family – Greenway Barrow Blog

December 28, 2021December 28, 2021

2021 – all the drama, all the ideas, all the connections

If I had a plan for this year it went out the window as soon as BoJo closed the schools in January. So here it is, a disjointed run down of 2021, all the drama, all the ideas, all the connections.

January, February, March – working late nights and weekends amidst home-schooling “fun”, the less said about the first part of the year the better!

Spring and freedom finally came around and with it the opportunity to visit some of those lockdown projects I’d missed out on in 2020: Extending an Edwardian Semi, 1930’s home extension: A Place to Eat, Lessons learned on a lockdown build

I blogged for EntreArchitect, the brainchild of Mark R LePage and now a 7000+ strong community of architects worldwide: How to Scale without Growing

Summer saw me busy with builds, supporting clients with their projects under construction. Site meetings scheduled between camping trips and seeing friends who we’d missed out on the year before. With supply chains as unsettled as the weather patterns, delays were inevitable but we got there in the end!

Always looking for the next challenge I settled on a personal one and decided to train for a half marathon, it gave me a focus away from business….work life balance and all that. I ran a 10 miler a few weeks later, once you know you can, you can!

I set some boundaries around meetings, keeping several days free to actually get work done. You make the rules, you break the rules.

I ventured a new offering, my “Briefing and Beginnings workshop” giving families the chance to explore the opportunities and potential of their home with me for a couple of hours.

I made a guest appearance on EntreArchitect’s Context and Clarity daily discussion with Jeff Echols who has hosted the hourly slot daily since the pandemic began and for which many people are grateful.

The beginning of the school year brought back regular working hours and saw me launch a new toolkit of resources for those embarking on, or even midway through their home extension project.

I wrote 133 social media posts, 19 emails and 9 blogs about things people ask me all the time including: 5 steps to keeping your home renovation costs under control, Do you need more space or just different space? and 5 top tips for a successful extension project

I got to know some of our local builders better and worked with them to deliver projects, in a relatively orderly fashion.

I reconnected with my US based mastermind group, there are some great people out there doing some super interesting things.

I read 14 books, mostly on audible and I have finally got back to fiction with my book club! Here’s what’s been on my reading list:

How to break up with your phone, Catherine Price
Hope in Hell, Jonathon Porritt
The Chimp Paradox, Steve Peters
The Midnight Library, Matt Haig
The Big Leap, Gay Hendricks
The Bumblebee Flies Anyway, Kate Bradbury
Company of One, Paul Jarvis
The No Spend Year, Michelle McGagh
How to Listen, Katie Columbus
Running: Cheaper Than Therapy, Chas Newkey-Burden
They Ask You Answer, Marcus Sheridan
Never Split the Difference, Chris Voss, Tahl Raz
Cumulative Advantage, Mark Schaefer
Becoming Minimalist, Joshua Becker
Thursday Murder Club, Richard Osman

I embraced an integrated approach to projects with Michael Aubrey Partnership. I wrote a blog about that too: You don’t just need an architect, you need a home extension team

I negotiated with planners, coordinated others, obtained consents.

I did some online learning, attended events and continued on my Carbonlite Retrofit course with the AECB

And among all that I drew some houses…because that’s what architects do, isn’t it?

If you got to the end of my brain spill, thanks for reading.

2022 here we come, it’s got to be more straightforward than that!

August 27, 2020

How do the kids feel about extending your home?

Change can be challenging, especially with kids, here’s why involving your kids can be an important step when undertaking an extension project. I sought some expert advice on how best to approach things…

Excitement

It’s exciting isn’t it? Planning an extension project. You’re going to change the way you live, overcome those awkward parts of your home, improve functionality, create more together space and bring harmony to family life… well that’s the plan!

How do the kids feel about it? Have you asked them? Maybe they’re excited too or possibly a little bit worried. Getting a new bedroom sounds like fun doesn’t it, but have any of you thought about the disruption you’ll go through before the flat pack furniture building begins?

There are hundreds of decisions required to build your new home and whilst you might want to involve the children with some of them, you’re likely to overwhelm them if you use them as a sounding board for every last fixture and fitting.

Disruption

Children, on the whole are pretty adaptable but if you don’t help them through it then you might find the build phase more stressful than you’re expecting. Working around less space and a temporary kitchen is an obstacle, but can be overcome. Living together in just half of your rooms whilst the others are knocked about is only fun for a little while. Everything takes time.

Dust gets everywhere. You can tape things up as much as you like, but it will be settling for months afterwards, so there’s no escaping it. Construction is also very noisy and if you’re going to be around during the daytime you might find this quite the distraction. Perhaps moving out is an option, but there might be a cost with that. If you are planning to “live on a building site”, it’s important that you understand the risks and that you communicate with your builder’s team to ensure that you are able to keep the children safe.

Strategy

Starting right from the outset before the build commences, how can you manage this changing time with the kids? What can you do to help them feel excited whilst at the same time building resilience to cope with an unusual situation? I spoke to Sarah Billingham of Confident Kids, a specialist teacher who had this advice:

“Whenever there is going to be a big change for children, we tend to jump into telling them all of the things that will be different. Instead, start by telling them what will be the same so that they have some sense of familiarity. Slowly introduce them to the things which will be different so that they have the opportunity to process each aspect without becoming overwhelmed. One of my favourite ways to explore the topic of change is to share stories together on the topic of the change ahead (in this case- building houses!). This helps children to get a sense of what to expect and the equipment they might see. Children can explore and talk about the change in a non-threatening way. “

June 24, 2020June 25, 2020

5 Ways to be Smarter with Small

Let’s face it, bigger is not always better. In my experience design is often far more intentional when something is small. Firstly, with fewer things to consider each element naturally affords an greater level of attention. Secondly, because there is a need to squeeze functionality into every inch of space. Here’s 5 Ways to be Smarter with Small…

It’s definitely in here somewhere…

1. Under Stairs Alternatives

Tell me we’re not the only family constantly turning out the understairs cupboard to find shoes, shopping bags and a million other odd bits? Yes, it’s a big cupboard but functionally it doesn’t serve us well. You know it’s all in there somewhere, but unless you’re super organised it’s pretty hard to find what your looking for, especially as the space is cramped.

However, the space under the stairs – if thoughtfully designed – has potential to accommodate all sorts of things. There are lots of clever solutions for storage but if you can accommodate the clutter elsewhere there’s also the option to use this nook for something different. Perhaps a desk space for homeworking or a cosy reading den? Pinterest is a great place to search for under stairs ideas, checkout my Under Stairs Ideas board here.

2. Compact Utility

I’ll let you in on a secret, those people with the tidy house? It’s all hiding away in the Utility Room! There are lots of reasons to have a separate utility room and it doesn’t have to be massive. Firstly you can hide away all those things that don’t have a home, the kids craft projects that are drying, until such time that you can recycle them when they’re not looking! Secondly, you can use it for Utility stuff – you know, clothes washing and the like. Even a small area separate to the kitchen is worth considering – it will help to reduce noise for one, especially important if your kitchen is open plan to your living area. With stacked appliances (although do you even need a dryer? Save the planet and use a washing line) you don’t need a lot of space for your compact utility, just be sure to get the ventilation right. Find some inspiration for Compact Utility here.

3. Built in Storage

Ultimately you do reduce the size of a room with built in furniture, but the functionality you’ll gain and space you’ll save over loose furniture may well be worth it. Bespoke solutions are ideal for compromised spaces, such as loft conversions where you really need to max out the potential of the eaves. The creation of a walk-in-wardrobe frees up the bedroom to be much less cluttered – think of a walk-in-wardrobe as the utility room of the upstairs!

Window seats bring another opportunity to integrate storage. This dual functionality can come at a price, but being clever with storage can create a less cluttered environment to live in, and for me at least clutter = stress!

4. Precision Planning

When it comes to fitting things in, don’t forget the details like the thickness of your skirting board, or the space that the door will need to swing open. These details can really impact a small space where every inch is precious.

5. Illusions of Space

If you want to create a feeling of space in a physically confined room, you’re going to need to think outside of the box, literally. Having a view out of the space through a window or two is key, it makes a connection with the world beyond. Takes me back to my studies on the concept of Prospect and Refuge… although that’s probably one for another day. If you can create spaces which are double aspect, even better. That might be as simple as a view of the garden and a view of the sky. Mirrors are another interior design trick for illusions of space and help with reflecting light too.

Small doesn’t have to be standard, make small special and functional with good design.

May 27, 2020May 29, 2020

It’s not all about daylight, especially after dark

Natural light, sunlight, daylight… when was I last approached by a client keen to optimise their artificial lighting? I’m not sure I have been. Yet, artificial light is equally important, and there is great scope for creativity. Rarely does it get the same attention as the burning ball of fire in the sky but do give it some thought, for the evenings, or anytime past 3 o’clock and early morning mid winter!

Set the tone

Smart bulbs tie together the colour of lamps, pendants and cabinet lighting with copper hues

Lighting can make or break a space. Perhaps even more than furnishings the lighting anchors the feel of the space, the mood – warm or cold, bright or soft, utilitarian or cosy. Colour temperature sets the tone of the space, makes you feel calm and relaxed, or focused. Not to mention you can get some killer light fittings, which with their own sculptural beauty are a focal point and an opportunity for you to turn your extension into an art gallery of sorts.

Pendants, popular, good over an island if it’s fixed but do take care if you use them over dining table if you’re likely to move it at all. You’ll probably need some other lighting too if the design of your pendants focuses light downward rather than being omni directional. Task lighting is useful but there will always be times when you will need a good light level over the whole space.

Pendants look great day and night, defining zones, with wall lights enhancing artwork beyond

Take care that your lighting scheme is informed by your furniture layout but make it versatile enough, zoned for different uses. Ceiling lights are a no-brainer in kitchens and utility areas, whilst wall lights or floor lamps may be preferred for living spaces. When it comes to fittings shop savvy, if you love something invest but remember light fittings are easy enough to change. Go and look at what you’re buying in person if you can – the world wide web has never ending options but be sure to consider the dimensions of what you’re ordering so that they don’t look out of place.

Practicalities

How your lights are wired on different circuits and switch positions is also worth considering. Do you want to be able to switch from more than one position (the typical hall/landing scenario), do you want some lights on and others off at certain times? It’s becoming less important as the use of smart lighting becomes more mainstream but don’t overlook it entirely.

Often it seems to soon to be sitting down with your plans, before you’ve even got your building, to be talking about lighting. Although getting something on your drawings to reflect your intentions, even if it’s not the final design will go a long way to getting your electrical costs tied down. Electrical works are often priced on a per point basis so making your intentions known will ensure the tender accurately reflects your aspirations and not someone else’s assumptions.

Light up the dark

External lighting is often forgotten but will bring your extension to life in the evening. Be that some wall lights you can sit out with late on a summers evening, feature garden lighting to steps and planting or simply a light so you can see to out the bins out. Think through how you’ll use your home and capture those scenarios.

Get your artificial lighting right and your extension will be fabulous and functional, day and night.

April 25, 2020September 23, 2020

Reconnecting with the Garden and Disguising the Old as New

A familiar story…

Living in a house subjected to piecemeal development over the years, the key consideration for this family was in unlocking the back of the house to once again connect with the garden. It’s a common problem where properties have already been developed, and for this project in particular the requirement to retain one of the existing extensions brought with it an added challenge, but one that ultimately gave it its character.

Three years ago I was approached by a lovely family of four, who came to me with their tired conservatory that doubled as a playroom, and in many ways blocked their access to the garden. It was a space rarely used, always too hot or too cold, a bit of a no man’s land, very much in the way. For them it required a concerted effort to get out to the garden; especially challenging with kids.

A plan for contemporary living

Their vision was to create a versatile family room, open plan to the kitchen and dining area, and to re-establish the link between the house and the garden. It would be a space for hanging out together, for music, for kids’ homework and for getting outdoors again. Adding a significant amount of floor space to their 1930’s home, the new extension would infill the gap alongside the existing extension that had been tacked on 20 years previous. This, already containing a ground floor bedroom and bathroom, too valuable for family visitors to do away with – so it had to be retained and worked around.

Delivering through design

The proposals set out to reconnect the house and garden and re-worked the circulation to the spare room, streamlining the kitchen layout. The island, which is actually not an island at all, delineates the kitchen zone whilst maintaining the visual connection right through the new space to the garden beyond. Using several large rooflights to ensure that good daylighting could penetrate the deep plan layout, the resulting spaces are bright even on a dull day. Amalgamating a series of existing roof forms into one flat roof, and with new cedar cladding across the elevation we were able to disguise the existing extension as though it were all one congruent form. The cladding, our solution to cloaking the old, brings the extension a character its own that will evolve as the seasons weather the boarding to a silvery grey. Roof trim and rainwater goods were colour matched to the new doors, and the existing window also replaced, to achieve a cohesive contemporary appearance across the new and old.

Changing family life for the better

Delighted with their new space and restored connection with the garden, the extension offers so much flexibility to a growing family. Opening onto the raised terrace with built in planters along the edge- their dream of indoor-outdoor living is becoming a reality. As is always the case relationships are key to project success and it was a pleasure to facilitate their vision: “we were complete novices to the process but Carly’s personal approach and excellent communication made the daunting job very manageable”.

Reconnecting with nature, a room with a view

This project was completed in Summer 2019 and built by Macbeth and Co. Building Services.

If you’re feeling inspired to reconnect with your garden then download my Project Planner to start thinking about the problems you’re looking to solve and explore the potential of your home.