1st January 2008
The Richmond Magazine – A woman at home
Once the golden girl of television, Anthea Turner now prefers jobs about the house. Especially when she gets to decorate it. Caroline Bann meets a professional homemaker at the scene of her latest triumph in St Margarets
A confession to start the new year: ‘house-proud’ is not my middle name. Just ask my nearest and dearest. My humble abode resembles that of a sow, while my ability to create a warm environment is on par with that of a snowstorm.
Perhaps I should apply for an appearance on Anthea Turner’s Perfect Housewife: a BBC show aimed at equipping the messiest of souls with the skills to be, well, the perfect housewife.
But Ms Turner’s capabilities do not stop at TV presentation. She also heads Imagine Furnishings, a three year old company which designs the interiors of buy-to-let flats and the show homes of the property developments. Most recently she dressed the new showhome at Richmond Lock in St Margarets- an award-winning project at which the remaining plots have been acquired from Octagon, the original developer, by Imagine Private Clients, owned by Anthea’s husband Grant Bovey. Armed with a bottle of Domestos, I pop along to meet the prefect housewife herself.
“I have always considered myself an accomplished homemaker. Even when I rented accommodation, I used to leave it in a better state than when I arrived,” she laughs warmly, looking at least a decade younger than her 47 years. “I must emphasise that I’m not an interior designer. I am just an exceptionally good homemaker! Combining home decoration with presenting a show about the skill of creating a good home is the perfect career for me!”
The former Blue Peter presenter takes me on a tour of all the rooms – a hike in itself, as they spread over four floors.
“The houses in this development are very elegant, and my aim was to present a home that would inspire visitors to imagine living in it,” explains Anthea. “To me, Richmond is a family place because it gives residents space away from London, but retains fantastic links with the city. I lived there for many years and it has a special place in my heart.
“ I commissioned a photographer to take striking pictures of Richmond landmarks, which are hanging on most of the walls. There is a cinema room for the boys to enjoy, and a separate Laundry room – because I think every home should have one. All the furniture is made from solid oak. The accommodation comprises a master suite, several guest rooms, a girl’s bedroom and an office over the top of the garage, which could be used as staff quarters.”
This particular home was designed in just three weeks, put together by Anthea and her business partner Kerry. As well as commissioning bespoke furniture for the homes they are decorating, the company has also designed seven furniture collections of its own. I find myself picturing the glitzy homes that Anthea must, I assume, have kitted out for celebrity pals. But I am wrong. Landlords aside, working for individual clients is not for her.
“I have always felt that I had an eye for decorating a house , but I’m a selfish
and opinionated woman and if a client disagreed with my taste , I fear we would
have a falling out! So I stick to furnishing buy-to-let apartments and show homes.
“Each property features made-to-measure sofas and focuses on the upper end of the market – I do not think cheap packs are cost effective. And apart from the fabric, which is sourced from France, each firm I use is British based.’’
From her family history , It’s no surprise that Anthea has taken this career path . Her great –grandfather was a master carver and owned a woodwork business, while her dad was a carpenter. As a young girl in Stoke-On-Trent she would travel to work with him and learn all about the craft.
Today, she is still keeping it all within the family by working alongside husband Grant, with whom she owns homes in London, Surrey, and France. One cannot help but wonder whether professional disagreements ever cause trouble in paradise.
“We never clash professionally because we each stick to our own area of expertise,’’ grins Anthea . “ Grant knows to let me get on with my job and I leave him to deal with the business side of things. Once he asked me to decorate one of his show homes, but when the furniture arrived, I felt I could do better myself. I suggested it to Grant and he told me to go for it!’’
Yet life hasn’t always been so smooth for the Bovey’s. For a season they filled the gossip magazines, each having committed adultery on their now former spouses, with Grant returning briefly to his wife Della before eventually marrying Anthea. And it wasn’t just Anthea’s personal life that took a tumble. Once word got out, her career was on a downward spiral too.
“To describe the affair as high profile is an understatement! The press were camped on my doorstep, which was actually in Richmond at the time, and the whole experience knocked me for six.
“ My career was affected, because presenters have to give interviews to publicise their show. And of course, every journalist is only interested in that one thing that has been in all the papers. But it was over 10 years ago now. Grant’s ex-wife has remarried and everyone has moved on.’’
It was working as a traffic reporter on a local radio station that led Anthea to a presenting job with Sky at the age of 26. She fronted live music shows and was the face of Saturday morning TV, going on to do Top of the Pops and Blue Peter, and to a two year stint on the GMTV sofa. Picked to host National Lottery and Wish You Were Here , Anthea won the prestigious Showbusiness Personality of the Year award in 1996 . For a while, she was television’s golden girl. It’s an image that has faded now, but she is adamant that it is not one she misses.
“ Since acquiring three fabulous stepdaughters, I have realised that television is not the be-all-and-end-all of life. 21 years in the industry is a long time, and inevitably younger people are moving up. TV is all about reality shows now and I no longer wish to be in that goldfish bowl. To present A Perfect Housewife, run Imagine Furnishings and take care of my family is ideal. I wouldn’t change a single thing.’’
Even so, Anthea does occasionally take advantage of the celebrity status she enjoyed for many years by treating the family to a dose of VIP luxury.
“ Movie premieres and backstage theatre tickets are still within my grasp, and if it’s on offer one may as well accept it.’’ She smiles. “However, we do try and teach the girls not to take it for granted.’’
Perfect Housewife has proved so popular that a third series is to be filmed shortly, and Anthea has already produced two books on the subject, with another planned for next month. The concept itself was first suggested by a television producer friend of Anthea’s , who was convinced that Anthea’s ability to create domestic bliss could be a ratings winner. And Ms Turner’s advice on the show is not confined to tables and sofas. In addition, she cheerfully voices her opinions on such subjects as relationships and sex .
“If people live in a messy environment, I think it is indicative of something deeper than just being untidy,’’ she says. “I ask how a couple can make love in a filthy room, and they generally admit that they don’t. All rooms should have a purpose – a bedroom should be an oasis of calm and a dining room should be for dining!’’
An obvious fact, really, but one which I am only slowly starting to accept. The perfection of my housewifery, it seems, is still very far from complete.
Plotting to develop
Luxury housebuilder Octagon recently sold off the remaining plots of award winning development Richmond Lock to Grant Bovey’s Imagine Private Clients. The 14-acre scheme, on the former Brunel University site in St Margarets, is set around the Grade II listed former home of Lord Kilmorey, to be restored as a single dwelling by Imagine.
As well as the mansion itself, Richmond Lock comprises 33 superior family houses. Over a third have been sold. Prices from £2m - £4m for a four/five bedroom townhouse.
Featherstone Leigh is the appointed agent. The showhome is open every day from 10am – 5pm. Tel (020) 8744 4320 or visit the website: www.imagineprivateclients.com