Stop costs running away

Collecting rainwater for domestic use is nothing new; it’s been done since Roman times and is still used today in modern, sustainable homes. Jae Lester from RainWater Harvesting looks at how technology has changed, though the principle remains unchanged In... View Article

The rising trend in lifts

People today are generally moving houses less often, indicating they are buying and building homes to live in for many years to come. Alastair Stannah from Stannah looks at how futureproofing your house with a lift can ensure you can... View Article

5 interior trends to look out for in 2023

A new year means new trends! Whether you are designing your own home or are simply looking for inspiration to give your home a fresh new look, check out the top interior trends to look out for in 2023 from... View Article

Unleaded benefits

Water ingress may damage your property or cause wet and dry rot. Nick King from Klober explores the reasons behind choosing lead-free flashings for maintaining a watertight roof, and outlines the installation considerations to be aware of The roof is... View Article

Home Styling: Saving gracefully

Reusing and recycling materials can save huge amounts of energy, as well as costs. Looeeze Grossman explains why refurbished kitchens can be attractively sustainable options There’s no doubt about it, kitchens are expensive. They’re also, usually, the heart of the... View Article

Retiring – but far from shy

Realising their Victorian house would be unsuitable as they approached retirement, Elaine and Tom Devine decided to take matters into their own hands and tackle a new build in their garden, but their timber-framed project faced some planning battles TEXT... View Article

Overheating is out

TuffX’s Paul Higgins explains what the new Part O of the Building Regulations means for glass and glazing in new homes The new Building Regulations Approved Document Part O is designed to tackle overheating in new residential buildings. As the... View Article

Ask the Expert: Insuring peace of mind

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 moment you... View Article

Selfbuilder Diaries

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, but in... View Article

Interior Inspiration: Eco Products

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 Furniture has... View Article

The best laid plans

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 TOM BODDY... View Article

Home renovation: how to save money on building supplies

A large part of the building material price increase originates from shipping and supply issues that still echo from the pandemic. The UK’s separation from the EU is another contributing factor that has surged building prices. Using this news it... View Article

Revamping Your Home on A Budget

Giving your home a makeover doesn’t have to break the bank. A refresh or a few tweaks in the interior of your home should not be a daunting task. With a bit of creativity and a few simple tweaks, you’ll... View Article

Grand Designs Live and Green Living Live Show Highlights

Grand Designs Live returned to Birmingham NEC last week and closed its doors on Sunday 9th October after a hugely successful outing. Welcoming thousands of visitors, the show hosted by Grand Designs presenter Kevin McCloud, was packed with hundreds of... View Article

Transforming outdoor space into a cosy autumn setting

Brits are being encouraged to turn their backyards into cosy havens to make the most of their outdoor spaces as the crisp Autumn weather draws near. The experts at Gardening Express have outlined the best ways to create a relaxing ambience... View Article

What’s in store at Grand Designs Live 2022 Birmingham

The sessions, exhibitors, and speakers not to miss at the grand home event plus Kevin McCloud reveals the best, worst, and most mind-blowing moments of 25 years filming Grand Designs. Full of inspiration and expert advice, Grand Designs Live is gearing up... View Article

Home Styling: Magical bedtimes

In designing a children’s bedroom, it’s possible to create a sense of magic, and if you allow yourself to move away from the standard approaches there are no limits. Interior designer Cat Dal offers some practical tips As with any... View Article