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I'm a star on the world TV stage,but my home's more down to earth(The Mail on Sunday Via Thomson Dialog NewsEdge)Striking BBC Breakfast presenter Mishal Husain has outgrown her West London flat more abruptly than she ever anticipated. Last October, the 32-yearold found out she was expecting twins which was excellent news - except on the home front. For there is certainly no room for any more children in the twobedroom, sixth-floor flat in Kensington she has shared with solicitor husband Meekal Hashmi, 35, and their 18-month-old son Rafael for the past two-and-a-half years. The family are now selling their home and once a buyer has been found, they will put in an offer on a house in North London. Although the Cambridge graduate isn't a household name in the UK, Mishal has a massive following in America thanks to her five years as a presenter for BBC World, which is seen in 200 countries - but not in Britain. She produced nightly news programmes from the BBC studios in Washington during the Iraq war. The Washington Times described her as 'spellbinding' and she has been profiled in the glossy magazine Vanity Fair. For a property belonging to such an immaculately turned-out presenter, Mishal's flat in a Thirties mansion block on Kensington High Street is endearingly down to earth. There's a Maclaren buggy cluttering the hallway, overflowing bookcases and the second bedroom - which was once a study - has been turned into a makeshift nursery for Rafael. The couple have already fallen in love with a four-bedroom house in Swiss Cottage, close to Mishal's parents Imtiaz and Shama. And Mishal loves the idea of being near the open spaces of Primrose Hill. But they are loath to put in an offer until they sell their flat, on the market through Bective Leslie Marsh for GBP410,000. Meekal bought the flat before they married and Mishal also owns a one-bedroom flat in Shepherd's Bush, which she lets. It was after a year living in the Shepherd's Bush flat that Mishal was posted to Washington for BBC World. On her return, she moved straight in with Meekal and set about helping him redecorate the flat. 'We put in a new bathroom with slate tiles and lots of extra storage because I'm not the tidiest of people,' she says, gesturing towards the shelves lining the second bedroom and the built-in wardrobes in both bedrooms. The couple also stripped the floorboards throughout the flat. 'In my last flat I did all the work myself with the help of my dad, who is very good with his hands, but this time we got in the professionals,' says Mishal. The flat is on the top floor of a portered block, reached by an oldfashioned open lift, and, with its south-facing aspect, is light and airy. For Mishal, the biggest attraction is its location towards the Olympia end of Kensington High Street. 'You can jump on the Number 9 bus right outside and go straight to the Royal Academy and Waterstone's in Piccadilly,' she says. 'And I've been discovering a new side to the area since having Rafael,' she adds. 'Holland Park's playground is now a regular haunt.' Another plus is the low service charge. 'It's GBP600 a quarter which is very reasonable for this area. That includes the heating and hot water and a porter seven days a week - which is very useful when you have parcels delivered.' Mishal, whose parents are from Pakistan, was born in Britain but grew up in the United Arab Emirates until she was sent to the exclusive Cobham Hall boarding school in Kent. 'I feel very at home here now,' she says. 'And Meekal grew up in London so his roots are firmly grounded here.' There are plenty of reminders of Mishal's exotic heritage scattered around the flat. Rugs from Pakistan - many wedding presents from relatives - cover every inch of floor space and traditional paintings adorn the walls. 'We used to visit our extended family in Pakistan once a year,' says Mishal. 'It is more difficult now that we have a child.' With the twins due in June, the couple have a tough deadline to meet, but Suzanne Chaffey, sales manager of Bective Leslie Marsh's Kensington-branch, says they shouldn't have long to wait because the area's property market is 'absolutely crazy'. 'There is incredible demand and since Christmas the pendulum has swung dramatically in favour of sellers. They are able to command topdollar, particularly in the wake of hefty City bonuses. And as stock gets scarcer, prices get higher.' The reason for Mishal's move is a happy one, but she is still sad to be leaving. 'We started our married life here,' she says. 'For that reason it will always be special to us.' KEY FACTS Price: GBP410,000. Bedrooms: Two. Bathrooms: One. Reception rooms: Living/dining room, plus kitchen. Extras: 122-year lease. Agent: Bective Leslie Marsh, 020 7371 3244. |