Price comparison website MoneySuperMarket has looked at what people could do to get their homes green and sustainable. The company looked at the costs and savings associated with the most readily available renewable energy sources and efficiency-improvers around the home. The data collected showed that renewable energy offers the greatest
LEADING architects and designers have heralded the mezzanine studies that are a feature at Scotland’s most upmarket new development. Boasting a dramatic view out to the grounds and building of one of the country’s most iconic estates, the studies at The Crescent at Donaldson’s benefit from the sweeping homes’ almost
When it comes to renovating your home, there are so many new and improved ways to give your home a modern touch whilst keeping the traditional, practical features that help to keep it functional whilst looking good too. Dependant on budgets, interior design nowadays has so many different features you
The reason why most people add a single story extension is to create an extra space where you can spend leisure time. Moreover, such extensions also create room for natural light and give you plenty of space which you can use for decoration. However, what you need to understand is
Ballymore continues to be celebrated for its pioneering approach to creating places where people live and thrive. Putting quality of life and a rooted connection to arts and culture at the core of the business, Ballymore take great seriousness in their role as a place maker. Standing proudly as one
BDC 319 : Aug 2024
Price comparison website MoneySuperMarket has looked at what people could do to get their homes green and sustainable. The company looked at the costs and savings associated with the most readily available renewable energy sources and efficiency-improvers around the home. The data collected showed that renewable energy offers the greatest monthly savings at £28.33 on average a month. However, the machinery needed, such as solar panels and wind turbines, have an average setup cost of £7,237. This means that despite the reduction in bills per month, it would take over 21 years and three months to pay off the installation before seeing substantial savings. On the other hand, efficiency measures, such as energy saving lightbulbs and reduced-water shower heads, offer an average of £6.92 in savings each month. With initial costs averaging at £762.59, it would take nine years and two months to pay for themselves. Here are some options that can make anyone’s homes greener and save them money too: Energy saving light-bulbs – Fitting a home with energy saving bulbs would cost around £51.80 and could result in financial savings of up to £27.13 a month, which means they’ll have paid for themselves after two months. Lagging jackets – An investment of £15 to insulate the hot water tank could save around £1.67 each month on heating – meaning costs will be covered after nine months. Solar ovens – Solar ovens use just the light of the sun to cook food, meaning no energy is required and could save £9.30 a month. They are a little more expensive at £188.64 on average, and will take a year and eight months to cover their own costs. Water saving shower head – Costing around £15.99, these shower heads help save 52 pence each month and they will be paid after two and a half years. Cavity Insulation – Over £10 per month could be saved on energy bills if a home is insulated correctly. With an installation fee of £466, a return on investment will be seen after three years and seven months.
LEADING architects and designers have heralded the mezzanine studies that are a feature at Scotland’s most upmarket new development. Boasting a dramatic view out to the grounds and building of one of the country’s most iconic estates, the studies at The Crescent at Donaldson’s benefit from the sweeping homes’ almost entirely glass frontage. Featured in both show apartments, a three-bed duplex and two-bed apartment, exactly half (42) of all the homes at the CALA Homes (East) development feature the stand-out studies – made possible by the complex and rare interlocking storey structure. Acclaimed architect Richard Murphy OBE, who led the bold design of the project, said: “These amazing study levels are made possible thanks to the freedom that CALA granted us to create dynamic spaces – with homes across multiple levels and not bound by fixed lateral storeys. “This is rare – and typically only seen in seminal architectural projects and is certainly not associated with residential projects. “This directly enables us to create the double-height living areas that enable the south-facing mezzanine studies at the front of the home – benefiting from the outlook to Donaldson’s and beyond.” Located within the city’s UNESCO World Heritage Site, The Crescent is set within 18 acres of grounds that make up the largest new shared garden to be created in the Scottish capital. This creates a feel of a secluded private estate just minutes from Haymarket station, and a mile from the heart of Princes Street. The design of the two show apartments has been inspired not only by the architecture itself but also its outstanding surroundings, led by multi-award-winningexander James Interiors. Speaking specifically about the home studies, Stacey Sibley, Creative Director at Alexander James, said: “It’s not too often you get to work on a project as distinct as this – and the study spaces are a key part of what makes The Crescent so special. “They really are inspiring and I’d personally love to have a space like this to get my head down. “With this in mind, when it came to the show apartment interiors, we really wanted to keep it minimal, with on-trend mid-century furniture. “We also made sure to reflect the gorgeous view with coffee table books on Scottish painters and architects.” Philip Hogg, Sales and Marketing Director for CALA Homes (East), said: “We’re finding that home study spaces are increasingly in demand with our buyers – both with flexible working on the rise and the desire for a quiet space for hobbies or home admin. “The design teams have done an incredible job taking office spaces to ‘that next level’. “Yes, they are jaw-dropping, but ultimately they work on a practical level – as they also allow for copious storage spaces beneath the mezzanine level – and thus the feedback we have had from buyers and visitors to the show homes has been incredible.” Designed by Richard Murphy OBE, the architecture of The Crescent has been directly influenced by Edinburgh’s famous Georgian crescents. Paired with an impressive glass façade are generous flowing spaces, enhanced height living areas and dynamic levels and with each apartment offering a dual-aspect living arrangement, The Crescent uniquely combines classic design with modern style. Prices range from £950,000 to £1,925,000. Visit https://www.cala.co.uk/the-crescent or call 0131 516 2667 for more information.
When it comes to renovating your home, there are so many new and improved ways to give your home a modern touch whilst keeping the traditional, practical features that help to keep it functional whilst looking good too. Dependant on budgets, interior design nowadays has so many different features you can consider for your home, but the main thing to consider is what you want to do to your home and why. For rooms that simply need a little reviving, you can implement simple, cost-effective features that will brighten the room and add character. For the rooms that may need a little more TLC, there are some great ways to both create a whole new look as well as add value to your home too. Here’s how you can give your home the modern makeover it deserves and create a space that works well for you and your family. Windows and Doors One of the most important features in any home, that adds to both the look of the interiors and exteriors, are the windows and doors. It may seem like they don’t play much part in the overall look, but natural light is key for making your interiors look good, and your home will instantly be judged from the outside by the way the windows and doors complement the rest of the home. Whether you look at completely replacing your windows and doors, or you go for a cost-effective strategy of giving them a good clean and purchasing some new, stylish hardware for them, you can create a whole new look and make your home stand out from both the inside and out. Flooring, Walls and Ceiling Many homes today have incorporated wooden floorboards into their interiors, and this is working really well when it comes to creating a modern, contemporary look. Wooden floorboards are great for adding character to your home as well as creating a fresh look. Replacing carpet with floorboards can often add value to your home, as well as being much easier to maintain and keep clean. If you’re looking for to introduce floorboards into your home then going to your local timber merchants, such as Milford Building Supplies, will give you some inspiration on what will work for your home, as well as what’s on offer for you. Your walls are the one part of the home that create the instant feel and look. How you decorate your rooms is completely down to personal style, and your interiors reflect your personality. Decorating your home with colours that complement each other well will draw your home together beautifully and add a welcoming, homely feel. If you feel your walls are looking a little tired or dull, giving them a quick refresh will instantly lift the overall atmosphere and brighten up any room. Your ceiling is an area that is often overlooked or forgotten about, simply because it’s not as obvious as other elements of the home. Making sure your ceiling has a fresh layer of paint will keep the rooms bright and ensure that the room looks smart and finished. You don’t want a ceiling with patches or peeling paper as this can create a messy, unfinished look which will create the wrong atmosphere within your home. New Details When it comes to designing each room, adding some new features and details will certainly lift the atmosphere and give it a brand-new look. When you introduce a new feature to any room you can instantly see a change in the overall look of the room and add character. New hardware on door handles and cupboards is a great place to start. You’ll also find that investing in some new curtains or blinds will add a new look to your home, whilst also being a cost-efficient option. To keep with the modern theme, you may want to include some monochrome features such as artwork or sculptures that will add something extra to the interiors. Sticking to a theme is key, as this will bring your interiors together beautifully and reflect your personal style really well too.
The reason why most people add a single story extension is to create an extra space where you can spend leisure time. Moreover, such extensions also create room for natural light and give you plenty of space which you can use for decoration. However, what you need to understand is that adding a single story extension is not an easy task, which is why it is advisable that you hire a professional builder. Here are the factors you need to consider when choosing a builder for your project. 1. Certification A professional builder should be trained in order to render out construction services. The only way you can be sure that you are dealing with a certified builder is by checking the license of the expert you are dealing with. Moreover, find out from the Federation of Master Builders whether you are dealing with a registered member or not. 2. Experience Dealing with an experienced builder is better than dealing with someone who is new to this type of work. That is because experienced builders can give you better ideas on how you can make your single story extension more interesting. Moreover, an experienced builder will use the skills that he or she has acquired over the years to get the work done on time. We make it our primary goal to offer our clients solely the service and solution that they need. Based on our experience in the industry, we can make recommendations and project improvement suggestions that will lead to an even better outcome than clients expect. Builders Chester 3. Great Customer Services A profession builder should be able to offer you quality services. They should also be easy to work with since you can only be able to inquire about the project if you are comfortable working with the builder. Besides, being easy to work with the builder should also possess great communication skills so that it can be easy to discuss matters relating to your project. 4. Building Regulation And Planning Permissions The last thing you want is to be on the wrong side of the law for not fulfilling building regulations and planning permissions. However, with the aid of a professional builder, you can make sure that you meet all the necessary conditions before you start working on your project. If your builder is not familiar with building regulations and planning permission, then you might want to find a builder who does so that he or she can guide you through the entire process. 5. Cost Of Hiring A Builder Either you are dealing with a construction company or an independent contractor, you need to understand that different tradesman cost different rates for offering their services. Because of this reason, it is advisable that you get a quotation from various dealers if you want to get the best deal. Moreover, the detailing of the quotations should be the same, if you want to get correct estimates of your project from all the parties involved. By getting quotations from different builders, you will be able to determine, which dealer has the best offer for your project. Once we understand your needs and requirements, we can easily manage the project from beginning to the end leaving you with time to pursue other interests. If you are not too sure about your needs, we can help you find what works best for you. Builders Liverpool 6. Payment Plan Another important factor you need to consider when choosing a builder for your single story extension is the payment plan. After agreeing on the price of the project, it is important that you agree on a payment plan as well. Most builders demand a small upfront deposit, in order to start off the project. The small upfront deposit is usually used as capital to buy some of the materials needed to start off the construction project. Other builders, do not request for upfront payment but instead, they use their own money to buy all the necessary materials and equipment needed for the project. However, once the project is complete, the client is required to cover the total cost used in the project. Therefore, make sure that you get a flexible payment plan from the builder you choose to work with, especially if your project will last for more than four weeks before it is completed. The payment plan should be drafted in form of written quotation and signed by both parties. Conclusion Choosing the right builder for your single story extension project is not an easy task. That is because there are hundreds of contractors who specialize in this type of work and only a few have proved to have the ability to offer quality services. However, by acknowledging these factors, you can be sure to find a reputable builder to help you with this type of project.
Ballymore continues to be celebrated for its pioneering approach to creating places where people live and thrive. Putting quality of life and a rooted connection to arts and culture at the core of the business, Ballymore take great seriousness in their role as a place maker. Standing proudly as one London and Dublin’s most active property developers, Ballymore have over 5,500 people engages with them on every level throughout current projects. Current projects include that of new headquarters for the English National Ballet and London Film School, on London City Island. Previous work has seen the business work alongside the US Government, moving their embassy from Grosvenor Square to Embassy Garden, Nine Elms, a project which established a new riverside cultural district for the city. Recently, Royal Wharf has been presented with the Seal of Excellence at the NHBC Awards. An honour presented to Joe Cashman, Director, after the joined the top 450 UK Site Managers to win a Quality Award for the projects Phase 2B Development. Joe Cashman is now part of an elite and recognised group of site managers who have showcased dedication and commitment, leading to a representation of the top 100 site managers in the country. An initial 16,000 enter the NHBC Awards in the hope of being granted the honour of Seal of Excellence. The award stands as a testament to Ballymore’s continuous commitment to the creation of homes of outstanding quality, that are built with the benefits of the client in mind. The NHBC judge Site Managers on six key areas: attention to detail, leadership, consistency, technical expertise, interpretation of drawings and specifications, and health and safety measures. The Pride in the Job Award has been presented by the NHBC since its launch in 1980 and has since helped businesses to showcase their ability and performance, driving the standards that new builds should meet a certain criteria to be the very best they can be. NHBC standards are integrated into the culture and heart of Ballymore, which stands as a company that is forever looking to improve and innovate, to offer the very best in modern home design and construction. Joe Cashman has expressed his pride in being awarded the esteemed honour and is happy to have received recognition on behalf of the Royal Wharf project and Ballymore. Despite the award being granted to individuals, it is an overall representation of the company and every individual involved in a recognised project. “For the company, the awards from the NHBC mean we’re doing something right,” remarks Joe. “For me at Royal Wharf, it is the result of all the team’s efforts. We’ve been here on site as principal contractor for the last three and a half years, and the award represents the successful accumulation of a lot of hard work.” Ballymore offer an ability to not only continuously deliver homes to the highest of standards but have build an established reputation that show a willingness to constantly seek improvements through constant dedication.
