4 Thursday July 28, 2011


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Embracing benefits of family life


Home help


Is the traditional family home back in favour? Samantha Baden, property analyst at FindaProperty.com, offers her opinion


IN a word, yes. Today’s frenetic pace of life is forcing many families to bring children, par- ents and grandparents togeth- er under one roof. Suchmulti-generational


homes were commonplace in the UK during the first half of the 20th century but dwindled in popularity from the 1960s onwards. More recently this mode of


living has been making a comeback. Government figures show a


27 per cent jump in the number of multi-generational house- holds between 2001 and 2010. Sowhat’s going on?Somesay


it’sthe influence of TV –fam- ilies on the boxare often multi generational –for example The Barlows (in Coronation Street); TheTrotters (in Only Fools and Horses) and TheSlaters (in EastEnders). Or there’s the Drapers (in


Mad Men) the Kennedys (in Neighbours) and, for fans of the 1980s, the Ewings (in Dallas). But FindaProperty.com re-


search reveals thatneither TV soapopera plots or, surpris- ingly, economic problems as be- ing the main driver. Instead, nearly half (44 per cent) of people living in multi-


3.1m visitors can’t be wrong


FAMILYGUYS: The Trotters in Only Fools And Horses.


minding. ClareRussell, wholives with


her fourchildrenandgrandson in afour-bedroom home, says the arrangement workswell for all family members. “It is lovely having my daughter,her partner and their six-week-old child living with us,”Russell says. “Obviously finances did


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generational homes said it was being “closer” that mattered suggesting that old fashioned family values arebackin vogue. This compares to a third(33


per cent) whosaid saving money was amain reason. The rising cost of childcare


or looking after a sick relative is also bringing some families together. Fifteen per cent of multi-gen-


erational households have come together to help carefor an ill relative while 13 per cent said it was to help with child-


come into our decision for them to live with us,but even if Ihad lots of money,I’d still want to be near the children.” Russell says she grew up in a


multi-generational home, so it makes sense to continue the tradition. “It’s quite normal for me to


live in ahome with three gen- erations under one roof. “When my sister and Ilived


at home therewerefour chil- dren plus our grandmother lived with us so this iswhat I’m used to.I think moreand more people aregoing back to basics and embracing family living.” And if what we see happen-


ing on TV is anything to go by, it’s atrend thatlooks likelyto continue.


Simple tricks to help create personal space


Dear Suzanne,


Ihave non-identical six- year-old twins. At present theyboth have their own bedrooms, but theyare due to move into our largest bedroom as Iamexpecting another baby in December and need to jig about our sleeping arrangements. I washoping thatyou could give me some advice on how to create some personalised space for each of them with- in the room?


Suzanne says:


Decorating a roomfor boy-girl twins,whereboth your chil- dren will be comfortableis easier than you may think. By including certain col-


ours in the space that aren’t indicative of either gender, along with furnitureand dec- orative items that celebrate each twin’s interests will makethe space inviting and attractive for your son and daughter. Paint the room in agender- neutral colour likegreen or yellow. Green is the colour of har-


mony, whichisaprinciple you’ll want to promote. Yellow will make the room


upbeatsoyour little ones will enjoyplaying in the space to- gether.


Choose apastel or medium


shade of these hues so you can paint all four walls without overwhelming the area. Choose furniturethat ap-


Inside knowledge


Suzanne Claudett responds to all your design dilemmas


peals to both twins.When fur- nishing the bedroom, two identical beds arefine. You can purchase bedding


thatis slightlydifferent for each twin to give the room a moredecorative flair –stripes for your son and maybe polka dots for your daughter. Anovel tip is to set up a


room divider.This will give your twinsabit of privacy and


Make the space inviting and attractive for your son and daughter


makeeachfeel as if the room is theirs.Let them decorate their side of the room divider to further personalizeit. Adivider could be in the


form of acurtain pole hung from the ceiling or bookcase. Ikea makes the ‘Expedit’ bookcasewhichis great as it is quite deep, sturdy and has a finish on both sides. Thelargest model at 185cm


high retails at £121.53 at www.ikea.com Adornthe room with


drapery and wall arttocom- plete the decor.They can dec- orate each side of the room with their artworkinbrightly coloured frames. Some options for your son:


■ 1. Chocks away!Let your son’s imagination taketothe skies with this printed scene of helicopters,clouds and planes from TheDesigners Guild. He can come gently backdown to earth with the colourful checkpatternon the reverse. This printed cotton percale


Flying High rangefeatures single duvet cover, £35; oxford pillowcase,£15 and small pil- lowcase, £12. Thereis also acloud-shaped


blue rug with spotty clouds, helicopters and planes in 100 per centhandtufted acrylic,at £175.50. Buy at www.design- ersguild.com/uk-shop-online ■ 2. This is a reversible single duvet set from Cath Kidston’s new Racing Cars collection. Thedesign shows vintage


style racing car imagesand the material has aslightly agedlook to it. Red with white polka dots featureonthe re- verse.Order via TheGifted Penguin (www.giftedpen- guin.co.uk Tel: 01642 763000). £43.99 fora single duvet cover and pillowcase. ■ 3. Kids’ Rooms is afamily runbusiness specialising in nursery and children’s fur- niture, educational wooden toys and room accessories for babies,toddlers,children and teenagers.I would suggest the


Safari duvet set, £46, asagreat option to base aboy’s scheme around. It’s alovely reversible bed-


ding set featuring different reptiles and other shapes. Made from 100 per cent cot-


ton, the set includes a single duvet cover and apillowcase. Find out moreatwww.kid- srooms.co.uk ■ 4. For your daughter,you could also consider shopping via Kids’ Rooms.Their ‘Roses duvet set’whichisabeautiful, reversible bedding set fea- tures brightly coloured roses. Again, priced at £46. ■ 5. TheDesigners Guild designs alot of pretty bedlinen for girls whichare simple to base a scheme around. My Best Friend bed linen


features acolourful duvet cov- er with animal motifs and patchworkreverse of stripes and polka dots.This retails at Heal’s (www.heals.co.uk). The single coveris £35 and oxford pillowcase, £15. Acoordinat- ing Owl rugis priced £195. ■ 6. At Next the Bows col- lectionmay appeal. She can be pretty in pink with its ditsy print, spot panels and ap- pliqué 3D bows.The bed linen is newfor the 2011 Autumn/ Winter Collection and is priced at £40 for the duvet and pillowcase set. Coordinating items in the


rangeinclude Bunting, £10; Dream words, £12; Heartrug £15; Cushions (set of two), £20; and Bows throw, £45. Visit the Nottingham Riverside Retail Park store(Tel: 0844 844525) or online at www.next.co.uk


go to www.findaproperty.com to see hundreds morehomes to buy and rent


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