James Bond's Flat Design

Sir_James_Moloney

thelordflasheart wrote:

I seem to recall reading about Bond's "adjusted income" in the mid- or late-90s. Someone had said that allowing for inflation and cost of living increases, what Fleming described Bond earning (from both his estate and his salary) would have been almost $150,000 American. This was also supplemented by winnings from gambling. Which would support what Dalton said of him - Bond doesn't spend his money on a large number of items but on some key things that are important to him (Fleming describes him wearing some suits that were wearing out from age and having luggage that was battered).

And IIRC his Bentley was bought with an inheritance that was left to him from an uncle...

I'm coming to this discussion quite late but I think I mentioned in another thread that I'm currently rereading the Fleming novels in sequence (I'm about a third of the way through DAF at the moment) so thought I could chip in here as we learn a lot about Bond's income and spending habits in MR.

It's stated in MR that Bond earns £1500 per year from his government salary and has £1000 tax free "private income", leaving him with £2000 per year after tax. That's approx £46,000 (or $70,000) today. It's stated that he doesn't save money as he wants to leave as little money as possible in his account when he inevitably dies, which he gloomily reflects will almost certainly be before the statutory retirement age of 45. He also has "unlimited expenses" when on a mission and also, sometimes, whilst on leave.

He wins £15,000 against Drax at Blades in MR. That's approx £345,000 today (just over half a million dollars)

In CR, it's stated that Bond bought his 4.5 litre Bentley "almost new" in 1933. The cost of a brand new 4.5 litre Bentley in 1931 (the last year they were produced) was £1,750. So if we estimate that Bond paid about £1,500 for it in 1933, that would be about £88,000 (or $135,000) in today's money. As Bond would have been between 16 & 18 years old at the time (Fleming constantly shifts Bond's age as the novels progress), we can probably guess this was inheritance money. He keeps the same car for about 20 years until it's destroyed at the end of MR.

He follows Drax's advice after their bridge game to "spend the money quickly" and buys a new Rolls Bentley convertible for £5000 at the end of MR. That would be approx £117,000 (or $180,000) in today's money.

He also briefly considers investing his winnings in gold shares, making a fortune and retiring but that train of thought is interrupted when his red telephone rings and M summons him to brief him about the Moonraker case...

Poppystarck

Poppystarck wrote:

Hi,
The survey is now closed. Thank you all for your support, feedback and suggestions which have been a great help.
Hopefully, you'll be able to help me again with more feedback when I'll upload my work :)

Hello everyone,

Following your answers to my survey, I've been working hard over the past few weeks to design James Bond's flat, as part of my end-of-year project.
The deadline is next week, and I would be delighted if you could let me know what you think of what I came up with. It is mainly based on the James Bond character of the films rather than the novels, so I made it quite luxury and close to reality as if he was a real client - the flat is a real location in Chelsea. I have kept it quite minimalistic as suggested, and avoided the gadgets cliché, however there are a few tricks here and there in the design. I hope you'll like it.

Thank you

http://www.flickr.com/photos/97092746@N04/8972131383/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/97092746@N04/8972132255/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/97092746@N04/8973324096/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/97092746@N04/8973323258/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/97092746@N04/8973323790/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/97092746@N04/8973314958/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/97092746@N04/8973315718/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/97092746@N04/8972124953/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/97092746@N04/8973319032/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/97092746@N04/8972127829/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/97092746@N04/8972120681/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/97092746@N04/8972132959/

Sandy

Great work @Poppystarck! But I think the stag was a bit too much. Was the jacuzzi inspired by YOLT?

CommanderRoss

@Pooystarck I'm quite impressed. I think you got the atmosphere right. Not quite sure about the large TV next to the bath. Bond doesn't come over to me as someone who watches much tv. Also I think the beds outside are way too uncomfortable. Bond has style but never does that overshadow the comfort he wants.

On the discussion about how much Bond would earn: he's a commander in the RN. If you work for any government agency and you're detached from the military you keep your military salary. So I think he earns 78383 pounds per annum.
http://www.armedforces.co.uk/royalnavypayscales.htm