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Published: Thursday, 15 January 2015 18:01
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Written by Justin Vogler
At some point in the 1980s the drab North Leeds district of Chapel Allerton became a desirable place to live. Bars, cafes, restaurants and shops sprung up and property prices soared. The hitherto nebulous boundary between Chapel Allerton and neighbouring Chapeltown became a virtual ghetto wall. To the north a well-heeled residential quarter; to the south, the inner-city.
Nevertheless, Chapeltown is nearer Leeds City Centre, has more period architecture, a better park and much more cultural sincerity. It was surely only a matter of time before it followed Chapel Allerton to become the newest new place to live in Leeds. Or was it?
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Published: Saturday, 10 January 2015 13:33
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Written by Justin Vogler
Before I wade in here, let me set out my values. I believe the State has the responsibility to protect the vulnerable in society and to ensure that they are adequately housed. I also believe that all state benefits should be “smart”, crafted to minimise distorting markets if and when such distortions create socially negative externalities.
Much is said about housing benefit engendering dependency and complacency amongst the unemployed. Less is mentioned about how housing benefit creates the same dependency and complacency amongst landlords. Or about the negative consequences that landlords' benefit calculations can have on inner-city neighbourhoods.
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Published: Friday, 09 January 2015 13:14
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Written by Justin Vogler
One of the easiest and most effective restoration projects in high ceilinged rooms is to reinstate the picture rail.
Picture rail serves two purposes in high ceilinged rooms. Firstly, it provides an elegant if slightly fussy way of hanging pictures without drilling holes into plasterwork.
Secondly, it gives decorators a cut off line between the colour on the lower wall and that on the frieze. This can allow for a second or, if there is also a dado rail, third wall colour.
Personally I always paint the frieze in white so it becomes an extension of the cornice and ceiling. That way you get lots of light-reflective white at the top of the room thus allowing for more adventurous darker colours on the lower wall.
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Published: Monday, 15 December 2014 11:13
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Written by Justin Vogler
It is too easy to underestimate the work involved in restoring period ceilings. Justin Vogler looks at some tricks of the restoration trade.
They add a mint to heating bills, attract dust, take days to decorate and even make changing light bulbs a challenge. Yet it is the grandiose high ceilings, replete with graceful cornices and trim picture rails, that set period properties apart and give them their distinctive elegance and charm.
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