Renovation translation: Building Control Building control is the process that makes sure building work is safe and meets regulations. When certain types of renovation work are carried out, especially structural changes, building control officers check that everything complies with building regulations. They look at things like:

The spaces we live in have such a significant effect on how we feel day to day because we’re quite literally surrounded by them. Our homes are the backdrop to our everyday lives—they’re where we start and end each day, where we rest, recharge, and spend time with the people who matter most.

Renovation Translation: Snagging Snagging is the process of identifying and fixing small issues once the main construction work is complete. These are usually minor things — paint touch-ups, small gaps in joinery, doors that need adjusting, fixtures that need tightening.

Second fix is the stage where a renovation starts to feel like a finished home. It happens after plastering and decorating, when all the visible elements are installed.

First fix is one of those phrases that gets used a lot during renovations… but isn’t always explained. It refers to the early stage of construction when all the hidden infrastructure is installed. Things like: • electrical wiring• plumbing pipes• heating systems• cables and ducting At this point, the walls and floors are usually still open so everything can be installed inside them.

There’s often a quiet shift that happens in our homes. It’s not always obvious at first—but slowly, things start to feel a little off. The house hasn’t been properly updated in a while. Piles of things build up, not because you don’t care, but because you haven’t had the time or headspace to decide where anything should go. Over time, that feeling grows.

A load bearing wall is a wall that supports the weight of the structure above it. This might include floors, roof structures, or other parts of the building. Because these walls are structural, they can’t simply be removed without adding another form of support, usually a steel beam.

A stud wall is an internal wall that isn’t structural. Instead of supporting the weight of the house, it’s usually built with a timber or metal frame and covered with plasterboard.

A whole-home renovation is about far more than improving layout or adding space. It’s a rare opportunity to create a home that not only works better, but feels right — calm, personal and supportive of how you live every day. In this post, I explore what a “dopamine home” really means, why it works best when designed across an entire house, and how thoughtful, early design planning can transform both the renovation process and the finished result.

When people begin planning a renovation, they often start in the same place: Pinterest boards, saved Instagram posts, and a clear idea of the look they love. Sometimes they are deciding whether to move house or renovate - check out my previous blog post - Relocate or Renovate? But what’s often missing from those early conversations is something far more important — how they actually live in their home.

At some point, many homeowners reach a crossroads: do we move, or do we renovate the home we’re already in? It’s rarely a decision taken lightly. Often, it comes after months — or even years — of feeling that your home no longer quite fits your life. You may love the area, the community, and the familiarity of your surroundings, but feel frustrated by the layout or lack of space. Or you might be wondering whether a fresh start elsewhere would simply be easier than tackl

The Christmas season always seems to sneak up on us, doesn’t it? One minute it’s late summer and you’re promising to be organised this year, and the next you’re fluffing the guest bedding and realising you’ve somehow ended up with five half-burnt candles and no tealights. But even if you’re not embarking on a full festive makeover (and who is, really?), you can still make your home feel calm, welcoming, and effortlessly stylish — that boutique-hotel-meets-family-home sweet s

Pinterest is addictive, isn’t it? One minute you’re searching for “Dopamine Decor”, and the next you’ve fallen into a rabbit hole of rustic barn conversions in the Cotswolds, chic Parisian apartments, and glossy kitchen islands the size of your entire downstairs. It’s fun. It’s inspiring. But here’s the truth that most people only realise halfway through their renovation: pinning dream homes doesn’t get you any closer to living in one. In fact, it often does the opposite.

I was brought on board at the very start of this office-to-apartment conversion project, when my clients were still using the space for work but dreaming of transforming it into their home. They wanted somewhere warm, full of character, and perfectly suited to their lifestyle now and into the future. Having never designed an office conversion before, the prospect was both new and exciting. Of course, it came with challenges: the property sat on light industrial land, so we n

If you’ve ever admired a beautifully designed room or home, chances are an interior designer was involved. Interior designers do more than j

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