It's been a very long few months since we demolished half our home in August 2014. The old 'West Wing' section, once stables with living quarters above, and built to the side of the main house, was falling down, structurally unsound, damp and cold. Coupled with the main house becoming virtually uninhabitable - no heating,... Continue Reading →
Do Up Diary #32 How to source & decide on reclaimed roof slates
As Autumn kicks in with a vengeance, I'm so relieved to be at the stage where the workshop and utility are semi-watertight with breathable membrane and the roof timbers to the main extension & dormers will be up by the end of this week. Starting a large extension / build in late summer often means you... Continue Reading →
Do Up Diary #23 Inspired by a Brick Type Case on a Dime House
So, this week I did that thing with my builder which makes them twitch, shake and quietly sob. I started the sentence with his name stretched out in that persuasive, slightly wheedling way, then followed it with "I saw this thing, and it doesn't look difficult at all, just looks really interesting. I've been thinking about... Continue Reading →
Making a More Than Gorgeous Luxury Headboard for The Pad
All the long hours and hard work at The Pad has finally paid off and the room has been dressed ready for our first guests. I'm so happy with my DIY headboard, simple but very effective due to the luxury Zinc fabric chosen. The beautiful textured finish means no extra embellishments, such as buttoning or... Continue Reading →
The Home Bar is Back. No, really, it is.
Forget those 70's sad shelf monstrosities containing half-finished creme de menthe and Aunty Nelly's sherry, today's home bars are sleek, colourful and highly desirable. Staying in is the new going out apparently, so what could be better than having your very own sexed up shot station to entertain friends with your flairing skills and impress... Continue Reading →
Transforming a city centre restaurant: Project Splendid gets going
Yep, this is finally, absolutely, totally and utterly the last client job before we start on our house! I keep saying that but can't resist when fabulous projects come in, like this transformation of a restaurant in Manchester City Centre for pals who are taking the plunge and opening the "Splendid Sausage Co". I love the name... Continue Reading →
Playing with golden honeycombs and hexagonal design
For one of our current design projects, I've been playing with hexagonal design. There's something endlessly fascinating about the beautiful natural shapes created by bees in their honeycombs, shapes full of golden light, ethereal yet incredibly mathematically solid. Prepare to see piles of hexagons in coming months, as it seems a lot of other designers... Continue Reading →