Ask the Expert: Delivering low carbon

Like a lot of self-builders, you may be looking to stay clear of fossil fuel heating systems and install a heat pump in your home. However, you may be asking how exactly does a heat pump work – and will... View Article

Opening statements

Being a key first impression of your home, doors also make a statement about who you are. Tracey Pomfret from George Barnsdale offers some advice to self-builders on specification choices The humble door has evolved over the years but its... View Article

A spiritual renovation

A passion for saving old houses meant that Glasgow architect Emma Jane literally took her work home with her, with an old church officer’s property TEXT NIK HUNTER IMAGES ROBERT PERRY For some time, Emma had been searching for a... View Article

Interior Inspiration: Kitchens

People use their kitchens for much more than just cooking and eating; they often function as living and entertaining spaces, and even places to work, as hybrid working grows in popularity. Here are some key products to give you some... View Article

Grand Designs returns to Graven Hill for second series

Graven Hill, the country’s largest self-build and custom-build site, returned to our screens across the UK last Wednesday (13 April) at 9.00pm. Appearing in the second series of Channel 4’s Grand Designs: The Streets, Graven Hill welcomed back presenter Kevin... View Article

Smart lighting choices to reduce energy bills

As a result of the lifting of the energy price cap on 1st April, energy prices have soared and with a further increase due in the Autumn, not to mention the impact of the ongoing conflict in Eastern Europe, it... View Article

The right rainwater system

With a varied choice of rainwater systems on the market, there should be no problem in finding the perfect product for your self-build project, says Sally Moores from Yeoman Aesthetics, though important, should not be the only thing that is... View Article

A grand affair

Selfbuilder + Homemaker have teamed up with Grand Designs Live to offer our readers 2 for 1 tickets to this year’s event, which is taking place at ExCel in London from 30 April to 8 May This year’s Grand Designs... View Article

What makes a good paving surface?

If you’re thinking of upgrading an existing paving surface or simply designing a new hard landscape area, how do you know which is the right one? Alasdair McMillan from Sureset looks at the options available Before deciding on your paving... View Article

Insulating a better future

Quentin Bassieux of Huntsman Building Solutions explains why minimising air leakage must go hand in hand with better insulation Better insulation of domestic households is seen as one of the most important ways of reducing carbon emissions and slowing the... View Article

Brave new home

After an almost traumatic experience with her first self-build, Poppy Robinson bravely decided to take on another, conquering her fears to produce a bright and eco-friendly forever home TEXT TOM BODDY IMAGES NICK AUSTWICK PHOTOGRAPHY & ORIGIN On the Lincolnshire... View Article

The art of restoration

A historic 100-year old house designed by a St Ives artist has become a decade-long labour of love for the owners to save it from demolition TEXT & IMAGES EWEN MACDONALD It is a sad truth that it is often... View Article

A meeting of minds

Bob and Carrie Forsyth had very different ideas about their ‘forever’ home until they set eyes on a dated 1950s ‘fixer-upper’ near Leeds, and decided to compromise, including with the planning department TEXT HEATHER DIXON IMAGES BEVAN COCKERILL Bob Forsyth... View Article

Jane of all trades

As an architect, Jane Burnside has created many stunning contemporary homes. However, also taking on the role of project manager and interior designer – and even cook – on her own self-build on the Isle of Mull required a whole... View Article