“My clients expect quality in all aspects of property they buy or rent, be that joinery, marble fittings, furniture or decor.” says Simon Barnes, Director of H.Barnes & Co. However, in today’s world, luxury is much more about the intrinsic value to the buyer than the cost paid.

In the prime property market the very latest in remote home control systems are now offering quality, reliability and future-proofing. I have been particularly impressed, for example, with systems installed by Crestron which seem to me to offer the owner or, for rented property, the service company, the facility to remotely diagnose issues as well as to remotely control many functions around the home.

Having a reliable remote system which allows you to be able not to worry about your home when you close it up for winter or when you are enjoying an extended stay on your yacht in the Mediterranean is real luxury. In reality, luxury is actually not about goods or shackles at all, but about peace and quiet and the time to savour what your money has bought.”