Celebrity interior designer Celia Sawyer, known as "Mrs Bling", is selling her £4 million waterfront mansion overlooking Poole Harbour in Dorset. The decision follows a long-running dispute with a millionaire neighbour centred on privacy and planning issues.
© Celia Sawyer | LinkedIn
Sawyer and her husband Nick purchased the three-storey property for £2.4 million in 2007. Over the years, they added more than £1 million in value through extensive renovations, bringing the home in line with Celia's high-end design style seen on television.
The couple's garden, styled with a beach theme, became a point of contention after they constructed a 21ft by 15ft glass sun room with a retractable roof in 2020, without planning permission. The structure, which features a bar and sits on decking near a sandy area with sun loungers, attracted the attention of local authorities after a neighbour raised concern.
Sawyer accused her neighbour, Neil Kennedy, of being "jealous" and attempting to have the sun room removed. She claimed that Kennedy had previously built a balcony without proper authorisation, allowing him to see directly into her garden. The situation reportedly made her feel uncomfortable when sunbathing in her bikini.
Following council scrutiny, the row escalated, prompting the couple to put the home on the market. The luxury property includes four bedrooms and uninterrupted views of the harbour.
While the sun room controversy may have accelerated the decision to sell, the home's significant value increase signals a profitable return on investment. The incident highlights the tension that can arise when luxury design meets strict planning regulations and close-knit neighbourhoods.
Click here to have a look inside Sawyer's mansion.
Source: www.dailymail.co.uk