February 2018

Welcome to the February edition of i-build magazine! This issue is packed with inspirational projects and products as well as useful advice for your self-build.

 

Building your own home can truly alter your life. There are the obvious changes, for example, how it can give your family much-needed space to grow and expand, or how it can allow you to live in an area that you’ve always dreamt of but believed you were priced-out of. But for Nic Downs and Carolyn Merrifield, building their own home changed the direction of their whole careers. The couple had no idea that seeing a garden plot for sale down a cul-de-sac in leafy Cyncoed would adjust the direction of their lives.

The husband and wife team were both Directors of a large established firm of architects, based in Cardiff, when they discovered the plot of their dreams. The house was the first project the couple had worked on together and they enjoyed the process so much, they decided to leave their large practice and set up a small architectural firm on their own. Turn to page 24 to see how the development of their gorgeous self-build led the pair to a new venture.

Elsewhere in this issue, i-build takes a look at how to add the finishing touches to your selfbuild’s interior and exterior. From advice from Swish on the best way to dress your windows on page 48, to guidance from BISHTA on what to look for when you’re looking for a hot tub on page 52, there’s something for everyone.

I hope you enjoy this issue. Don’t forget, if you’re coming to the end of your self-build and would like us to feature your home as inspiration for other budding house-builders, then please do not hesitate to get in touch. Alternatively, if you’re about to embark on your self-build journey and would be keen for us to document your progress, do get in contact.