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Whether it’s a stone cottage in the Scottish Highlands or a breezy coastal villa in southern Italy, second homes are more than just getaways. They’re spaces to reconnect, recharge, and reflect. In recent years, we’ve seen a growing interest in designing second homes that feel deeply personal and rooted in place. Some are used for short seasonal stays. Others evolve into long-term retreats, creative spaces, or even future homes. But behind the beauty, second homes also require

Most people think of home design as a snapshot, a fixed layout for a fixed moment in time. But life isn’t still. It shifts, stretches, surprises us. Your home should be ready to grow with you. Designing for flexibility isn’t about predicting the future. It’s about making choices today that allow you to adapt tomorrow, whether that’s working from home, growing your family, launching a side business, or just living a little differently as your lifestyle changes. So how do you

It’s easy to get swept up in the excitement of transforming your home. A bigger kitchen, a loft conversion, a new layout, all in the name of better living. But here’s the catch: not all renovation work increases your home’s value. In fact, many homeowners invest tens of thousands into upgrades that never generate a return, and in some cases, even reduce their property’s appeal to future buyers. So how do you avoid overcapitalising? And which improvements actually make financi

If you’ve ever looked at a set of architectural drawings and felt completely lost, you’re not alone. To most homeowners, the idea of paying for drawings can feel abstract. They’re often digital, full of lines and symbols, and they don’t seem to capture the excitement of the finished home. So it’s only natural to ask: What exactly are these drawings for, and why do they matter so much? Architectural drawings are far more than just visuals. They’re a tool for turning your ideas

If you’re thinking about extending, converting, or reworking your home, one of the first things to figure out is whether you’ll need planning permission. The answer? It depends on what you’re planning, where you live, and how your home has been altered in the past. Some smaller changes can go ahead under Permitted Development Rights, meaning you may not need to submit a full application. Others, especially larger or more visible changes, will need formal approval from your lo

One of the first questions we hear from clients considering a home extension is simple and important: How much will it cost? The answer, as you might expect, depends on many factors. But with construction costs, material prices, and energy efficiency standards continuing to evolve, it's more important than ever to go into your project with realistic, up-to-date expectations. Here’s what you need to know about house extension costs in 2025 and how to plan wisely. Average Exten

When life changes, whether it’s a growing family, a shift in routine, or the dream of more light and space, our first instinct is often to move. But before you list your home or start scouting new postcodes, there’s a quiet alternative worth considering: Renovate. More and more homeowners are discovering that working with what they already have is not only more cost effective and full of character, it’s also one of the most powerful steps you can take for the environment. The