South Hams Lifestyle Apr - May 2024

More documents

Recommendations

Info

CREATE YOUR DREAM HOME Ahead of the Homebuilding & Renovating Show Series, we caught up with expert designer Julia Kendell to discuss all things interiors. CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT SOME PROJECTS YOU’RE WORKING ON AT THE MOMENT? I’m currently working on several large property renovations and new builds for clients in the south east. One I am particularly enjoying is the contemporary renovation of a large 1920s property. The clients are configuring and adding to the space to create a huge 15m x 8m open-plan kitchen and living area. These large spaces can be challenging to design but a lot of fun! This year I am also collaborating with one of the other Homebuilding & Renovating Show experts, Allan Corfield and a team of the best in the industry to provide a ‘silver-service’ architectural design and build for clients who are looking for a premium experience where every detail is considered and delivered. Working alongside the best of the best is thrilling! I will be launching my ‘Interior Design Series’ in early Spring. This is a collection of video modules I have written and filmed to provide online content for anyone embarking on a decoration/ build and needing guidance to know where to start and how to create their perfect home. DO YOU THINK SOCIAL MEDIA IS MAKING DESIGN MORE ACCESSIBLE OR MAKING IT FEEL LIKE WE ALL NEED TO HAVE UNATTAINABLE, PERFECT SPACES? I have mixed feelings when it comes to design in social media. It certainly provides endless inspiration and ideas but so much of it is impractical for normal daily life or has been created by AI presenting ridiculously ‘fantastical’ settings. I ask clients to share Pinterest boards with me at the beginning of a project to ensure we are on the same page, but I occasionally have a battle to explain that most of the images online are lit and styled way beyond what can be expected in real life. WHAT ARE YOUR TIPS TO REFRESH A SPACE WITH A LIMITED BUDGET? One of the most impactful ways to refresh a space is to think about maximising light into the room. Replace curtains with lighter blinds and if the budget allows, swap out carpet for hard flooring. A timber floor will always make a room feel substantially larger and brighter than carpet. A lick of paint on the walls always works wonders to make a space feel renewed and don’t forget about the ceiling. A fresh coat will aid light bouncing around the room and can be transformational. THE KITCHEN IS THE ENDURING POWERHOUSE OF THE HOME – AND OFTEN THE SPACE WE SAY SELLS HOUSES. HOW HAVE YOU SEEN KITCHEN DESIGN CHANGE IN THE PAST FEW YEARS AND WHAT CONSIDERATIONS AND TRENDS ARE YOU SEEING EMERGE NOW? Kitchen design has changed markedly in the past few years. With larger spaces to fill there has been an emergence of dedicated activity areas, such as breakfast cabinets, baking cabinets and walk-in larders. The island has also become the key must-have’ for most planning their new kitchen providing a sociable cooking area and somewhere to gather around. One of the newest trends has seen multiple islands becoming popular, each with specific uses, to fill cavernous openplan rooms. For those with a significant budget, there has also been a shift towards having a ‘show kitchen’ and a working kitchen behind it to mitigate some of the issues of open-plan entertaining. The most important consideration when planning your kitchen is to start the design process as early as possible. Often the kitchen design will lead positions of doorways/windows to maximise the layout so having this nailed before the builders make a start is always wise. WITH BUILD COSTS INCREASING RAPIDLY, WHERE WOULD YOU ADVISE HOMEOWNERS SPEND VS SAVE WHEN RENOVATING THEIR HOMES? The places to invest in are those that receive most use and are least likely to be replaced in the future. Flooring and lighting are key elements for any home and I would always prioritise buying good quality door and cabinet handles, light switches and any element that we interact with daily. Consider the ‘niggly’ areas that are a nuisance if not functioning well, such as leaky taps, dodgy boiler etc to inform decisions on investment. Renovating a home should provide a space of relaxation and enjoyment, not daily annoyances! Areas to save are the ‘novel’ built-in gadgets that might be easily tired of after a year or so and unnecessarily expensive paint (ask your decorator their thoughts on this!) HAVE YOU SEEN DESIGN BECOMING MORE SUSTAINABILITY-LED? The industry is certainly engaging in the sustainable conversation more and more. This, of course, is vital and not least because every time we make a good choice environmentally, it is inevitably a better choice for our health and well-being too. A low VOC product, for example, will ensure the air quality in the home remains clean and choosing natural material finishes are known to enhance our experience of our spaces, reduce stress and have a calming effect. Manufacturers are responding to this shift and it has become far easier to make sustainable choices in most areas of renovating/ new-build so there is less excuse not to pay attention! Design Series website - launching (Feb 14th) - www.interiordesignseries.com The National Homebuilding & Renovating Show at the NEC, Birmingham, is celebrating its 30th anniversary. Readers can get free tickets to all the <strong>2024</strong> shows on this link: www.homebuildingshow.co.uk/ minerva 16 | www.minervamagazines.co.uk
Scan to watch senior designer, Jason, discuss why the Sovereign range is so special. Reign supreme. Our NEW Sovereign range makes for the ultimate high-end, contemporary or classic, hand-crafted bespoke kitchen. Call to arrange a free no-obligation home design visit or book an appointment to visit a showroom. 01363 773533 · ashgrovekitchens.co.uk Head Office and Showroom: Marsh Lane, Lords Meadow, Crediton, Devon, EX17 1ES
Page 3 and 4: C O N T E N T S A NOTE from the edi
Page 5 and 6: Start a new adventure at Occombe Fa
Page 7 and 8: LOCAL HERO We talk to Andy Letts, v
Page 9 and 10: WELCOME TO MYRTLE FARM Experience o
Page 11 and 12: THINGS TO DO IN KINGSBRIDGE Award w
Page 13 and 14: www.minervamagazines.co.uk | 13
Page 15: Kale-ing It A new survey has found
Page 19 and 20: This is still a good time to sell y
Page 21 and 22: ▶ ▶ This is actually an extenda
Page 24 and 25: NATIONAL GARDEN SCHEME Beautiful lo
Page 26 and 27: TREES please! In this edition, our
Page 28 and 29: A HAPPY & HEALTHY Retirement Retire
Page 30 and 31: PRACTICAL PLANNING: When it's time
Page 32: 01548 521339 ∙ 07595 914330 info@

South Hams Lifestyle Apr - May 2024

Create successful ePaper yourself

Delete template?

Save as template?