caliwag

Hello, If any readers have bought, read, borrowed etc my book 'Self Build Home...The last thing you need is an architect' (only £5 on Amazon btw) I welcome your feedback, comments, criticism. Jim on lofthousestudio@hotmail.com I know I've been critical of plan books on here and other forums, but I thought, for my second edition (!?)I'd include plan designs of some of my projects (realised and doomed), but illustrating and annotating a few important (well I think they are!) design features. Just a thought to stave off retirement dottage!

Thanks for the mention Ferdinand...I've been busy and moved house with all associated hassle. The e-book you mention is still extant, but reduced to £5 from Amazon. I post occasional extracts on Facebook, but that generates limited interest! So it goes, so it goes. Cheers to you F

Re the home-working trend, I have always favoured a location overlooking the entrance, or perhaps an oriel window off a landing, big enough to take the basics of an office etc...Also part of the body of the kirk! I favour a bay off the kitchen/diner, much as Bailie Scott seemed to produce. If you can afford the operation, a bay or corner bay does add to the character. For interesting appeal I do feel glimpses (or at least opportunity of) to other activities are good for character...as are internal windows. Getting a bit designery. but it is about character...nobody really wants just a cluster of rooms. Utility room is useful, but larders get a big plus these days...dedicated books on the theme. I suppose being aware of fashion is important...I would buy a few issues of Elle Decoration for some of the latest trends. A friend who has furniture made abroad (cheap) tells me oak will soon be out, painted finishes are in...various greys of course! That's the furniture market mind, but may include kitchens and doors soon...who knows?

Thanks for answering there @Ferdinand, I wasn't sure either, but you have successfully clarified. That's an interesting site for further ideas. As I was looking at it the images, it occurred to me that you that you could convert the existing living room into the main bedroom and en-suite (unless you are wedded to it) and create the new living space in the pavilion...think of the possibilities...all depends how you use the house of course...As in my book, it's time to gather round the kitchen table and list and sketch. it's great fun...the whole family.

I feel it's time to get a designer or architect involved!

Indeed it is...the lantern light may have added to keep the height of the pyramid down, but yes, the possibilities are endless, not to mention that it can be carried out with minimal disruption to the house...assuming there is access. Well researched F

You could build a new room as a pavilion thus creating a BBQ space in an external patio between the living room and garage and create an interesting glazed corridor from the existing access door to the new bedroom which would include an ensuite (all sizes to taste) all this could be achieved without disruption to house. The 'new' room could be designed in such a form that it could have a pyramid roof, which would look good. it'd be more expensive but give loads of possibilities. Unsure where North is, but there is scope for a sunny 'Homework' space or whatever in the glazed corridor...all to taste...access doors to suite garden activities and bin store etc! the roof space in the pyramid could house 'long term 'storage. Also scope for a glimpse view from entrance hall area to activities, plants, books etc in glazed corridor and possibly to an interesting view and garden feature beyond.

Bit of inspiration from Pinterest, at a price...https://www.pinterest.co.uk/topics/black-kitchens/?utm_campaign=interestrecommendations&e_t=966619f5e94f4898bd6d0198cd900cbf&utm_content=909714351701&utm_source=31&utm_term=5&utm_medium=2024

Well, I put together a book (now an Amazon E-book)...'self build home...the last thing you need is an architect' to assist the family in brief making. I agree with Jack that if it's a 'let's build it and see how it goes' type of build, then go for it. However if you want to make it personal, create value and give it personality and character, then the fun exercise must be to design your own with all the must-haves, nice to haves and needs satisfied, to say nothing of repose relative to site. If you read my design book, and no doubt others out there, that should jog your mind into to 'why didn't we think about that' mode...as does a forum like this. I must say that, unless it's for a quick turnaround, you'll never be satisfied with an 'off-the shelf' scheme. Creating your own brief, before the designers fee-clock starts ticking, is most satisfying.

Aye, cheers. I think it was you who suggested Amazon. Well we'll see. Think the spiral bound copy cost me nigh on £15 before I got to the Post Office!

My book 'self-build Home...the last thing you need is an architect' is now available in kindle form Amazon as an option...you'll get a few pages as an introductory sample. Any questions email lofthousestudioAThotmail.com Thanks, Jim

There is, of course, One way glazing. and have you considered a bay window with optionally opened/ closed blinds. Sun can come from 3 directions then. Climbing plants etc can partially obscure vision from inside or outside...adds character to the room too...even in a corner!

Indeed, it's a golden opportunity to create some drama and cosiness as PeterW says. Perhaps a pyramid (reverse) in a suitable spot (determined with your model-making skills. I do feel that there appear to be lost opportunities in homes that appear to 'happen' as opposed to being designed with vast living spaces/kitchen/dining areas with 2.3m ceiling heights. It's a 3D exercise...have fun. Design (and insist with the plasterer) that you get crisp edges to your reverse pyramid.

Of course, there's always tf kit houses from the WeeHouse co (theweehousecompany.co.uk) that gained inspiration from traditional Scottish But and Ben type cottages (see wiki for a reasonable definition...studio/1 and 2 bed and bespoke, can look as if they've been there for a century or two...sensible prices + land. Quality.

I think RobRoy homes (based Near Comrie in Perthshire) are excellent designs...classic Scottish big cottage style...nicely considered. Ha...I sent them a free copy of my book, with a view to improving the already quality designs...not a squeak, no thanks or even a B++++r off. So, except on here, I don't recommend them! and my surname is Comrie!

Interesting. I've blogged about non-standard door-sets, because, as some respondents have pointed out, they can and do look better, especially as a pair and part-glazed. I noted, in the blog, a trend, way back when, taller doors too were employed, especially with higher ceilings, Georgian and Regency scale... all part of the proportion game, if you want to be fussy and add character, and plainly if the budget can stretch to it. Pocket doors can save space too. I think in Edwardian times, M H Baillie-Scott and later Frank Lloyd Wright certainly employed such devices to make their houses seem larger.

I make a point of thinking about the window/house relationship to the garden spaces at an early stage of self build design, in my book...'Self build design...the last thing you need is an architect' and associated blogs. I have a mate who attends and sells at garden furniture shows around the country, seasonally of course, but you would be amazed how much people spend. Of course you do need to have the 'designed' infrastructure for any furniture to work and look good! There are a couple of blogs on the 'outdoor space' theme and house relationships. Some of you may well remember same. Don't leave it too late. Garden design, spatially, is no different from home design...just different words...and design is all about words, initially. Discuss. https://www.pinterest.co.uk/topics/indoor-outdoor/?utm_campaign=interestrecommendations&e_t=2bd5b0820a39434e86267d0db9900e5f&utm_content=958361284376&utm_source=31&utm_term=2&utm_medium=2024

Aye, interesting. If you look at the floor plans of the 1900 houses (even the modest ones) they usually servants quarters, separate stairs, and small kitchen/scullery areas. But dining and office spaces were sometimes alcoves with large sliding, pocket doors, and generous bay windows. Of course every room had a coal fire (no central heating), including the entrance/receiving hall...no effective living room, just a drawing room for the master. I assume Swmbo was in the garden or hall. First world war slowly snuffed all this out.

Aye Peter. In our town house/flat, the (so-called) design featured a small narrow kitchen with a sink/drainer under the window. I had to stand on the sink to open the window for ventilation. On my redesign I worked in french windows and a julette balcony with the sink to one side...relative heaven. A small table and stool in the opening window/doors for a friendly chat while I did the washing up or whatever. Not a fan of dishwashers, but they do the job plainly, for busy peeps!

I agree with Peter W about changes over time...especially family change. and Bitpipe re designing from the inside, and especially from the front door in, towards the kitchen. I reference in my book 'Self build home...the last thing you need is an architect', architects who have written books about design...they generally recommend inside/out and the day by day , week by week, season by season acitivities, especially around the entrance (short term storage, rituals, visitors glimpse view to activities and so on) all too much to summarise here (the analysis/reviews, ferdinand, are all in the later edition, the 200+ pager, not the freebie). Design is difficult, yet it's all in one, and I don't just mean fashion! Consider a big bay window to the snug...what a welcoming difference that would make. Perhaps an oriel work window to first floor landing...you need my book (as do all self designers) full of hints and tips for personalising your home...adding value, character and wow factor...internal windows, borrowed light, promise of activity, double use of space and so on. As I say too much to summarise. No waffle and packing. lofthousestudio@hotmail.com...Jamie (caliwag) cheers.

Thanks both...Will explore...good advice

Howdy, my self build book, selling OK thanks, costs quite a lot as an 'on-demand' exercise (£10 printing and binding...maybe a touch more but I have a friendly printer) £3 post + £2 packing...one those secure and snug commercial, folding jobs!)...anyway I'm not complaining though I do resent the commercial outfits that don't even reply or acknowledge the free copy for comment...you know who you are!...how much energy or cost does it take to Email 'thanks but no thanks...good luck' ? The realities of the fast moving world...Anyway the point of this blog is to ask for advice on production of an e-book. A member did offer assistance some months ago, but stupidly (or due to a grey moment) I omitted to write down his name, so assistance please, if possible...many thanks in advance. Jamie (caliwag)

JDyer...Go with recommendations. A good architect will bring more to the table, especially in terms of layout and value for money. I guess if you really know what you want (you meaning all the family) then a retired building inspector, for example, will be ideal. If you are still wondering what you'd like the read my book 'self build home...the last thing you need is an architect' No guff or waffle, and few seductive images...just words, Memory jogs for wants, needs and must haves, approaches to design and decision making, reviews of appropriate books (there's not many good design books!) and rejigs of blogs from previous sites, to amplify...200+ pages. lofthousestudio@hotmail.com for info. Good Luck

Solotimberframe produce some good spreadsheets etc...supply frame only, will organise other works (founds etc ) as required. Mind, they are in the South. you could consider a one/two bed house initially and add a two bedroom pavilion, extension in the future. Make lots of design decisions first (must haves, nice to haves etc) before engaging a designer.

There was a serialisation some years ago, when the Independent was published on paper and had a good property section, about a guy who built a house on a tricky site (a mature tree) using I beam walls with blown paper insulation. The timber work was supplied by this Scottish outfit https://www.jamesjones.co.uk/jji-joists/ who may be able to assist. I believe there was a book published illustrating the process and issues. Most interesting.