Paving Creator

Paving Creator is a free, easy to use online tool to help you experiment with various paving design options and products. It’s perfect if you’re not sure where to start with your outdoor project. Simply select whether you want to... View Article

Future-roofing

With a global gas supply crunch, issues with renewables and strong demand pushing up energy prices, the energy efficient design of roofing and insulation is vitally important for homeowners, as Lisa Grosse from Cedral explains In 2025, The Future Homes... View Article
Sheffield steel

Sheffield steel

Kitchen thieves, a collapsing roof, and then a pandemic would be enough to make anyone throw in the towel on a renovation project, but Suzanne and David Williamson are made of sterner stuff TEXT & IMAGES HEATHER DIXON The Williamsons... View Article

Paving responsibly for rainwater runoff

Chris Hodson from Interpave explains the importance of taking a responsible approach to rainwater runoff from paving around both new and existing homes to protect them and the wider community Another year of flooding around the UK provides a timely... View Article

Best of both worlds

Dealing with planners can be a frustrating business, but to modernise a substantial Victorian building in Devon, Geoff Hall also had to negotiate heritage surveyors, ecologists, conservationists and archaeologists TEXT EWEN MACDONALD IMAGES CO CREATE ARCHITECTS A ramshackle 19th century home... View Article

Money to burn?

Installing a wood burning stove in your home can not only save you money on your heating bills but can also enhance the aesthetic value of your living space. Dennis Milligan of the British Flue & Chimney Manufacturers Association (BFCMA)... View Article

Solution Fires Innovates with High-Tech Luxury Electric Fire Range

Leading fireplace manufacturer Solution Fires has taken its product innovation to new heights with the introduction of its brand new, state of the art LUX electric fire range. Developed with pioneering flame technology for an unparalleled authentic viewing experience, the six contemporary LUX fires,... View Article

Building a case for keeping it clay

A campaign has been launched to inform self-builders on why they should stay with clay brick rather than look at concrete newcomers. Keith Aldis of the Brick Development Association explains further The campaign we have launched features an illustrated comparative... View Article

Converted to Class Q

For Kat & Tris Baxter-Smith, the challenge of converting an agricultural barn on the farm belonging to Tris’ family – to his own design – became a lesson in the pros and cons of Class Q permitted development  TEXT ROSEANNE... View Article

De-mystifying lighting design

Lighting plays a vital role both inside and outside our homes, setting the ambience and affecting the overall feel of a space. It’s imperative therefore that any lighting decisions are taken with consideration and care to ensure optimum performance. Here,... View Article

Home Styling: Designs that work for you

Hybrid working is here to stay, so it’s no surprise that a dedicated workspace has become a staple of houses’ layouts. But where do you start when planning a home office? Steve Hird of Edward Thomas Interiors gets down to... View Article

Ask the Expert: Fully kitted up

Your choice of construction method will affect almost every aspect of your project. Derek Dawson of Scandia Hus answers some common questions on kit homes, explaining how they can be the ‘ultimate solution’ for a self-build WHAT IS A KIT... View Article

Interior Inspiration: Lighting

Whether it’s for accenting individual items, creating overall ambience, or achieving the right light levels for working from home, getting lighting right is one of the first priorities for a great interior design. Here we round up a selection of... View Article