Following a learning curve

Despite the tricky construction challenges presented by a crescent-shaped architectural design, a determined couple have succeeded in creating their dream ‘forever’ home in the countryside TEXT Jess Unwin IMAGES John Naccarato John and Debra Naccarato’s decision to embrace a striking... View Article

All in the detail

Jim and Jayne Smith have remodelled and extended a tired 1930s house, including rejuvenating the exterior with rugged local stone TEXT Debbie Jeffery IMAGES Dominic Jones “We were reminded of a bland 1980s Travelodge when we first viewed the house,”... View Article

Upwardly mobile

Donald and Anne Alden have transformed their tired semi-detached Devon bungalow into a show-stopping two storey contemporary home – in a design which reveals spectacular views of the countryside TEXT Debbie Jeffery IMAGES Tom Hargreaves “One minute we had a... View Article

Marrying old & new, sustainably

Lucy and Marc Hudson’s sustainable renovation of a west London Victorian terrace successfully blends period style with modern textures and materials TEXT Alexandra Pratt IMAGES Pierce Scourfield/Mitchell + Corti With their first child on the way, Lucy, a doctor by... View Article

Putting experience into practice

A few previously unencountered bumps in the road on John and Sue’s fifth project were no match for these seasoned self-builders TEXT Jayne Dowle IMAGES CillaCam Photography As a veteran self-builder, John Askew has plenty of advice to share. When... View Article

A total transformation

Building projects are not normally renowned for being ‘joyous adventures’ but David and Suzanne say their experience in Fife has been exactly that TEXT Nik Hunter IMAGES Robert Perry The couple’s self-build adventures commenced in August 2021 when the couple... View Article

Having the vision

Alissa and David Talbot transformed their cramped London maisonette into a beautiful and practical home to house their growing family TEXT Alexandra Pratt IMAGES Joe Whitmore/Carta Nova It was the summer of 2021 and Alissa and David were living in... View Article

Scandi style

Paul Berry and his Swedish partner Pernilla have built a Scandinavian-inspired contemporary family home in Surrey with copious natural light TEXT Debbie Jeffery IMAGES Jonathan Reid “We were actually living in New York when we first started our self-build project,”... View Article

To the Manar born

France’s loss was Scotland’s gain when a couple decided to abandon ideas to renovate a French chateau and took on Manar House in Inverurie instead TEXT Nik Hunter IMAGES Elliot Roberts Christina and Dean Horspool have always had big ideas,... View Article

A calculated risk

Despite the risks associated with buying a dated bungalow in the South Downs National Park over 200 miles away from his home, Philip Westcott was prepared to take the chance thanks to the advice of his building-savvy son TEXT Jayne... View Article

A dramatic rescue

A cottage in the Cornish village which hosted Poldark saw its own share of drama when it was rescued from the point of collapse by Mark Semmens TEXT ALEXANDRA PRATT IMAGES CORNISH GEMS In 2018, a tiny cottage in a... View Article

Ascending to
greatness

Young couple Lianne and James took the design of their home into their own hands, despite a challenging steep plot in Neath, South Wales, and managed to take full advantage of their surroundings while offering a residence that worked well... View Article

A long time coming

For Paula and David Matthews, creating their dream home began back in the late 90s when they first bought their house, completing decades of good (and not-so-good) alterations before finally unlocking its full potential TEXT HEATHER DIXON IMAGES PAULA &... View Article

Wetland wonder

Simon Roberts and Sarah Bruml managed to achieve their innovative, sustainable and flood-resilient cabin on a highly sensitive site next to a tidal creek and natural wetland in Southwold, thanks to a bedded-in design TEXT DEBBIE JEFFERY IMAGES DAVID VALINSKY Serendipity... View Article

Heidi’s Haven

Building a home tailored for a child with complex medical needs, required innovative design and careful planning by Sarah and Steve Land and their architect, resulting in a space both functional and inviting TEXT Jayne Dowle IMAGES Transform Architects When... View Article

Remote working, rural living

In a bid to escape city life post-pandemic, Una and Laura embarked on a journey to create their dream home as well as workspace in rural Ireland, filled with innovative features and design solutions TEXT Tom Boddy IMAGES Una &... View Article

Keeping your friends close

By letting their good friend, renowned architect Richard Murphy take the lead, a couple in the east coast of Scotland are now living in a bold and beautifully designed home that fully embraces modern architecture TEXT Nik Hunter IMAGES Crispin... View Article

Directing a Cornish fairy tale

Anglophile and ex-Disney executive Kathleen Gearhart-Filmer moved to Cornwall to turn a concrete house into a magical coastal retreat TEXT Alexandra Pratt IMAGES Leighton James Several years ago, while on holiday with her baby daughter in Carbis Bay, west Cornwall, Kathleen... View Article

Refreshed regency elegance

Francois Belot and Andrea Buscone found a shared joy in their sensitive renovation and extension of an elegant Regency townhouse in south London TEXT ALEXANDRA PRATT IMAGES INNA KOSTUKOVSKY It was December 2019 when London-based couple Francois Belot and Andrea... View Article

Roaring into retirement

Embarking on the journey of self-building their retirement home along the south-west’s Jurassic Coast turned into a decade-long adventure for two septuagenarians. The result surpassed everything they could have hoped for TEXT EWEN MACDONALD IMAGES PHIL COFFEY Former city dweller... View Article