“Paris is not a city; it’s a world.” ~ King Francis I. So you’re planning a trip to Paris for the first time? That’s beyond exciting! With my detailed Paris 4 day itinerary, you’re about to learn how to enjoy all the highlights of the city as well as uncover what’s truly beneath the surface…

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“Lock me in your heart and throw away the key,” so the saying goes. But can we love without locks? If you know a little about me or can gather from the name of this blog, you’ll appreciate that I’m a fan of during touristy things when I visit a new destination without actually looking…

The post Love Without Locks: Why You Shouldn’t Leave Padlocks in Paris (Or, Anywhere) appeared first on The Invisible Tourist.

Whether you’re extending your kitchen, converting your loft or adding a conservatory to your home, carrying out major home renovations can be an exciting time. It can also be a stressful and risky business which is why it’s important to consider renovation insurance to protect you if something goes wrong.

What is renovation insurance?

Renovation insurance is a type of insurance policy that is specifically designed to cover all the additional risks associated with home renovations. It will provide protection against damage to structures being built, and provide cover against injury for those carrying out the renovations.

image credit: Future PLC

How does it differ from a standard insurance policy?

A standard home insurance policy won’t usually cover you for these additional risks or it will have specified limits in place. S.o it won’t be appropriate if you’re planning extensive home renovations such as a loft conversion or any structural alterations.

What should a renovation insurance policy cover?

The cover provided will vary depending on the policy, but typically you should be covered for:

• Damage to the new building and existing structure as a result of fire or flooding
• Theft of building materials, tools and equipment kept at the property
• Theft or damage of your personal possessions
• Damage to neighbouring properties caused by your renovations
• Protection for your property if it’s left unoccupied
• Public liability cover in the event someone is injured at your property while renovations are completed
• Employers’ liability cover to protect you against claims made by anyone working on the site in the event of injury or death
• Damage caused by subsidence, heave or landslip during the works

Do I have to take out renovation insurance?

Before starting any type of home renovation work, it is important to make sure you have adequate insurance in place to protect you if someone gets injured or your home is damaged during the renovations.

For fairly minor home improvements, such as the installation of a new kitchen, it’s worth contacting your current insurer to double check whether your standard home insurance policy already provides sufficient cover. It’s best practice to inform your insurer of any work being carried out on your home anyway.

But for more substantial home renovations you will need to take out a separate renovation insurance policy;  an insurance for building works.

‘It is always in the best interest of a homeowner to purchase specialist insurance when carrying out renovation works to their home,’ says James Vaughan, development underwriter at specialist insurer Hiscox.

‘Building works can increase the risk of claims occurring to a property caused by perils such as an escape of water, fire, or even subsidence or collapse for significant structural projects.’

How much does renovation insurance cost?

Image credit: Future PLC/ Colin Poole

The cost of renovation insurance will depend on a range of factors. Including the expected length of the project, the estimated costs, the scope of the work being carried out, as well as the rebuild cost of the current property.

‘When purchasing renovation insurance, it is important to engage with your insurer as early as possible. Providing them with as much detail as you can,’ says Vaughan.

‘Some insurers have a preference of 30 days’ advanced notice of the project starting. Due to the complexity of building works, insurance quotes can often take longer to produce compared to a standard home insurance policy.’

Where can I buy renovation insurance?

You can buy renovation insurance from a specialist insurer or broker online. As with any type of insurance, be sure to shop around and compare your options. This ensures you’re getting the best level of cover at the best price.

Check the small print carefully for any exclusions so that you know exactly what is and isn’t covered.

‘It’s important to remember that with so many different types of renovations out there, you can face a range of problems during your project, setting you back to the start. So it’s very important to ensure you get the right type of cover,’ says Brooke Crisp from Renovation Plan.

Do I need to change policies when the project is complete?

Some renovation insurance policies will provide continuous cover once the work is complete. But if not, you will need to revert to a standard buildings and home contents insurance policy, checking that you have the correct level of cover.

‘Renovations could add value to a property as well as the value of household contents,’ says Vaughan. ‘It is important to update the policy to ensure that the right insurance cover is in place.’

The post Renovation insurance: what is it and do you need it? appeared first on Ideal Home.

When the eventual owners found this three bed end-of-terrace house in an attractive part of east London after months of looking, not even the prospect of a significant overhaul put them off.

They were attracted by the property’s mid-Victorian proportions, generous garden and the tranquillity of the street. The owners also knew they could turn it into a contemporary haven, while still respecting its 1860s roots.

The extension

Image credit: Kasia Fiszer

‘We looked at about 20 houses before this one, across north and east London, but none felt inspiring,’ say the owners. ‘This was wider than average, on a quiet street yet right in the heart of Dalston, with its urban buzz. It had plenty of potential: we liked the split levels on the first floor, and the original features in the living room.’

‘But we wanted to reimagine the ground floor. Eight One Two Architects came on board early on; our brief was to create a contemporary rear space where we could entertain and connect with the garden. We wanted to retain the Victorian features of the front living room and the main bedroom, update the bathroom and find space for a utility. Ultimately, we wanted to create a ‘modern-Victorian’ home.’

The living room

Image credit: Kasia Fiszer

In the renovations, the dividing wall between the original living and dining rooms was removed. They reconfigured the space to enlarge the proportions of the living room.

Here, the fireplace was refurbished for cosy evenings,

The living room storage

Image credit: Kasia Fiszer

Adding a sliding door enables sleek concealed storage or full display, depending on the mood. Extra storage and a drinks bar can be concealed behind the dark wood panel.

The living room details

Image credit: Kasia Fiszer

The couple added bespoke shutters, a dado and picture rail, plus an ornate ceiling rose, to elevate this space. A green sofa idea and yellow accessories add a vital colour pop.

Adding a simple but bold silhouette like, with this pendant light, is an effective way to update a period scheme

The open-plan space

Image credit: Kasia Fiszer

‘The space has transformed the way we live,’ say the owners. ‘The kitchen and snug are where we congregate with friends and cook. Then the living room, with its stove and dark-blue walls, is the place we hunker down in winter.’

The snug

Image credit: Kasia Fiszer

The rear was extended outwards and into the side return to accommodate an open-plan kitchen-diner and snug area, which has a bespoke DJ table and wall-mounted speakers.

This informal snug features a smart monochrome palette. ‘We wanted to retain a simple feel that didn’t compete with nature,’ say the owners.

Metal-framed bi-folds with a corner opening allow for maximum connection to the outdoors.

The kitchen-diner

Image credit: Kasia Fiszer

The building was extended to the side to incorporate a generous island with a sleek, contemporary finish that houses a fridge, sink, dishwasher, storage and bookshelf.

Thoughtful touches make the space sing. A quartz surface in Calacatta Gold by Planet Marble cascades over each side of the island for maximum impact. Interior design studio Kemsi also used black kitchen joinery with a light-wood finish on the inside of cupboards for a dramatic, contemporary feel.

Blue velvet bar stools add a vibrant pop, providing a visual link to the walls of the blue living room.

The cabinetry

Image credit: Kasia Fiszer

The new space incorporates a deep picture window, lined with the same wood used for the inset kitchen cabinetry. Framed in black metal, looking out to the garden, this creates a simple but strong statement.

It is complemented by the bi-fold corner door that opens fully to the outside from the snug, plus a narrow floor- length window by the sofa. 

The bathroom

Image credit: Kasia Fiszer

The bathroom was transformed with a black and white bathroom scheme and a new skylight. Details, such as the sleek handles from Buster and Punch, provided crucial finishing touches.

The guest bedroom

Image credit: Kasia Fiszer

A modern marbled effect on the feature wall introduces drama to this scheme.

The master bedroom

Image credit: Kasia Fiszer

Kemsi designed simple bespoke floating dressing tables either side of the fireplace, which was sourced to complement the age of the building. Simple beading on the wall either side of the bed creates a panelled effect, adding depth to this moody space.

Additional words: Emma J Page

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