Sitting on her sofa, Astrid Zala can see the colours outside gradually change. This seasonal spectacle of autumn leaves on the trees outside is accentuated further by a mirrored reflection in the water below. “The main view was always to be of the pond with the woods behind it,” explains Astrid, “because I’d always wanted to look out on to woodland.”
After 25 years in London, Astrid and former husband Jamie were keen to make the break to the country. “We were after a more peaceful and soul-nurturing lifestyle,” she explains. So along with daughters Olympia and Atlanta, they eventually made the move 10 years ago. “At first, we thought we’d buy an old farmhouse or suchlike. But the ceiling heights were so low, the rooms dark and the configurations of the houses bizarre,” she laughs. Hence the decision to build their own. “We had also completely renovated our previous London properties, so ‘doing a project’ was what we were used to.”
SYMPATHETIC DESIGN
Denne historien er fra May 2023-utgaven av Homebuilding & Renovating.
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Denne historien er fra May 2023-utgaven av Homebuilding & Renovating.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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Back to black
Dramatic black finishes and industrial touches add impact to Charlotte and Sam Tisdall's extended end-terrace home
Change for good
A last-minute decision to build a kitchen extension instead of a general update turned out to be a wise move for the owners of this detached period property
High praise
After converting a run-down gospel hall into a unique 1930s-inspired home-complete with geodesic dome - Alice Deuchar and Daniel Schamroth pronounced it a resounding succes
Lifetime achievement
Replacing a tired 1960s bungalow with a bespoke prefabricated contemporary house allowed retired architect Helen Heslop Brunt and her husband Martin to fulfil a long-held dream
Self-build for beginners PART 13 PRE-CONSTRUCTION GUIDE
Make sure that your insurance, health and safety, build and cost schedules and all documents are all in place before kick-off
ECO LANDSCAPING
Creating a garden with green credentials isn't without its challenges, but there are plenty of ways you can reduce its impact on the environment, once you know how
WHAT SHOULD I KNOW ABOUT PASSIVHAUS VENTILATION?
Heat and energy expert David Hilton explains the benefits, options and costs of this ultimate heating standard
HOW MUCH DOES EXTERNAL WALL INSULATION COST?
It's touted as an affordable home insulation method, but is external wall insulation worth the outlay and what are the lifetime costs? We look at the figures...
Open-plan kitchen DAVID HOCKNEY EXTENSIONS
From structural considerations and zoning to layout ideas and lighting, our practical guide to creating your new space has it covered
RENOVATING A GEORGIAN HOME
Known for their elegant architectural features, Georgian homes need to be restored sensitively to make them fit for modern life
