Winter 2018
More stories
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Georgian house built from scratch
Mark Johnson precision engineered most of the tools required to build his circular mock-Georgian new build from scratch. In this article we cover: What inspired you to build a Georgian house from scratch? Paris and London, but I suppose it’s the Roman influences on architecture in general that made us want to build it. The […] More
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in Advice, Design, Extension/Renovation Advice, Heat emitters, Interior Advice, Interiors, On site, Ventilation and heating systems: WatchpointsSmart heating for your home
Adjusting your heating controls can have the single biggest effect on the amount of energy you use in the home; here’s what you need to know about smart heating. In this article we cover: The factors influencing heat and warmth are specific to each human being, depending on age, fitness levels and even moods. Within […] More
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in Advice, Design, Heating systemsBiomass burners
Biomass is organic matter used as a fuel. It covers everything from fish oil and bone meal to wood and energy crops; for your home it’s likely to mean a log, wood chip or a wood pellet burning boiler or stove as other fuel sources are not yet feasible on a small scale. Almost everyone […] More
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in Advice, Choosing the kitchen, Design, Extension/Renovation Advice, Interior Advice, Interiors, Kitchen and bathroom designs, On siteTailored Kitchen Design
The kitchen is nowadays at the centre of family life but for the self-builder it’s also at the heart of the budget. Here are the basics to design it successfully. It is a truth universally acknowledged – among kitchen designers, anyway – that kitchen planning for new builds should take place before anything is built, […] More
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Project management: what needs to get done
The project manager must look after the smooth running of operations as well as the rules and regulations; Roger Bell of Bell Associates helps you keep your head above water with his overview of what’s involved. Project management is a specialist field and for good reason; there are many aspects to juggle. In the case […] More
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An Intro to Walk-In Showers
Wet rooms and walk-in showers are especially useful for the elderly and those with reduced mobility but they can add style and value to your home too. A ‘wet room’ is any part of a bathroom whose walls and floor have been properly waterproofed or ‘tanked’ like a swimming pool. It is dedicated to showering […] More
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Cross Laminated Timber for Self Builds
Next generation timber: The concept of laminating wood to make it stronger has been around for centuries, but it’s only relatively recently that cross laminated timber (CLT) has made an appearance and is being used on self-builds. CLT was first developed in mainland Europe 30 years ago where it is fast becoming a mainstream product. And […] More
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in Advice, Choosing the bathrooms, Design, Extension/Renovation Advice, Interior Advice, Interiors, Kitchen and bathroom designs, On siteBathroom Design Tips
Top 5 tips to get you thinking about bathroom design: when to start planning, what to prioritise and to how to be budget savvy. In this article we cover: Because of its size the bathroom is often neglected and left last to plan, especially in a new build. Too often we just go out and […] More
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Adding a contemporary extension to a vernacular dwelling
Adding a contemporary extension to a vernacular dwelling requires a deft hand to avoid spoiling the views. In this case it’s not just the cottage nestled within that enhances the landscape but also the contemporary addition which manages to further ground the building. In this article we cover: Vernacular This cottage and many similar ones […] More
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in Block, Cost Under 200, Extension/Renovation Projects, Extensions & Renovations, Munster, Projects, Two StoreyLow budget DIY cottage renovation
This budget DIY cottage renovation on a remote island in Co Cork had everything brought in by boat. After that, it just needed elbow grease. In this article we cover: We were looking for somewhere remote to be near nature and to balance life and work,” explains Tracy who is originally from England. “It took […] More
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1800’s renovation with amazing beauty
If, like many others in the area, you think this house is owned by a famous boxer – think again. If, like many others in the area, you think this house is owned by a famous boxer – think again. It’s funny because we still have people asking us if we bought the house from […] More
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in Block, Cost 200-300, New Build, Projects, Self-build Projects, Site assessment, Two Storey, Ulster, Water & ElectricityNew build in County Armagh
There are some things you can plan for, like choosing finishes in advance, but others are unpredictable. Such as having to fork out £15,000 to get an electricity connection in a built-up area for a new build in Co Armagh. In this article, Lisa and Nathan Langtry discuss their new build project in Co Armagh, […] More
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