House renovation & DIY

One of the best pieces of domestic design in north London is tucked away behind an archway on Pond Street in Hampstead. It isn’t listed and isn’t on the Open House circuit, but it’s architecturally

The mansion tax effect is raising interest in loft conversions, but, for the moment, this refurbishment remains most popular among families who need space, but cannot afford the next rung on the

Mansion tax has been the talk of the Tory conference this week, with Boris Johnson blasting the Labour plan as “utterly iniquitous” and damaging. If it ever sees the light of day, the tax on homes

If you’ve ever fallen in love with a property on the verge of dilapidation and indulged in the romantic reverie of rescuing the building, you will understand why some people take on the challenge of

Many people cherish the dream of restoring a dilapidated listed property. However, the reality of the process can be harsh, especially as even small projects, such as painting a wall, may require

The Easter weekend is usually the time when thoughts turn to spring cleaning and sprucing up the home. Over the next few days, DIY stores will be rammed full of people looking to redecorate, refit

It’s said that necessity is the mother of invention. My own dedication to restoring, recycling and re-purposing furniture and fabrics is certainly driven by thrift and a limited budget — but it also

Declan Curran, the founder of the property repair company HomeFix Direct, gives his guide to the essential tools you need for DIY: 1. If you’re on a tight budget fear not — Homebase stocks an

Going once, going twice . . . sold! For an increasing number of buyers these words are marking the moment when property ownership becomes a reality. With prices continuing to rise househunters looking

They are the ultimate refuge from the stresses of city life, create new outdoor space for entertaining in style and can raise the value of a property in a town or city by as much as a fifth. Little

Nothing is easier than putting off maintenance work on your home, but taking a little time to stop trouble before it starts can save thousands of pounds in tradesmen’s bills. Now is the ideal time to

If you’re planning on improving rather than moving, building a side-return is a great way to carve out a larger footprint for your home. These features are so in demand that they can add more value

Buying a family house for the price of a flat sounds too good to be true but, for those who already own a flat in a converted house, it could be a reality — given time. “I advise people looking to