Lighting design is one of the most important aspects of your home building or renovation project, but is too often an after-thought. The advantages of LED lighting are now well known and, in fact, it may be compulsory that you choose LED to meet building code standards. But it’s not just the position of the… Read more »
Do I need planning permission for a basement extension? Basement extensions are one of the more ambiguous projects when it comes to planning consent and unfortunately it’s not a straight yes or no. Nationally, the planning rules around forming living accommodation in basements is ever changing and under review. Local councils will also have their… Read more »
Finding the best house extension architect Here at Design for Me, we are experts in matching and connecting homeowners with the best house extension architect for their particular project. We have put together our top tips for finding the perfect architect for your house extension and how to avoid common pitfalls. Extension image above from… Read more »
There are a number of different routes to gaining planning permission for a new build house. This article explains the different options that are available to help you decide which route is right for your particular project and circumstances. Featured image above – self-build design by Stephen, architect from Southwark. Click here to see more… Read more »
It’s common to confuse custom build and self build – many people assume the terms are interchangeable. It all boils down to how much a developer is involved. A custom build house is somewhere between a self-build house and a developer-built new build. Self-build = no developer involvement Custom build = some developer involvement Traditional… Read more »
(Self Build Architects from Design for Me. From Left to Right – Jake, Mark, Lucy, James, Liam, Felix) Ever dreamed about having a house designed just for you? How good would it be to have control over the shape of every room, materials, fittings and fixtures! You ‘bespoke’ means ‘expensive’ but it might be more affordable than you think… especially when you consider there… Read more »
Self-building is becoming increasingly popular in the UK. Government incentives such as the Help to Build Loan have been recently introduced, to make the self-build process easier and more affordable, with an aim help to ease the affordable homes shortage in the UK. Design above by Edward, architect from Nottingham, East Midlands. Click here… Read more »
Move over PVC bi-fold doors, it’s all about stylish, black steel framed doors and windows! The traditional variety are generally known to be thermally inefficient and expensive. However, there are many new companies on the market, whose products can be much more thermally efficient and cost effective, and we’ve listed some below to get you started. How much do steel doors and… Read more »
This is a source of confusion for many clients. Generally speaking, an architect will design the external shell of the building (walls, roof, windows, etc) and an interior designer would design and specify the interior decoration, furniture and fittings. The work that sits in between – space planning of rooms, finishes and fixtures – could… Read more »
As the summer starts to fade, it’s time to savour the sound of leaves crunching under your feet, pull on your comfiest jumper and settle down with a pumpkin spice coffee. The autumn aesthetic is one of cosiness and relaxation, and you’ll want to bring it to the fore as much as possible in your… Read more »