Friday 3 March 2017

The Basic of Barn Conversion

Barn conversion is not a new method of building a home but it has gained renewed popularity in recent time. The biggest problem faced during the barn conversion process is the lack of information on how to get it done.

Barns of different shapes and sizes are found all over the country and many of those are in bad shape. Buying a barn which carries the label of a fixer upper is actually a mistake. If the barn is in such a condition that the boards are falling off from the sides, it would be foolish to invest in it. You can buy it only if you are planning to use or sell the parts. When boards start to fall off from a barn, it is majorly damaged. The nails are turning loose and the girts are rotting away already.

Previously, no documented guides were available for converting a barn. Many of the contractors didn’t even know what I was talking about. Fast forward today, you will see dozens of firms offering barn conversion in Essex. However, some of them are in this specialised trade of barn conversion for decades and they know how to properly get it done.

One of the most difficult tasks would be the removal of dirt which has accumulated for years, if not decades, and to repair the weather damage. Many times, barns are used for animal alone and thorough cleaning is needed before it is usable again.

Tuesday 31 January 2017

Interior Designer Vs Interior Stylist

If you are not sure of which designer you need, finding an interior designer can be pretty overwhelming. The scope of the project has a lot to do with it, whether you are building, moving in or renovating the property? Or, are you selling your house and you have no idea how to get it ready for the first inspection.

We will try to find some answers for you in this blog, regarding interior designing, interior decorating, colour choice and property styling. You can, thus, create an individual style for your home.

How to differentiate between an interior stylist and an interior designer in Essex?

You might have asked yourself this question multiple times, especially while building or renovating a project. Who do I really need? The simple answer would be that it depends on the project really.

An interior designer is a professional who can design the interior of your home according to your ideas. The interior designer will modify the existing setting and design and will give your project a completely new look. The interior designer works closely with the architect so that his inputs can be used during the early stages of the project. They can be found working alone as a consultant or as a part of a larger team.

An interior stylist, however, is a professional who can change the style, especially the fashion or the interior decoration.  They allow you to inject style into your residence by finding, keeping and collecting beautiful ornamental objects.

3 Golden Rules of Barn Conversion

Barn conversion is an idea often chased by the home owners. They want to utilise the old, existing barn and make good use of it. When done properly, a barn can not only add value to the property but also gives a better look and much more space in the house. But how to do a proper barn conversion in London done? Follow these three rules for the best result.

Reuse the timber and other wooden materials.

The barns were made for a specific purpose and less attention was put in the aesthetics of it. However, the timbers which were used can be reused for the antique value they carry and they will last for a lifetime. In fact, many home owners are using this idea to add more value and appeal to their home. In short, let the exposed wooden columns of your interior stay exposed and the roof remain sylvan.

Use large, expansive windows.

As you are doing a barn conversion, you can afford to have a large and grand outdoor view. Allow the sun to be your guest and consider using large and expansive windows. This will add to the aesthetics of the converted barn while also presenting a great panoramic view from the inside.

Utilise wooden slider doors.

If you install these doors, you can actually save lot of space and that will give your home a spacious look without disturbing the rustic look of it. This is a very new idea which is becoming rather popular with the homeowners.

Use 3D Laser For Best Possible Barn Conversion

Preparation is of paramount importance in barn conversion, as it might be the case with other construction works, as we would be working with an older, perhaps fragile, building. It is very tempting to start building as the overall structure is intact. However, to be safe, you need to check a few facts first. One should get a survey done to establish detailed dimension. That drawing will help you to be ready when you start to work on the structure and add additional materials.

3D Laser scanning is one of the best ways to get the survey done, an extremely inexpensive and fast way of gathering every data you need. The survey gathers highly detailed data and all the data can be collected and accessed remotely. Thus, no damage is done to the building structure.

One of the things to consider while starting your barn conversion is the timber frame and how much out of crooked they are. The Laser scan comes handy as it is accurate to the millimetre and any irregular timber spacing on the ceiling would be easily captured. Conducting this survey, especially with a gap of couple of months in between, would reveal the movement of the building as well. This will tell the builder of the subsidence. Agencies doing barn conversion in Essex employ this technique often.

3D Laser scanning is a great way of ensuring that the existing brickworks or ornate details can be maintained so that the builder can restore the property like it originally was.

Tuesday 20 December 2016

How Barn Conversions Help in Offering Seamless House Extensions in London?

As the Internet is transforming the entire world into a Global Village, most for the users are studying about different architectural styles and are trying to replicate them in their countries. Nowadays, house extensions in London is one of the most discussed topics amongst the youth and commercial architects because people are adopting British countryside architectural styles to add sheer elegance to their age-old properties. Since barn conversions are a perfect blend of old and new architectural styles, read the section below to know how it can help in adding extra space to your properties:

Transformation of Your Barn to a Beautiful Property

If you’re looking for solutions to house extensions in London, then converting your home to a barn could be the best possible solution available for you. Decorating a barn can be a big task for beginners, but if you have funds and are emotionally ready for the same, then the completing the task will not be a challenge for you. Before you start, your prime focus should be to accentuate the property’s space. Some barn conversions to conventional homes can make your final outcome appear as cramped and oppressive.

Make the Most of Your Outside Space

If you’ve made up your mind and wish to convert your barn to a conventional home, then it is important to consider the outside space while making out the construction plan. Try to make most out of your outside sceneries and incorporate interiors and decor that can help in adding value to your rooms and inner space. Deploy large windows, get a bespoke conservatory, put in bi-folding doors, or get ceiling glass windows to add more excitement to your dream homes.

Tips for Finding the Best Architects for Constructing Your Dream Home

Finding the best architects for constructing your dream home could be a difficult task, but making them understand about your exact requirements and specifications is something that you can only expect from experts. Getting your dream home enlisted in listed buildings London is a matter of proud and it becomes quite astonishing when your friends, relatives and colleagues congratulate you to owing such a beautiful home. If you wish to get your home featured in listed buildings London, then following are the quick tips to find a reliable constructor:

1.    Look Out for Practical knowledge
One of the biggest cues to win the battle against getting your listed buildings London constructed is- finding an architect with relevant & practical knowledge. Starting your dream project with beginners may end up talking more time to understand the requirements and then making an action plan as per the provided suggestions. Therefore, look out for people with expertise in the domain and start your dream project with utmost perfection.

2.    Check Accomplishments & Qualifications

Another major factor responsible for timely completion for your construction projects is – builder’s accomplishments and qualifications. It is highly imperative to check all of that a builder has delivered in his entire work tenure and how far it has met the customer’s expectations to ensure that you’re handing over your hard money in right hands.

3.    Ask for Detailed Cost Plans and Delivery Timelines

If you wish to avoid all the confusions and missing and misconceptions, then it is important to ask about the cost delivery timelines in the very beginning of the project. This not only prevents you from getting over billed, but also helps in tracking the progress of your project.

Sunday 18 December 2016

How to Find Reliable Interior Design Companies in London?

Spending a lot of hard earned money in getting the right interiors for your home gets justified when you get ample compliments from friends and family. But, one of the biggest challenges that most of you may face while finding the best interior design companies in London is that either they don’t consider your projects on priority or they have higher pricing plans. It may not be easier to find an architect, but the growing span of technology and Internet has made the task quite easier and faster. Read the tips below to know how you can find some of best interior design companies in London and make your home look like worth getting thousands of compliments:

1.    Use Online Websites and Discussion Forums

One of the prime sources to get information about professional architects with proven track records is online. Spare a few hours, get indulged in an online research, and find professionals with Better Business Bureau ratings. Adjust geo locations, type relevant keywords, and read posts on discussion forums to get contacts of some of the best and most experienced architects in your area.

2.    Ask People in Close-Connect

The second point of reference could be bunch of people in your close-connect. Contact your friends, family, work colleagues, business partners, spa session friends, and other known sources to collect information about professional yet efficient interior design companies in London. Ask for details about their charges, did they listen well, was the final outcome as per expectations, how long they look to complete the project, and other relevant details to ensure that you handover the project to reliable professionals.