Interior design services – how much do they cost?

Posted by & filed under Cost Planning, Interiors.

In the UK, there has long been an assumption that interior design services are only for the super wealthy, who own large country piles or multi-million pound town houses. However, through websites like Design for Me, affordable interior design has become more accessible to the masses. It’s now much more common for interior design firms to offer a suite of… Read more »

How to build a house in your garden – a concise guide

Posted by & filed under Advice and tips, Cost Planning, Legal Considerations, Self-Build.

Can you build a house in your garden? If you have a large garden (or driveway in fact) that’s accessible directly from the road, it can provide a fantastic development opportunity to build a house on your land. The advantages of this approach to a self-building are potentially huge: It could significantly increase the total value of… Read more »

How long does a planning application take? And how to avoid delays…

Posted by & filed under Legal Considerations, planning applications.

How long does a planning application take?   Whether you are proposing an extension, loft conversion or new build, planning permission usually takes eight weeks to be granted, unless your application is ‘unusually large or complex’, in which case the deadline can be extended to 13 weeks.   Design above by Ash, architect from Lambeth,… Read more »

Construction methods for house extensions – which structural option should you choose?

Posted by & filed under Advice and tips, Designers, Self-Build.

In this article, we’ll explore some common construction methods for house extensions and help you decide which option is best suited to your brief.   Featured image from Rhys, architect from London. See more and shortlist him for your home project here.   Traditional brick and block One of the most common construction methods for… Read more »

5 of the Best Interior Designers in Essex

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

Interior designers in Essex If you’re planning a renovation or refurbishment, finding the right interior designer or architect is the critical first step. We’ve compiled some of the best interior designers in Essex to give you a starting point, and hopefully provide a little inspiration too. Essex is brimming with talented home designers, so we… Read more »

Urban Garden Design in Peckham

Posted by & filed under Case Study, Gardens.

A perfect match on Design for Me Back in February, Rupert was on the look-out for a garden designer to transform his south London garden into a fantastic space for entertaining friends. Using Design for Me, he quickly found Simon Orchard and the design work started. Before meeting Simon, Rupert already had some strong ideas…. Read more »

Guide to permitted development rules

Posted by & filed under News.

What is permitted development? Permitted development – or officially General Permitted Development Order (GDPO) – allows you to carry out certain minor alterations or building projects without needing any planning permission. However, some permitted development projects will require a prior approval application (see below). If you want to be certain that your proposal falls within… Read more »