Open to ideas

A project in south west London saw a firm of architects tackle a difficult commission to extend a listed former coach house, resulting in a dramatically open new addition. The owners of a terraced house in leafy Barnes, in the... View Article

Making stairs grand again

Jarrod Matthews of Jarrods Staircases is passionate about the potential to elevate staircases to an art form. He explains why creating the perfect staircase should be a priority, not an afterthought. Ioften refer to the space where the staircase sits... View Article

High end, high tech

Ion Smith of Cyberhomes discusses how smart home technology can be seamlessly incorporated into luxury home designs. It’s not that many years ago that smart home technology was available only to high-end luxury homes; but walk into any high street... View Article

Keep it natural

Lee Dunderdale of Bradstone delves into the plethora of hard landscaping materials for delivering a dream garden, and explains why natural stone is the perfect choice. When it comes to building your own house, garden landscaping often becomes one of... View Article

The rise and rise of sliding doors

IDSystems’ David Clarke explains why self-builders should look beyond bi-fold doors when choosing a glazing option for a large opening. When discussing the strengths of and demand for glazing solutions it’s important to remain unbiased, as all options have their... View Article

A country saga

When they finally moved into their grand timber-framed home in the heart of the Hampshire countryside, it was the end of a long road for the Curnow-Fords. Roseanne Field reports. Awinding, narrow lane leads to Peter and Debbie Curnow-Ford’s home... View Article

Revised National Planning Policy Framework published

The National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) has been revised by the Ministry of Housing including new rules intended by the to make it easier for councils to challenge poor quality development, and provide communities with a greater voice on how... View Article

Breathe easy

Christian Rehn of National Ventilation answers your questions about the nuts and bolts of installing MVHR ventilation systems to provide good air quality in increasingly air-tight homes. With new build properties required to be increasingly airtight to meet Building Regulations... View Article

Editor’s Letter

What is the first thing we do these days when we want to find out information about anything? Answer – do a Google search. (In case you were wondering, a quick Google reveals that its unusual name is derived from... View Article

Keep it fresh

Beautiful, warm weather is never a bad thing for us, but it can be hard for our blooms. Read on for top tips on how to keep your bouquet fresh this season (starting with the basics), from the UK’s top-rated... View Article

How to keep your home cool during the heatwave

With the weather staying consistently hot for the longest time since 2013, Jason Orme and Julia Kendell, property experts for The London Homebuilding & Renovating Show (21-23 September, ExCeL, London; www.homebuildingshow.co.uk/london), provide their advice on how to keep your home cool. Jason... View Article

House extensions to cost more after Brexit

Homeowners have been warned that the cost of extending their houses could rocket due to Brexit as a lack of skilled foreign workers causes insurers to increase the price of premiums. Experts from ConstructionInsure.co.uk claim high stamp duty rates and house prices... View Article