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News and Tips

Before & after: budget bathroom revamp cost under £30 using leftover materials

April 25, 2022 by Louie Alma Photography No Comments

Before & after: budget bathroom revamp cost under £30 using leftover materials

With time of the essence, a passion for upcycling and a limited budget, Abi Hugo, based in Essex, decided to give her boring bathroom a refresh. And in just 24 hours, it had been transformed into a timeless sanctuary!

Abi used leftover paint and materials from other DIY and decorating projects to not only keep costs next to nothing, but to create a cohesive look throughout her home. Most impressive of all is that Abi’s budget bathroom idea cost less than £30!

Bathroom before

white bathroom with vanity unit, toilet, clipboards, round mirror

Image credit: Abi Hugo

The whole transformation only took an impressive 24 hours! Eat your heart out, Changing Rooms!

‘When I get hooked on an idea and I see it in my head I just have to get it done,’ Abi exclusively told Leader Doors. ‘It just started with me painting the radiator, and seeing how it goes, and then one thing led to another and I kinda didn’t go to bed till 2am in the morning.’

Bathroom after

neutral bathroom with white tiles, wood panelling, round mirror, vase, pinboards, foliage

Image credit: Abi Hugo

Thanks to Abi’s savvy know-how, this speedy reno was basically free! She used leftover stuff from other rooms and items she had upcycled in the house, including leftover wood and paint.

The only thing that Abi bought was a set of peel and stick bathroom flooring tiles from Dunelm, which were £14 a pack.  Two packs later, and the entire revamp costs just under £30. Now that’s what we call a bargain!

Design details: £30 budget bathroom makeover

neutral bathroom with white vanity, wood panelling, round mirror, round vase, pinboards

Image credit: Abi Hugo

Abi stuck to a palette of soft neutrals throughout. She chose to use wood as an accent to make a feature bathroom mirror idea. Leftover wooden battens fixed vertically behind the existing round mirror was a very quick trick that elevates the area.

‘I don’t want to waste anything, so for me, it’s always like what have I got to hand,’ explains Abi.

Layering textures is something that makes a fantastic impact to a space, so she brought pampas grass from outside to implement character into the room. This is echoed by natural seagrass storage and changing the knobs on the vanity unit.

neutral bathroom with white tiles, black radiator, basin, wall art

Image credit: Abi Hugo

‘I really appreciate organic styles and fibres by adding natural elements within your space to create texture within your home,’ Abi says. ‘I love to add a modern twist on classic style with my love of neutrals but adding contrast with black accents really elevates the space.’

Her top tips to create your own unique budget bathroom idea is to use Pinterest to create a mood board to help you solidify what look you are going for. It will also help you plan before you dive in.

Research is key, so look into your interior style. If you come across a product you love, like a lamp or something, Abi suggests using Google Reverse Image Search, where Google will reveal all the places the product is found. You might be able to find the product cheaper somewhere else. Genius!

The post Before & after: budget bathroom revamp cost under £30 using leftover materials appeared first on Ideal Home.

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News and Tips

Extension ideas for every budget – 10 ways to improve your home without over spending

April 25, 2022 by Louie Alma Photography No Comments

Extension ideas for every budget – 10 ways to improve your home without over spending

With few houses on the market and spiralling living costs, more people are staying put in their homes and extending. Whether it’s out to the rear, to the side, single or double storey, up into the loft space or simply a porch, there are extension ideas for every budget.

Increasing the square footage of your home will add value too, so you it’s more of an investment. How much an extension costs depends on the where you’re adding the extra space and how much space square footage you’re looking to add.

Adding extra bedrooms or bathrooms is always a good way to increase the house value, by as much as 12%. Adding light, re-configuring rooms to make the house flow better or making room for a home office or playroom are all great ways to improve your living space. You could also link stand-alone areas such as outbuildings to the main house to make them more usable.

Extension ideas for every budget

‘The high costs of moving home, stamp duty etc. have had a significant impact on the housing market and it makes sense to investigate the possibility of extending your existing home,’ Says Richard Atkins, Director of Design at DesignSpace London.

‘Whether it’s upwards, sideways or backwards, extensions can enhance natural light, link existing areas of the property to make better use of the space and improve the overall design. Turning a cramped space into something lighter and airer, and that works better for your family.’

1. Consider a single storey extension

kitchen extension with large skylight

Image credit: Andy Matthews

Single storey extensions are often the cheapest and most viable option, and could totally transform a small home, bringing in light, extra living space and opening up the house to the garden. There are extension ideas for every budget including installing glazed doors and roof lights to bring light in, such as the huge roof light and large pivot door leading to the garden in this home. A small box window or oriel has also been added which has a window seat with a small table in front to create a great neat seating area.

This small kitchen extension is the work of Studio Bua – featuring a single pivot door, roof light and side box window. An architect designed extension like this would start at around £100k. Extension ideas for small houses can go a long way to changing how limited space is utilised, a worthwhile investment.

2. Utilise a side return

Glazed side extension

Image credit: IQ Glass

A lot of terraced or semi-detached houses, often from the Victorian era, have a small passageway at the side of the house which is often a dumping ground for bikes, the bins and garden stuff. This seemingly small space could be incorporated into the main house to give extra space with not too much upheaval. As this seemingly simple IQ Glass extension demonstrates. With minimal building chaos the kitchen is doubled in size and flooded with natural light.

Just a few feet can make all the difference and change the way you use the room, and if it’s part of a bigger rear extension, it can turn a dark narrow space into an airy, open-plan living space or kitchen diner. A similar side infill like this with structural glazing and a structural glass roof would start from £20,000. But it does all depend on what finishes are used and whether solar control is included.

3. Extend up into the roof

glazed loft extension

Image credit: James Munro, Granit Architecture and Interiors/ Andrew Beasley

Utilising the roof space is a no-brainer, especially if you live in a top floor flat. It’s also a popular extension ideas for bungalows. This Granit Architecture extension creates a wonderful light-filled space with the added benefit of a roof terrace. This has been created with two connected glass dormers on top of a terraced house and now offers a rooftop living room and study, and a bedroom and en-suite bathroom.

This extension would have a starting price of £75,000 as the loft already existed, it would be more expensive if a new storey had to be built.

4. Buy ‘off-the-shelf’ to save budget

glass extension to add onto the rear of a house

Image credit: Solarlux Winter Garden, around £55,000,  Thames Valley Window Company

It is possible to buy ‘off-the-shelf’ glass extensions like this Solarlux Winter Garden. The Thames Valley Window Company creation that doesn’t require extensive building and is therefore less expensive. It’s a more cost-effective way to gain an extension and will save time and money. They start from £2,5000 m2 and there are four different styles to choose from. This shows there are extension ideas for every budget.

5. Create a better flow

Image credit: Future PLC/Anna Stathaki

This Victorian house was dark and cramped but by adding a single storey extension and incorporating the side return, the whole downstairs flows better and with much improved use of the space. Thanks to the thoughtful side return extension ideas there is now a bigger open-plan kitchen with dining space, more storage and much better access to the garden.

6. Open up with glazing

Kitchen with window extension and retractable doors

Image credit: Russian For Fish

Replacing walls with large glazed doors means this kitchen is completely open to the garden. There is no threshold, so you can walk straight out to make the most of the garden, which becomes an extension of the house. This once dark room at the back of a Victorian house is now flooded with light and it makes a fantastic entertaining space.

A large box window also adds a useful shelf for sitting or for displaying plants, and brings even more light in. An extension like this with Russian For Fish would cost from around £140,000.

6. Get the kitchen you want

A kitchen extension with large windows looking out onto a garden

Image credit: Future PLC

Most people embark on an extension to improve their kitchen, either because it’s small, dark or an awkward shape. Getting an architect and designer involved at an early stage is essential to get everything you want or sometimes a clever builder can create space you hadn’t even thought about. Expect to pay from £50,000 for a kitchen extension, but obviously it depends on the size and specification.

‘Think of a kitchen extension as adding quality not quantity, by adding the things the existing room is missing – such as natural light, ceiling height, an interesting view, access to the garden etc.’ says Howard Miller, of bespoke kitchen designers, H. Miller Bros. ‘You can transform an existing room by adding just 3m2 if that space has a nice tall ceiling with a skylight, places to hang lighting or plants, a big picture window with a window seat or a beautiful view through a set of doors to the garden.’

7. Think about a porch

white terraced house exterior with small porch extension and white picket fence

Image credit: Future PLC/ Colin Poole

If your front door opens directly onto the living room, or you have a small hallway, a porch is a good option, it could be used for coats, shoes, bags and prevents dirty footprints being walked directly into the house. It is also a useful barrier from the elements.

A porch in keeping with your home could be an asset and could add value to your home, however, make sure the porch is in proportion, it shouldn’t be higher than 3m at the highest point and the ground area measured externally should not exceed 3 m2, but it should be no smaller than 2 m2 to make it worthwhile. It must also be over 2m from the road or boundary. You generally don’t need planning permission for a porch.

Adding a small front porch will cost from £2,000 to build, depending on requirements.

8. Convert the garage

Small living room TV ideas with freestanding shelving unit

Image credit: Future PLC/Jo Henderson

Garages become dumping grounds for all sorts of stuff and often the car doesn’t get a look-in, but it could be a much-needed extra room.Garages welcome extension ideas for every budget, because of the relatively simple nature of the build. The structure is already there, so it doesn’t need to be built from scratch, just converted, so it’s a cost-effective way to gain more living space.

Or consider building a room above a garage, but remember to include plenty of insulation to prevent it from feeling cold. Converting a single integral garage will cost from £12,500.

9. Add an atrium

A conservatory with brick walls, a radiator and bench painted cream

Image credit: Vale Garden Houses

An atrium is another way of bringing in light and they are often used to create a design statement entrance. They are essentially a large open-air, skylight-covered space surrounded by a building, and can be made in all styles, contemporary or traditional. Structural glazing for atriums generally start at £1000 per m sq.

10. Gain outside space with a balcony

balcony garden from kitchen

Image credit: Future PLC/ Simon Scarboro

A balcony on the first floor will extend the space and bring in light and ventilation to a bedroom, first floor living room or even kitchen. For a stunning design feature opt for a contemporary glass balcony. A weatherproof balcony will create an extra seating area and will also make the most of any views, all year round. Another extension idea for every budget. As a guide to budget glass balustrades start from £750 per linear metre, for a standard external balcony fixed to the floor.

11. Welcome a conservatory or Orangery

A bright and airy conservatory with a dining table and grey chairs

Image credit: Future PLC

Traditionally, a conservatory was a building attached to the main house and was a place to grow plants, whereas orangeries were grand buildings used to grow orange trees in period homes. Nowadays, conservatory extension ideas and orangeries are pretty much the same thing – an extension of the main house to provide an extra room. They provide ideal space for a dining room or additional lounge area.

The legal definition in the UK is that it is a building with at least 50% side walls and 75% roof area. Conservatories and orangeries come under permitted development, so there is usually no need for planning permission. Expect to pay between £4000 – £10,000 for a fairly standard conservatory.

What is the cheapest way to build an extension?

When it comes to exploring extension ideas for every budget calculating accurate costs are key. Obviously doing it yourself is the cheapest option if you have the skills. Most of the elements can be bought separately – bi-fold doors start from around £1200 a panel and roof lanterns start from around £1350, but it might be an idea to have a professional designer draw up plans.

‘A glazed structure is a fantastic way to build an extension at a fraction of the cost’, says Ryan Schofield of The Thames Valley Window Company. ‘Which depending on the size, can be added to your home for under £20k. A traditional glass conservatory starts from around £1800 m2 with contemporary winter gardens and orangeries starting from £2,500 m2.’

What type of extension adds value?

Extension ideas for every budget add value to a house, when done right. ‘If an extension is an asset to a building and it is built to regulation and based on the design and materials all being used in the correct way, then this will certainly add value to your property.’ Says David Conlon founder of En Masse Bespoke.

‘Some extensions will add a far greater value to the property than the build cost, so this is certainly the sweet spot you should aim for in your design and budget stage. If you’re concerned about the project paying for itself, it could be wise to consult an estate agent to gauge how much the property would increase in value with the extension in place.’

‘A house extension will almost always add value to your home but the amount of value that an extension will add to a property’s value will vary considerably, depending on the size, style and complexity of the extension, not to mention the location of the property’ says Mike Fairman of Checkatrade.

‘In the UK, an average 3-bedroom house with an extension that creates a double bedroom with an en-suite bathroom can add up to 10-12% to the value of the property. It’s important to do your homework to understand how the design of your extension will impact the value it adds to your home. Adding double bedrooms and bathrooms tend to add the most value.’

If one of the main goals of your house extension is to add as much value to your home as possible, please see below.

  • Loft conversion – average value add: up to 20%
  •  Single-storey extension – average value add: 5-8%
  • Double-storey extension – average value add: up to 12%
  • Conservatory – average value add: 5-7%
  • Garage conversion – average value add: 10-20%

The post Extension ideas for every budget – 10 ways to improve your home without over spending appeared first on Ideal Home.

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News and Tips

Sleep expert reveals why you shouldn’t be sleeping on white bed sheets

April 25, 2022 by Louie Alma Photography No Comments

Sleep expert reveals why you shouldn’t be sleeping on white bed sheets

Getting a good night’s sleep is incredibly important to our health and well-being. Too much screen time, stress and balmy weather are common factors known for keeping us awake at night. But, did you know the colour of your bedding may also be a culprit?

Nothing beats snuggling into freshly laundered clean sheets at the end of a hard day. Crisp white bedding might seem like the perfect match for your best mattress and able to go with any bedroom ideas. But, sleep experts argue that white bedding could be preventing you from getting a quality eight hours of sleep.

white bedroom with tactile accessories

Image credit: James French

‘When it comes to sheets, shades in the yellow, orange, red and black families are best, but stay away from whites and [bright] blues,’ says Dorothy Chambers from Sleep Junkie.

Why do white sheets affect our sleep?

Via the Sleep Junkie sleep science review programme, more than 1000 adults were surveyed to explore the impact bedroom arrangement and colour has on sleep quality. ‘It is thought these colours [white and bright blue] might affect your melatonin levels’ Dorothy explains.

Melatonin is a hormone that naturally occurs in the body that controls our sleep patterns. Production of the melatonin makes you fall asleep quicker and less likely to wake up during the night.

White bedroomw ith high ceiling with white washed beams

Image credit: Future PLC/ Richard Gadsby

To understand the findings further, the science behind the effect is down to light rather than colour. The National Library of Medicine states that being exposed to bright blue and white light affects our Circadian Rhythms. These are the 24hr cycles that help our bodies carry out essential functions.

During the day, bright light can improve our performance and attention. But being exposed to blue and white at night can trick our bodies into thinking it is still daytime. That leads to suppressing the body’s release of melatonin.

So, it makes sense that crisp white bed linen that reflects the most light would keep us awake after sunset rather than restful.

What colour of bed linen is the best sleep aid?

Perfect bedroom colour schemes always come down to personal taste. But, there are a few specific hues that are said to help us wind down faster than others.

Image credit: Mark Scott

Chambers continues ‘Studies suggest that neutral colours are best for a bedroom because they provide a calming and relaxing vibe, as loud and harsh colours can distract and even irritate your eyes while you try to settle in for the night.’

Christine Lapp from Sleep Junkie agrees. ‘According to where they lie on the colour wheel, all shades of colour can induce certain moods and feelings in humans.’

‘For example, the colour yellow typically induces happiness and optimism. Although these are both positive, pleasant emotions, when it comes to the topic of sleep, they could both be too stimulating.’
‘Purple is known to represent peace,’ says Christine,  ‘Therefore, this colour provides a sense of tranquillity and allows the body to unwind, and rest easier.
Bedroom with purple carpet

Image credit: Carpetright

‘When it comes to the best shade of purple, it is preferable to opt for a bluer hue, as opposed to a pink tint. From our study, [pale] blue was the  second-best colour for sleep, known for its soothing and calming properties, whereas pink tends to be the colour best suited for inducing creativity, exciting the brain, rather than winding it down.’
If you are affected by lack of sleep, create a restful and calming bedroom environment clear away any clutter with practical bedroom storage and choose a soothing colour scheme that suits your style. Sweet dreams.

The post Sleep expert reveals why you shouldn’t be sleeping on white bed sheets appeared first on Ideal Home.

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News and Tips

The Best Hotel in Zihuatanejo

April 25, 2022 by Louie Alma Photography No Comments

The Best Hotel in Zihuatanejo

Amuleto, A Luxury Boutique Hotel in Zihuatanejo

Have you noticed the price of travel this summer?! It’s outrageous. We had started planning a trip to Italy, but it’s hard to enjoy something when all you can think about it how ripped off you feel between flights and hotels. So, I set out on a mission to find a weekend getaway from LA to satisfy my wanderlust and expensive taste without breaking the bank. I first learned about the hotel Amuleto from my travel journalist friend, Samantha Brooks. She spends her time dropping in on some of the most stunning properties that exist. When she told me this was a hidden gem and the best hotel in Zihuatanejo, I booked it same day with no hesitation.

Getting to Zihuatanejo from Los Angeles

Zihuantanejo is a three and a half hour flight from LAX nonstop. The Amuleto hotel is a 22 minute drive from the airport. I arranged car service ahead of time through our hotel just to be on the safe side. Taxis are easily available, but our hotel warned against people claiming to give free rides to the hotel saying they work with the hotel (they do not). I decided I didn’t want to take the risk of having a “Taken” situation. Besides, the roundtrip cost of the private car was 2500 pesos or $123.00 = worth it.

Where to Stay in Zihuatanejo

Most people I know who have been to Zihuatanejo stayed at The Thompson. It is located at sea level, whereas the Amuleto and Casa Que Canta (another popular choice) are located high up. Casa Que Canta was booked, so it made our choice easy. While I would recommend Casa Que Canta for dinner one night (scroll down for photos), I prefer the secluded and exclusive feel of Amuleto. For us, three nights was the perfect amount of time.

Amuleto Hotel, A Very Stylish Stay

What I Loved: With only six rooms, this boutique hotel feels like your own private villa with a full staff rather than a hotel. It is independently owned by a couple who lives in town, and every detail feels personal. Although there isn’t a spa, you can book an in-room massage for $50 (USD). Highly recommend!

Something to Know: All of the bathrooms in this hotel are “open air,” a fancy way of saying outside except for Room #6 (the shower is outside, but the toilet and vanity are inside). Unlike our luxury hotel in Tulum, you can flush the toilet paper in the toilet though, whew! This hotel is adults only—something a few friends asked about on Instagram.

Suite Dreams: We loved our room, which you will see below and after visiting room #3 and room #6, I would be happy with any of them. If you really want an indoor bathroom, book room #6. Each night at turn down service, we came back to rose petals configured in new ways on our very comfortable bed.

Stylish Sips: The margaritas were the best we have had anywhere, but we didn’t love the ceviche, which we learned is the style they serve in Zihuatanejo. It’s cooked (at least it seemed cooked) in a very heavy sauce unlike what we’re used to in LA and other parts of Mexico.  All other meals are served at the hotel, including a 3-course dinner each night, which was very good. We only left the hotel one time for dinner.

Cool Factor: The hotel is located high above sea level, so the views from the infinity pool are breath taking with tons of boats down below. You can do an all day boat tour, which we decided would be most fun to do if we went back with friends.

Hero Shot:  In front of the infinity pool from any angle.

We stayed in Room #5 pictured above. Our bathroom was open air, which I loved during the day, but didn’t love at night. Even though it felt safe and secluded, there was something about having to go outside to go to the bathroom in the middle of the night that felt a little scary to me. Luckily we had no bugs. We did have a tiny little gecko that didn’t bother me at all.

Above is the open air bathroom in Room #3. During the day, you can slide open all your doors in the bedroom too, but at night they do close and lock.

Plunge pools always looks so enticing, don’t they? But why are they always filled with water from the Arctic?!

The second night, we took a taxi to Casa Que Canta for dinner. While Zihuatanejo was put on the map by the movie “The Shawshank Redemption,” this particular hotel was made famous by the movie “When a Man Loves a Woman.” While our dinner was lovely, and would definitely recommend it, Zihuatanejo does not have the thriving culinary scene that Tulum has. We did not get the sense that we were missing anything by not trying other local spots—except for maybe coming home with a parasite (me on our last trip to Cabo). (Dave still didn’t feel great for about a week or so after we got home from this trip, so still be very careful with the water.)

You should arrive at Casa Que Canta at least an hour before sunset, so you can take photos and enjoy the boats coming into shore. If you time it just right, the sun will set just as your entree arrives.

Perfecto!

 

 

 

The post The Best Hotel in Zihuatanejo appeared first on The Sought After.

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