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

Permeable paving: the driving force behind SuDS success

Chris Hodson of Interpave delves into the impact of soon to be mandatory sustainable urban drainage systems (SuDS) in new residential projects, and the transformative role that permeable paving plays The wider application of concrete block permeable paving to reverse... View Article

The look of wood without the hassle

F.H. Brundle’s range of composite decking boards offer a robust, sustainable and easy to maintain alternative to timber. They’re incredibly durable and suitable for a variety of outdoor uses. Made from 60% recycled wood, 40% plastic, RinatoTM decking boards look like wood but without... View Article

Practically
perfect

Young newlyweds Euan and Fiona Coleman thought they had found their forever home, but once children arrived they reassessed their wish list of practicalities, which led them to embark on a renovation in Hertfordshire TEXT LAURA SHADWELL IMAGES JWB ARCHITECTS... View Article

Survey reveals UK self-builders’ challenges and aspirations

Younger people in the UK are vastly under-represented in the self-build community, according to a recent survey which also looked at key motives for self-builders including creating better quality and more sustainable homes.  The survey of 759 individuals undertaking homebuilding... View Article

Furlong Flooring launches inspirational new website

Furlong Flooring is delighted to announce the launch of its brand new website – furlongflooring.com. Featuring outstanding design, content and functionality this new online resource offers comprehensive information about its innovative and trusted flooring solutions. Launched on January 17th, the new furlongflooring.com website... View Article

The warm feeling of cost-efficiency

Dennis Milligan of the BFCMA explores the efficiency benefits of wood-burning stoves, how they work with heat pumps, and installation essentials Heat pumps work best when they are running at a constant temperature. A stove can complement a heat pump... View Article

The Window View: A look at safety issues

Victoria Brocklesby of Origin discusses what features to look for in your doors and windows in order to achieve the critical security you need for your home When undertaking a self-build project, it can be tempting to overlook home security... View Article

Selfbuilder Diaries

After overcoming a rocky start, Kerri and her family are now making headway with a self-build in the Suffolk village they’ve lived in for years. She says the excitement and enthusiasm is building as their new home starts to take... View Article

The versatility of contemporary bookcases in home design

Adam Brown, managing director of The Painted Furniture Company highlights the shift from mere book storage to bookcases becoming elegant feature pieces, serving as showcases for favourite reads and home accessories. From expansive floor-to-ceiling units that make a striking visual... View Article

Home Styling: Bathing in texture

LISTEN HERE Jorge Hernandez of Bathroom Brands Group explores how applying texture can make it transformative in modern bathroom design. From fluted accents to intricate tiles, discover how tactile and visual approaches can elevate your space Whether you want your... View Article

Ask the Expert: Floored by choice?

LISTEN HERE To assist self-builders exploring the myriad structural timber flooring options out there, Scott Wolters of EGGER UK provides a brief overview of the choices and solutions I’M LOOKING FOR A SUSTAINABLE SOLUTION, WHAT’S BEST? Given the ongoing climate... View Article

Interior Inspiration: Home Offices

LISTEN HERE Whether it’s a dedicated room or an office nook for occasional home working, striking your balance between comfort and professionalism in a home office can be challenging. Here, we’ve gathered an elegant selection of items to help you... View Article

Bookended
sustainably

A home sitting at the end of a famous Edinburgh terrace has undergone a contemporary sustainable transformation, seamlessly blending with the locality while exuding its own distinct allure TEXT NIK HUNTER IMAGES WILL SCOTT PHOTOGRAPHY This self-build project sits on... View Article

West Fraser – perfect for your panel projects in 2024

As the expert in innovative engineered wood panels for the UK construction and housebuilding market, West Fraser supports customers in many ways; one is the popular downloadable checklist for housebuilders and interactive product guide which proved invaluable in 2023. The... View Article

Boxing clever with West Fraser donation

West Fraser Europe has donated £600 to support a local boxing gym which provides training and workouts for members of all ages. The Doghouse Boxing Club, located in Stirling near the company’s manufacturing plant in Cowie, Scotland, was established in 2023... View Article