Conservatory Planning Permission

There are many advantages to getting a conservatory. As an extra room, they are versatile and adaptable, and can be enjoyed throughout the year. As well as adding value to your home, a conservatory is for many people a more affordable option when it comes to getting a home extended. Conservatory prices vary according to size and style, but on the whole, the nature of these extensions, with predominantly glass walls and ceilings, means that they are not as expensive or time consuming to construct as a typical house extension. As with any such project the question of planning permission arises. As a potentially expensive and time-consuming process, it is advantageous to avoid planning permission, if at all possible. Here is a guide to the question of conservatories and planning permission.

Do conservatories need planning permission?

Planning authorities place conservatories in the same category as house extensions and other additions to a property, and the good news is that in the vast majority of cases, these are considered to be permitted developments (PD), which means that they don't need planning permission. Conservatories are also exempt from Building Regulations in most cases, which makes them an even more convenient choice of house extension. There are exceptions to both the planning permission and building regulations exemptions, and these are outlined below.

Permitted development

There are a few conditions under which a conservatory is not considered PD, which means that if you want to add a conservatory to your home, you will need to get planning permission. If your property is within designated land (for example, in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, a World Heritage Site or National Park), any conservatory which has stone cladding, pebble dash, plastic or tiles is not PD, and nor is a conservatory which extends from a side wall. As with house extensions, a conservatory cannot take up more than 50% of the house’s curtilage to be PD, and cannot be forward of the house’s principal elevation and fronting a highway. There are also regulations about the height a conservatory can be in order to be PD. Four metres is the maximum for a single story rear conservatory. Most conservatory designs fall well within the size constraints of permitted development, so all in all, provided your property is not within designated land and you want the conservatory to go in your back garden, there is no need for you to get planning permission.

Building regulations

Conservatories are exempt from building regulations providing they meet the following criteria. The conservatory should be less than 30 metres square in floor area, and separated from the house by an external wall, doors and windows. There should be an independent heating system, which has separate temperature and on/off controls, and the windows and any electrical installation need to comply with applicable building regulations. It is also advised that the conservatory should not restrict ladder access to the windows of loft or roof conversions, in case of a fire.

For more detailed information about planning permission and building regulations for conservatories, check the governments Planning Portal website. www.planningportal.gov.uk

Guest post by House Extension Online

Dining Room Before & After

If you've been reading my blog for a while, you probably know that I love before & afters.  (And if you're new to it, I love before & afters.)  There's something so satisfying about them with their instant gratification.  You get to see the meh "before" and then scroll down a little and the room is finished.  

{Before}

{After}

In my mind when I'm planning rooms, one way I look at them is by thinking about each wall and each view or "elevation."  I think about how it will look from the camera's eye.  When I'm finishing up a room or accessorizing it, I often take photos myself of rooms to make sure I'm happy with how the space is looking.  The camera helps me be more objective & more critical.  

The dining room I'm sharing pictures of today was the type of room that I can see with pretty much crystal clarity in my mindseye as I'm creating the plan.  It was easy for me to envision because it was a fairly square room and had an important focal wall that is seen right when you walk into the house.  I worked with my clients throughout the first floor of their home (It was their family room I showed above, and you can view the full family room here) but the dining room was actually the first room we did, because it was empty. My client wanted a relaxed yet elegant dining room that made her go "ahhh." (And that's a sigh, not a yell ;)  Like I mentioned in my previous post about this client, she & her family love to spend time on the water and she loves nature.  

We started with this blank slate:

And ended up with this:

I was so excited about this plan when I presented it to my client.  I typically work with my clients throughout almost their entire homes so the first presentation meeting for the first room or set of rooms is really important in setting the tone for the home  and for determining how we're going to work together.  As much as I love designing a home in its entirety, I also love for clients to get the chance to experience a room entirely through from conception to completion because after that, the trust between us is incredibly strong as we go through the rest of the home.  Decorating a house can be worrisome for lots of people and so having this trust is key.

When I started working on the plans for this room, I knew I wanted to do a painted blue sideboard and a wood-topped table.  I love a mix of painted and wood furnishings in a room and thought blue would be perfect for my client's coastal leanings.  All of my client's inspiration rooms seemed to have slipcovered parsons chairs so we decided to go with those and I had them made with simple linen slips that didn't reach the floor, to keep things casual.  I thought adding a casual striped dhurrie would bring the formality down another notch and relax everything a bit.   The branch chandelier was one of the most important elements in the room to me & when I presented it to my client (at our first presentation meeting) I really wasn't sure that she would go for it.  (I'll be honest, most clients wouldn't go for it.)  I think I probably hugged her when she said "yes" to it like it was really no big deal.  (Thanks Colleen!!! :)

{Custom Side board & Windsor Chairs by Furniture from the Barn} 

For the artwork, we found these big black herb prints to go above the blue sideboard that would really create a dramatic focal point.  We've used black accents throughout the room and I liked the idea of doing a big jolt of black in the middle of the room.  We flanked the artwork with some gorgeous sconces by Julie Neil.  We had curtains made in my "Live Paisley" in a custom brown colorway to bring a little bit more organic movement into the room.  

 And, although it doesn't look like it, we did repaint this room.  The color we chose (my favorite go-to ivory, Benjamin Moore's "seashell" just had the slightest bit of glow to it that the original paint was missing.  It's something that doesn't necessarily show in photos, but when you get the right light neutral up on a wall, it makes a room sing.  It was that trust I mentioned that really made this project so special and such a pleasure to work on.  The Bamboo Windsor Chairs initially made my client a bit nervous because she thought they might feel a bit too traditional, and so we held off on them. Once the room was installed without them though, my client was ready for them.  They're one of my favorite elements in the room and that little addition of warm wood was just what it needed.

I'm off for an installation in DC, but hope you enjoyed!! I'll be sharing our clients' foyer soon too. And thank you, especially, to my client, for being so open-minded about everything.  (She's the one who is an artist and doesn't know it yet.  See here.  She's said she's open to doing more paintings, so if you're interested, send me an email.)  Have a great day!!




If you'd like help creating a home you absolutely love, contact me about our design services.
*All after photos taken by my insanely talented friend, Helen Norman

Modern Staircase Designs

Staircases sometimes go unnoticed. However, some staircases would be difficult to miss because of their ingenuity. Usually, staircases are built architecturally to add to the elegance of the home or building. A staircase's design can be planned to match the interior or exterior of homes or other buildings.

It is not known when the first stairway was created, just as not knowing when homes and buildings were designed with more than one floor. However, it is known that homes and other buildings with more than one floor has existed for many centuries.

Beautiful homes all have particular styling that includes various features. Several homes utilize specific architectural items that make it stand out from the normal straight designs. Many times, these items are designed and installed by Fontanot spiral staircases. Fontanot spiral staircases have a way of accentuating certain aspects of a home that leads to a specialized look and appeal.

There are specific styles and materials such as the techno, pixima steel, magia 10 and steel zinc staircases. Fontanot staircases provide a look of elegance to the existing structure. They are constructed one step at a time to sure-up construction.

Another popular staircase that Fontanot installs is called the winder. Winder staircases usually have a twist at the top, midway or bottom. They are not entirely spiral but are in the family. Winder stairs are constructed one step at a time, as well.

Fontanot are leaders in spiral and winder staircases. They specialize in conceptualizing designs that are contemporary, as well as installations of staircases for interior and exterior uses. These ideas transform the space into a modern project of art.

Fontanot staircases are known for their beauty and durability. Do-it-yourself enthusiasts will have no problem with assembly and installation. Various styles and constructions can be seen at http://uk.fontanotshop.com.

Milk Crate Planter and a Save Your Weekend Graco Paint Sprayer Giveaway!

 

 

I found this milk crate at a garage sale last year.  It was filthy, really, really filthy!!  But I scrubbed and scrubbed it and got it presentable looking. 

 

 

Last weekend we were in Sandwich, Illinois for a wedding.  We were able to steal a little time before the ceremony and do some shopping.  We saw these great old boxes at The Sandwich Antique Mart and loved the dark color.

 

 

 

 

 So we decided to stain this one using Natural Stain.

 

 

So that the dirt and plants wouldn't fall out, I lined the bottom with two layers of burlap.  I filled the box with Miracle Gro Potting Mix and planted away.  I put it on my front porch and love it!

Now on to the Giveaway!



 

Graco is going to give me a paint sprayer to give away to one of my readers. What a great giveaway!

 

 

The giveaway is for the Graco TrueCoat Plus II Paint Sprayer

 

 

 



 

Did you know that applying paint with a paint sprayer is up to 10x faster than brushing and up to 4x faster than rolling?

 

There are no messy trays or rollers.  Setting up a paint sprayer takes only minutes.  Cleanup is fast and easy too!

 

Your smooth, flawless project lasts longer and looks great. Graco is the brand the professionals pick—U.S. painting contractors prefer Graco 7 to 1 over the nearest competitive brand, according to the Frost & Sullivan Paint Contractors Choice Award for Overall Best Brands.

 

 The Graco TrueCoat Plus II Paint Sprayer:

 • For small projects that require 1-2 gallons

• Sprays a variety of materials such as stain, acrylic, enamels, oil-based primers and latex

• No thinning required—simply pour your material into the cup

• Available at your nearest home improvement retailer

 

 

Ok, so here's how you enter:  You can enter four times--one time for each item below.  Be sure to come back and leave a separate comment for each one.

 ***Jessica is the winner of the Graco Paint Sprayer.***
Thank you to everyone who entered. 
Congratulations Jessica!

1. You must be a follower of my blog.
2. Follow Graco Paint Sprayers on Twitter @GracoPaintSpray 
3. Tweet about an upcoming weekend project or completed project using #SaveYourWeekend. 
4. "Like"  Graco Paint Sprayers on Facebook

 

I will be choosing a winner via Random Number Generator on Saturday, June 1, 2013.

 

 

Thank you for your visit!  And good luck with the Giveaway!

 

Pam

 

 

I am linking to the following parties:

 

 

more FAQs

Yay for Friday!!  I've got another round of most frequently asked questions for you...  Like I mentioned before, I'm really not able to keep up with emails & questions these days, (due to work, family & life in general)  so I'll be doing FAQ Roundups to hopefully answer as much as I can. I appreciate your patience!! Thank you!!

Here we go: 

Q: Hello. Love your table. Can you share how the lucite holds up to scratches. if it scratches can they be removed? Special cleaner needed etc? 

A: My lucite table has gotten a beat-down at our house.  Our boys have scratched it to death with toys and it looks pretty terrible after three or four years of abuse.  I have to admit, after I saw that it was getting so badly scratched, I sort of gave up and figured that we'd replace it later.  I keep magazines or a tray and books on the coffee table anyway so it's mostly hidden.  I've also watched my kids fall on it more than once without crying, which is what's kept it in the house for so long.  They also love playing under it and around it because of the clearness.  (Nothing's funnier than watching a newly crawling baby ram his face into it ;) ;)  However, I recently purchased a lucite buffer/ polishing kit (by Novus) and one of these days am going to give it a try.  I'll definitely post to let you know how it goes.  Lucite should be cleaned with a super-soft cloth (never paper towels) and hot soapy water.  Don't ever use a cleaning product like Windex or anything else in a spray bottle that isn't specifically for lucite.  

{Our client's custom porch swing}

Q:  Where did you get the porch swing?

A: We had our client's custom porch swing made by Vintage Porch Swings , who did a beautiful job.

Q: I JUST read your post about not having time to answer all questions, so I get that you might not get to this and no hard feelings! Anyway, I've admired this room for awhile. I'm looking for the right paint color for my room and I'm struggling. I want a cream or white, and then noticed the curtains in this room. Are those the Pottery Barn Velvet in Ivory?

A:  Sorry it's taken me so long to get back to you!  The walls in this room are seashell by Benjamin Moore and the curtain panels are custom and made of oyster-colored linen.  

{Our kitchen, when the island was still in-progress}

Q: What type of floors do you have in your home?

A: We used unfinished random width (4"-8") wide plank white oak and had it finished with  gray Woca oil.  We got our floors from Mountain Lumber Co. (specifically, Janel Conforti) who couldn't have been more helpful.  Woca Oil "contains primarily cold pressed vegetable oils and aromatic hardening oils that penetrate into the surface of the wood floor and, as they cure, harden to form a very protective surface that becomes part of the wood floor. This means that normal wear and tear, such as small scratches and indentations, do not show up as much as on a floor with a urethane finish.  The oil finish will also let the wood floor breathe through its surface.." (taken from their website)  I loooove the finish on our floors as it's matte and very natural-looking.  Oils do leave marks on the the floor and it's already started to develop a patina, which is what we're after.  

Anyway, I'm off for the day & have amazing Memorial Day weekend!!!  To check out my last round of FAQs, (including questions about my wall mural on my dining room wall) go here.

                                                                    

If you'd like help creating a home you absolutely love, contact me about our design services.

Home Climate Control – The Benefits of the Correct Climate

You probably have an Air Conditioned car, Work in an Air Conditioned office, so why not live in an Air Conditioned Home? Most of us take the facility to warm our homes for granted, but few appreciate the benefits of being able to control the climate of our homes. The benefits of Air Conditioning are to provide a comfortable environment at work or at home throughout the seasons. An auto changeover switch on most new units, allows you to set the temperature of the unit to cool or heat as required automatically.

The air within the room is re-circulated through filters to trap dust and pollens, in turn benefiting people suffering from allergies and respiratory problems. Also air purification is another benefit as an anti-fungus filter is used in most modern air conditioning units. This catches allergy-causing mites, smoke particles and odours, making the air in your environment clean and fresh.

In reality, our homes become even warmer during the summer months than the outside air temperature, through solar gains and additional heat-loads from within. Air-conditioning equipment installed can reduce the temperature within the home to a comfortable level, whilst at the same time reducing the humidity to eliminate the humidity associated with our UK summers.

In the past, CFC refrigerants used in air conditioning systems were found to harm the ozone layer. Since then, harmful CFCs have been phased out and are no longer utilised. Today’s systems use a new generation of refrigerants (HFCs) which do not harm the ozone layer. They are highly efficient and non-toxic, and can be used in homes and businesses. The systems installed by iClimate are class leaders in terms of economy.

Air Conditioning for your home is fast becoming a necessity, not the luxury it used to be. Due to this high demand, iClimate Solutions are able to match units to "fit in" with your décor. The units available now are no longer intrusive or unattractive because they are designed to aspire to most people's tastes and living conditions. The sophisticated designs not only improve your living environment, but they also provide you with perfect climate control. Most units designed are common for the bedroom, conservatory or whole living space. These units alone could increase the value of your property and considered a investment for the future.



This main features are as follows:

• Cooling and Heating ability
• Air purifying system
• Quiet operation
• Wireless controls
• De-Humidification ability
• Anti Bacterial Filter
• 24-Hour Timer
• Auto Restart option

Concealed units, typically installed during renovation works at a property, in ceiling cavities or floor units concealed by bespoke bookcases and enclosures. Conditioned air is discharged via bespoke air grilles a discreet subtle installation.

For further information on any of our product range or services for work or office use, please don't hesitate to contact us.

Sideboard Styles Made Easy: Storage Solutions Your Home Will Love

Whether you have inherited an old sideboard (and this wouldn’t be that surprising given how popular they once were) or have decided to get a new one, you might be wondering exactly what they are for. These long pieces of furniture that cling to the walls of a room can be used in countless ways and have a really positive design and practical effect on the house.

Traditionally, a sideboard was used in the dining room to store the crockery. Often it was the case that the everyday crockery was kept in the kitchen and only the good, ‘for use on special occasions’ stuff was kept in the sideboard, out of harm’s way.

These days the idea of having a ‘best crockery’ set is a little outdated. Which means that a lot of storage space has been freed up in the sideboard. The top surface is ideal for displaying ornaments or photographs. This long, flat surface provides a great focal point for centrepiece ornaments and the like. Or, if you’re looking for a more minimalist living space, keep the area clear.

The surface area also doubles up as both a buffet bar area and workspace. Often understated, the sideboard should fit into the room without getting in the way. It can be used for a multitude of other purposes, switching easily between them and offering great versatility.

The bottom storage section is perfect for toys if you have little ones. We know they love to get the toys out and play, so having a really convenient place to pack them away again quickly is very handy. If only you could get the little ones to do this without a fuss.

Sideboards are most often associated with the 50s and 60s (which explains why every grandma had one). However, don’t be fooled into thinking this was the only period they have been useful. The sideboard dates back to the 18th century and was considered an essential piece of furniture in French and French-style homes of the day. While it is true that its popularity has fluctuated since then, it is very definitely on the upwards curve again.

This is a guest post from Sainsbury’s. Just have a look at the wide range of sideboards available at Sainsbury’s and you’ll see for yourself.