28
Jul
2015
0 comment
An Isle of Wight self-builder has built an energy efficient home thanks to renewable technology and high-quality insulation.
Published in
Project Inspiration
Tagged under
28
Jul
2015
0 comment
VELUX Product Manager, Grant Sneddon, offers advice on selecting the best daylight solutions for your project.
Published in
Project Inspiration
Tagged under
28
Jul
2015
0 comment
Two for one
Written by Emily Smith (editor)
When a young family bought a bungalow with the view to renovate, little did they know they would end up completing a four-bedroom self-build in their garden!
Published in
Rural Retreat
Tagged under
28
Jul
2015
0 comment
If you are renovating or converting your listed building, the process can sometimes seem rather overwhelming. So to assist in the process, period property expert the Listed Property Owners Club has put together some top tips to help document your property challenge.
Published in
Contracts and Legalities
Tagged under
28
Jul
2015
0 comment
Making the money go round
Written by Emily Smith (editor)
Rachel Pyne, Group Sales Director at self-build finance expert BuildStore, offers advice on how to ensure your finances last the duration of your project.
28
Jul
2015
0 comment
RHI tariff update
Written by Emily Smith (editor)
Changes to the Domestic Renewable Heat Incentive tariff means that payments for biomass boilers and stoves have decreased for new applications.
Published in
Green Living
Tagged under
03
Jul
2015
0 comment
When looking to fill your garden with beautiful flowers, consider plants that can be used to add colour, flavour and texture to your home-cooked food.
03
Jul
2015
0 comment
When it comes to designing your home, interiors shouldn’t be an afterthought. The choice of furniture, layout of the room, preferred colour palette and accessories can all dramatically transform not only the feel of a home, but also its functionality. Aaron Andrews, Creative Director of homeware specialist The Gifted Few,…
03
Jul
2015
0 comment
Secret vault
Written by Emily Smith (editor)
Innovative use of vaulted ceilings and clever glazing has transformed an urban infill site into a four-bedroom family home.
03
Jul
2015
0 comment
Planters: Second nature
Written by Emily Smith (editor)
Nurture nature in your home all year round using clever and contemporary planters.
Published in
Project Inspiration
03
Jul
2015
0 comment
Richard McLane, Design Director of bespoke staircase expert Bisca, profiles the key specification concerns to choosing a staircase.
Published in
Project Inspiration
03
Jul
2015
0 comment
Richard McLane, Design Director of bespoke staircase expert Bisca, profiles the key specification concerns to choosing a staircase.
Published in
Project Inspiration
03
Jul
2015
0 comment
While building your own home is an exciting prospect, navigating the complexities of the British planning process can be a real turn-off for many prospective self-builders. Steve Mansour, Group CEO at insurance expert CRL, talks you through the process to ease your concerns.
Published in
Contracts and Legalities
03
Jul
2015
0 comment
Your Right to Build
Written by Emily Smith (editor)
Raymond Conner, Chief Executive of BuildStore Ltd, discusses why the Government’s ‘Right to Build’ is another appealing initiative for potential self-builders.
Published in
Viewpoint
Tagged under
03
Jul
2015
0 comment
Sustainable and eco-living expert Tristan Titeux presents simple things you can do to make your home an eco-haven.
Published in
Green Living
Tagged under
04
Jun
2015
0 comment
From bi-fold doors that open up rooms and merge inside with the out, to elegant windows that let in more light, and made-to-measure blinds that add a touch of inspiration, the Origin Home is a complementary product range to transform your home into a masterpiece.
Published in
Project Inspiration
Tagged under
04
Jun
2015
0 comment
Waste not want not
Written by Emily Smith (editor)
Many self-builders find themselves at the end of a project with a beautiful home surrounded by a bare garden. However, there are many ways to create a beautiful garden by using resources already on your site.
Published in
i-scape
04
Jun
2015
0 comment
50 shades of white
Written by Emily Smith (editor)
Whether self-building, renovating or just redecorating, the interior design scheme of your finished home is one of the key areas that visitors are certain to notice. Here, be inspired by the power and simplicity of working with white in this stunning design showcase and industry insight.
Published in
i-nterior
04
Jun
2015
0 comment
Out of the woods
Written by Emily Smith (editor)
While timber cladding has boomed in recent decades, it has become particularly popular in the self-build market, and for good reason. Here, cladding expert Vastern Timber explains why.
04
Jun
2015
0 comment
Belinda Hall, founder of online craft marketplace Home of Artisans, explains how small focal items have the power to turn a house into a home.
Published in
Project Inspiration
Tagged under
04
Jun
2015
0 comment
Bathroom: Home spa bliss
Written by Emily Smith (editor)
A new study conducted by an online bathroom retailer has revealed that the majority of Brits would like to recreate an at home spa experience in their bathroom with whirlpool baths and saunas/steam showers as the must have features of a dream bathroom.
Published in
Project Inspiration
04
Jun
2015
0 comment
Drainage: Come rain or shine
Written by Emily Smith (editor)
Often when starting a new build project, rainwater and eaves systems are not particularly high on the agenda, but ignoring correct specification can have catastrophic effects. Here, Tony Wereszczynski, Technical Director of rainwater system specialist Alutec looks at how self-builders can get it right, taking into consideration the technical requirements,…
Published in
Project Inspiration
04
Jun
2015
0 comment
Character and charm
Written by Emily Smith (editor)
Lesley and Wyn Jones challenged themselves by rearranging the layout of an existing property and adding an extension to dramatically increase its size. Here, Lesley describes their self-build journey.
Published in
Rural Retreat
Tagged under
04
Jun
2015
0 comment
Country house
Written by Emily Smith (editor)
When a London couple were searching for a house in the country, they found the ideal plot, the only problem was the dated brick cottage that stood within it.
Published in
Sustainable Living
Tagged under
04
Jun
2015
0 comment
Brian Kilroy, Business Development Manager at BLP Insurance, welcomes the Government’s funding incentives for self-builders’ construction costs in London, but says that local authorities need to lend a helping hand.
Published in
Contracts and Legalities
Tagged under
04
Jun
2015
0 comment
Tips from the experts are always useful when embarking upon a self-build, especially when it comes to the subject of finance. Utilising BuildStore’s wealth of expertise, Group Sales Director Rachel Pyne offers some advice on this topic.
04
Jun
2015
0 comment
For many, renovating a thatched property is the epitome of rural living, but misconceptions often deter buyers. NFU Mutual, the UK’s leading rural insurer, offers practical advice on the risks and rewards of owning a thatched property.
Published in
Green Living
05
May
2015
0 comment
Greening your new design
Written by Emily Smith (editor)
Paul Garlick, of green wall expert Mobilane, looks at the latest innovative techniques to green your new home and add additional levels of sustainability.
05
May
2015
0 comment
Shoe designer Rupert Sanderson employed David Kohn Architects to create a unique extension for his Victorian semi-detached house in Tufnell Park, North London.
02
Apr
2015
0 comment
Mud and Marriage
Written by Emily Smith (editor)
After building her own home Mandy Clark felt that the process deserved to be retold, so put her self-build experience into a book. Here, Mandy discusses the ups and downs of her homebuilding adventure.
Published in
i-build
Tagged under
05
May
2015
0 comment
Roofing: Let there be light
Written by Emily Smith (editor)
Here, Howells Patent Glazing – an expert in bespoke roof design – showcases the roof glazing options available that will flood your home with natural light.
Published in
Project Inspiration
05
May
2015
0 comment
Bathrooms: Inclusive design
Written by Emily Smith (editor)
Barbara Osborne, Product Manager at Methven UK, looks at the creation of useable bathrooms for the ageing population and what this means for installers.
Published in
Project Inspiration
05
May
2015
0 comment
Lead up the garden path
Written by Emily Smith (editor)
People these days who come across a lead pipe are probably in the Conservatory with Colonel Mustard, playing ‘Cluedo’. However, if you find lead in a plumbing system it’s nothing to joke about.
Published in
Project Inspiration
Tagged under
05
May
2015
0 comment
A Gloucestershire extension project has incorporated the refurbishment of a derelict gasworks, transforming it into a sensational contemporary annex for the nineteenth century home.
Published in
Sustainable Living
Tagged under
05
May
2015
0 comment
Last year, the UK became the largest European market for solar power, overtaking Germany, which had previously held the top spot for European solar installations for 18 of the last 19 years. Here, Daniel Roca, UK county manager at Panasonic Eco Solutions Europe, explains why.
Published in
Green Living
Tagged under
02
Apr
2015
0 comment
Concrete jungle
Written by Emily Smith (editor)
It’s easy to think that environmental change and destruction is something that only happens in pristine green environments such as rainforests. But while it is hard for UK homeowners to directly help protect these very valuable places, there is an environment under threat that is literally on many people’s doorsteps:…
02
Apr
2015
0 comment
A garage squashed between two houses has been transformed into a unique three storey house.
Published in
i-nterior
Tagged under
02
Apr
2015
0 comment
Flooring has the power to transform a room, whether it is the soft sensation of carpet between your toes or the springy firmness of vinyl underfoot. Jeremy Garrish, Head buyer at Carpetright, shares his top tips on how to choose the right flooring for your home, providing a wealth of…
05
May
2015
0 comment
Paul Joyner, Managing Director of Sustainable Building Solutions, part of the Travis Perkins Group, discusses how SAP assessments have heightened the importance of Y-values and how they can be used to save money and improve efficiency.
02
Apr
2015
0 comment
In recent years many historic crafts and trades have gradually declined or been separated from mainstream building in the face of the demand for mass production and more cost effective processes. Here, Graham Irving, Managing Director of Bovingdon Bricks, presents the value of old fashioned brick making.
Published in
Project Inspiration
Tagged under
02
Apr
2015
0 comment
Patrick Bradley’s radical home design presented a number of electrical challenges for contractor AK Electrical, who installed a system based on controls from electrical solutions and services provider Hager.
Published in
Project Inspiration
Tagged under
02
Apr
2015
0 comment
Self-build support
Written by Emily Smith (editor)
The Government is keen to support and encourage individuals and communities who want to build their own homes and is taking proactive steps to stimulate the growth of the self-build market.
Published in
Contracts and Legalities
Tagged under
01
Apr
2015
0 comment
Protecting your investment
Written by Emily Smith (editor)
As a self-builder you will be investing significant time and money into building your dream home, and no matter how well you plan, things can and do go wrong. Here, Rachel Pyne, Group Sales Director of BuildStore Ltd explains why insurance and warranties are a necessity, not a luxury.
Published in
Viewpoint
Tagged under
01
Apr
2015
0 comment
Eco-conscious advantages
Written by Emily Smith (editor)
Ground source heating is a great way to lower energy bills and make money thanks to the RHI scheme.
Published in
Green Living
04
Mar
2015
0 comment
Nick Green, author of the Self Build Garden Room Guide, shares his top tips for building your own garden room.
Published in
i-scape
Tagged under
04
Mar
2015
0 comment
Interior designer and founder of design studio Violet & George, Nicky Mudie presents guidance on how to decorate your home in shades that suit your style.
04
Mar
2015
0 comment
Simon Orrells recognised the potential of offsite construction methods when he started he career in the early 1990s. Here, Simon offers his perspective on why the timber frame industry is at its strongest to date.
Published in
i-build
Tagged under
04
Mar
2015
0 comment
If you’re new to self-build, working out which foundation application is best for your project can be one of the most daunting aspects of all the construction phases and is difficult to budget for accurately. Therefore, it is important to clearly identify the best foundation solution for your project early…
Published in
Project Inspiration
Tagged under
04
Mar
2015
0 comment
Heating: The heat is on
Written by Emily Smith (editor)
Space and water heating normally accounts for more than 60% of a household’s energy, so it’s crucial that self-builders make the right choice when planning their heating system. Karen Trewick, Director of Communications at electric heating specialist Dimplex, looks at the options available to maximise comfort and keep running costs…
Published in
Project Inspiration
Tagged under
04
Mar
2015
0 comment
Worktops are the crucial accessory of the kitchen. Much like combining the wrong coloured handbag or shoes with an outfit may ruin the ensemble, mismatch your worktop and cabinets and the kitchen could loose its style. Here, Kevin Buchanan – Design Director of independent kitchen designer and retailer, Kitchen International…
Published in
Project Inspiration