Heather Campbell

Heather is a journalist and deputy editor of Selfbuild Magazine. She’s previously edited construction trade publications in Ireland and the UK, along with expat living magazines in the Canary Islands and Tuscany. Now based in Co. Kilkenny, she and her partner are taking on their biggest project yet — turning a former residential outdoor pursuits centre into a family home!

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in Advice, Choosing lighting, Choosing wall and floor finishes, Choosing windows and doors, Cost savers, Energy Efficiency, Airtightness & The Environment, Extension/Renovation Projects, Projects

Kilkenny renovation and extension

Having lived in Australia, single level, open plan living was what Anne and Niall Jordan wanted from their Kilkenny renovation and extension project. In this article we cover: Anne and Niall had a clear idea of what they wanted for their first family home. Six years of apartment living in Australia had instilled a huge […] More

August 8, 2023, 8:45 am
in Block, New Build, Projects, Self-build Projects, Two Storey, Ulster

Co Down modern new build

For Elaine and David Douglas, building this Co Down modern new build was a way to strike a healthy work life balance. In this article we cover: We were very happy living in our previous home on a housing development,” says Elaine. “We ran a successful business, had great neighbours, great friends and our two […] More

July 25, 2023, 6:54 pm
in Block, Cost 300+, New Build, Projects, Self-build Projects, Two Storey, Ulster

Developer built home in Co Antrim

This developer built home gave Leigh-Ann Jackson and family all the perks of a tailored self-build without the self-builder’s pain. In this article we cover: “At the start of 2019, we were living in Newtownabbey and looking to buy a new build home in or around Greenisland, as my husband and I both work in […] More

June 6, 2023, 6:50 am
in Block, Cost Under 200, Extension/Renovation Projects, Extensions & Renovations, Munster, Projects, Two Storey

The three week renovation

How Denise and Fiachra Sinnott of Co Cork transformed their tired old 1980s chalet bungalow into a 21st century family home, carrying out the reno in just three weeks. In this article we cover: House size before: 190sqm plus attached garage 90sqmHouse size after: 250sqm plus attached garage 30sqmBedrooms: 4Plot size: 1 acrePurchase cost: €295kHome […] More

May 4, 2023, 8:46 am
in Block, Design, New Build, Projects, Securing planning permission, Self-build Projects, Ulster

Planning battle for Co Antrim new build

Planning consultant Sean McHenry spent years in a protracted battle to secure planning permission for his parents Colm and Nora’s new build. In this article we cover: The layout of my parents’ existing home was becoming challenging for my mother due to her mobility issues and its isolated location – albeit just one mile away […] More

March 31, 2023, 1:11 pm
in Block, Cost 300+, Leinster, New Build, Projects, Self-build Projects, Two Storey

Steel frame new build in Co Wicklow

This Co Wicklow steel frame new build came about from a gift of land nestled in the forest. In this article we cover: Lisa and I had been living and working in Amsterdam for a number of years, when we began seriously thinking about starting a family,” says David. “Lisa’s parents, Paul and Mellen, had […] More

March 14, 2023, 12:16 pm
in Extensions & Renovations, Projects, Timber Frame, Two Storey, Ulster

Period holiday home in Co Donegal

This historical lookout for seafaring smugglers was renovated to meet the demands of a holiday home and retain period features. In this article we cover: The watchtower, perched on the coastline above Portnablagh, was built to aid the local coastguard in their efforts to keep a lookout for seafaring smugglers. “The earliest detailed record I […] More

January 25, 2023, 11:32 am
in Block, New Build, Projects, Two Storey, Ulster

Split level house in Co Fermanagh

How Alanna and James Connolly made the most of the sloping site they bought with planning approved for a split level home. In this article we cover: “Our family was growing and we needed somewhere to live, but at that time, there weren’t many houses for sale locally,” says Alanna. “However, there was a site […] More

January 11, 2023, 10:32 am
in Block, Bungalow, Extension/Renovation Projects, Projects

Room to live & grow

With their first baby on the way, Jemima and James Hammond knew their two-bed cottage would need a space and storage upgrade. But the rear extension they built gave them far more. In this article we cover: Damp and dated, Jemima and James’s two-bed, 1920s cottage couldn’t function as a modern family home. With very […] More

June 2, 2021, 11:43 am
in Cost 300+, Leinster, New Build, Projects, Self-build Projects, Timber Frame, Two Storey

Timber frame energy efficient home in Kilkenny

Kieran and Anita McGrath are a typical example of how forward-thinking self-builders are, especially when it comes to making an energy efficient home. Not only did the couple achieve impressive eco credentials back in 2011, they drew up their house plans and project managed the build themselves. In this article we look at: With their […] More

March 30, 2021, 4:30 pm
in Block, Extension/Renovation Projects, Extensions & Renovations, Projects, Two Storey, Ulster

Cast concrete home extension in Donegal

Even though Emma and Mark Smith were reluctant renovators, they knew a home extension project was the only way to create the family home of their dreams in such a desirable location. In this article Emma and Mark talk about their home renovation proejct: With six bedrooms, an acre-and-a-half of beautifully mature gardens and breathtaking […] More

March 23, 2021, 1:51 pm
in New Build, Projects, Self-build Projects, Timber Frame, Ulster

First time self-builders create dream home in County Down

From design vision to final finish, first-time self-builders Colin and Nicole McKee rolled up their sleeves and got stuck in. In this article we cover: “We were fortunate to have a site on Colin’s family farmland and after watching way too many episodes of Grand Designs, we convinced ourselves that we could take on a […] More

March 2, 2021, 11:40 am