Ugly wire trunking EVERYWHERE
HU-584599430
5 years ago
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Jonathan
5 years agoAnthony (Beano)
5 years agoRelated Discussions
How can I make my boring flat pack furniture look stylish.?
Comments (14)I love the colour of the furniture, but I would definitely find some new handles for them. Maybe something in lilac? Like a cut glass, or something ceramic and pretty. Look at Laura Ashley for inspiration but you can find cheaper versions, and usually just as well made, elsewhere. Match the wardrobe to the chest of drawers more and make them look even more refined. Also maybe put something above the wardrobe, like a trunk or something fitting to the room, to fill the space. Love how this looks already though, not much more and it'll be perfect....See MoreWould you invest in smart technology if it looked less 'tech-y'?
Comments (27)Communitec, well I for one would like to put in a full electronic home security system with motion activated cameras so if there is an alarm I can view everything on my phone but my house has concrete walls and ceilings so potential installers all want to leave all cables on the surface - even wifi systems require power cables or new batteries way too often. For the same reason the rear speakers for my theatre system are in front with the other speakers - apart from cables to run the wall behind is a glass block feature wall. As for veering off topic goes, well I see people commenting on the appearance of things like thermostats and what functions they have as well as a lot on their aesthetics, so lighting, switches, sockets and control interfaces are on topic really. The fact that a lot of people simply accept these items without thought just goes to show how today's new tech becomes tomorrow's standard and expected items. Where we locate things has changed a lot due to changes in usage patterns and acceptance of items in different settings - phones are rarely in hallways now for example, even though that was a standard location up to the 1970s (and are disappearing in favour of hand phones). My computer always used to be in a room used as an office but I'm typing this on front of the TV on my notebook (no more PC) - tech evolving to suit environment or attitudes evolving to allow tech into what were exclusion zones or perhaps a mixture of the two?...See MoreFirst house renovation, where to start?
Comments (16)Hi Shelley, In which case, I am not a professional but based on our experience my advice would be as follows; If you know you are going to extend then you will have to have an architect's drawing firstly for your builder (so he knows what to do and is the basis of the contract between you) but also for buildings regs and potentially for planning if the work doesn't fall under permitted development. You then have a choice on how to go about getting the drawings; Firstly you could use an architect and they will help you design the layout of the downstairs and the extension with all of their skills and knowledge (which they've spent many years gaining) and you'll pay accordingly for this service. They will be your creative input and I would expect to pay around 10% of the costs of the work to have that although it varies significantly so definitely get a few different quotes! Key questions we found useful when comparing architect's quotes; Does this include a survey (so they can get a super accurate floor plan of what's already there, so they can draw extensions etc- very different to a buildings survey) or would that be in addition? Does that include structural calculations or will that be in addition? (Ours were £1,200 on top) Does that include buildings regs submission or would that be in addition? (Ours were £500 on top) Does that include planning submission? (we didn't need planning) Alternatively you could work with a concept planner (like OnePlan or we used Gina from create Perfect on here, who I couldn't recommend highly enough) for your creative input, to decide what space you want downstairs and then just bring in an architectural technician to do you a set of drawings based on what you already know you want, lessening the emphasis on their input and certainly in our experience significantly reducing costs (we only paid £500 to our architect for plans as Gina had already done the design work- however (!!!) we were only remodelling not extending so didn't need to consider how it would look from the outside, which is where an architect or architectural technician would come into their own) Before you start anything, especially as you need to rewire etc I would personally get everything planned out, so you know the design of your kitchen, how each of your downstairs rooms will be used etc. It's SO tempting to want to get started but having everything planned out first, even down to where your pots, pans and dishwasher will go before you do anything downstairs will be the best thing you could possibly do for your enjoyment and bank account :) Make sure you have done the plan for your lighting, heating and electrics well before you start doing anything- there is nothing more frustrating or costly than doing the building work, then deciding on the specifics of your kitchen, utility or living room and realising your electrics aren't in the right place and you've got to have wires sticking out or extension cables etc! If you make all the decisions up front (even down to where you want the TV in the living room) you can have all your wiring and plumbing etc integrated and then nicely plastered over so you don't end up with ugly pipe work and electrics, or worse still having to amend your designs to fit around what you've got! Even if you decide to do the interior design yourself make sure you come up with a lighting and electrics plan that has all the detail on it and you can hand to the electrician! It will save you a lot on the long run! If you go with the architect route and are thinking of using a concept planner like OnePlan as you mention in your previous comment then whatever you do, don't wait until after the plans are done- get her on board now so she can help work with the architect! Also ask about her costs of a lighting and electrics plan for all rooms if you're not confident to do it yourself. As with anything definitely shop around and get two quotes for anything and make sure you know what you're getting for your money. As I mentioned before we used Gina from Create Perfect and she did all of our concept planning plus lighting etc, so I'd highly recommend her also when you're looking at different quotes. Key questions we found helpful to ask a concept planner when comparing quotes; What will I physically get at the end of the process to use with my trades? Will you be available to help me as the work progresses and how will I be able to contact you? What trade discounts can you pass onto me (this is a BIG one and saved us thousands!!!) Can you do my lighting plan? What's the costs and what will I get at the end of it to give my builder / electrician ? Will you come to my property to view it and see the light / plot / views to incorporate into the design and if so what's the cost of this? Also go with your gut- it's a brilliant but daunting process and you really need someone who you really like and click with you wants to help you and cares about your project! :) Hope this helps! Claire...See MoreTransforming small reception into a snug
Comments (15)No big TV! I know what my OH would say to that He couldn’t wait to get the big ass latest 4K tv. It would be a shame to lose the fireplace as it is a nice feature ( I’ve got nothing against traditional features) but if you have a nice one elsewhere in the house and this room is primarily for tv viewing then I’d be tempted to lose it. If you leave a small opening of the fire place you could do like Resh said and have a small gel burner, candles or some logs with fairy lights. Or maybe stash the AV equipment in there and cover with fire screen in front, back lit with orange Led lights so it kind of looks like a fire but isn’t. Dark colour walls sound fab, my only problem is I think the radiator will stick out like a sore thumb, so either paint it same colour as the walls, cover it, or maybe replace with one of them fancy Victorian style column radiators....See MoreAMB
5 years agoSonia
5 years agoVerity & Beverley Ltd
5 years agolast modified: 5 years agoActive Builders London ltd
5 years ago
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