It took two days-off work and twenty two viewings for this husband and wife combo to finally find a characterful property with good proportions for their first owned home. This Victorian conversion split-level apartment was well worth the wait!

‘We’d set our hearts on Blackheath because of the vast green space. And we can travel back home to Norfolk to visit our parents in two hours,’ they explain. ‘When it came to finally viewing in the summer, each property either lacked character or was too modern. I was still hopeful for something old with original features and longed-for high ceilings’ she says. 

Thankfully the last viewing of the day was a Victorian house conversion with promising original floorboards and a light-filled bedroom.

Victorian conversion split-level apartment

Structurally sound, with original sash windows, curved walls and eleven foot high ceilings, the property was in good repair. However they did unravel dangerous electrics and two ancient water tanks taking up lots of unnecessary space upstairs.

‘It’s not a big conversion so every bit of space counts and after the second viewing I literally drew where everything we owned could go,’ remembers the homeowner. 

Sitting room

Image: Future/Photography: Brent Darby

High ceilings, original floor boards and floor to ceiling sash windows are just some of the original features to be enjoyed. ‘For such a small footprint there are so many outstanding features, which is why we fell in love with the property.’ 

As an interior stylist, the homeowner has a strong sense of personal style and admits it’s all about confidence when designing your home. ‘There are very few rules when it comes to home styling as everybody has different taste. But having confidence in your decisions is key to success,’ she explains.  ‘I’m drawn towards natural, raw materials and old, authentic pieces.’

Kitchen

Image: Future/Photography: Brent Darby

Exposed brickwork in the kitchen creates an industrial edge in contrast to the sleek, white kitchen units.  ‘I love to see old and new elements sitting side by side in a home as it makes the aesthetic less obvious and more interesting,’ she says. 

Dining area

Image: Future/Photography: Brent Darby

Sash windows will always stand the test of time and present an elegant and authentic focal point. They enhance the view to this small dining area.

‘I fell in love with the windows in this property because they’re so majestic and add a feeling of grandeur to the room,’ says the homeowner. 

Landing

Image: Future/Photography: Brent Darby

The homeowner’s sense of style is evident in the landing idea, where she’s curated a gallery wall alongside a hanging plant and casual throw with a pop of yellow.  

The couple commissioned a new steel staircase, to replace the existing boxed in stairs. Creating much needed light into the living area. ‘We’re fortunate that Matt’s dad is an incredibly talented engineer and he was able to make and install it which saved us a fortune.’   

In the downstairs rooms, exposed brickwork, whitewashed floors and floor to ceiling wooden window frames endorse the couple’s authentic preferences. Upstairs, whitewashed brickwork, a beautifully hung reclaimed door to the shower room and the dark steel staircase are inspired by warehouse conversions also favoured by the creative couple.

Master bedroom

Image: Future/Photography: Brent Darby

Reclaimed doors have been transformed into streamlined sliding doors as a perfect space-saving solution and efficient room divider between the main bedroom and an en-suite bathroom.  

Shower room

Image: Future/Photography: Brent Darby

Versatile exposed brickwork is also evident in the shower room idea. It works in harmony alongside the reclaimed, sliding wooden door which the couple sourced as a space saver from a reclamation yard in Norfolk.

Compact walk-in wardrobe

Image: Future/Photography: Brent Darby

By removing the old water tanks and installing a new Combi boiler and shower room, the old bathroom has been transformed into a fashionable walk-in wardrobe idea.

This longed for home has been thoughtfully restored with care and imagination with original creative touches. ‘It feels like living in a mini house rather than a flat,’ the homeowner laughs. ‘There’s nobody above or below us.’

‘Every day I’m grateful we persisted in viewing those twenty two properties. We eventually did find our high ceilings and secret fireplaces which bring us so much pleasure every day.’          

Feature written by Karen Jensen-Jones.

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The RHS Chelsea Product of the Year has been announced, and this year’s winner couldn’t be more appropriate for the climate crisis era. The Ocean Plastic Pots the RHS has chosen as the best sustainable product are made from discarded rope and fishing nets.

The garden pots made from ocean waste

Image credit: Ocean Plastic Pots

Fishing nets left behind by commercial trawlers are a huge problem in our oceans, responsible for injuring wildlife and polluting the ocean floor. At the same time, single-use plastic pots that are used for selling plug plants are a landfill problem and incompatible with wildlife garden ideas. The Ocean Plastic Pots address both of these problems.

The pots are fully recyclable, unlike most plastic pots used in garden centres, or they can be reused. Thanks to the pretty turquoise colour, we think gardeners will want to use them again and again as part of their container gardening. They look so much nicer than plain black or orange plastic pots that are typically thrown away as soon as the plants are brought back from a garden centre.

The runners-up

The runners-up are just as impressive as the top choice of sustainable product this year. Dalefoot Composts took second place, with its timely and innovative compost made from wool and comfrey. With the urgent need to stop the production of peat-based garden compost, the compost mix that uses sheep’s wool and bracken is an environmentally responsible alternative that is made from UK-only ingredients. The website has a mail order service delivered to your door.

Image credit: Distinctive Garden

The third place was taken by another product made from ocean waste – and we predict it will be very popular with gardeners looking for sustainable garden furniture. The best garden furniture should be durable and good-looking, and the stylish DuraOcean Chair is both. Each chair is made from 3.5 kilograms of fishing nets and rope, and sports a trendy egg-shaped design that will fit right into most contemporary garden schemes. The mint green colour is refreshing and will especially stunning on a blond deck or patio.

Among the other runner-up winners were a beautifully crafted garden table, a plastic-free portable loo, and a modular vertical gardening system.

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Modern conservatory ideas range from open-plan kitchen spaces to contemporary garden rooms, all extending homes with glass structures to let the light in.

Once seen as only suitable for a country-style traditional property conservatory ideas have come a long way, making the design feel more contemporary and fit for modern homes. How you style your modern conservatory decor will also determine how the space feels, choose an interior that moves the space away from garden room furniture – making it feel more sleek and styled as an interior  living space.

Modern conservatory ideas

‘We’re often asked whether modern glazed extensions only work on modern buildings or if a contrast with a period property can work’ says Karen Bell, Creative Director, David Salisbury conservatories. ‘A contrast with the original building can be acceptable as long as it does not obscure the original architectural features of the property.

1. Create a modern kitchen space

Image credit: Vivafolio

This thoroughly modern space ticks all the boxes, open-plan living and contemporary glass walls. This sleek conservatory kitchen idea creates a space filled with light, offering a connection to the outside.

Thanks to modern innovations in glazing this amount of glass exposure no longer means a room has to feel extremes in temperature, from boiling hot in sunshine but freezing cold in winter. Meaning a conservatory is a modern practical and stylish solution for key rooms within the home.

2. Expose the room with a single panel glass roof

Image credit: Future PLC/ Jonathan Gooch

In this smart conservatory-style dining area the challenge for the architect was to make sure you could still see the original architecture of the house. The original exterior wall of the house was left uncovered, to add a heritage edge to the modern glass extension idea. While this may not be the classic conservatory design it certainly consists of more glass than brick, which makes it a contemporary take on this traditional design.

3. Welcome modern decor choices

Image credit: Future PLC/ James Merrell

The key to making a space feel styled without overdoing the accessories is by dressing a space with plants, large and small. Use conservatory plant ideas to fill a vast open space from floor to ceiling established plants, to add colour and interest all lead by nature.

When it comes to the decor in a modern conservatory try to keep it simple and stylish. Choose alternative flooring choices, such as this stylised marble floor tile to exude an air of contemporary design. Make furniture choices stand out, serving a purpose with absolute dedication to interior design – look for shapely rattan pieces and intriguing surfaces such as coloured glass and marble.

4. Rethink the exterior

Image credit: Viva Folio

Work with a design team who can help your modern conservatory design feel contemporary, rather than ‘trad’. From the window pane design to the colour of the structure the design choices can determine the feel of a modern glass extension.

This impressive glass conservatory stretches the full width of the back of this house. Creating a contemporary sunroom to extend the living space. Retracting Bi-fold doors in stylish slate grey keep the feel modern in appearance.

5. Look to add contemporary colour

Image credit: Future PLC/ David Giles

Make a conservatory feel modern with a change of colour, updating a traditional white glazed structure. ‘The exterior of conservatories are frequently painted in colours ranging from soft and subtle hues including natural tones and off-whites, to stronger colours for a more dramatic effect’ says Lisa Morton at Vale Garden Houses. ‘Some owners are quite adventurous in their choice of colour for inside and out, with stunning results.’

‘Similarly, the current trend for clean lines and minimal furniture does not look out of place in a period home. Whatever the next trend is, paint and furniture can be altered with no lasting damage.’

6. Keep it simple

Image credit: Future PLC/ Dominic Blackmore

‘It may be considered by many to put a very modern glazed structure onto a period house. However trends do change and as a conservatory is expected to be around for several decades, this may not be appropriate for your property in the long term’ says Lisa Morton at Vale Garden Houses.

‘Also bear in mind that a contemporary approach is not to everyone’s taste. Personal tastes and approaches in style are best applied in the final decoration and interior design.’

7. Work with the foundations

image credit: David Salisbury

‘As long as the proposed extension does not detract from the original aesthetics then a contrasting modern extension can work with a period property’ says Karen Bell, Creative Director, David Salisbury. ‘As ever with older buildings, it is best to seek some expert design advice.’

A professional design team can offer advice on how to add a modern conservatory to suit your home. From colour choices to lighting ideas, all the elements can be tailored to suit your desired look.

How do you make a conservatory look modern?

To make a conservatory look modern update the decor. ‘A contemporary approach is not to everyone’s taste and a modern conservatory may be considered an eyesore to some when considering a house purchase’ advises Lisa Morton at Vale Garden Houses. ‘Personal tastes and approaches in style are best applied in the final decoration and interior design.’

What is the difference between an orangery and a conservatory?

‘For many homeowners, glazed extensions such as orangeries and conservatories might seem very similar, however, there are certain elements that set them apart’ explains Mervyn Montgomery, Managing Director, Hampton Conservatories. ‘The main difference between the two is the amount of glazing included. The structure of a conservatory typically includes over 80 per cent glass. While orangeries usually have less than 80 per cent.’

Mervyn goes on to add, ‘The defining feature of a conservatory is the fully glazed walls set on brick foundations and a glazed roof. Allowing for maximum natural light infiltration. On the other hand, orangeries will provide the same outdoorsy feel as a conservatory however they are semi-glazed and typically have a centralised roof lantern atop a flat roof.’

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We love the feeling of a freshly cleaned bathroom, tiles, taps and mirrors gleaming. A recent study has revealed the area of the bathroom with the most germs.

Surprisingly, the spot in the bathroom harbouring the most bacteria is, in fact, the towel rail or radiator. Something to bear in mind next time you’re deep cleaning the bathroom…

Image credit: Future PLC

The area of the bathroom with the most germs

Heating systems company Rointe swabbed five bathroom areas to determine the filthiest spots. The results showed that your heater, whether it be a radiator or towel rail, is probably the area of the bathroom with the most germs.

‘Bathroom radiators and towel rails should be cleaned at least three times per month,’ says Antoaneta Tsocheva, founder of cleaning company FastKlean. ‘Ideally, you would add your entire bathroom to your weekly cleaning routine.

‘This will allow you to keep the germs at bay and make your cleaning sessions shorter on average,’ says Antoaneta . We can see why the towel rail or radiator can get forgotten, as we don’t associate it with bathroom bacteria in the same way as we do the loo, sink or touchpoints like a toilet roll holder.

Blue Savoy tile in Moon and Supreme Evo Marquinia available at www.realstoneandtile.co.uk

You definitely don’t want to be putting your best bath towels onto a radiator covered in bacteria. Antonaeta also points out that on top of the usual suspects like dust, grime, mould and mildew, you also need to think about bacteria.

‘The bathroom itself is a damp environment, and so are the towels you hang on your radiator or rail,’ she says. ‘It’s the ideal environment for microorganisms and bacteria – things you definitely don’t want near your face.’

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If that’s not motivation enough to keep on top of cleaning, we’re not sure what is. Cleaning expert Antonaeta also shared some of her top tips on how to clean your radiator or towel rail properly.

Make sure it’s switched off, then put on your rubber gloves and give it a thorough dusting. She then recommends using a vinegar and water solution, as it’s free of any toxic substances, and an old toothbrush for tricky spots.

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