Indholdsfortegnelse for August 2020 i Real Homes

One of the few benefits of the recent lockdown has been the environmental impact. With planes grounded, cars left on drives and increasing numbers of people working from home rather than commuting, there has been a huge reduction in carbon emissions. Of course, there’s no guarantee this trend won’t be reversed over the coming months, but I like to think we’re all beginning to question the choices we make a little bit more. In a similarly unexpected way, lockdown has forced us all to be more creative and eco-friendly when it comes to our homes, too. Whether you’ve been shopping your home (since real shops were out of bounds) and trying out items you own in another room, upcycling a piece of furniture, or even turning pallets into garden sofas,…

Paint Eco-awareness has been weaving its way into all areas of design. So choosing your next paint palette can be climate-friendly, with these companies looking after the planet, as well as your interiors colour scheme. WHO WE LOVE... Long before most people had heard the term eco, Cheshire-based Earthborn Paints, founded in 2002, went looking for a true eco alternative to conventional paints. This forward thinking attitude now sees it with a beautiful range of colours, and its refreshingly honest approach is highlighted by the labels on the side of each tin listing every ingredient used. Virtually VOC free and free from acrylics, oils and vinyls, the company was awarded the first UK licence of the EU Ecolabel for Indoor Paints and Varnishes. WHAT THEY SAY... ‘We’re proud that all…

‘The house is a typical Victorian terrace,’ says Carl. ‘It’s generally quite a dark house, so this is a different type of room from the rest. There’s a whole wall of glass on one side with sliding doors that I made. It’s attached to the rest of the house through an opening where there were French doors that went out on to the garden. ‘It was built under permitted development [PD]. The house is 3.6 metres wide and I could only go out three metres under PD, and it could only be three metres high so you end up with a cube. Giving up some of the garden was fine. In our road, the gardens are about 30 or 40 metres long, so taking out three metres wasn’t a drama.…

1 Switch to LED lighting We might all think we’ve switched to more eco-friendly lighting, but if you had a proper look at every bulb in your home, would the reality be somewhat different? When you realise that lighting accounts for around 15 per cent of the average home’s electricity bills, it’s certainly worth making the switch to more energy-efficient LED bulbs, a move that could save you around £40 per year according to the Energy Saving Trust. Want to go further? By opting for smart bulbs (try the Philips Hue) you can control your lighting via your phone, meaning you can set lighting schedules (great for added home security), and turn lights on/off from any location, an ideal option if you have kids who always forget to switch off…

DEN OF DREAMS With little chance of heading off on holiday this summer (sob!), chances are you’re trying to find ways to keep the kids entertained at home. This understairs cupboard transformation has us digging out paint tester pots and fabric scraps to create a cosy den that Harry Potter fans (big and small) would love to call their own. If there’s no space under the stairs, you could make a reading nook in a corner of their bedroom instead. To design the backdrop, divide the back wall into a number of geometric shapes with masking tape, then paint each one in a different colour. Small picture ledges make great mini bookshelves, and for a quick curtain solution, you can simply clip an inexpensive piece of fabric to a curtain…

WHY WE FELL FOR CAROLINE’S HOME… When Caroline Briggs visited Whitley Bay for a walk on the beach in 2014, she knew instantly this was where she wanted to live. After eight years in London, she and her husband had returned to Newcastle while contemplating their next move. Luckily, he was instantly on board with Caroline’s brainwave, with one proviso – the house they bought must have a sea view. Searching online unearthed a beautiful Edwardian terrace with only a road between its frontage and the North Sea. It was an easy sell. The couple’s flat sold within two days, allowing them to snap up their dream coastal home. Living among the renovation, which included a kitchen extension and new bathroom, wasn’t easy with two young children. However, Caroline and…

HOW DID THE DOORS COME TO BE KNOWN AS FRENCH? They were invented in the 16th century during the Renaissance period. France was a major power in the glass industry and began manufacturing large panes of clear glass, so floor-to-ceiling glazed doors became a possibility. This style of symmetrical double door became extremely popular and was a key feature in French architecture of the time. Known as ‘French doors’ they became a much sought-after trend in other countries. Five centuries later, they remain a popular choice in both period and contemporary houses. WHY FRENCH DOORS RATHER THAN SLIDING OR BI-FOLD? The advantage of a French-style doors over others is versatility. Unlike sliding and folding doors, French doors will let the light in with full panes of glass to the floor,…

Happiness isn’t the only thing that begins at home, it’s sustainable living, too. We’re getting into the habit of recycling, ditching single-use plastic, and moving away from fast fashion, so it’s only right our decorating habits change as well. We’ve seen interiors shows bursting with eco-friendly designs and natural materials as the desire to preserve and protect our planet has never been greater. So, we’ve gathered the very best ideas for adorning your walls and floors sustainably, without compromising on style. From preloved tiles to upcycled parquet, take your pick from our favourites and show some love to your environment – both inside and out. Smart flooring Parquet flooring is the stuff of dreams for many of us, but you’ll love your floor even more knowing that it was sustainably…

Constructing a garden room can be a brilliant way to make your home bigger. Both a freestanding building located somewhere on your plot or a garden room rear extension are possibilities – and either could prove a huge asset. What’s more, a garden room can be constructed for a relatively modest cost considering the space it adds and, if you opt to build it away from the house rather than adding on to your home, the process is a minimally disruptive way to add space. If it provides a home office, a garden room creates space to work that doesn’t impinge on the interior of your home, which can be important psychologically, separating work and the rest of your life with physical distance. But there’s a whole host of other…

‘My husband and I have lived in this semi-detached house in Twickenham for over a decade,’ says Louisa. ‘With open-plan living on the ground floor, we felt we needed a break-away room, so we decided to look into installing a garden room. We applied for planning permission because we live in a Conservation Area. We went as wide as we could to fit the width of the garden at four and half metres and a depth of three metres. With the last metre width of the room we created an en suite and outside storage. ‘The room has given us a space for work and study, a chill-out zone for the children and a guest bedroom. Designing the interior for all these needs was interesting. The space is so limited…

You’ll need dedication, imagination, research, a love of travel, great negotiating skills and be willing to take risks… we’re not describing a job for an exciting new start-up but buying and restoring – or upcycling – secondhand or preloved pieces of furniture. As upcycler Angel Whitney of Vintage Home Living (vintagehomeliving.com) explains; ‘I find it so exciting to locate a piece of furniture that has seen better days, knowing I can repair and refinish it into something useful and beautiful. It’s incredibly satisfying to breathe life back into something for a new owner.’ During lockdown, sales of paint soared, with many professional upcyclers and members of The House of Upcycling (thehouseofupcycling.com), reporting a surge in their online workshops while selling almost every tin of paint held in stock in their…

Statement tiles Invest in these attention-grabbing tiles for a splashback that’ll bring you joy for years to come 100% recycled Made with sustainability at heart, every kitchen door in the new Renzo collection from Daval (below) is made from 100 per cent recycled wood, is engineered in Britain and made only to order. And with five finishes to choose from, varying from the Charred Japanese wood shown here, to the softer Arston white grey for a lighter scheme, there’s something to suit every palette. From £12,000, Daval. COLOUR SPLASH Want to go bold in the bathroom but you’re short on space? This barely-there shower enclosure is part of Crosswater’s new collection, and we’re loving how it sits back and lets this shower room’s striking décor take centre stage. The new…

ONE ‘As a natural material, the tone and pattern of wooden cabinets may vary from the samples you first saw. You should allow for this when planning your scheme,’ says Leila Touwen, co-founder of Pluck Kitchens. ‘Also the colour may change subtly over time.’ Celebrate these differences as they’ll make your kitchen unique. TWO When choosing coloured and wooden cabinets, opt for corresponding undertones. For instance, walnut has a warm undertone and birch a cool. Complement with coloured units in the same undertone. ‘Choose a muted tone of a bolder shade to ensure the wood retains prominence,’ adds Ben Burbidge, MD at Kitchen Makers. THREE Before you buy, check that your wood is FSC certified, to ensure your kitchen is environmentally friendly. FSC certifies forests all over the world to…

YOU ASK, WE ANSWER ‘Do I need planning permission to install a rooflight?’ ‘Planning permission isn’t normally required for installing a roof window,’ says David Mayo, managing director of Sterling Build, ‘as long as certain conditions are met. These are that the rooflight or lantern must protrude no more than 150mm above the existing roof plane and no alteration can be higher than the highest part of the roof. Windows in a side elevation roof slope must be obscure-glazed (so they can’t overlook the neighbour’s house) and either be non opening or more than 1.7 metres above the floor level for safety. If you live in a Conservation Area or listed building, extra restrictions often apply, so it’s always best to check with your local authority before beginning work.’…

MATERIAL PICK Choose from something manufactured, such as porcelain and concrete, or natural stones like sandstone, granite, limestone or slate. Durable low-maintenance porcelain can resemble stone or wood, while concrete can be a lower cost way to get the look of stone. Real stone is hard-wearing with the individuality of a natural material. Opt for an exterior-specified tile. SURFACE FEEL For a contemporary look, opt for paving with a smooth finish or, if you want greater slip resistance but a uniform appearance, a textured or sandblasted finish. Riven stones have an uneven texture and rustic appearance, suiting older homes and cottage-style gardens. Look at a stone’s edges: straight gives a crisp modern style; irregular are more natural looking. CLEAN HABITS To maintain the appearance of your outdoor paving, it’ll need…

On our quest towards zero waste homes, trying to ‘do our bit’ for the environment is high on many of our agendas. So, this month we thought we’d share what the Real Homes team has been doing in order to go that bit more eco friendly Laura Crombie ‘I used to get through loads of silver foil until colleagues bought me some reusable beeswax wraps for my birthday. Wrap everything from cake to sandwiches in them, then wipe down between uses.’ Amelia Smith ‘I swapped buying lunch and a daily latte for bringing my own in this lunch box and cup. Made from recycled rice husks, they are biodegradable. They feel so nice to use making lunch is a pleasure.’ Ellen Finch ‘I adore clothes but have become increasingly mindful…

Glow on Enjoy the sun even after it’s gone down by using it to fuel your evening lights. Solar powered lights can create a pretty glow where you want it – without the need for extension cables – and transform your night garden. COLOUR ME HAPPY Paint in the garden can make the foliage pop, add a burst of brightness if you lack a way with flowers, or turn a dull corner into an outside party space. Little Greene has a rich palette of colours you can use on wood, brick, metal or render. Formulated with the same technical expertise used to make paints for lighthouses, boats and bridges, it’s durable enough to withstand any weather. The choice ranges from the environmentally friendly Intelligent exterior eggshell to natural Limewash for…

YES ‘We said what we thought and took everything in good humour’ Bianca Opris (@opris_b_designs) is an interior designer based in Brussels ‘You can work for friends if there is trust and communication. When I started out, working for friends was an obvious way to gain experience and build up my portfolio, and I was prepared to offer mates’ rates in exchange. I made over a young couple’s tired 1980s house. Designed and project-managed an apartment update. And oversaw a big extension build for someone I’d met via Facebook. ‘With the young couple I was friends with, we weren’t afraid to voice our (few) disagreements to reach a positive outcome. We communicated regularly, said what we thought worked and what didn’t and took everything in good humour. For my Facebook…

Profile THE OWNERS Katy Green, a geotechnical engineer, and her arborist husband, David, live here with their infant daughter Gladys, a baby on the way, and Dizzy the Dalmatian THE PROPERTY A four-bed converted 1893 schoolhouse in Camborne, west Cornwall Looking back, it was a reckless move when Katy Green and her husband, David, bought an old school that had been converted into offices at auction, without planning permission, having sold their previous house and without anything to move into. They spotted the property in the local newspaper, went to have a look, and headed to the auction. ‘David was wearing a bobble hat and nodding as he bid so the bobble was just nodding away!’ laughs Katy. ‘It was “going once, going twice” at £112,000, and we thought we…

‘Our wedding was the main inspiration for the project,’ says Valentina. ‘It took us a few years to make our house a home, and the garden looked lonely, forgotten and out of date. Being an interior designer, my creative soul was screaming for harmony that would come from connecting the main house with the garden through colour, material and concept. Our garden wedding was approaching fast, so work started and the garden room played a major role as the focal point from which everything would unfold. It was to become a multifunctional space with a family gym and garden storage. ‘The gym takes two-thirds of the garden room and one third is left for the garden equipment. The layout is simple but clever, as it hides a peculiar corner. It’s…

A house is probably the biggest purchase you’ll ever make, so it makes sense that, once you’ve found one you think you’ll love forever, you’re prepared to make an investment. Interpret that how you will, because there’s no one-size-fits-all way to ‘invest’ in your home. It might be investing money in an extension that creates a big living space for your family, because you’ve got young kids who run around a lot, or you want to spend time with your teenager without feeling like you’re on top of each other. It might be investing time, whether that’s in tending a garden, or curating a perfect gallery wall, or upcycling those tired old pieces of furniture you bought for pennies at a car boot sale. It doesn’t have to be about…

ON moving into their new home, Lauren Lewis and her boyfriend, Adam, had big plans for their outdoor plot. ‘We loved the size of the space,’ Lauren says. ‘We wanted to make the most of the area so we could enjoy it through the summer.’ Their large, north-facing garden had been halfheartedly tackled by the previous owners, then left to overgrow. At one end there was raised concrete platform with a shed, and the fences to one side were rotten. ‘We had to strip it all out and start again,’ says Lauren. Tackling the house first gave the couple time to think about their outdoor space. ‘We knew we wanted to create a modern bohemian vibe with lots of greenery – and, to finish off, a large entertaining area,’ says…

STRIKING GOLD Oh, hello – we’re liking the look of this extension project! Built to remedy a dark and dingy kitchen, and to replace a rotting lean-to, this addition floods the new space with light thanks to a combination of rooflights and well-placed windows – including a rear door that swings open to the garden. We love the way the angle of the roof mirrors the shape of the existing property, creating a pretty kind of symmetry. Oh, and there’s the small matter of the glorious gold and copper cladding, of course. Who’d have thought that such a bold metallic finish could look so good against an ordinary Victorian terrace? We’re giving this project a gold star for innovation. Project cost: £95,000. TECU Gold cladding, KME, supplied by Rimi Renovations.…

Profile THE OWNERS Mike Martin, a film director, and wife Sasha, a PR executive, live with their children, Beatrice, 15, Nell, 13, and Henry, 12 THE PROPERTY A five-bedroom late-Victorian semi in Cranbrook, Kent PROJECT COST £110,000 FOR MORE EXTENSION IDEAS, VISIT REALHOMES.COM/EXTENSIONS MIKE and Sasha’s search for the perfect family home brought them to the pretty Kentish town of Cranbrook, and the imposing Victorian semi they now call their own. The couple were keen to balance out the floors, reversing the ‘top heavy’ feel of the house and adding a modern kitchen extension. Mixing minimalist design, clever glazing and antique bargains, they created an open-plan kitchen that’s perfect for relaxed dining and summer parties. Mike reveals how his directing expertise helped him get hands-on in the design process… 1 STEP…

BEST FOR CHANGING PROPORTIONS Visually extend your garden by choosing long narrow pavers. Lay them the other way and they could make a space feel wider instead. These are made from concrete designed to look like granite, and have been treated to resist stains such as oil and grease. Bradstone StoneMaster 80x20cm pavers in Light Grey, Mid Grey and Dark Grey, from £59.99 per square metre, Simply Paving BEST FOR INDIVIDUAL STYLE Available in patio packs with a mixture of five different sized slabs, or as singles, this paving makes it simple to create a bespoke look to suit your garden. The natural stone slabs are of uniform thickness which makes laying quick and easy. Marshalls Indian Sandstone riven buff multi-paving slab 60x30cm, £39.44 per square metre, Wickes BEST FOR…