILDER/DESIGNER: Sunseeker International, Poole, UK

PERFECT HOMES4 11

123 PERFECT HOMES

PERFECT HOMES4 13

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Gardena R40Li Robotic Mower Studio

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Libairate your clothes

The philosophy of Zen Gardens is to bring health to people, to harmonize our life, and to return balance in nature. In addition, our philosophy strives to perpetuate the co-existence of human beings and creatures as part of the universe.

223 PERFECT HOMES

The Zen garden, also known as a Japanese rock garden, is an ancient outdoor ritual that usually involves a sandpit with rocks and grass, as well as a few other natural plants or nature elements.

If you have ever seen preschoolers zone out at the sandbox, so focused on their creations that they forget the world around them, then you can partially understand the appeal of a garden for adults who need the ultimate in concentration. However, with a much higher level of complexity than what a toddler would design, many ancient rock gardens are based on mathematical principals, such as the Ryoan-ji Zen temple The â&#x20AC;&#x153;gardenâ&#x20AC;? is designed to represent in Kyoto, Japan. Built in the 1400s, the garden contains 15 boulders, but the different soothing elements in our these arenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t just any boulders. environment, with water represented as sand patterns raked into a design They are positioned in such a manner that no more than 14 boulders resembling rippling water. The gardens are visible at one time, regardless of your angled view. This illusion are often laid out to be enjoyed from a is achieved through a model of shape analysis known as medial axis distinct perspective, and many of the transformation. rocks in traditional Zen gardens are named after famous mountains in Asia. Today, there have been a lot of additions and modifications using elements like bridges, ponds, art pieces and lighting. Most of the gardens The gardens were typically used by ancient have a rich Asian tradition and mostly focus on the minute details of Buddhists as a tool for meditation. For this nature. Though you may have a feel of simplicity at the first glance, the reason, the majority of authentic Japanese depth and complexity unfold only when you begin studying the space rock gardens are found within the confines in detail. If you are looking for a peaceful and serene outdoor space, of Buddhist monasteries; their beauty in then a Zen garden is the way to go. The best thing is that you can easily simplicity having survived for centuries. maintain this type of garden. Since the world has so many external distractions, having a desolate garden to A Zen garden requires very little maintenance. It is a low cost addition to tend to helps relax the mind with various any property that has a lot of health and wellness benefits. sand tracings and rock formations.

PERFECT HOMES4 23

Sunsearch Nordica – a World of experience at your service

S U N NORDICA S E A R C H PROPERTY COMPANY

he alliance between Sunsearch Media and Nordica brings two companies together with a longstanding reputation for quality and integrity. Both have earned their stripes in the service industry and built successful enterprises around repeat business – and now they are combining their considerable know-how to offer a one-stop integrated service that covers all your holiday, rental and property needs in a highly efficient and costeffective way.

A broader offer By working together in this way the two firms are able to offer their clients a streamlined service that encompasses a very broad range of elements, from holiday rentals and concierge services to properties for sale. Nordica Sales & Rentals has long been established as ‘the’ real estate specialist for the greater Nueva Andalucía area, and it is fair to say that you would be hard-put to find another company with the detailed knowledge of this area, its lifestyle options, property choices and market trends. Through a combination of expertise, highstanding service and an honest, open approach to business, company founders Peter and Anna-Lena Rosen have established a solid reputation and a client base that keeps coming back. “We’re not the biggest,” says Peter, “but we aim to give the very best service.” Over the past 25 years Nordica has also become a leader in the Marbella rentals market, now listing over 600 carefully selected rental properties. The company specialises in both long-term and holiday rentals, and provides a dedicated support structure for both, including a professional cleaning and maintenance service, the arranging of babysitters, gardeners, chefs, waiter service and a host of other conveniences. The service also extends to homeowners, who are given free advice on how to present and equip their properties in an optimal but costeffective way.

263 PERFECT HOMES

The same attention to detail and expertise is also evident in the property sales department, where clients are not only shown homes but can also get authoritative information on the characteristics and lifestyle options of every area and urbanisation in and around Nueva Andalucía. Nordica doesn’t list everything, preferring instead to use their market knowledge to select only those properties and areas that represent the best value. This means that all homes offered through the company have been carefully checked and vetted first. Above all, Anna-Lena and Peter are proud of an organisation that works like clockwork with an efficient but also friendly and welcoming team at the heart of it. It is a philosophy that pervades their attractive offices at the Lorcrigolf Commercial Centre in Nueva Andalucía, where clients are always invited to drop by – and is an outlook shared with Sunsearch, whose own ethos of excellence is also built around being good at what you enjoy doing.

At better prices Added to Nordica’s expertise in property sales, rentals and support services comes Sunsearch Media’s own experience and know-how in holiday and lifestyle-related fields. In practical terms this means an expansive choice of quality holiday lets, longterm rentals, Marriott Vacation Club stays and properties for sale offered through a single one-stop option with an exhaustive list of supporting services that include car rentals, money exchange, legal services and full concierge options. From now on you can deal with one reference point to get the best of the products and services available in and around Marbella. Many years of experience means we know where to go for the best quality – and thanks to our combined resources we are able to offer it at the best prices available. Sunsearch Nordica is all about quality and value, and that is exactly what we offer: top-end luxury at affordable prices.

The alliance between Sunsearch Media and Nordica brings two companies together with a longstanding reputation for quality and integrity. By working together in this way the two firms are able to offer their clients a streamlined service that encompasses a very broad range of elements, from holiday rentals and concierge services to long term rentals and maintenance to properties for sale and Marriott Vacation Club stays and ownership. From now on you can deal with one reference point to get the best of the products and services available in and around Marbella.

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Marriott Vacation Club Resorts the leading holiday and vacation club provider offers Perfect Homes Magazine readers this fantastic offer of 4 days / 3nighs stay within a 2bedroom apartment for as little as â&#x201A;Ź299.00 per couple (this also includes car hire), too benefit from this fantastic offer call Marriottâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Vacation Club on 951 082 370 quoting - UP065Sunsearch. Sunsearch can also offer are readers longer stays - terms and conditions apply.

We highly recommend our customers use MoneyCorp if they are thinking of transferring money abroad or planning on purchasing a property overseas or Marriott Vacation Club stay. Moneycorp currently transfer funds all over the world offering exchange services to businesses and private individual no sum is to large or small (min â&#x201A;Ź250.00 per annum), so for all your money needs from holiday cash, purchasing a property or whatever your needs your first choice should be MoneyCorp in association with Sunsearch. Call 951 319 700 Quote ref: 10387272

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REF.: LA CORNICHE Exclusive Development Nueva Andaluc铆a ive

SOLE AGENT

El consumidor tiene derecho a que se le entregue una copia del Documento Informativo Abreviado de la vivienda

Tel: (+34) 952 81 01 02 路 www.KSsir.com 路 Email: info@KSsir.com

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Spectacular and unique villa situated within the prestigious estate of La Zagaleta. Designed in Andalucian style with 8 bedrooms this magnificent property offers an elegant patio entrance with an exquisite marble fountain in Alhambra style, a large open plan living and dining room with central fireplace,library, wine cellard, gymnasium, cinema, garage for 3 cars, large swimming pool and Jacuzzi. This property enjoys splendid views to golf courses, the mountains and the Mediterranean Sea over Africa and Gibraltar.

El consumidor tiene derecho a que se le entregue una copia del Documento Informativo Abreviado de la vivienda

Tel: (+34) 952 81 01 02 路 www.KSsir.com 路 Email: info@KSsir.com

MARRIOTT’S MARBELLA BEACH RESORT MARBELLA, COSTA DEL SOL, SPAIN

Resort insert_MMBR_10.2011.indd 1

19/01/2012 10:56

WELCOME TO MARRIOTT’S MARBELLA BEACH RESORT Marriott’s Marbella Beach Resort is a large beachfront property with breathtaking views across the Mediterranean, situated just 8 km east of fashionable Marbella with its prestigious dining, nightlife and shopping.

RESORT AMENITIES

APARTMENT TYPES

Pools, Beauty and Fitness:

1 - Bedroom Apartment

• Beachfront access • Outdoor beachside pool, garden lap pool and whirlpool • Heated outdoor children’s pool, indoor family and adult only pools • Fitness centre and aerobics studio • Whirlpools, sauna and steam rooms Eating and Drinking:

• MarketPlace® mini-market • Full range of restaurants including Charlie’s American Sports Bar, El Med Poolside Restaurant, Chill Cocktail Lounge and Beachside Bar & Grill For Children:

• MAZE® (Marriott’s Activity Zone Experience) for children • Teen lounge and outdoor playground Other Activities:

• Daily activities programme for all ages • Many golf courses within short distance • Dining, shopping and local attractions within easy reach

• 1-bedroom / 1-bathroom apartment • Overall size approximately 84m2 • Sleeps up to 4 people 2 - Bedroom Apartment

• 2-bedroom / 2-bathroom apartment • Overall size approximately 109m2 • Sleeps up to 6 people 3 - Bedroom Apartment

• 3-bedroom / 3-bathroom apartment • Overall size approximately 112m2 • Sleeps up to 8 people

APARTMENT AMENITIES • • • •

Living & dining area with LCD flat screen TV & DVD player Complimentary internet access for owners Fully equipped kitchen including microwave and dishwasher Master suite with king-size bed, oversize soaking tub and a separate shower • Utility room with washer and dryer • Furnished private balconies or patios

Marriott’s Marbella Beach Resort, Ctra. de Cadiz Km. 193, Urb. Marbella del Este, 29604 Marbella, Spain All features, furnishings and amenities depicted throughout may be proposed and are subject to change. Some facilities may be open on seasonal basis only. © Copyright 2011, Marriott Vacation Club International. All rights reserved. Marriott Vacation Club International and the programs and products provided under the Marriott Vacation Club brand are not owned, developed, or sold by Marriott International, Inc. Marriott Vacation Club International uses the Marriott marks under license from Marriott International, Inc. and its affiliates. IMG-11-049

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If you require a different currency from your own then your answer should be Moneycorp. Moneycorp are a commercial Foreign exchange company and have been in business since 1979, our clients have always been the heart of what we do. In 2010 we traded £10.5bn in currencies.

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The foreign exchange (FX) market is a global market where currencies are bought and sold (or traded). It is the largest market in the world in terms of the daily value of transactions undertaken. See the example below on how much extra you could potentially gain when transferring Participants range from professional trading your funds for your Perfect Property abroad. organisations and multinational corporations seeking speculative gain, to individuals sending money to buy or sell an overseas property or making and receiving international money Moneycorp Transfer fee Exchange rate* Euro amount transfers.

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EL CORTE INGLÉS THROUGH THE EYES OF GAËL VIGNON

PERFECT HOMES MAGAZINE EXPLORE THE MAGICAL WORLD OF GLOBAL DEPARTMENT STORE EL CORTE INGLÉS THROUGH THE EYES OF GAËL VIGNON MARKETING MANAGER FOR THE COSTA DEL SOL

rench born Gaël Vignon at the tender age of 39 is in the fortunate but undoubtedly justly earned position of overseeing the day to day operation of what is perceived by many as the John Lewis of the Costa Del Sol. I was lucky enough to catch up with him during his hectic schedule, within their stunning home and decoration department, El Capricho on Marbella’s Golden Mile, to glean an inside track of how El Corte Inglés remains a European leader within the highly competitive retail industry. Over to Gaël; give me an insight into your background before joining El Corte Inglés. “I did my scholarship in Paris, then I moved to Edinburgh for 5 five years and achieved my Masters in Marketing, before I arrived in Spain whereupon I was headhunted by El Corte Inglés; ten years ago. I actually started in this store when it was being built. I belonged to the first team that ever worked on El Capricho.” What sets El Corte Inglés apart from other global department stores? “There is no other department store like it in Spain. Indeed it is one of the leaders in Europe. We have secured most major brands across Europe and put them all under one roof. This is actually the same concept we have applied to El Capricho. It is one of a kind; unique. We designed this store; an absolute beauty and you will not find anything close to this type of store, in Spain. We decided we would catapult all the needs that people could possibly have when buying a house, to the forefront in El Capricho. As you know, most of our customers are foreign. When they come to Spain they need a reliable name and brand. The first thing that comes to their mind is the green triangle. They know that the brand logo is like Macy’s or John Lewis and this inspires confidence.”

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You have within El Capricho the highly decorated Red Penguin Gallery. Is this the first time a large department store has had their own art gallery within? “These days a proper decoration shop like this one, with a very high standard, should have an art gallery. The Red Penguin Gallery is exactly the calibre we were looking for, it compliments the two floors we have. One modern; the other classic, the works of art we have are magnificent. This gallery has been an enormous success and has traded successfully since day one.” On your website, you say El Corte Inglés can turn your house into the home of your dreams. What specific service do you offer your customers in relation to this? “We have the largest furniture store on the coast and it is all related to a small team called Crear Hogar which is the interior design studio. Basically, everything you see here is articulated by Crear Hogar, which is run by six designers and six architects. They combine a variety of nationalities including English, Argentinean, Spanish and Swedish. Amongst them, they speak 6 or 7 languages.” Indeed Gaël alone speaks three, Spanish, English and his mother tongue French. “Our clients have all sorts of needs here. Most of the time, they just want a kitchen, a lounge, a bathroom or simply, exquisite interior design pieces, which El Capricho can easily provide. However some people have more complicated

“El Corte Inglés can turn your house into the home of your dreams” requirements such as a heliport, a bespoke shaped swimming pool or a padel court and we need to be able to deal with these requests as well. At the end of the day, most customers find themselves in the same situation when they come to Spain: they don’t know the market and how long it will take to deal with all their home requirements, plus they do not want to go from one shop to another as it can quickly become a headache. This is why we created El Capricho. It provides them with everything they need; from bed linen, televisions and even light bulbs to designing and producing their ultimate home designs.”. Of course Marbella is famous for hosting events. Indeed you hold many here. What ones have you got lined up for July in El Capricho? “There is a new exhibition in the Red Penguin Gallery. We will also be launching the new Polo Ralph Lauren Range downstairs; a premier in Spain, so exciting. In our store in Puerto Banús, LK Bennett will be launching their store mid-June and Chanel is launching a new exclusive fragrances boutique in July.

Our most important launch will be our new food hall, on the 2nd floor in July, where you’ll be able to enjoy La Maquina, an absolutely unique tapa’s bar, Mama Mia, a popular pizzeria and the Dim Sum Club, from the renowned and prestigious Madrid restaurant, Tse Yang. We are so thrilled about this new opening! There’s obviously plenty more things coming up this

summer, too many to mention right now.” Tell me about the El Corte Inglés Loyalty Card especially for Foreign Residents and why you followed that by introducing the ‘What’s Hot Loyalty Card. “The loyalty card is a big thing, in any country for any business. We have around 10 million loyalty card holders in Spain, the majority of them being national customers, but on the coast it is another matter; half of

our customers are foreign, so we designed the What’s Hot Magazine, the What’s Hot Card, and www.whatshot.es, to get closer to our customers and transmit our values, promotions & local news in English.” “Our foreign customers spend an average of 8 months a year on the Coast, they are loyal to their home stores, they have several loyalty

PERFECT HOMES4 37

El Corte Inglés is one of the leaders within the retail sector of major department stores in Europe...

cards from their own country and many of them do not have the need for another loyalty card with credit facilities. That is precisely why we introduced the What’s Hot Loyalty Card, which is a great card to have, as it provides so many benefits throughout the Coast at more 100 premium partners’, including discounts at various spas, restaurants, golf courses, leisure centres, cinemas, theatres, airport parking etc. The most popular benefit being a permanent discount on all your shopping at Hipercor! The What’s Hot Loyalty is so easy to get, all it takes is a one minute online registration, or in the Mijas or Marbella stores”. How do you see El Corte Inglés developing in the future? “El Corte Inglés is one of the leaders within the retail sector of major department stores in Europe and there is no question it will remain so in the future, because all major brands want to be within El Corte Inglés. We will always be able to supply our clients with the latest consumer brands available, and that’s what you want when you go to a Department Store”. What is your company philosophy? “Providing the best customer service there is. This is how we have established our reputation. This is why we are hugely popular here in Spain.” Finally, how are you dealing with the recession? “Very aggressively. We don’t have the choice. If you want to get out of recession, you want people to realise and remember that you have been consistently innovating and providing throughout this time. We have incorporated more brands and concentrated on perfecting our restaurants & customer services areas. Also, on the Coast, we created the What’s Hot Loyalty Card in the middle of the recession. Of course, all of us have been affected by the recession but we have been constantly active throughout the crisis and are battling through it more easily than many others. We are extremely confident over the future success of El Corte Inglés.” Without a shadow of a doubt having spent a glorious hour within these hallowed retail walls and spending time with Gaël, a true Master in his field and utterly charming to boot, El Corte Inglés will not only remain a retail leader for many years to come, but in the short term alleviate the worries of their clientele during this recession ensuring their dream home becomes a reality, here on the Costa del Sol.

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“The What’s Hot Loyalty Card, is a great card to have.” El Corte Inglés ( El Capricho) Avda. Ricardo Soriano 29660 Marbella, Malaga elcorteingles.es PERFECT HOMES4 39

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Thinking of buying a property in Andalucía? Here are some top tips from Alex Brown, Property Adviser at the British Embassy in Spain that should help you avoid some of the most common pitfalls.......

ndalucía has a lot to offer, beautiful beaches, high quality golf courses, historic towns, a warm climate and great Tapas. It is probably for some of these reasons that some 117,251 Britons have chosen to live here[1]. However, if you are thinking about buying a property in Andalucía you should bear in mind that the conveyancing and planning processes in Spain are very different to the UK.

Do your homework

It is extremely important to conduct thorough research before buying, which should include learning about how to buy a property in Spain and the respective obligations of the buyer and seller. The Spanish Land Registry (Colegio de Registradores) has produced a useful guide in English on “How to buy a home in Spain”, which is an essential read for anyone considering buying. It is also worth looking at online forums dedicated to Spanish property such as the Spanish Property Insight forum and the Eye on Spain forum to learn from others’ experiences and ask questions.

Seek professional advice

You should seek legal advice from a lawyer who is experienced in property law and fully independent of anyone else involved in the transaction e.g. the estate agent, vendor and developer. You should never sign any contracts or hand over any money without seeking independent legal advice. Although the Embassy cannot recommend lawyers, we do have lists of local English-speaking lawyers and other professionals (including translators and interpreters) on our website at www.ukinspain. fco.gov.uk. You should look for a well established, experienced estate agent with an excellent track record and good recommendations. It may be worthwhile to ask your lawyer or local residents for recommendations as a starting point. Although it is not obligatory for estate agents to be qualified as APIs (Agentes de la Propiedad

423 PERFECT HOMES

Inmobiliaria) or GIPEs (Gestores Inmobiliarios), you may feel it is worth using an agent who has these qualifications. If you choose to work with a British estate agent, promoter or lawyer, check that they are qualified, reliable and have experience operating in Spain. Above all, never feel pressured into signing a contract that you are not 100% sure about. It is also advisable to use a Chartered Surveyor. The Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) exists in Spain and there are 30-40 residential chartered surveyors working across Spain and its Islands. Members of the RICS are qualified and experienced professionals offering independent and impartial advice.

Check the Land Registry

The Land Registry extract (nota simple), which lists the owner(s), should reveal if there are any debts and/or charges, such as a mortgage, attached to the property. Expatriate home owners and buyers can request a nota simple in English from the Colegio de Registradores (College of Registrars). An extract, including the translation fee, costs €29 (plus VAT) and can be requested online at https://buyingahouse. registradores.org.

Bank guarantees

If you are buying a property off-plan or under construction, always insist on a bank guarantee (aval bancario) to cover your stage payments. Developers of off-plan properties are legally obliged under law 57/1968 to secure all deposits with either a bank guarantee or an insurance policy. Ensure that your deposit is paid into a special escrow account and not into the developer’s general account.

Coastal properties

If you are considering purchasing a coastal property you should contact the Demarcación de Costas in your region to get a certificate to certify that the property is not affected by the 1988 Ley de Costas (Coastal Law), which protects the Spanish coastline and imposes certain restrictions on properties that fall within the boundaries set by the law.

Planning permission

Whether you are buying off-plan or a re-sale property, you should verify the planning permission. Your must make sure the property has been authorised by the town hall through the correct licensing procedure, and has approval from the regional Government. You should be able to check this at the Land Registry but if the property has not been registered yet you should check with The Town Hall. It is also worth going to the Urbanismo (Town Planning) department of The Town Hall to check whether or not the plot you wish to buy has any building restrictions or rights of way affecting it.

Taxes

There is some general information about the taxes associated with buying a property on the UKinSpain website, www.ukinspain.fco.gov.uk. The taxes you need to pay will vary depending on whether you are a resident in Spain or a non-resident, where your property is located, the value of the property, and whether it is new or a re-sale. It is important to factor in additional costs such as: IBI Tax (Impuesto sobre bienes Inmuebles) – This is the Spanish equivalent of Council Tax that exists in the UK. Refuse collection and mains drainage (Basura y Alcantarillado) Tax Income Tax (IPRF) or Income Tax for non residents (IRNR) Optional fees for a financial adviser (gestor/asesor) in Spain to manage your tax returns Community fees, if your property is part of a community of property owners e.g. in an apartment building or a development that has shared facilities. Mortgage repayment (if applicable) Building and Contents Insurance Utilities set up costs and utilities bills

Potential pitfalls

While the vast majority of purchasers have encountered no problems with their purchases, there are a significant number who are experiencing serious problems with them, and the legality of their properties in Spain. These issues have been widely documented in the UK and local English language press in Spain. Problems range from homeowners who have had their properties declared illegal, to those who have restrictions on their homes due to their proximity to the coast, to those who have invested hundreds of thousands of Euros in properties which have never been completed. There are also cases of fraud and of builders not complying with the contractual obligations.

We have detailed, comprehensive information and advice on buying property in Spain on the British Embassy website (http://ukinspain.fco. gov.uk/en/help-for-british-nationals/living-inspain/property-in-spain) that we recommend you read. We want to help prevent more property problems occurring in future. Our website also includes a link to another useful document, the Spanish Land Registry’s step-by-step guide on buying property in Spain (in English). [1] According to the latest Padrón figures which record the population in each municipality.

PERFECT HOMES4 43

Top tips: Research: It is important to thoroughly research the area you are considering purchasing in, as well as Companies you might use. Seek independent legal advice: Appoint a lawyer who is experienced in property law and fully independent of anyone else involved in the transaction. Do not sign any papers or hand over any money until you have taken independent legal advice.

Documentation that you should ensure you have when completing a purchase: The Property Registry Report (nota simple), which lists the current owner(s) and reveals if there are any debts and/or charges, such as a mortgage, attached to the property. You should also get a certificate from The Land Registry.

Bank guarantees: If you are buying a property off-plan or under construction, always insist on an individual bank guarantee to cover your stage payments.

The Paid-up receipt for the previous owner’s annual property tax (IBI). It is also wise to get a certificate from The Town Hall proving that there are no unpaid rates from previous years.

Planning permission: Check with the Land Registry and the town hall that your property has the correct planning permission and that there are no charges against the property.

The Catastral Certificate giving the exact boundaries and square metres of your land.

Consider using a Chartered Surveyor: The Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) exists in Spain and Members are qualified and experienced professionals, offering independent and impartial advice.

The Licencia de Primera Occupación (licence of first occupancy/habitation certificate) which is issued by The Town Hall for new buildings and certifies that the property is habitable. You will need this document to connect to electricity and water Companies. Developers cannot force you to complete without this licence. Receipts to prove all utility bills have been paid by the previous owner. Paid-up receipts for the annual fees of the Comunidad de Propietarios (Property Owners’ Association), the bylaws governing the Community of owners (including fees) and the minutes from the last AGM. A property survey: this is not obligatory but it is wise to get a chartered surveyor to check the property before you complete. A private contract is not obligatory but is usually signed between the buyer and the seller before the title deed is granted. You should make sure that you fully understand the contract before you sign it and if you are not fluent in Spanish you should get it translated by an independent translator. The Escritura Pública (title deed) is important to check that there is an accurate description of the property in the deeds In addition, it is worth going to the Urbanismo (Town Planning) department of The Town Hall to check that the plot/property you wish to buy has no building restrictions, that the land can be developed, and whether there are any current plans which will affect your property (e.g. a motorway).

443 PERFECT HOMES

If you are buying off-plan you must also ensure that:

The developer you are signing the agreement with exists and the person who is going to sign on the developer’s behalf has the legal power to do so. For this information, check The Mercantile Registry where the company should be registered. The land which is going to be built on is registered to the developer you are doing business with. To do this, check The Property Registry.

The property has planning permission and has been authorised by The Town Hall through the correct licensing procedure, and that it also has approval from the regional Government. You can check this at The Property Registry. If the building’s description has not been registered yet, go to the Planning (Urbanismo) Department at The Town Hall to find out whether the land in question can be built on. The developer has insurance covering damage caused by structural defects to the building. This insurance should be included in the property manual (libro del edificio) that the developer gives you. You have a n individual bank guarantee to protect your deposits in case the property is not delivered in accordance with the contract. The developer provides you with a Certificado Final de Obra. Once construction has finished and before you sign the title deed, ask for proof from the seller that the construction has been finished in accordance with the description given in the plans (Certificado Final de Obra). You should also be able to check this at the Property Registry.

PERFECT HOMES4 49

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Spring interiors: Scandinavian style This spring, look to pure, pared-back Scandinavian style for interiors inspiration This year, the interiors world has fallen in love with this fresh-air attitude, and there’s little mystery about the source of inspiration. The Scandinavian aesthetic, with its emphasis on paredback forms, function, quality craftsmanship, maximizing light and finding beauty in nature has produced a roll-call of design classics that are on the wish list of all furniture fiends. Now though, it’s “Scandimonium” out there. Thanks to a cultural tidal wave of Scandi influences – The Killing, Borgen, Stieg Larsson’s Millennium trilogy, new Nordic

483 PERFECT HOMES

bakeries with their seductive cinnamon buns – we’re primed to lap up visual cues from the region, and while we can’t wear snowflake jumpers all year round, or up sticks and move to a remote lakeside cabin in Sweden, we can easily create the simple-butbeautiful mood in our own homes. Design temples like twentytwentyone, The Lollipop Shoppe and, of course, Skandium, are the traditional hunting grounds if you’re looking for investment pieces – the Hans Wegner Wishbone chairs, Arne Jacobsen stools and Alvar Aalto

side tables – but for those of us whose budget doesn’t stretch to the “greats”, there’s now a plethora of more affordable finds influenced by this style – and not just at Ikea.

money, they want to see the work and thought that has gone into a piece of furniture, and the attention to detail we find in Scandinavian design is a perfect example of this.”

“The age of austerity has also had its part to play in the current popularity of “Scandi style,” says Sally Hudson, the living and dining buyer at John Lewis, “It is simple and unpretentious, and is typical of the ‘beautility’ trend, which celebrates the appeal of functional, everyday items.

Magnus England, at Skandium, agrees: “People are fed up with superficial items with no heritage and dubious place of origin,” he says. “Quality Scandinavian design might not be the cheapest, but it lasts both in quality and in style – you don’t get bored looking at it.

When people are more careful about how they spend their

“What sets out Scandinavian design from, say, Italian is that

“Cool grey neutrals” “for a more hard-edged contemporary tone, with a slight underlying warmth”

the Scandinavians start with the function, and then work backwards to see how much they can pare things down, very well knowing that to make something simple but perfect is very difficult.” First of all, though, the basics: the overall palette is restful and neutral – think white alongside putty, earth, slate and stone colours, anything which suggests a connection with the outdoors. The other key element is wood – particularly if you’re using white as a base – in strong shapes that add interest but don’t shout. This balance of wood versus cold

white works like an outdoor hot tub on a freezing cold day – you feel simultaneously comforted by the warmth and invigorated by the chill. While Scandinavian style is pure, it’s not puritanical, so occasional flashes of colour are important, either as a painted finish on select pieces of furniture, or as stripes, graphic Scandinavianstyle geometric or folksy patterns, or tree motifs in uplifting spring blues, teals and yellows. As Magnus at Skandium points out, there are plenty of joyous Scandi designs that are “far from

shy”, including Iittala’s colorful glassware and Marimekko’s bold prints (available at skandium. com). In terms of paint palettes to dip into for the “beautility” look, Scandinavian furniture follows the rule of “Cool grey neutrals” – “for a more hard-edged contemporary tone, with a slight underlying warmth”; “Industrial” – “an urban palette of muted tones that mimic the earthy shades of natural materials, uplifted by splashes of vibrant, zestful colour”; or “Nature”, which is influenced by the environment, with “an urban twist”. Lively spring green

plants and flowers will look more vibrant than ever against all those harmonious, cool tones. Whether the Scandinavians invented the concept of “wellness” as we know it, it’s hard to say for sure, but they’re certainly good at it. You only need to live with their interiors rules in your home for a short time to see that their mantra of doing things simply and properly clears the mind, and, in these stressful times, is perhaps the most inspired design concept of them all.

PERFECT HOMES4 49

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MARRIOTT’S PLAYA ANDALUZA ESTEPONA, COSTA DEL SOL, SPAIN

WELCOME TO MARRIOTT’S PLAYA ANDALUZA This stunning seafront resort is located on the Spanish Riviera of the Costa del Sol, near the “Millionaire’s Paradise” of Puerto Banús, an exclusive marina made famous by royalty, and just 15 minutes from the beautiful seaside town of Marbella.

RESORT AMENITIES

APARTMENT TYPES

Pools, Beauty and Fitness:

2 - Bedroom Apartment

• 3 outdoor pools including children’s pool with slide and interactive water feature • Indoor heated pool, whirlpools, sauna and steam rooms • Beauty and fitness centres

• 2-bedroom / 2-bathroom apartment • Overall size approximately 100m2 • Sleeps up to 6 people

Eating and Drinking:

• Matas Verdes Beach Bar and Solera Restaurant & Bar • MarketPlace® mini-market

• 3-bedroom / 3-bathroom apartment • Overall size approximately 135m2 • Sleeps up to 8 people

For Children:

APARTMENT AMENITIES

• MAZE® (Marriott’s Activity Zone Experience) for children • Teen lounge and outdoor playground Other Activities:

• • • •

Daily activities programme for all ages Paddle tennis court 9-hole miniature golf course Over 40 golf courses within 30 km range

3 - Bedroom Apartment

• • • •

Living & Dining area with LCD flat screen TV & DVD player Complimentary internet access for owners Fully equipped kitchen including microwave and dishwasher Master suite with king-size bed, oversize soaking tub and a separate shower • Utility room with washer and dryer • Furnished private balconies or patios

Marriott’s Playa Andaluza, Ctra. De Cádiz Km. 168, 29680 Estepona, Spain All features, furnishings and amenities depicted throughout may be proposed and are subject to change. Some facilities may be open on seasonal basis only. © Copyright 2011, Marriott Vacation Club International. All rights reserved. Marriott Vacation Club International and the programs and products provided under the Marriott Vacation Club brand are not owned, developed, or sold by Marriott International, Inc. Marriott Vacation Club International uses the Marriott marks under license from Marriott International, Inc. and its affiliates. IMG-11-049

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The Microsoft award winning technology that SieMatic has created in the multi-media system is housed within the streamlined, handle-less â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;S2â&#x20AC;&#x2122; kitchen. It includes a flush fitted television screen that sits neatly into a tall housing and when needed the screen can be pulled forward and swivelled for ease of use. Behind the screen is an Ipod docking station and a place for an air mouse and keyboard. Catering for the modern lifestyle, the television screen can be used as a computer for accessing the internet and checking emails.There is also a radio as well as a CD and DVD drive. The multi-media system allows the homeowner the chance to have a truly unique and fully intergrated technological system in their kitchen.

Outdoor Living Concepts

An outdoor living space can be turned into an oasis for the warmer months. Today, almost any activity you enjoy inside your home you can bring to the outside. Depending on your budget, your outdoor living space can be simple, with a stamped concrete patio, a grill and a table for dining, or more elaborate with a fully functional outdoor kitchen complete with concrete countertops for preparing and serving food, a sink and a refrigerator. You can take the concept even further by adding such amenities as a concrete pizza oven, a fireplace or firepit, a concrete bartop for serving cocktails, an architectural concrete fountain, landscape lighting and concrete statuary.

563 PERFECT HOMES

A POLYNESIAN FLAVOUR REF.: 20160P PLOT: 994 m2 BUILT: 411 m2 SOLE AGENT

Delightful villa with immense character situated in the heart of the Golden Mile. Built over one floor level. This property has five bedrooms, and features lovely main lounge, fully fitted kitchen with breakfast area, main dining area with BBQ and glass automatic ceiling, large covered terrace gymnasium with bathroom, absolutely delightful chill-out terrace and summer/winter lounge and entertaining area, booth with Balinese Style Thatch roofing beautiful landscaped garden with palm trees, cascade and gold fish pond, heated swimming pool and 3 cars garage.

El consumidor tiene derecho a que se le entregue una copia del Documento Informativo Abreviado de la vivienda

Tel: (+34) 952 81 01 02 路 www.KSsir.com 路 Email: info@KSsir.com

DANUBE KING SIZE BED WITH PIKOLIN SAGAN MATTRESS NORMAL PRICE 975€ - SPECIAL OFFER 575€

WIDE RANGE OF BEDS, FURNITURE AND ACCESSORIES AT FANTASTIC PRICES

MANOR WITH STORAGE 395€

OPERA KING SIZE 695€

ZONE WITH PIKOLIN MATTRESS 695€

A NEW DIMENSION TO FURNITURE AND FURNISHING IN SPAIN A complete range of furniture, in-stock, from traditional and modern lines to imported sofas, furniture, beds and decoration from around the world. Feenix Furniture prides itself on providing furniture of distinction with an unparalleled level of service. Work with us to create your dream home from furniture packages with exceptional value. FURNITURE - ACCESSORIES - ART - LIGHTING - SOFT FURNISHINGS - QUALITY RANGE OF OUTDOOR FURNITURE - INTERIOR DESIGN - FURNITURE PACKAGES

ROMA

RANGE OF LUXURY, HIGH QUALITY, FULL LEATHER ITALIAN SOFAS, STARTING AT 1.000€

TIVOLI MARBLE DINING TABLE WITH CONTRASTING IMPORIO INSERT

THE WORLD’S FINEST MARBLE TABLES, MADE IN ITALY

FEENIX FURNITURE LEGENDARY BRANDS. ABUNDANT SELECTION. REAL SAVINGS Ctra de Mijas km 3.5, 29649 Mijas, Málaga, Spain +34 952 466 959 info@feenixfurniture.com feenixfurniture.com

Sit down in Style Milleuna Luna This very beautiful and artistic pieces of furniture are a part of SICIS NEXT ART Chapter One collection, produced in a limited edition of 200 pieces. Like all NEXT ART furniture, Milleunalunais characterised by luxurious, artistic mosaic and precious silk velvet, all made in Italy.

Tenderely -

SICIS NEXT ART Chapter One collection,

The fabric used to produce these unique chairs is a soft silk velvet, and the chair is available in two colour versions: red/purple or blue/lilac. The original element that distinguishes Milleunalunais from other products in the market is the use of SICIS beautiful artistic mosaic Platinum and Platinum Tide by Murano Smalto Collection, placed by hand by the mosaic masters on the dreamy moons on the chair back. Alternatively, it is also possible to choose one of the 43plain colours available, by request.

Tenderly is characterised by beautiful rose effect made with mosaic and precious silk velvet, all 100% made in Italy. There are 4 colour versions available and are limited to 200 piecesAn original element of this furniture is the decorating part of the sofa’s border seat

A Seating Pod For Anyone Who Wants To Hide From The World Hush, by recent design school grad Freyja Sewell, is a felt pod that completely encapsulates your body and has a discreet slit down the middle, making it the perfect accomplice to Peeping Toms everywhere. Crawl in to the dark, womb-like interior, fasten the giant button, and ogle away (the slit never closes completely so you can always see out). It’s even got enough room to fit a telescope! [Hush also converts into a regular chair.] Kidding, kidding. Obviously, Sewell didn’t design this thing for voyeuristic weirdos. It’s for regular weirdos! Which is to say, those of us who don’t feel the urgent pull to be in constant contact with everyone else around us

603 PERFECT HOMES

Miele H5981 BP Oven The flagship 90cm oven is designed to create a real statement. From its unique 3DNavitronic control panel to its three colour SpeedLight illumination it will take centre stage in any environment.

Bookings: (+34) 902 491 616 l Quote CD Number 9843498

My best holiday experience.

(Save up to 10% with the Sunsearch discount. Quote CD Number 9843498 while reserving your rental car)

ING

T TH DO THE RIGH

Linea Directa reports: HOW TO COMPLETE AN ACCIDENT REPORT FORM This document is essential for determining who is responsible for a traffic accident, which has a direct effect on the price that customers pay when renewing their insurance.

What is an accident report form? An accident report form is a document which outlines the circumstances which have occurred in a car accident. In addition to the personal details of the drivers and their vehicles, the document includes a jointly agreed description of the manoeuvres carried out by the drivers when the accident took place, which plays a key role in determining who is responsible for a traffic accident.

How should completed?

linea Directa

LĂnea Directa offers the following advice to complete the form: Columns A and B (blue and yellow), are for the personal details of the drivers and their vehicles. In section 12, (Circumstances) the numbered column on the left describes the manoeuvres of car A and the one on the right those of car B. If you are unsure which box to mark, leave it blank. Make a drawing of the accident in section 13 indicating the manoeuvre of each car. If anybody has been injured or if you think they might have been injured, complete section 24. If there is more than one car involved in the accident, also complete section 23, on the reverse side of the form, and include it in the sketch. Sign the form and keep a copy.

Call now for more information on 902 123 104

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MARRIOTT’S CLUB SON ANTEM MALLORCA, SPAIN

WELCOME TO MARRIOTT’S CLUB SON ANTEM Situated on the lush green fairways of the Son Antem East golf course, Marriott’s Club Son Antem is one of Mallorca’s premier golf and spa locations. The luxurious townhouses are equipped with private backyards and barbeque facilities.

RESORT AMENITIES

TOWNHOUSE TYPES

Pools, Beauty and Fitness:

2 - Bedroom Townhouse

• Son Antem Spa with treatment rooms (massage, mud packs, thermal water and beauty services) • Outdoor pool, heated indoor pool and children’s pool • Fitness centre • Whirlpools, sauna and steam rooms

3 - Bedroom Townhouse

Eating and Drinking:

• MarketPlace® mini-market • A full range of dining venues: La Vista Verde on site, and El Olivar, Lobby Bar Llevant and Es Trenc pool bar at the adjacent Mallorca Marriott® Son Antem Golf Resort & Spa For Children:

• MAZE® (Marriott’s Activity Zone Experience) for children • Teen lounge and outdoor playground Other Activities:

• Daily activities programme for all ages • Two 18-hole championship golf courses • Tennis courts

• 2-bedroom / 2-bathroom townhouse • Overall size approximately 88m2 • Sleeps up to 6 people

• 3-bedroom / 2-bathroom townhouse • Overall size approximately 110m2 • Sleeps up to 8 people

TOWNHOUSE AMENITIES • • • •

Marriott’s Club Son Antem, Carretera Ma 19, Salida No 20, 07620 Llucmajor, Mallorca, Spain All features, furnishings and amenities depicted throughout may be proposed and are subject to change. Some facilities may be open on seasonal basis only. © Copyright 2011, Marriott Vacation Club International. All rights reserved. Marriott Vacation Club International and the programs and products provided under the Marriott Vacation Club brand are not owned, developed, or sold by Marriott International, Inc. Marriott Vacation Club International uses the Marriott marks under license from Marriott International, Inc. and its affiliates. IMG-11-049

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683 PERFECT HOMES

FLOWER POWER It was in 1965 that the American poet Allen Ginsberg came up with the term flower power and recent research shows that blooms really do spread happiness and joy that people back then believed. Flowers and flowering plants have been shown to give emotional and psychological benefits to humans in several recent studies. Andrey Pavlov of Oranzh says that he is not surprised by the findings.’’In Russia flowers help us to celebrate almost every happy occasion and they can just be given as a side present or as a just because. We have a whole culture of flowers in Russia that doesn’t exist in many other countries of the world.’’

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Rose

Carnation

Gladiolus

The first cultivated roses appeared in Asian gardens more than 5000 years ago. Sargon I, King of the Akkadians (2684-2630 B.C., ancient Mesopotamia) brought back from a military expedition “vines, figs and rose trees”. Egyptian artists depicted roses in tombs dating from the 5th century BC to Cleopatra’s time.

Its origin is in the Middle East. But the name, Carnation, comes from Greece - carnis (flesh) refers to the original color of the flower, or it could come from “coronation” or “corona” (flower garlands), as it was one of the flowers used in Greek ceremonial crowns.

The name in Latin means “sword” due to the shape of its leaves. The flower is said to have represented the Roman gladiators. A mixture of powdered corms and goat’s milk was a favorite remedy for colic. In the 18th Century, African Gladioli were imported in large quantities to Europe from South Africa.

703 PERFECT HOMES

Chrysanthemum

Lily

Orchid

The name is derived from the Greek ‘chrysos’ (gold) and ‘anthos’ (flower). The flower was first exhibited in Europe in the 18th century. Before that it had been cultivated in China for more than 2,500 years. The Chrysanthemum was discovered in a villa in Crete, dating back to the Minoan Period, about 1580 B.C. badge of the Old Chinese Army.

The pictures of lilies were discovered in the palace of Crete, dating back to 1580 B.C. In Greek marriage ceremonies the bride wears a crown of lilies and wheat. In the Bible they symbolize chastity and virtue; they are also a symbol of fertility. In Elizabethan times lilies were one of the medicines to treatment fever, or for cleaning wounds and burns.

In Greek orchis means testicle. Greek women believed that if the father of their unborn child ate large tubers, the baby would be a boy. If the mother ate small tubers, they would give birth to a baby girl. The most famous of them, the vanilla orchid, was said to give strength to the Aztecs, who drank vanilla mixed with chocolate.

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Leaders Within The Industry

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RICHARD LEWIS INTERIORS

Jonty Richard Lewis & Sebastian McLeod of Richard Lewis Interiors give Perfect Homes an Iintriguing and exclusive account of thier professional and personal lives here on The Costa del Sol by Annabel Milnes-Smith

have been lucky enough to have known Jonty and Seb for many years. Indeed Jonty and myself spent more than a few amusing moments together, including occasional serious ones, (the latter being challenging when in his company), whilst being filmed for Marbella Television.

I was therefore thrilled to be given the opportunity to interview these two ebullient characters and glean the secrets of their success within the high profile world of interior design. I met them both at their positively opulent showroom at the Commercial Centre, in the heart of the super chic suburb of Guadalmina. Walking into Richard Lewis Interiors was reminiscent of one or two of the interior design establishments I have visited in Knightsbridge and Chelsea over the years. Their one stop shop approach to interior design encompasses everything you could possibly need to create your own unique space in Marbella and beyond. They undertake all aspects of planning and construction, as well as the design and installation of furniture, bespoke joinery, flooring, lighting, specialist decoration and soft furnishings. Their studio is home to a vast collection of fabrics and wallpapers sourced from high brow interior companies such as Designers Guild, Andrew Martin, Osborne & Little to Clarke & Clarke and Harlequin.

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Indeed they have a library of wallpaper, furniture and lighting catalogues from over 250 brands. Customers can browse through them at their leisure whilst sitting having coffee at their bar, which indeed I did, as I began my quest to discover the history behind both Jonty and Seb and what propelled them both to settle and create this interior design heaven on the Costa del Sol. Said Jonty, “I spent my childhood driving my family crazy by changing the house around – moving furniture and dressing windows with bed sheets! When I was old enough to be noticed, I worked designing local shops and garden centre displays. I didn’t like school at all and couldn’t wait to leave and start work being creative! I studied Interior Design at college to pass time until I could drive.” Jonty then started working for a company furnishing show homes for a few top name developers until his parents told him they were moving to Marbella. As you can imagine Jonty was elated. He took a job in a beach bar for a year, learned the all important Spanish language and was then offered a job in one of Marbella’s top Interior Design Companies. From that moment on there was no looking back. At the tender age of 21, Jonty opened Richard Lewis Interiors in 2002. “In 2008 I was very fortunate to meet Seb at my own birthday party! I couldn’t believe my luck – meeting somebody so handsome AND a talented Interior Designer!” Moving onto Seb, “I studied Interior Design at Walsall College of Art and then became the Manager of designer menswear store Messori in Birmingham at the age 19! I was then employed as a design consultant at Birmingham’s leading contemporary furniture retailer but became fed up of going to work in the dark and going home in the dark. What brought me here was the fact that my parents had spent a lot of time in Marbella; hence I felt I knew the place although I had never even visited before! Like Jonty, I took a year to get to know the area and worked in a bar. Then fate stepped in. I met Jonty. I did not initially intend to become involved with the business but due to my experience I could not resist not only Jonty but the opportunity to become an integral figure within RLI.” Back to Jonty and the present day; in a nutshell, give me a synopsis of RLI. “Richard Lewis Interiors is a bespoke personal interior design service creating items for our clients that are custom-made for each individual. We design many of our own furnishings, here in the workroom. We just deliver a fantastic service to our clients.” What set’s you apart from other interior designers on the coast? “We go further than just a normal interior design service to clients. We have recently landscaped a garden for one of our clients. “ They also provide another service which no other interior design companies offer. “We make all our curtains by hand. We make proper British quality curtains. We don’t use curtain tape- we use the best quality British buckram.”

743 PERFECT HOMES

Seb adds, “We go above and beyond for them. We just can’t say no! We have organized their house-warming parties; we even recently catered for one event and will quite literally turn our hands to anything.” “We are so personal and become good friends with our clients which any other shop probably would not do. Subsequently they continue visiting us even when the project has been completed.” You are both social and indeed society figures on the coast. Where are your favourite haunts? Says Seb, “We love the bamboo bar on San Pedro beach.” Incidentally I know that this is a nick name for the restaurant which I have been to many times. They both want the name to remain that way, so that no-one will know where they hang out. How absolutely charming and modest or are they just being bashful? – Far from it, this writer surmises! As I previously stated, I have known them both for quite some time! “We are very simple. Most people would say La Sala, wouldn’t they? Other places we like going to are Benahavis, Marbella Old Town, and other nice little restaurants in San Pedro. Seb adds, “We are very much San Pedro people.” Jonty quips, “We like supporting local restaurants close to our home in Guadalmina.” You have many celebrity clients. Name a few together with celebrities you know personally. Jonty, “I am a designer to lots of celebrities and high profile people but like to keep their identities private.” However whilst I was doing the interview, Miss Diane from Crossroads; actress Sue Hanson walked in. Jonty and Seb had just finished her house. Said Jonty, “She is absolutely delighted with the results and we have become very good friends. You are opening a lifestyle store together, next door to RLI, which will mirror Saks – Fifth Avenue, Harvey Nichols and David Jones. Give me an insight into the products you will be selling. “Affordable home accessories. “It is very design led, original and all chosen by us. They will be the type of things we have in our own house even the shower gels we use. It is very much about us both, such as our own range of candles, towels and bedding. We will be selling, gift cards and gifts, fashion accessories, stationary, books, garden accessories and plants. We will also be doing deli items to take away such as a variety of wines; a wine club, different teas, chocolates, meats and cheeses. We will be holding a market every Friday and Saturday with fresh flowers and organic vegetable boxes. They will be a bit of a surprise as there will be the staple fresh produce combined with other vegetables that are currently in season. Nice big boxes for say a family of four.” “Incorporated within the store will be a coffee shop come wine bar. We have chosen our own blends and are roasting the coffee beans ourselves.” “It is one of those shops you walk into and justgo ‘wow’. You will not be able to walk in and resist the urge to buy.

PERFECT HOMES4 75

Many of our items will be in the 5€ range. We would like people to walk in and buy a bottle of wine for a dinner party, maybe a gift for the host, have a coffee and buy some bedding, hand gel or any other home accessories.” “We are also taking upstairs as well for classes and have 45 booked to date. From palates, yoga and antenatal classes to flower arranging, life coaching, languages including Chinese and Moroccan, spiritualism etc. We cover the whole teaching spectrum. There will also be a dance studio; the rooms can be rented for an hour and a half; the price

763 PERFECT HOMES

around 25€. It will be decorated in a really funky style and radiate great energy.” You are starring in Marbella Mansions – a new UK TV Home series. What can viewers expect when it is aired in July and how many weeks will it run for? “RLI are featured in four episodes of the ten one hour series. It will be a bit like the Jonty Show!” As I know Jonty is a natural on television, this would not remotely surprise me, although I thought they were both featuring on it! Says Seb, “I am rather camera shy so I stay in

the background.” “My opening scene was arriving at a client’s house and realizing that I had mistakenly painted the walls of the indoor swimming pool cerise pink. It was quite funny. The cameras loved it. I immediately phoned up the client as she was arriving the next day with ten VIP clients who were staying. I said, ‘Hi Michelle, its Jonty. I have painted your swimming pool bright pink.’ She replied, ‘oh have you? I am sure if you have done it, it will look beautiful.’ She absolutely loved it.”

Richard Lewis Con’t page 125 “Another scene was when we were rushing to get a clients house finished as they were arriving a day early. Their curtain poles were on the delivery van on the way to the house when it crashed. Our curtain poles were on top the van and they shot straight across the road. I then had to go there with my car and pick them all up. It was hilarious.”

was a 2000 square metre house in Mombasa. The hallway alone was 60 metres long. It was testing to put it mildly. Not only were there fifty people working on site not helping us one iota, but they only had one drill and two ladders where every second step was missing and the one and only tape measure had missing numbers.”

You not only concentrate on projects on the Costa del Sol, but ones further afield. I gather you have recently completed a project in Kenya.

How did you cope with the wildlife? “There were plenty of monkeys which we loved but the large centipedes with hard shells scared the living daylights out of us.

“That was such an amazing opportunity. It

They also recently completed a project in the

millionaire’s playground – Sandbanks. “It was built for the Toby Gard, one-time Core designer, who created Tomb Raider, Lara Croft. He got divorced from his wife and lost all his money. So he started property development. His house that we redesigned was his first attempt within the industry.” What has been your most challenging project? “It has to have been Kenya. The logistics were a nightmare especially with shipping the products there and having to deal with customs. Also whilst we were staying, we had to pretend that we only worked together

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Nueva Andalucia 783 PERFECT HOMES

V6100 Cerquilla Villa

€ 4.950.000

This beautiful villa is situated on one of the hills surrounding Golf Valley. Location is peaceful and yet only a five minute drive away from the best Golf Clubs and the buzzing Puerto Banus and beaches!

PLOT: 2.221 M ² BUILT: 1.564 M ² BEDROOM(S): 6 BATHROOM(S): 5 TERRACES 247 M ²

S U N NORDICA S E A R C H PROPERTY COMPANY

www.sunsearch-nordicproperties.com T. +34 952 814 882

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La Quinta

A1056 Las Terrazas de la Quinta Lovely little Penthouse situated on the 3rd floor, best feature of this property is the spacious terrace with stunning views of Mountain, golf and Sea. Covered parking just by the entrance of the portal. Situated just a few minutes from several Golf courses and near to Puerto Banus and the beach. BUILT: BEDROOM(S): BATHROOM(S): TERRACE

43 M ² 1 1 27 M ²

PRICE: € 129.00

S U N NORDICA S E A R C H PROPERTY COMPANY

www.sunsearch-nordicproperties.com T. +34 952 814 882

803 PERFECT HOMES

Nueva Andalucia

A2540 Magna Marbella

PRICE: € 345.000

REDUCED PRICE FROM €395.000 - 365.000 This two bedrooms apartment is situated in the well known complex of Magna Marbella the urbanization is gated and has got 24h security! BUILT: BEDROOM(S): BATHROOM(S): TERRACE

120 M ² 2 2 20 M ²

S U N NORDICA S E A R C H PROPERTY COMPANY

www.sunsearch-nordicproperties.com T. +34 952 814 882

PERFECT HOMES4 81

Nueva Andalucia

A2591 Las Tortugas Fantastic south-west apartment with views over Nueva Andalucia and the sea. Modern furniture in spacious rooms with ensuite bathrooms. Near distance to Aloha college and to Puerto Banus..

BUILT: BEDROOM(S): BATHROOM(S): TERRACE

120 M ² 2 2 41 M ²

PRICE: € 345.00 S U N NORDICA S E A R C H PROPERTY COMPANY

www.sunsearch-nordicproperties.com T. +34 952 814 882

823 PERFECT HOMES

El Madroñal PRICE: € 2.690.00

V6083 El Madroñal Spectacular 6 bedroom villa in a stunning location with views over the Mediterranean and the mountains. This Andalucian style villa is decorated to a modern style with large open rooms with double vaulted ceilings. Heated pool. PLOT: BUILT: BEDROOM(S): BATHROOM(S):

3.333 M ² 720 M ² 6 5

S U N NORDICA S E A R C H PROPERTY COMPANY

www.sunsearch-nordicproperties.com T. +34 952 814 882

PERFECT HOMES4 83

El Madro単al 843 PERFECT HOMES

PRICE: € 3.800.00

V6101 El Madroñal

New Listing Brand new bright and well-designed modern villa with high quality and exclusive materials. The house is very private and in a gated urbanisation.

PLOT: 4.017 M ² BUILT: 1.027 M ² BEDROOM(S): 6 BATHROOM(S): 8 TERRACE 174 M ²

S U N NORDICA S E A R C H PROPERTY COMPANY

www.sunsearch-nordicproperties.com T. +34 952 814 882

PERFECT HOMES4 85

Nueva Andalucia

RV112558 Villa arounf the world New Listing PLOT:4500 M ² BUILT 1400 M ² BEDROOM(S) :11 BATHROOM(S):11 Enchanting house with 7 bedrooms each decorated from different parts of the world! In a morish/spanish style built around a courtyard, this villa is private yet close to all ammenities in Aloha Gardens or a short drive to Puerto Banus.

Low Season: 8000€/week Rest of the year High Season: 15000 €/week Easter Summer:15/6 - 15/9 Christmas & New Year

S U N NORDICA S E A R C H PROPERTY COMPANY

www.sunsearch-nordicproperties.com T. +34 952 814 882

863 PERFECT HOMES

Nueva Andalucia

RV3175 Dadin PLOT: 850 M ² BUILT 230 M ² BEDROOM(S) : 3 BATHROOM(S):3 Charming 3 bedroom country style villa for holiday let. Tastefully decorated to a high standard, telephone, computer, ADSL, bluetooth and SKY satellite. Situated 300m from the Golf Club of Los Naranjos and 2.5km to Puerto Banus.

Low Season: 1950 €/week Rest of the year High Season: 3200 €/week Easter Summer:15/6 - 15/9 Christmas & New Year

S U N NORDICA S E A R C H PROPERTY COMPANY

www.sunsearch-nordicproperties.com T. +34 952 814 882

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Sierra Blanca 883 PERFECT HOMES

RV42461 Monte Blanca PLOT: 1500 M ² BUILT800 M ² BEDROOM(S) : 4 BATHROOM(S):4

Beautiful villa newly constructed and modern furnished in the prestigious residencial area of marbella, Sierra Blanca. Contemporary design with exclusive specifications. Entry level: hall, livingroom, dining, office, library, kitchen and one bedroom with en-suite bath, guest toilet. First floor: 3 bedrooms with en-suite bath. Master bedroom also has a walking wardrobe. Two terraces. Lower level: storage, garage for 6 cars, laundry room, bathroom. Low Season: 9500 €/week Rest of the year High Season: 9950 €/week Easter Summer:15/6 - 15/9 Christmas & New Year

S U N NORDICA S E A R C H PROPERTY COMPANY

www.sunsearch-nordicproperties.com T. +34 952 814 882

PERFECT HOMES4 89

PERFECT HOMES GOES AROUND THE WORLD

FRANCE

PRESTIGE +33 603211075

Paris Property Type :Apartment Surface :150 m² Bedroom(s) :2 Bathroom(s) :2 Terrace :20 m² Ref. :Fr-00058-12 On the top floor of a freestone building. Large living room, 2 bedrooms and 2 baths, fully equiped kitchen. Eiffel Tower view from the living room and the terrace. This gem in perfect condition is sold furnished.

923 PERFECT HOMES

NOVRON +90 212 249 9260

We are dedicated to provide the highest level of European quality at our developments and endeavour to include many state-of-the-art features. Ardesco Villas is a testament to our efforts and features premium fixtures and fittings including;

TURKEY

Ardesco villas, Bodrum

Satellite system, wireless internet Open air lighting system Integrated flat screen television (optional) Home theatre system (optional) Fully equipped integrated kitchen Power generator 24 hours security Private pools Garden sprinkler system Air conditioning system Landscaped gardens Site Concierge Panoramic glass with heat isolation Magnificent sea view from all units

PERFECT HOMES4 93

BRAZILIAN HOMES

BRAZIL

+55 21 4042 4893

BEACH FRONT Maceió Only 17 families will have privilge to live in this unique Beach Front location in Maceió. This is a small and very exclusive development enjoying a prime position in one of the very last Beach Front plots in Maceió city center. The smallest apartment has no less than 420 m2 and comes with 3 private car spaces in the garage. Starting from 375 000 Euros for a property in Maceió of this luxury and location, this is one of those unique opportunities that only comes once in a lifetime. REFERENCE NUMBER: #1054 AVAILABLE TYPES: 4 - 4 BEDROOM(S) SIZES VARY BETWEEN 420 AND 582m2 PRICE CHART 4 bed Apartments: 375,000-475,000€ 4 bed Apartments: 520,000-750,000€ Payment Terms: 6000 Euros Reservation Flexible Stage Payments

943 PERFECT HOMES

BRAZLIAN HOMES +55 21 4042 4893

The apartments for sale range in size from 68m2 to 73m2. All apartments are 1 bed apartments finished to the highest qualities and standards. The Pipa apartments are delivered fully furnished including Plasma TV:s. The furniture pack is of luxury standards.

BRAZIL

BEACH FRONT Pipa

Facilities - Swimming Pool - Restaurant next door will serve breakfast and food to guests - Property and rental management (details TBC) - Reception area - 24 H security REFERENCE NUMBER: #1067 AVAILABLE TYPES: 1 - 1 BEDROOM(S) SIZES VARY BETWEEN 68 AND 73m2 PRICE CHART 1 bed Apartments: 168,000-168,000â&#x201A;Ź Payment Terms: 6000 Euros reservation 100% at contract Additional details: Beachfront Cliff Top location Beach Access Truly unique location Exclusive project Panoramic sea views

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DUBAI

ASWAQ MANGEMENT +800 3844 2328

ETIHAD TOWERS 199 Apartments 5 Star Hotel Large picture windows overlooking the Arbaian Gulf Shopping Mall 24/7 Security Gymnasium, Landscaped gardens Decked pool Restaurants and stylish cafes Health clubs Underground Parking Price: P.O.A.

963 PERFECT HOMES

+351 962 744 924

LAGOS River de Alvor Lagos - Excelent bulit 140m2 , plot 2 757m2, situated above the River de Alvor. Arquitectue modern, glass to the ceiling with wood. This location is prilvigaged with the river and golf course - . It has 2 bedrooms, 2 suites, 2 bathrooms, large livingroom and garage. The pool goes around the house. The kitchen is complete with appliences and cabinets. In the garden has a lighting system.

PORTUGAL

IMATICO

Air Conditioning : Cable / Satellite (Availability) : ADSL (Availability) : Telephone, Alarm, Balcony, Fireplace, BBQ, Terrace, Pool Number of Bedrooms : 4 Living Area : 140 square metres Land Size : 2757 square metres Price : â&#x201A;Ź 1200000 Nearest Airport : Faro 75 km Nearest Important City : Lagos 15 km Nearest Touristic Attraction : Meia Praia

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USA

SKYBOX REALTY 001 415.216.8746

Waterfront Tower II Infinity Penthouse, San Fransico CA MLS ID: 392504

983 PERFECT HOMES

Bedrooms: 3 Waterfront Tower II Infinity Penthouse with Panoramic City and Water Views on the 42nd Floor. Superstar Architect Bernardo Fort-Brescia of Architectonica and local powerhouse Heller Manus have created the quintessential urban living experience along San Franciscoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s waterfront Embarcadero. Extra Hi Ceilings, $300K+ custom designer remodel; High End Custom Audio / Video System, Wenge Hardwood Floors, Italian Tiles, Designer Fixtures, Power Shades, Thermador refrigerator, Viking cooktop, and Two Balconies.Entertain guests in the club room & movie theater, and work out in the professional-quality gym.Walk to Embarcadero, Union Square, the Financial District. EZ access to Bay Bridge.. 24 hour doorman.1 car parking. Views! $2,900,000 USD

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USA

SURF AND SAND ESTATES 001 949 533 6511

Dana Point CA

(between LA and San Diego) HUGO SORIA OF LAGUNA BEACH DESIGNED THIS HOME....Stunning! Enter double doors into the atrium oasis with interconnecting koi ponds to reach the foyer. This awe inspiring contemporary home features floor to ceiling windows which display the panoramic ocean and hillside views in the open-living design. Note the sand blasted marble floors in the foyer and great room. The four bedrooms are situated in a way that each feels as if it rests in its own wing. A private courtyard featuring an outdoor fountain connects two bedrooms and a spacious family room. Three level deck with spa, sunning and eating decks and never ending views make this home an entertainerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s gem. Beds 4 Baths 1 full, 2 three-quarter featured with Marble Shower (N), Marble Vanity(s) (N), Marble Walls (N), Remodeled, Shower and Tub, Tub With Jets Home size 3,100 sq ft Lot Size 16,591 sqft $3,100,000 USD

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Telephone: 809-261-1168

Cabarete Beach front Apartment This exclusive beachfront condominium complex is located in the centre of Cabarete and ideally situated close to all amenities and only 20 minutes from the International Airport of Puerto Plata. This condominium is a true oasis of luxury and tranquility situated right on the ocean waves whereby you can enjoy the privacy of the environment and nature. Every one of the twenty four apartments and two penthouses has 180ยบ panoramic ocean views. They have high ceilings of 3.10 Meters or 10.2 Feet, imported floors made in marble or porcelain, fully equipped modern kitchen, rooms for washing and drying. All closets and doors are made of oak; the bathrooms are made in marble with glass doors. The windows are imported European double class and the frames are done in weather and salt resistant materials. Apartments equipped with electrical water heaters and 4 air conditioners. There is cable and telephone line in each apartment. Features: Asphalt Road, Beachfront, Finance Available, Laundry Room, Parking Space, Carport, 24 Hours Security, Power Converter, Electric Generator, Ceiling Fan, Stove, Internet, Phone Lines, Cable TV, Air Conditioning, Refrigerator, Solar Heater, Electrical Water Heater, Gas Connection, Near Shopping Mall, Near Transportation, Near School, Mountain View, Ocean View, Gated Community, Furnished. $595,000 USD Bedrooms: 3 Bathrooms: 3 Area Size: 230sqm

dominican republic

BUYSELL INTERNATIONAL

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With a fantastic climate making for year round living, a property in Spain would not be complete if it didn’t have a swimming pool.

f you are considering the addition of a swimming pool to your Spanish property it is worth doing your research a swimming pool does not have to cost the earth and a pool in the back garden can be achieved for surprisingly good value for money. The perfect Spanish swimming pool could be the ideal addition to your home in Spain and would offer you a luxurious and private area for relaxing, bathing, entertaining guests and exercising, providing hours of enjoyment for you and all of your family and friends. Should you also let out your Spanish property, having a private pool can also be a smart investment to your property as it would definitely increase rental potential. Swimming pools in Spain can come in all shapes and sizes and can be built above-ground as prefabricated pools as well as fully constructed below ground pools. The main difference between different types of pools is how the basin is constructed. There are several different pool styles, each with its own advantages and disadvantages.

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Above-ground pools

are the cheapest construction option, as well as the easiest to build. Most above-ground pools are made from prefabricated kits, which even an amateur can put together (though most people go with professional installers). First, the installers level off the ground to form a flat building surface. Then they assemble a perimeter track, which supports the outer wall (made of metal, plastic or wood). Next, they spread sand in the pool area and lay the plumbing.

Finally, they secure the vinyl liner over the pool walls, fill the pool with water, smooth the liner and fasten it into place. As soon as they hook up the pump and filtering system, the pool is ready to go. The main disadvantage of this sort of pool is that it’s less durable than other designs, and generally less attractive. It’s also less permanent, which can be a good thing -- it’s relatively easy to disassemble the pool and move it to a new location.

Fiberglass pools are made from fiberglass-reinforced plastic, which has been moulded into a basin shape. To install the pool, a construction crew digs an appropriately sized hole, lays the necessary plumbing, adds some sand filler and lowers the preformed pool structure into the hole. Then they level the pool hook up all the plumbing and backfill in the area around the pool. Usually, the pool is surrounded by a concrete deck structure.

Vinyl-lined

in-ground pools are a lot like above-ground pools, structurally, but they look more like conventional in-ground designs. The construction crew digs a hole and assembles a metal, plastic or wood frame wall around the whole perimeter. As in an above-ground pool, the crew lays sand along the bottom of the hole and secures the vinyl lining to the structural wall. These pools are a lot cheaper than other in-ground designs, but not as durable. Typically, the liner needs to be replaced every 10 years or so.

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Gunite pools are the most popular design. To build one of these pools, a construction crew digs a hole, puts the plumbing in place and assembles a framework grid with 3/8-inch steel reinforcing rods (rebar). The rebar rods are spaced about 10 inches apart, and secured together with wire. When the grid is in place, the crew sprays a heavy coating of gunite, a mixture of cement and sand, around the rebar. The sprayer unit combines dry gunite mix with water just before spraying - this produces the wet concrete material. The crew trowels the gunite smooth and lets it sit for a week or so before applying a smooth finish to the rough surface. The most popular finish is called plaster (actually a mixture of cement and marble sand), but a lot of people finish their pools with special concrete paint. Gunite pools can also have tile, exposed aggregate or even fiberglass finishes. Gunite pools (and their cousins, shotcrete pools) are highly durable, and they can be built in any shape or size. Poured-concrete pools are similar to gunite pools, but theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re a lot harder to build. Instead of spraying concrete material around a rebar framework, concrete is actually poured into conventional wooden forms. With the rise of gunite methods, poured-concrete pool construction has mostly fallen by the wayside. In masonry block pools, the walls are constructed with concrete blocks. While these pool designs are quite different, they all rely on the same basic plumbing and filtering systems. In the next issue of Perfect Homes, weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll see how these components actually keep the pool going.

A PROPERTY OF DISTINCTION REF.: 20474P PLOT: 5177 m2

BUILT: 895 m2

SOLE AGENT

Magnificent villa situated in a gated community on the Golden Mile. Designed in a Tuscan style with Andalusian touches this property with 5 bedrooms offers privacy and welcoming atmosphere. It is surrounded by extended mature landscaped gardens, swimming pool, gazebo, courtyard with fountain. This unique villa enjoys fabulous gardens & sea views. 2 cars garage plus 4 carport spaces. Guest apartment.

El consumidor tiene derecho a que se le entregue una copia del Documento Informativo Abreviado de la vivienda

Tel: (+34) 952 81 01 02 路 www.KSsir.com 路 Email: info@KSsir.com

‘

The Sun has begun to shine once more on the Costa del Sol Real Estate market

There’s no denying that the Spanish property market has seen some ups and downs in the last 10 years, recently experiencing very testing times for property sellers, developers and real estate agencies alike. However, out of every crisis also comes great opportunity for those in search of a bargain. The past few months have seen significant change here on the Costa del Sol, with agents, lawyers and banks all agreeing that things are definitely on the up, interest and demand is increasing and it would seem that the worst of the property crisis is over for this part of the Coast. For potential buyers this creates an ideal scenario, with an abundance of great quality and equally great value properties available. Banks are easing lending again, with some developers offering up to 100% funding meaning both buyers and sellers can look forward to a much improved resale market going forward. The team from Personal Property Finder are optimistic - “We have had an excellent first quarter, and we’re excited about the year ahead. We can already see that 2012 is going to be a crucial year for the southern Spain property market.”

Now in its 3rd successful year, PPF was created as part of the globally successful property portal Propertyshowrooms.com, because feedback from clients showed that they were finding the house hunting process frustrating, labour intensive and stressful. By using PPF, people no longer have to find their way around unfamiliar areas, deal with lots of different agents and websites or waste time viewing properties which do not match their requirements. They deal directly with an individual advisor who carries out a dedicated search to find the properties which match their requirements exactly and most importantly which are within their budget. The PPF team have many years’ experience of living and working on the Costa del Sol and understands its property market intimately, giving the company a distinct advantage in sourcing the perfect property. For a personalised concierge service to find your ideal Spanish property, contact PERSONAL PROPERTY FINDER today on 952 477 205 or email us info@personalpropertyfinder.com

Alexander’s Collection

Alexander’s Collection Spain, SL Ctra. n-340, Km 176, Edif OASIS Business Center, Local 1. 29600 Marbella (Malaga), España T. +34 952 82 34 40 ac-spain@terra.es www.alexanders-collection.com

“The birth of Style” - The theme of the latest original and innovative collections of the carpets from Design House of “Alexander’s Collection”

Alexanderâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Collection

Alexander’s Collection

Alexander’s Collection Spain, SL Ctra. n-340, Km 176, Edif OASIS Business Center, Local 1. 29600 Marbella (Malaga), España T. +34 952 82 34 40 ac-spain@terra.es www.alexanders-collection.com

ith an opulent showroom on Marbella’s iconic Golden Mile, ‘Alexander’s Collection’ reflects the very best money can buy with an array of magnificent high quality creations. Originally created by Alexander Anisimov renowned as the Versace of Carpets, Alexander’s Collections combines stunning hand made carpets, the finest silk wallpaper, exquisite high quality mosaic’s, textiles, centrepiece glassware, chandeliers, lamps and accessories.

Working with only the most prestigious brands such as Daum, Zuber, Christofle, Zanetti Murano, San Giorgio & Houles Paris.

The stunning hand made premium silk carpet collections are unique works of carpet art, made by master craftsmen who combine techniques of weaving gold, silver, Swarovski crystals, & pearl strands within the carpets to create a vision of beauty.

Alexander’s Collections is able to offer it’s client’s unique limited editions and exclusive one off pieces of crystal, glass, silver, porcelain and Limoges fine bone china (Manufacture Royal de Limoges) amongst many other stunning creations and designs not to forget many item have an exclusivity.

Alexander’s Collection team work tirelessly with the manufactures and can tailor-make a design project offering bespoke fitting and design services for any shape room.

Alexander’s Collection’ irrefutably stands besides the top names in interior design and collectables and encompasses luxury at its finest resulting in the perfect interior company.

Visit the showroom where they will be happy to assist you. Open from Monday – Saturday 11:00 – 20:00 Alexander’s Collection Spain, SL Ctra. n-340, Km 176, Edif OASIS Business Center, Local 1. 29600 Marbella (Malaga), España T. +34 952 82 34 40 ac-spain@terra.es www.alexanders-collection.com

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Beachfront Estepona

RV51174 Villa Rosegarden

When you walk to the front door of this property your senses are awakened by the wonderful rosegarden that surrounds you and this is just the beginning of the joys that this FIVE bedroomed beach front villa has to offer. The grounds surrounding this substancial property reach down to the sea with tenniscourt and swimmingpool also there for your pleasure. The house comprised of five en-suite bedrooms all decorated to the highest standard and all overlooking the gardens and sea.The living area opens onto the wraparound terrace with plenty of dinning area for alfresco meals. There is a bodega and disco area downstairs with access to the sauna, gym and outdoor pool. Live-in staff at your disposal in seperate property PLOT: 5000 M ² BUILT1000 M ² BEDROOM(S) : 5 BATHROOM(S):6

Low Season: High Season:

25000 €/week Rest of the year 25000 €/week Easter Summer:15/6 - 15/9 Christmas & New Year www.sunsearch-nordicproperties.com T. +34 952 814 882

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DESIRABLE VILLA FOR RENT & SALE Spectacular villa situated on the beachside just west of San Pedro Alcantara in a tranquil residential area, only a walk away from golf course, some restaurants and a luxury hotel offering various facilities. The property enjoys a wonderful garden and features a heated swimming pool with South African Pergola fitted with barbecue, fridge, shower and W/C constructed on a teak terrace.

REF.: 018050P 2

BUILT: 737m PLOT: 3.138me SOLE AGENT

El consumidor tiene derecho a que se le entregue una copia del Documento Informativo Abreviado de la vivienda

Tel: (+34) 952 81 01 02 路 www.KSsir.com 路 Email: info@KSsir.com

See us on ‘Marbella Mansions’ UKTV Home- Sky 246 this July!

Welcome to my world of interiors... Our one stop shop approach to interior design not only includes beautiful furniture and fabrics but everything you could possibly need to create your own unique space in Marbella and beyond… We undertake all aspects of planning and construction, as well as the design and installation of bespoke joinery, flooring, lighting, specialist decoration and soft furnishings. Whether you want a vase, new sofa or complete home makeover- we really do have it all! I hope to see you soon!

Richard Lewis Interiors S.L. Centro Comercial Guadalmina IV Local 20, Guadalmina Alta Tel. 952 89 69 01 info@richardlewisinteriors.com www.richardlewisinteriors.com

because it is against the law to be gay. It was not only because we did not want to appear gay but also we didn’t want to be robbed. It was quite amusing because in front of our client’s friends, we had to pretend we were just business partners. We took to constantly saying to each other, ‘Are you alwight mate,’ and had to sleep in separate bedrooms. There was no corridor creeping because if we got caught, that would be it.” In one sentence how would you describe yourselves? At this point they text a friend who replies with the following. Jonty is a flamboyant character. When walking into a room full of people, he lights it up and exudes positive energy to all those around him. Seb is a rather more detached with a cool persona. He makes people feel welcome and comfortable in any situation. He is gregarious and a great host and people regard him as the very best social companion they could ask for. You are both very snappy and elegant dressers, with the exception of when you are in Kenya! Which are your favoured designer brand names? Seb, “I love Duchamp shirts.” Jonty, “I just go crazy in Harvey Nichols.” Quantify your finest ever moment in your life. Jonty, “I helped deliver my friends baby. That was quite an experience!” Wow interior designer/midwife. Now that could come in handy! “Another one was when the television series Marbella Mansions made me go paragliding. I am scared of heights and need hypnotherapy just to get on a plane!” Seb, “I am really struggling with this one! I think my finest moment is still to come but… I am fortunate in having many, because every time Richard Lewis is awarded a new contract I am so proud because it means that we are getting iit right, we are only as good as our last design! You have celebrity status here in Spain. What other celebrity interior designers do you admire and why. “Tricia Guild who owns ‘Designers Guild’ because I love all her fabrics. As far as other celebrity interior designers are concerned, RLI is certainly a cut above the rest.”

How would you characterize your personal style with RLI? “Positive, creative and exclusive.” Have you ever been called in to rescue a DIY job on a house where their efforts have gone disastrously wrong? “Yes I get called in all the time because people go to other interior design companies and they end up with a brown and cream house; I get called in all the time to ‘Jontify’ the house.” Do you also specialize in designing children’s bedrooms? If so that must be fun especially if you are dealing with the little ones themselves. “We’re just big kids anyway I suppose, but

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RICHARD LEWIS INTERIORS

Richard Lewis Con’t

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RICHARD LEWIS INTERIORS 1223 PERFECT HOMES

fabulous ones. Yes, we have just completed a child’s bedroom, jungle themed. It was great fun. However not many people ask for kids rooms to be designed because they usually want that room to double as a guest bedroom.” Have you ever had any embarrassing moments either within or outside your business? “Yes”, says Jonty. “I am not very good with words. I get things a little bit mixed up. A guy came in who does our shutters and he said how’s business? I replied, ‘oh good thanks and how about you? He said things have really plummeted for us and I replied ‘oh that’s just great’. “I just didn’t know what plummeted meant!” Seb, “Working the first day of my first job at Habitat when I was 16 and calling a very butch female customer sir.” If you have a client with very poor taste, how do you persuade them to choose something more suitable? “I go along with their ideas and don’t knock them down straight away. For instance if I get a client who says I want to paint this wall in this brown colour, I would skim around it and suggest an alternative.”

What are the most outrageous designs RLI have been asked to do? “I have been asked to do brothels before now. I used to do a few in the UK but only upmarket ones. The one I was approached to do here was quite dreadful. I gave them a few colours and ideas but did not go through with it. I also was asked to paint a house and the front door lime green!”

“However, one of the quirkiest ones was building a dog house. Our clients had bought this beautiful villa, very modern, which we renovated completely including very nice sofas which cost about 15,000€. However she had three Chihuahua that leapt on them and four cats that used the sofas as scratching boards. So you can just imagine what was happening to the fabric which cost around 200€ a metre! So we built this two level dog villa in the garden where we put in an antique chandelier, staircase, lounge area, bedding, little bone bowls and decorated it with flock doggy wallpaper from Osborne & Little at 150€ per roll! It has even got a little white picket fence around the garden area of the dog house.” PERFECT HOMES4 123

RICHARD LEWIS INTERIORS Are you being serious, “Yes”. I had a feeling I knew he was. Only in Marbella! If your clients disagree on a scheme, who do you listen to, the wife or the husband who pays the bill? “I do get a lot of husband’s saying just leave it to the wives; I usually try to listen to both of them. I put their ideas together and come up with a solution; unless of course, the husband steps in at the eleventh hour!” Do you furnish your own home in the style you want or a showroom for your business? “At home, it is full of all our own personal items and things that we have collected on our travels. They are featured on the television series. We did not want it to be a showroom for our business; just a home.” What has been your greatest achievement in your life apart from establishing RLI? Jonty, “Setting up a new life in Spain. Coming here and not knowing anybody. Also getting the TV show. I have been offered something else as well.” Yes, I know. “How do you? It is meant to be a secret.” Remember I am a journalist. It is my job! “Ok you are right. I have an offer in the pipeline to have my own television show on a principal terrestrial channel. It has always been my dream. All I have ever wanted to do is be on TV.” Seb, “Definitely moving to Spain- I came with no idea what was in store- no place to live, no job, no friends. Now 6 years later, I am happy, successful and settled.” How do you see RLI in twelve months time? “Richard Lewis Interiors cannot be expanded. We have tried and employed staff but it just did not work. We want to keep it personable. All our clients want to see just us, fortunately. We wish to keep it small and know all our clients; that is why we are developing the Richard Lewis brand and opening the new Richard Lewis Living store. We plan to open a number of stores over the next couple of years.” Finally what can RLI offer their clientele above and beyond other interior design companies? They both answer in unison, “There simply is no comparison.”

In a nutshell; whether you want a vase, new sofa or complete home renovation - Richard Lewis Interiors, with Jonty and Seb at the helm, really do have it all. Photos By Simon Bayne

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VIN INSTANT ARINATER

The Flower Pot Barbeque

DESIGNERS GU CUSHION

2 1 0 2 Y L U J G N I N OPE /RichardLewisRetail

Richard Lewis Living Centro Comercial Guadalmina Alta IV Opposite Supersol

LET THERE BE LIGHT

Vibia Contemporary Modern Lighting Design

VIBIA is based in Barcelona Spain and is constructed of a top-class team of people. From local knowledge they have built up a global business with over 60 countries and a subsidiary in New Jersey. They are in the business of creativity and have developed their own ecosystem to foster innovation and high performance. They live for the thrilling challenge of developing topclass products, creating a consistent global company, and having an international reputation.

S U N S E A RC H MEDIA GROUP

SUNSEARCH MEDIA GROUP CAREERS Are you a happy go lucky, professional? If so would you like to work in media? If the answer is yes then maybe you are the person we are looking for. Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re looking for experienced, talented sales, office, adminstration, marketing, web development, advertising executives, production, magazine and newspaper experience, spanish a plus.

Please send us your details and current CV with covering letter to: hr@sunsearchmedia.com 1343 PERFECT HOMES

RELAXOUTSIDE ROYAL BOTANIA WAVE

This unique, elegantly curved and suspended swing seat, allows you to gently sway back and forth, shaded from the sun and drift off to sleep in sole tranquillity. With a side suspended base strongly secured in concrete or sand, this swing comes in white, turquoise, black or silver and a polished stainless steel frame.

RATTAN HAT

Garden furniture by Alexander Rose and the FSC Alexander Rose garden furniture is produced from top notch wood originating from Bolivia, more precisely from FSC authorized sustainable forests, without creating any harm to the environment. This FSC forest is properly preserved and maintained so the creatures living here arenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t in peril and they can also flourish. In case you have an environmentally friendly conscience and you wish to select an ecologically accountable style, the Alexander Rose garden furniture range provides numerous impressive models which you can enjoy without feeling guilty.

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THINKING OUTSIDE THE BOX

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The new generation of prefab houses are not

only beautifully designed with luxury in mind, but also superb quality, more environmentally friendly then on-site builds and startling quick to put up.

PERFECT HOMES4 137

ver the past 100 years many architects and designers have tried there had at the prefabricated home. These modular, factory built houses come in all shapes and sizes, from futuristic space age capsule to little more then low cost, flat pack sheds. But now the whole ideal of prefabricated homes has been radically reinvented and repackaged for the 21st century as a series of innovatively designed and cleverly conceived modular homes. The prefab might have been right for the Fifties, when there was a chronic shortage of houses and not enough money to build them. Those cheap-and-cheerful prefabs, most of them little more than glorified huts, put roofs over millions of heads, yet they were not built to last. The British prefab became a byword for cheap construction, not to mention being a blot on the landscape. But were we too quick to consign the prefab to history? Cash is still tight, we still have a housing shortage. However, bricks and mortar are only part of the solution. There is now a new generation of prefabs coming to the rescue. And if they tend to go by another name – the current euphemism of choice is “modular homes” – the principle is the same. You buy the land and your house arrives on the back of a lorry or several lorries if it is a big home. With prices starting at £20,000, state-of-the-art designs and architectural features geared to the green generation, it is perhaps not surprising that the prefab should be making a comeback. It has even been given the thumbs-up in a new report commissioned by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors. “Many major mortgage providers are already willing to lend against these structures, which has been a problem in the past,” says Chris Goodier of Loughborough University, one of the co-authors of the report. “This means that first-time buyers could find them a practical way of getting on to the property ladder,” he adds. There are good and bad prefabs, as with everything, but it is striking how big the market has become. There is everything from igloo-shaped pods to space-age cubes and structures that resemble ordinary houses but come in kit form.

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There are good and bad prefabs, as with everything, but it is striking how big the market has become. There is everything from igloo-shaped pods to spaceage cubes and structures that resemble ordinary houses but come in kit form.

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THINKING OUTSIDE THE BOX

he Europeans, notably the Germans and the Scandinavians, spotted the possibilities in prefabs long before the British. But savvy British companies, such as the London-based company Eco Space Studios, have gone from strength to strength in the past 10 years also getting in on the act by accenting affordability and environmental sustainability. Yet the Rolls-Royce of prefabs is still the iconic Huf Haus, post-and-beam homes that arrive in kit form like that of an IKEA kitchen and are then assembled on site by a crack

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team of builders from Germany. The Huf Haus family firm has been in business since before the First World War. It celebrates its centenary next year and if there was a time when its boldly modernist homes, all glass and straight lines, were beginning to look a bit dated, the company has entered the 21st century with a bang, producing homes that perfectly capture the zeitgeist, as they say in Frankfurt. A key part of that zeitgeist, says Peter Huf, the chief architect at the company’s British headquarters, is environmental sustainability. “Every Huf Haus is now triple-glazed, fully insulated and uses renewable energy sources, such as airsourced heat pumps,” he says. “Fossil fuels belong to the past.” The homes are individually designed and prices start from about £500,000, which does not include the cost of land. At the top of the range, in the nature of a bespoke service, the sky is the limit. The company’s latest satisfied Huf Haus customer is Tony Harrison, a retired agriculturalist. He is the proud owner of a new three-storey home in the Isle of Bute, in the Firth of Clyde. Tony and his wife, Beryl, had always lived in period properties but wanted to change tack completely in their seventies. Getting planning permission for their new home, which is situated near the Grade I listed Balmory Hall, was a titanic enterprise. It had to go all the way to the Scottish Executive,

“The sky is the limit”

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but the Harrisons could not be happier with the finished product. They have installed all the features they wanted. There is a sauna, a mini-gym, a carport-cum-study and a master bedroom with views across the River Clyde. But they have also reaped the benefits of the latest Huf Haus technology, making use of sustainable energy. A sophisticated ground-sourced heating system keeps the house warm even in the depths of winter, while solar panels not only provide the Harrisons with electricity but also supplement their pensions. “We paid £32,000 to install the panels but, thanks to new legislation, are able to sell the surplus electricity we produce to the national grid,” says Tony. “We have calculated that we will get a nine per cent inflation-proof return on our capital outlay.” Tony and his wife feel as if they are riding the crest of a property wave and it is easy to see why. Buy one of these futuristic houses and you are embarking on an adventure that is so different from conventional house-hunting that it must be like appearing in a sci-fi movie. Long hours are spent with the architect

agreeing the exact specifications. A visit to Germany, if not several visits, is de rigueur, to inspect the work in progress. Then the big day dawns and you wait in an empty field for your house to appear. It emerges flatpack on a convoy of lorries, along with a team of über-fit builders called Hans or Friedrich. No sitting around swilling tea and moaning about the weather for these Teutonic supermen. However sophisticated the design of the house, Hans and Friedrich will have it watertight within a week, working around the clock if necessary. They will then devote a further 10 or 11 weeks to finishing the interior, down to the last tap. It is a highly efficient process, but the efficiency, for Peter Huf, is secondary to the aesthetics. “People today are probably more aware of the importance of light than they have ever been,” he says. “They don’t want to live cooped up in dark houses.” Isn’t there something about the uncompromising modernity of the Huf Haus that offends British conservatism in matters of taste? After all, we are notorious for our Nimbyism, not to mention our fetishistic

attachment to Georgian architecture. “You couldn’t be more wrong,” says Huf. “Obviously, in some areas, such as the Cotswolds, you might have an uphill battle to get planning permission. But planners generally are surprisingly enthusiastic about the Huf Haus. They love the craftsmanship that has gone into individual homes.” In Dulwich village in south-east London, a conservation area, a cluster of nine Huf Haus properties has recently been completed. “We look as if we are doing something terribly modern, but many of our building techniques are very traditional,” says Huf. “Our post-andbeam designs have a lot in common with the kind of Tudor and neo-Tudor buildings that you see all over Britain.” A Huf Haus would not suit everyone, but the success of the German company, is testimony that buying a prefab home does not have to be a last resort, born out of financial desperation. It can offer stylish, environmentally friendly living.

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Your Costa del Sol Golf Experience Spanish Golfing News

In order to offer our readers the best possible green-fees and teetimes on the full range of Costa del Sol courses, Perfect Homes Magazine have teamed up with the Costa del Solâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s leading Golf Booking Agency Golf Experience. Thanks to their experience and purchasing power our readers can benefit from the best value discounted rates available. In addition, Golf Experience can provide you with modern golf

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club rental. Booking could not be simpler. One phone call and Golf Experience will arrange and confirm all your arrangements the same day. To book your discounted green fees call 952 88 74 92 or email info@ golfexperience.net for information visit www.golfexperience.net Apart from the 50 or so excellent courses along the Costa del Sol there are also a few hidden gems inland. The recently opened

Malaga exterior bypass has taken Antequera Golf Club to within a 30 minute drive of the popular resorts of Benalmadena and Fuengirola.

Benalmadena over the Montes de Malaga and onto the Torcel de Antequera which is a massive plateau is truly spectacular.

Antequera is over 6000 meters long and its Olive trees, acorn trees and natural herb plants, add to the natural environment and the special character of real inland Andalusia.

Monte Mayor closes.

In addition to the spectacular surroundings the journey inland to Antequera driving north from

Golf

Club

It is with great regret that we announce the closure for the foreseeable future of the famous Monte Mayor course in Benahavis / Estepona. It is really the first established course to close as a result

of financial problems. This spectacular course was located in a very isolated area inland from Estepona. It was a course golfers either loved or hated. Those who loved it were usually pretty handy golfers and those who didn’t were normal golfers. Monte as it was affectionately known had a cult following and something of a “macho” image which was reinforced by their slogan “you need balls to play Monte Mayor”.

Mijas Los Lagos Golf Club Mijas Los Lagos will close for the entire 2012 for a complete refurbishment. The Los Olivos course will of course remain open as usual.

Alps Pro-Am San Roque Why not participate in the Alps Tour Andalucía playing a ProAm on the San Roque New Course with Alps Tours golf professionals.The Alps Tour is a Satellite of the European Tour in which future international

golf stars play before entering the European Tour. This ProAm gives amateur players the opportunity to play with excellent international players.

Wednesday 13th June - Price 75€ Ands now for some good news….

correctly the euro’s weakness is helping inject even greater value into your Spanish golfing holiday. The same holiday at today’s prices (sterling equivalent) will cost you about 15% less compared to the same time last year. So the euro crisis does have a silver albeit sterling lining!

Sterling v’s Euro. Your pound goes further in 2012. Sterling’s recent newfound strength (hovering around € 1.20) or more

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Call Golf Experience to book your discounted green fees

ALCAIDESA Near San Roque on the main coastal road (A7/N340) going to La Linea / Gibraltar. 2 courses: Links & Heathland – both courses have spectacular views of the sea and mountains and are suitable for players of all handicaps. ALFERINI GOLF A new course opened in October 2007. Gran Flamingo is a 6600 meters par 73 course – the only one on the Costa del Sol. The Fairways are a lot longer that its Flamingos counterpart making it quite a challenge for all players, even the more experienced. ALHAURIN In a magnificent setting with spectacular views, situated in Alhaurin El Grande, half-way between Mijas and Coin. ALMENARA Home to the renowned Almenara School of Excellence. Sotogrand, km 138, next to Valderrama. ATALAYA

Atalaya Golf and Country Club is the headquarters of the PGA Europe, it has two 18 hole courses, old and new. Both golf courses are normally in excellent condition with well manicured fairways and greens. CABOPINO Opened in April 2001, this golf course has quickly become a popular course for visiting golfers, with outstanding views it is certainly challenging for all levels of golfers. CALANOVA From the N340, take the “Cala de Mijas” exit towards the Mijas Golf Valley, and after 600m at the roundabout turn 90 degrees left, pass the Calanova Golf Sales Office and follow the Calanova Golf Club signs.

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GOLF

On 952 88 74 92 or email info @ golfexperience.net w w w.golfexperience.net

CERRADO DEL AGUILA This course is a 9 holes with a further 9 planned, enjoying sea views from almost ever hole. Cerrado Del Aguila Golf offers the amateur golfer complete enjoyment, whilst providing a challenging and highlycompetitive environment for the golfing professional.

LA CALA La Cala Golf Courses boast fifty five holes of top class golf. The three courses, America, Asia & Europe offer a test of golf for everyone and although tricky in places it’s a fair test of golf. Always in good condition all levels of golfers will find these courses enjoyable and very rewarding.

DOÑA JULIA From Marbella, take the motorway AP7to Estepona, exist at km 153 and take the A7 (public road). Estepona – Algeciras, find the entrance at km146. The provisional Club House is located 200 meters from the entrance.

LA CAÑADA 2km from Sotogrande, this is the story of the village that wanted a golf course, when they got one of nine holes they asked for more and more and more…

EL CHAPARRAL The Chaparral is situated only 20 minutes drive from Malaga Airport and very close to Marbella and Fuengirola. The Chaparral Golf Course possesses the quality of being able to see the Costa del Sol from all 18 holes. ESTEPONA One of the friendliest clubs on the coast, located amongst the foothills of the Sierra Bermeja with wide fairways and excellent greens. It is an excellent course to play and enjoyed by golfers of all levels.

EL PARAISO The golf course is an easy, less than one hour drive from Malaga or Gibralatar airport, nestled between San Pedro de Alcántara and Estepona at Benavista, the course lies 1km from the El Paraiso Hotel.

FINCA CORTESIN The Golf course is situated in Casares between Marbella and Sotogrande. The 18 holes golf course is designed by Cable Robinson

LA DUQUESA Winding around El Hacho Beacon Hill overlooking the Mediterranean to Africa. Urb. El Hacho km 150, Manilva, some 10 km from Estepona. LA NORIA La Noria is a 9 hole, par 33 course, situated at La Cala de Mijas, within walking distance of the village. The course is mainly flat although one hole has a bit of a climb. It is suitable for beginners and more experienced golfers. LA RESERVA This course is one of the longest you will ever play and feature large wide fairways and greens, in addition to being very well contoured, but with 5 teeing grounds at each hole they can be enjoyed by golfers of all abilities. LA QUINTA Situated in Marbella’s golf valley this course consists of 27 holes all used in combination with each other to ensure easy flow of play. La Quinta is a challenging course with the design of the fairways and quality of the greens make it a demanding course it is situated in golf valley with good views down to the Mediterranean.

Call Golf Experience to book your discounted green fees

LOS ARQUEROS An exciting course winding through two valleys that offer impressive views down to the coast. Finca Torre, Ctra Ronda, km 42.9, Benahavis.

LOS FLAMINGOS Situated between El Paraiso, Monte Mayor and the Marbella Club Resort, Los Flamingos takes its name from the lake.

LOS NARANJOS Long terraced tees and large greens amidst fragrant orange trees are characteristic of this well maintained golf course situated at Los Naranjos. MARBELLA GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB Set amidst the rolling countryside of Andalucia, Marbella Golf has an overall playing length of 6000 meters and a par rating of 72. It was designed by Robert Trent Jones Sr. The 18 hole layout was imaginatively conceived and is designed to compliment the exciting environment and provides a testing but enjoyable game for golfers of different abilities. MIJAS – LAGOS & OLIVOS These two 18 hole courses are very popular. Both are mainly flat and easy to walk with wide fairways providing challenging yet enjoyable golf. RIO REAL Golf here is a very pleasant experience, offering wonderful views, Ctra de Cadiz km 183, 3kms from Marbella.

GOLF

SANTANA GOLF Turn off the highway at La Cala de Mijas, the golf course Santana Golf is about 5km away. Santana Golf is a spectacular course in an avocado farm that has retained all its former flavour. SANTA CLARA Opened in summer 2001 this has quickly become a popular course for visiting golfers the general opinion being that it is a truly superb golf course. SANTA MARIA This spectacular golf course is set in a wooden valley and follows the natural contours of the river bed it is noted for its excellent fairways. SOTOGRANDE Turn off the N340 Cadiz at km130. Pass control gate at the entrance of the urbanization and take the Paseo del Parque towards the sea, which will lead you directly to the club. VALDERRAMA The amenability of the golf course to the handicap golfer and its deliberate severity to the championship player owe much to the extensive range of tees.

TORREQUEBRADA

The course can be reached via the Costa del Sol highway (Exit 222-Arroyo) or by taking the turn off at the Torrequebrada Hotel on the coastal road N340.

PARADOR SAN ROQUE OLD & SAN ROQUE NEW Two wonderful courses situated in the foothills of the Sierra Bermeja, where the mountains meet the sea.

Opened in 1925 this was the first golf course on the Costa del Sol. It is situated between the main N340 and the sea near Malaga Airport.

On 952 88 74 92 or email info @ golfexperience.net w w w.golfexperience.net

ALMENARA Home to the renowned Almenara School of Excellence. Sotogrand, km 138, next to Valderrama. ANORETA Anoreta Golf Course, the first designed by Spanish Ryder Cup player Jose Maria Cañizares, is East of Malaga at Ricon de la Victoria and is easy to find being just off the N340 at km 258. The course is an interesting challenge suited to players of all abilities. The course has generous fairways and fast rolling greens. ANTEQUERA 35 minutes inland from Malaga this course is in a tranquil setting and well worth the journey. BAVIERA Opened in 2002, Baviera Golf Course is located in the foothills of the Sierra de la Aimijaram, just 30 minutes drive along the N340 East of Malaga (not far after Anoreta). Designed by Jose Maria Cañizares the fairways are wide and the greens large and fast. GUADALHORCE When you get to the Carrefour shopping centre on the highway towards Malaga take the exit marked Parque Tecnologico-CartamaCampanillas and then, after 7km take the exit marked Mercamalaga. LAURO A picturesque parkland style course with tree loops of nine holes brining variety to an already challenging course with a number of formidable water hazards. This course is increasingly becoming more spectacular and mature as well as a demanding test of golf.

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TODOMADERA

TTM

TODOMADERA There is no limit to our imagination

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aquaestates.com 2 Main Office: Avda. Girasoles 102, Nueva Andalucia, 29660, Marbella

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1. TODOMADERA -

Wardrobes interiors can be adapted to your needs and are designed to make the most of your space. All installations are completed by highly professional and experienced carpenters... fully guaranteed. Calle Monterroso 39, Urb. Nueva Estebbuna, Estepona, (opposite the Feria ground) Tel: 952 793 391 www.todomaderaestepona.com

2. AQUA ESTATES - Drawing on many years of experience in Costa del Sol real estate, our international team of professional property experts has a particular focus on Marbella property, and property in the surrounding areas of Puerto Banus, Nueva Andalucia, Aloha, La Quinta and Guadalmina. Avda.Girasolas 102, Nueva Andalucia Tel: 951 279 401 www.aquaestates.com

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3. ELECTROLUX - Ok so the advantages are pretty obvious. You don’t have to waste hours in the supermarket / or online buying your food. And if you run out of milk you just press a couple of buttons and voila there is your semi-skimmed. But teleporting? Well the fridge’s designer, a Thai student called Dulyawat Wongnawa reckons ‘In the next 90 years, we will see a lot of technologies that today we think are completely impossible.

4. SIEMATIC - SieMatic S3 PG crystal white The striking toneon-tone design of the SieMatic S3 shown in crystal white gives the kitchen an elegant overall atmosphere. Characteristic for the S3: the emphasis of the vertical lines through the wall units and the two ventilation hoods. Delicate accents are set both by the side panels and the composite countertop in the slim one-centimetre profile.

5. SUNSEARCH MEDIA PUBLICATIONS - View all our Pub-

lications on-line, Sunsearch Magazine, Perfect Homes Magazine both sponsored by Marriott’s Vacation club

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concept that has been making quite a splash in the blogosphere! In lay terms, the fridge is a concept where the Bio Robot cools biopolymer gel through luminescence. A non-sticky gel surrounds the food item when shoved into the biopolymer gel, creating separate pods. The design features no doors or drawers, and the food items are individually cooled at their optimal temperature thanks to the robot.Â And since it can take any orientation (hung vertically, horizontally, and even on the ceiling), and can be modified in size, you can fit it in any apartment. Fixed directly on the outside wall of residential buildings, the concept is an elaboration on a way of life in northern China where food is kept on balconies in the winter to save space and energy.Â During cold seasons and at night, the low external temperatures are used to provide the right climate for items in the fridge. During warmer weather, the sun is used to transform light into energy through solar panels Nicolas reflects Electrolux design values: the shape and finish are kept pure and simple so as to ensure easy integration with the external urban environment, whilst a range of colours and ambient lighting further facilitate this.

Bio Robot

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FT- 86 Concept previews a New Generation of Sports Car Toyota has a long and successful history of creating exciting, driver- focused sports cars such as the Celica, the MR2, the Supra and the Corolla Levin AE86. With its reputation for delivering pure excitement and embodying the fundamental joy of driving, the Corolla Levin AE86 is the inspiration behind a new Toyota Sports Concept, the Future Toyota-86 concept.