17 h. ago ‘I made it my mission to befriend the owner we ended up swapping houses’: a refurbishment 14 years in the making

After falling in love with an Edwardian house up the street, interior designer Fiona Duke had to bide her time before the owner was ready to sell. Thanks to a clever mix of retro and contemporary design, it was worth the wait‘I’m an Essex convert,” says interior designer Fiona Duke. “We moved here from London, having been to a funeral nearby, and fell for the fabulous community vibe.” Duke and her husband’s first purchase was a Victorian terrace, but even then she had her eye on the big, detached Edwardian house up the road: “I made it my mission to befriend the owner, in case she ever decided to sell. I was up there a lot!”It took eight years but her persistence paid off. After many evenings involving wine and a lot of begging not to sell to anyone else, the neighbour finally revealed she wanted to downsize. “I was poised to strike, but was convinced it would fall through” says Duke. “We ended up swapping houses, which was an unusual way to move, but it suited us bot...

Events

5 d. ago China diplomat tipped as next foreign minister detained by authorities – report

Liu Jianchao, the envoy in charge of managing ties with foreign political parties, was reportedly detained in late JulyLiu Jianchao, a senior Chinese diplomat widely seen as a potential future foreign minister, has been detained by authorities for questioning, the Wall Street Journal has reported.Liu was taken away after returning to Beijing in late July from an overseas work trip, it reported on Sunday, citing people familiar with the matter. Continue reading...

Politics

8 d. ago Angela Rayner demands China explain redacted blueprint for London embassy

Angela Rayner demands China explain redacted blueprint for London embassy  London Evening Standard

Politics

8 d. ago Angela Rayner demands China explain redacted blueprint for London 'mega

The Deputy Prime Minister has told Beijing to explain why it has redacted drawings of areas in the proposed building near the capital’s financial district

Politics

9 d. ago Rayner orders China to explain redacted blueprint for London embassy

Rayner orders China to explain redacted blueprint for London embassy  London Evening Standard

Politics

9 d. ago China is being urged to explain 'secret basement' under its London 'mega

Angela Rayner has ordered China to explain why it has redacted blueprints for its 'mega-embassy' set to be built in London

Politics

9 d. ago Angela Rayner calls on China to explain redacted images in super

Ms Rayner has given Beijing two weeks to explain why parts of its plans for the sprawling new embassy site are blacked out.

Politics

9 d. ago Angela Rayner orders China to explain redacted blueprint for London 'mega

The Deputy Prime Minister has told Beijing to explain why it has redacted drawings of areas in the proposed building near the capital’s financial district

Politics

9 d. ago Ministers ask China to explain redacted designs for London ‘super

Ministers ask China to explain redacted designs for London ‘super-embassy’  The Guardian

Politics

9 d. ago UK demands China explain redacted parts of London embassy plan

Some drawings for the controversial project contain buildings that are blacked out

Politics

1 week ago Alaska Airlines adds new London and Iceland routes, new Boeing 787 design

Alaska Airlines adds new London and Iceland routes, new Boeing 787 design  The Points Guy

Politics

1 week ago Inside the bright London home of interior designer Stephanie Barba Mendoza

Inside the bright London home of interior designer Stephanie Barba Mendoza  The Times

Politics

2 w. ago London’s first ever penthouse designed by Versace is up for sale

London’s first ever penthouse designed by Versace is up for sale  Time Out Worldwide

Politics

4 w. ago Australian prime minister indulges in panda diplomacy a China state visit nears end

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has toured a panda breeding facility in the final stages of an extended state visit that has cast China as a fellow champion of a global fair trade system under threat from the United States

Politics