A thoroughly modern eco mix

An Aberdeenshire couple chose an array of innovative building methods – including ICF construction – to create an eco-friendly modernist gem that still manages to blend in with its surroundings TEXT JESS UNWIN IMAGES RAW FORMAT PHOTOGRAPHY, NIALL GIBBON &... View Article

Selfbuilder Diaries

Self-building architect Philip Newbold looks back a decade to the battle he successfully fought to build the first ‘passive house’ in County Durham with an A-rated EPC, and how it has served him and his wife since The journey of... View Article

Interior Inspiration: Bathrooms

LISTEN HERE The bathroom is of course a sanctuary away from the world, but when choosing products, arguably function and practicality are as important as how well they co-ordinate, or provide a luxury feel. Here we offer a range of... View Article

Ask the Expert: Funding success

LISTEN HERE Paul Welch of largemortgageloans.com walks you through the key tips for success in playing the self-build mortgage game You have secured your plot, lined up your construction team, and your planning permission has been granted. But what about... View Article

Home Styling: Panel visions

Achieving a cohesive, attractive interior means combining ‘interest, contrast and texture,’ says Robyn Park of Robyn Park Interiors. She explains how panelling can be a great way to do this, and how it’s having a big moment in the interior... View Article

Unlocking your door’s true colours

LISTEN HERE Ben Brocklesby of doors and windows supplier Origin offers his advice for self-builders on the ins and outs of picking door colours Aluminium doors are a great option if you’re looking for an unusual colour. If you want... View Article

Unspoilt views

Despite being in an unspoilt location in the Cairngorms, a couple worked carefully with their architect to create an eco-friendly holiday home that blends into the landscape and maximises the stunning views TEXT NIK HUNTER IMAGES DAPPLE PHOTOGRAPHY Building a... View Article

Sealing your future

Windows are one of the most important elements of any property, so effectively sealing them for optimum long term energy efficiency must be a top priority, says Andy Swift of ISO-Chemie The success of a renovation or self-build project can... View Article

Open the door to versatility

The world of garage doors is changing. Here Jon Watson of Garador looks at the new trend of multi-use doors and what they can bring to your build Multi-use garages are an accepted part of modern life. While storing and... View Article

Decking as a design tool

Guy Douglass of Millboard takes a look at the versatility of decking and the many different ways it can be used to enhance your home’s exterior There have been many different gardening trends over the years – the ‘70s rockery,... View Article

Three views you can’t put a price on

Securing one priceless Devon view was an major coup for an architect and her husband, but they didn’t realise their build would give them three TEXT Ewen MacDonald IMAGES George Fielding & Nick Yarsley When it comes to creating the... View Article

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

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