CONTACTS/ SUPPLIERS
BUILDERS
K&G Builders 07715467511
ARCHITECT Helen Nightingale, Hen Design
www.hendesign.co.uk
ELECTRICS
Triangle Electrical 07921705336
PLUMBING Heating & Plumbing Solutions
heatingandplumbingsolutions.co
BATHROOMS
Kingfisher Bathrooms & Kitchens
kingfisher-bathrooms.com
WINDOWS
Windows Galore
www.windows-galore.co.uk
KITCHEN Schmidt Kitchens
www.home-design.schmidt/en-gb
economical,” Laura explains. “We’re really pleased with that.” Aware of the ever changing legislation
surrounding log burners, they opted to have a pellet burner installed. “They burn a lot cleaner so are much better for the environment, and they’re slightly cheaper to run,” she says. “We wanted something we would always be able to use .” However, Laura was surprised that they struggled both in sourcing it and finding someone to install it.
Laura and Ian did have a budget, but were
realistic about the likelihood of breaking it, which they did by approximately £20,000. “We really wanted a cool German kitchen that broke the budget but it’s fine because it’s got great bits that make our lives so much easier,” she says. “But you can’t have everything, you’ve got to have priorities and sometimes not quite get everything you wanted.” One such example was smart home technology – Ian hoped to install a Sonos speaker system in the ceilings but the couple “had to start cutting back on the ‘really nice to have’ things.” Being self-employed and unable to work for much of the project due to Covid meant they had to be extra careful. When they started work, they hoped to be done in time for Christmas, but Covid delays meant they weren’t quite there. “It was definitely liveable, and we got our tree up,” says Laura. She adds that the pandemic modified their expectations: “We were just grateful for every little win we had along the way, we just took those and tried to stay positive.” The layout leads from a hallway to stairs up to the four double bedrooms, family bathroom and master ensuite bedroom. To the left of the
20
www.sbhonline.co.uk
hallway is a formal, carpeted living room – and to the right is Ian’s workshop, including a ‘workman’s’ sink, for painting and varnishing. Beyond the hallway is the large kitchen/living area, complete with a full size table tennis table. “The kids love bringing their friends,” Laura says. “We like a bit of an open house!” There’s also a utility and ‘dog bedroom’ leading off this space, including a sink for bathing the dog and a downstairs toilet, which accidentally ended up larger than intended. “Ian and I made a bit of a mistake on the placement of the wall so it’s a metre bigger than we thought!” Laura explains. “That was the only thing that didn’t quite go right, but that was our fault.”
INTERIOR STYLING Laura loved the process of decorating the house, it being one of her passions. She and Ian sourced all the products themselves, taking inspiration from magazines and Pinterest, as well as visiting showrooms once they reopened. “When I envision something you’re not going to find it by going to local high street shops,” Laura says. “I spent hours upon hours researching and trying to find things that I already had in my mind!”
Laura included a couple of features that would allow her to be creative throughout the year, as ‘interchangeable’ items that change according to the seasons. These are “part of what keeps us happy and excited to be in our home,” she explains. Such features include a bough that hangs over their dining table, which Laura decorates for every season and various occasions, and what
sep/oct 2021 FLOORING
Flooring Solutions (Southern)
www.flooringsolutionsltd.co.uk
PLASTERING LMD Plastering
facebook.com/LMDplasteringservices
PAINTING & DECORATING The Shabby Geek
facebook.com/TheShabbyGeek
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