Home Styling: Designs that work for you

LISTEN HERE 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... View Article

Ask the Expert: Fully kitted up

LISTEN HERE 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... View Article

Interior Inspiration: Lighting

LISTEN HERE 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... View Article

Fit for purpose

LISTEN HERE During their long saga to build a home with stables on an exposed site on the west coast of Scotland, David and Louisa Wallace discovered that bigger isn’t necessarily better when they had to edit their plans down... View Article

Ask the Expert: Insuring peace of mind

LISTEN HERE Jake Fitness from Self-Build Zone answers some FAQs on how to choose the self-build insurance you need WHEN DO YOU NEED TO INSURE YOUR PROJECT?  As soon as you have completed the conveyancing and bought your plot. The... View Article

Selfbuilder Diaries

LISTEN HERE We are Laura and Jamie Currie from the Isle of Wight, and we recently embarked upon our first renovation in Gurnard near Cowes, which we are project managing around our day jobs!  We’ve always lived on the island,... View Article

Interior Inspiration: Eco Products

LISTEN HERE As we all continue to pursue more sustainable ways of living, here we have rounded up some products that combine elegant design with eco-friendliness, which we hope will prove inspiring in your project decision-making 1. LifestyleGarden’s Bistro Dining... View Article

The best laid plans

LISTEN HERE Getting a contemporary bungalow design in south London through planning proved to be a nightmare for Giancarlo Rubano. However, with a combination of his dogged determination, support from parents and architects, and some design compromises, he succeeded TEXT... View Article

Garage door policies

LISTEN HERE 🔊 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... View Article

Ask the Expert: Security first

LISTEN HERE 🔊 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,... View Article

Interior Inspiration: Bedrooms

LISTEN HERE 🔊 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... View Article

A different angle

LISTEN HERE 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 &... View Article

Ideas & Inspiration: Home offices

LISTEN HERE 🔊 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.... View Article

Raising the roof

LISTEN HERE 🔊 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... View Article

Drain care or beware

LISTEN HERE 🔊 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... View Article

Ask the Expert: Connecting with the outside

LISTEN HERE 🔊 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... View Article

Ask the Expert: Delivering low carbon

LISTEN HERE 🔊 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... View Article

Opening statements

LISTEN HERE 🔊 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... View Article

A spiritual renovation

LISTEN HERE 🔊 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... View Article

Interior Inspiration: Kitchens

LISTEN HERE 🔊 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... View Article