Commissioning an Architect: Unlocking Design Potential and Maximising Value

Posted by & filed under Advice and tips, Extensions, Guest post.

Commissioning an architect to lead your home transformation is an important step toward creating exceptional living spaces tailored to your needs and aesthetic preferences. The design process opens possibilities you might never have imagined, turning constraints into opportunities and transforming bland or dysfunctional spaces into inspiring, efficient environments. Alongside creativity, architects also bring structure: clear… Read more »

How much do local house movers cost?

Posted by & filed under Advice and tips, Guest post.

Should you local hire movers or go DIY?   Hiring Movers vs. DIY A three-bedroom house averages around £1700, rising to £5500 for long-distance relocations. Item count matters. Movers often prefer flat rates over hourly charges, which can get expensive. International moves may exceed £15000 when factoring distance and items. DIY moves entail heavy lifting,… Read more »

How Colour Psychology Shapes the Way We Experience a Home (And How to Test Your Palette Before You Commit)

Posted by & filed under Advice and tips, Interiors.

Homeowners often ask a deceptively simple question: “Will this colour make my room feel bigger or smaller?” The answer is rarely just about aesthetics. Colour profoundly influences how we perceive space, temperature, brightness and—even more importantly—how we feel in our own homes. Designers have known this for centuries, but modern neuroscience now backs it up:… Read more »

What are the new planning use classes?

Posted by & filed under Advice and tips, Conversions, Legal Considerations, planning applications.

All buildings have a use class. The original Use Class Order 1987 has been recently updated in the Use Class Order 2020.   List of use classes There is no official list of use classes is therefore open to interpretation of the above legislation. There are sometimes disputes (and varies between local planning authority) about which… Read more »

Why Round Extendable Dining Tables Are Perfect for Modern Luxury Homes

Posted by & filed under Inspiration, Interiors.

After two decades of designing interiors for discerning clients, I’ve witnessed countless dining room transformations. Yet one piece consistently emerges as the hero of modern luxury homes: the round extendable dining table. It’s fascinating how this single piece can solve multiple design challenges whilst maintaining the sophisticated aesthetic my clients demand. In my experience, clients… Read more »

Residential architects in East London

Posted by & filed under Extensions, Inspiration, Local, Using Design for Me, Your Designer.

Home renovation and extension architects in East London If you’re planning a house extension, renovation or new self-build, finding the right architect can be the critical first step. We’ve compiled some of the best residential architects in East London to give you a starting point, and hopefully provide a little inspiration too. East London is brimming with talented architects and… Read more »

Shop to residential conversion without planning permission

Posted by & filed under Conversions, Legal Considerations, planning applications.

Good news, it is possible to convert a shop to residential use without needing planning permission. However, there are important exceptions where permitted development rights may not apply in your area or to your property.   Image above – Design by Anamaria, architectural designer from Southwark, London. Click here to see more and shortlist them… Read more »