June 22nd 2024.
This week, we're visiting the bustling and diverse borough of Hackney in East London. As we continue our series, What I Own, we have the pleasure of speaking with James Barley, a 40-year-old senior PR publicist and content creator, and his partner David, a 51-year-old trainee psychotherapist. They share their vibrant two-bedroom flat with their 9-year-old French Bulldog, Buster.
The couple moved into their ex-local authority flat in April 2019 and have since transformed it into a colorful and eclectic home. They were drawn to the area for its proximity to London Fields and Victoria Park, as well as its abundance of great coffee shops, restaurants, and parks. Plus, with a cinema just a short walk away, it makes for a perfect date night spot.
When asked about their property, James shared that they bought it for £400,000, which was under their budget and allowed them to start renovations right away. Their deposit of £40,000 was a combination of savings and inheritance. They now pay £2,300 a month for their mortgage and bills, which is still cheaper than renting in the area.
Before purchasing their flat, the couple lived in a one-bedroom newbuild in Dalston. While it was nice, they found the walls to be paper-thin and the rooms to be quite small. They made the decision to buy rather than rent because, as James puts it, "landlords don't care too much about the maintenance of their properties as long as they're getting paid."
Their property search led them to their current home, which they found online through an estate agent. They were both drawn to its location, space, and size, and feel lucky to be living in zone 2 of London in one of the best boroughs in the capital. The transport links also played a big role in their decision, as they can easily commute to work and get into Central London in just 40 minutes.
As for making their flat feel like home, the couple has incorporated their love for the 70s through decor and color choices. David, who grew up in the 70s, finds comfort in mid-century furniture, while James adds his touch of minimalism and bright pops of color. Their favorite room is the living room, which boasts plenty of natural light and holds most of their treasured objects, plants, and artwork.
Their second bedroom has recently been converted back into a bedroom as their niece, a professional dancer, will be moving in to be closer to audition opportunities. This will be a true test of their space, but they are excited to help her fulfill her dreams and be the cool "guncles" (gay uncles).
As for future plans, the couple has renovated their second bedroom and plans to paint the balcony and internal stairs with bold colors. With their niece moving in, they are excited to see how their home will continue to evolve and adapt to their changing needs. With their unique and personal touches, James and David have truly made their property in Hackney a vibrant and welcoming home.
Welcome to Hackney, East London! It's great to have you join us for this week's edition of What I Own - where we chat with homeowners about their journey onto the property ladder. Last week, we visited Leila Davis and Fleur in South East London, and this week we're venturing over the river to meet James Barley and his partner David.
James, who is 40-years-old, works as a senior PR publicist and content creator specializing in men's style, fitness, and interiors. He shares a two-bedroom flat with his partner David, who is 51 and in his final year of training to become a psychotherapist. Together, they have transformed their home into a vibrant and colorful space, filled with plants and wall prints. They even have a 9-year-old French Bulldog named Buster as their furry roommate.
Their flat is located in Hackney, close to London Fields and Victoria Park. James and David love the area for its convenience, with everything they need right at their doorstep - from coffee shops and restaurants to parks and a nearby canal for running. They even have a cinema at the top of their road for a cozy date night option.
James and David moved into their flat in April 2019, after viewing it in January of that year. As soon as James walked in, he instantly fell in love with the place and knew it was the one for them. David, on the other hand, was more relaxed and wanted to explore other properties before making a decision.
Their flat cost them £400,000, which was under their budget and allowed them to start renovations as soon as they got the keys. They had a deposit of £40,000, which came from a combination of their savings and an inheritance.
The monthly cost of living in their flat has increased over the years, with their recent fixed rate mortgage expiring and utility and service charges going up. They now pay £2,300 a month, with £1,800 going towards their mortgage and £300 for council tax and service charges. However, James and David still feel lucky to be paying less than they would if they were renting in the area.
Before buying their flat, they rented a one-bedroom newbuild in Dalston, which James found to have thin walls and small rooms. They decided to buy instead of continuing to rent because they felt like landlords didn't care about the maintenance of their properties and had the monopoly over renters in London.
They found their current property online through an estate agent and fell in love with it because of its location, space, and size. They also love the transport links, which allow them to easily commute to work and get into central London in just 40 minutes.
To make their flat feel like home, James and David have incorporated mid-century furniture and colors that pay homage to the 1970s when the flats were built. They also have unique pieces and artworks from their favorite lifestyle store, Earl of East. Their living room is James' favorite space because it is filled with plants, objects, and artworks and receives beautiful evening light.
Currently, they feel like they have enough space, especially since their priority when moving in was to maximize storage. However, their niece Rachel, who is a professional dancer, will be moving in with them soon, and they will have to make some adjustments. They have already renovated their second bedroom from a home office and dressing room back into a bedroom to accommodate her. They also have plans to paint their balcony and internal stairs with bold colors from Yes Colours.
Thank you, James, for sharing your property journey with us. It's inspiring to see how you have transformed your home into a colorful and unique space. We wish you and David all the best!
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