New wellness priorities

Thain Gummer of LG Electronics looks at best practice for optimising indoor air quality and reducing risks – including using proper HVAC maintenance, monitoring, and certain types of air purification technology With increasing awareness that poor indoor air quality (IAQ)... View Article

Wheel of good fortune

A young couple seeking their first home together in Cumbria brought in family help to maximise the benefits of a site that once housed a water mill, and on which now sits their four-bed property TEXT LAURA SHADWELL IMAGES LUCY... View Article

Open up to light relief around the home

TuffX’s Paul Higgins explains how rooflights can provide innovative solutions to maximise natural light, create dedicated work zones, and balance energy efficiency with comfort in your self-build or renovation Times have changed, and our homes are changing with them. Energy... View Article

Comment: The window view

Get in the lead and avoid the delays  Unexpected delays can cause huge disruption to a self-build project, costing you valuable time and money. Here, Ben Brocklesby of Origin explores why it is vital to research likely product lead times... View Article

Ask the expert: Wetrooms 101

In recent years the wetroom concept has taken a leap into mainstream popularity, and installations in homes are more desirable than ever to meet a range of needs. Shaun Hunt from Impey answers some self-builder Frequently Asked Questions For many... View Article

The most popular home improvements in the UK

Recent statistics reveal almost half of homeowners in the UK embarked on home improvement projects in 2021, collectively spending £21 billion. From creating stylish environments through kitchen remodelling to expanding living spaces with loft conversions, home improvements are a popular... View Article

Home styling: Shed some light on the issue

You can transform an existing dark hallway – or dark internal spaces in a new build – by opening up the space using attractive Crittall-style glazed doors. Lucy Bartley of lucyb home explains how you can see the light  Crittall-style... View Article

Selfbuilder Diaries

Melanie Pigott and her husband Darren, along with their two teenage daughters, have embarked on self-build to not just accommodate them and a labradoodle named Bailey, but a veritable menagerie of other animals Our story has been quite an emotional... View Article

Petit Chablis

John and Julia Abbey overcame language barriers and complex regulations to successfully renovate a dilapidated property in the Chablis region of France, creating their dream home with a ‘gite on the side’ TEXT HEATHER DIXON IMAGES JOHN & JULIA ABBEY... View Article

Interior Inspiration: Eco options

Doing your bit to ensure your self-build minimises impact on the environment is no longer an unusual pursuit, it’s virtually a must. One way you can help is by choosing products made from sustainably sourced, reclaimed or recycled or materials;... View Article

Tips on how to add natural light into your home

Bringing natural light into your home is always better than adding artificial lights. Natural light bathes the rooms in your home with a rich, full-spectrum hue that electric lightbulbs simply cannot duplicate. This natural lighting helps to increase the feel-good... View Article

Isn’t PVCu cheaper?

When it comes to windows, PVCu has been the most popular material for decades. This is largely due to price, as PVCu windows have traditionally been the lowest cost option. But Ben Brocklesby of Origin says this is beginning to... View Article

In pursuit of peace

By having their own ‘forever’ house built on the grounds of the long-standing family home in the village of Dinnington, near Rotherham, South Yorkshire, Alison and Jonathan Berry have found peace, in all senses of the word TEXT JAYNE DOWLE... View Article

A green gift for mum & dad

Octogenarians Keith and Ann Lewis’ new home was not just a labour of love, but a real family affair, with the couple engaging the services of their son and daughter-in-law to create a self-build that combines barn-inspired architecture with ecology-friendly... View Article