Trevor Huggins, licence to build

A James-Bond inspired home in Cornwall makes use of a steep sloped small unused space to create an architectural gem on the edge of the River Tamar TEXT & IMAGES EWEN MACDONALD When Trevor Huggins and his family envisaged a... View Article

Garage door policies

Enhancing your property and adding to its kerb appeal is all about making the right choice for your home’s exterior – the windows, entrance doors, landscaping and, of course, your garage door. Here, David O’Mara of Hörmann UK offers his... View Article

Ask the Expert: Security first

Kenny McHugh of Secured by Design answers self-builders’ questions on creating a physically secure home, from the layout and boundaries, to physical security and alarms Every self-builder will be looking to create a safe and secure home, but security doesn’t... View Article

Interior Inspiration: Bedrooms

Bedrooms should be somewhere that you can really relax and feel comfortable, beyond just places to sleep. From wardrobes to dressing tables to underbed storage, you can co-ordinate your pieces to ensure that the whole space feels like a holistic... View Article

A different angle

Architect Lanre Falase adapted an existing design to create a striking home for his family in south London, full of unique quirks and clever elements that maximise its tight, triangular site TEXT TOM BODDY IMAGES LUKASZ WIELKOSZYNSKI & BOLANS ARCHITECTS... View Article

Coat of many colours

Home colour choices can say a lot about your personality. Lisa Grosse from Cedral discusses how to use the ‘colour wheel’ approach to get the look you want for a new build home or a makeover Colour is one of... View Article

A labour of love in Lanarkshire

When James and Lorna Hamilton made their decision to self-build, their new home had to meet not only the demands of their growing family but also recognise Lorna’s heritage, sitting on the family farmstead TEXT NIK HUNTER IMAGES DAPPLE PHOTOGRAPHY... View Article

Søren’s Scandi fashion house

A Danish minimalism-inspired renovation of a former fashion showroom in a prime west London site has resulted in a light, elegant home which has its owners’ sense of style, and a ‘Hygge’ feel TEXT TOM BODDY IMAGES RACHAEL SMITH, STÅLE... View Article

Ranch dressing

Animal lovers Jules Hamilton and Nigel Shore have extended and transformed a Suffolk bungalow, using traditional timber cladding and a ranch-style feel to help the home blend with its rural surroundings TEXT JESS UNWIN IMAGES NIGEL SHORE “Oh, you’re the... View Article

Take your stairs for a spin

Michael Edwards of Complete Stair Systems shares his expert advice on choosing a spiral staircase for your new build or refurbishment project With so many choices available, choosing a spiral staircase can seem like a daunting task, but it is... View Article

The trails all lead home

Calum and Gladys Trail looked at a lot of options for pursuing a self-build, and they managed to find the answer under their noses, on their existing site in the north east of Scotland TEXT TOM BODDY IMAGES NEIL GORDON... View Article

Home Styling: Mastering bedroom bliss

Bedrooms should be a place to relax and rejuvenate. Rob Lessmann from interior design studio Design’d Living explains how to create the perfect master bedroom ambience We spend a lot of our time in a bedroom, so it is imperative... View Article

A concrete idea for efficient builds

Chris Stride from the Insulating Concrete Formwork Association explains why this type of modern method of construction could provide the answers for your self-build when it comes to speed, efficiency and air-tightness Building your home can be a challenging task.... View Article

GALVANISED STEEL: SIMPLE, STRONG AND SECURE FENCE POSTS

Galvanised steel fence post systems provide a modern fencing alternative to traditional concrete. For any self-builder looking to undertake as much work themselves as possible – it is also an ideal option. Here, John Abernethie, Managing Director at Birkdale explains... View Article

Ideas & Inspiration: Home offices

With many people now using a mix of home and office working since the pandemic, self-builders are placing the design of home offices right at an even higher priority. Here are some of the latest ideas 1. Warwick Buildings’ Curved... View Article

Raising the roof

When David and Lisa Collins’ circumstances changed, a tired 1960s bungalow in Leeds offered not only the chance to build their dream house, but also gave them the perfect opportunity to move nearer to their daughter TEXT HEATHER DIXON IMAGES... View Article

Drain care or beware

Self-builders face particular challenges when it comes to wastewater drainage options, says David Stagg from Graf UK While the self-build sector proved more resilient than the wider new housebuilding market during Covid, new challenges are making themselves felt. Although there... View Article

Ask the Expert: Connecting with the outside

Considering bifold or sliding doors for your self-build or renovation project? Matt Higgs from Kloeber answers some of the key questions to help ensure you choose the right glazed doors for your home It’s not surprising that bifold and sliding... View Article

When does cost outweigh conservation?

Paul Trace of Stella Rooflight discusses the importance of maintaining the historical integrity of buildings during an economic downturn. It’s hard to imagine a tougher economic climate. Having emerged from the pandemic, businesses and homeowners are beset by the rising... View Article

Home Styling: Make room for relaxation

While you may already know how you want your kitchen and bathroom to look, the crucial space that is the living room can be more tricky to conceptualise. Interior designer Claire Rendall of Berkeley Place provides some styling tips Living... View Article