I agree with Jonathan, these things don't really add value, they just make a house potentially easier to sell, as opposed to increasing the price someone will pay. They're probably just less likely to knock you down on your asking price. Our Warwickshire office took part in anITV programme hosted by Linda Barker about adding value to your home and the results of the valuations before and after were quite suprising in some cases! We've since found that despite property prices in neighbouring Gloucestershire being already high, adding a well made, oak framed outbuilding really does make a difference to the value of the home. People love having somewhere to park their expensive cars!

Jonathan, Minnie and the rest - you are all welcome! But don't make any plans for at least 2 years, because that's when we think you'd be able to finish the barn - it needs planning permission first of all and, as it is in fact rather narrow, we don't really know if you'd be allowed to extend or just renovate within the existing walls (that obviously need repointing), so that could take a while to get sorted. Also, we might have some logistic problems bringing in large machinery, given the narrow drive to the house, so it's not a straight forward job. Am I cruel to show you these photos? SORRY!! But I'm just so excited! The surveyor is there today, I can't wait to hear his report. Anyway, long ago I'd promised Karen@OnePlan that if I ever start another project, I'll ask her firm to get involved... so she might be the first to visit :)) Back to my question though: can I somehow make an elegant access to the balcony through the bathroom??

I understand the desperation to get started, especially when you feel you've had a long time to think plans through.....but I would be cautious. In my experience some builders are 'yes men' they'll just go with whatever you suggest but don't always have your best interests at heart. Take enough time to sit on each decision for a few days/weeks...let it percolate as my dad says. We are desperate to dive in with our extension (been here 5 months) but even when we're sure we've made a decision some days later we may have a rethink so I'm glad it is going at the pace it is. In a desperate bid to make an instant impact when we first moved in we did some hedge trimming out the front....and have regretted it. Should have lived with what we thought was hideous until we were over the trauma of moving and able to judge more sensibly ;-/

Congratulations on your new home! How exciting! We think the paint colours you have selected sound lovely and a great place to start. The previous owners have placed wallpaper on opposite walls which has the effect of making the staircase look far more narrow than it actually is. I think it would look better to have the same treatment (paint / wallpaper) on all of the walls instead to open it up further. We would love to help you if you need some more in-depth advice with our affordable online interior design packages. https://www.thelivinghouse.co.uk/ - Becky