Designing Happiness

This week we talk to construction professional Siobhon Niles about the final stage of a project; The ‘Test It’ stage where you, your architect or your project manager will snag the work done by your contractor and sub contractors.

Siobhon has worked on building sites for over a decade but doesn’t hide the honest truth that if you don’t give the test it and snagging stage sufficient time, you are at a loss.

She talked about daylight being the most critical light there is. So you have to plan this in, if you need to wait until Saturday until you have the time to snag during the day, then make sure you plan this in.

Siobhon talks about acclimatisation, lots and lots of materials (we talked about vinyl flooring) needs time to settle in the environment it is going to be used.  If it is installed straight away there can be folds or creases in the installed product which you will identify during the snagging stage – so you can be creating a defect.

As mentioned by our expert Quantity Surveyor in the buy it stage podcast here, the programme is everything, so snagging is built in as the programme goes along and any acclimatisation is planned in too.  So snagging is not done ONLY right at the end, it’s part of the build process.  

‘The key is continuous snagging throughout the build, to each stage in the programme.’

Siobhon talks about how to use samples – having a physical example of what you are buying so you can test this against the finished installed product.  This helps take the emotion out of a snagging discussion as you can hold the sample up to the element which has been installed and it either matches or it doesn’t!

Siobhon also talks about the importance of having in place a performance specification (which would be covered in the design it stage where the specification is created) as you might think at the test it stage that an electrical or mechanical item isn’t right- you can go back to the spec to confirm what’s right and wrong. 

Communication with the builder / contractor is best in a list – with a photo.  Siobhon likes spreadsheets as it keeps all the comments in one place, a photo can be associated with the comment and (most importantly) the builder won’t get overwhelmed by 50 different messages over the course of multiple days.  Its far better to collate all comments and send them over for each area or product being snagged and then allow the time for those comments to be digested and responded to.  That time to capture items, send them and the time to respond should all be planned in the programme.

Siobhon recommends taking a steer from your contractor on any specific software or apps for snagging.  As there is a learning curve of how to use the software and your contractors time is best used on doing what they do best, your extension or refurb.  If you love a piece of particular software please ensure you include this requirement in your specification and design pack when you tender.  You can then find a contractor who will accept this from the start.

Finally Siobhon recognises how emotional this stage is, when you are tired and just want to move back in or simply get the builder out.  She recommends to take your time, not to rush and to remember that your contractor wants to do a good job and for you to be an ambassador for them.

For more information on this podcast and other episodes please visit www.DesigningHappiness.org and follow us on Instagram @EDDPodcast and Twitter @eddpodcast

If you have enjoyed this episode please rate, review and subscribe as it helps other home owners design their happiness.

This week we talk to Paul Vanstone about the process of preparing for, planning and commission outdoor art.  As a veteran marble sculptor who sells and installs his pieces globally - Paul has lots of advice to dispense.  

We recorded this podcast at his atelier so thanks for understanding about some of the background noise.

Paul gives us great advice about the confidence and trust in the artist to commission a piece.  He gives us examples of the process he goes through with clients and encourages the listeners to be involved in the process.

The three top tips for putting a sculpture outdoors are:

1) Selection of the space / Location - he uses different size cardboard cut outs (which he calls his Monty Python process) to try the pieces in different locations.  the different size pieces help to get the scale correct.

2) Ground work / base preparation - make the supportive ground structure bigger than the base of the piece.  When it finally comes in you might find it looks better a couple of feet to the left.  The additional footings are minimal in cost to give you that ability to adjust.

3) Plan the sculpture in conjunction with your gardener / landscape architect so the two work together -the sculpture should be put in when the garden is ready, which might be well before the plants go in, or at the point of landscaping because this is the best access moment. 

Paul talks about how to commission something new - if the exact piece you want isn’t available or you want something bespoke, the timescales for doing this and the communication during this process.

And finally we talk about budget - how you think about and talk about the cost of art.  This isn’t a comfortable conversation for everyone, but Paul is very honest about how and when you have those conversations and how the artist might be able to help you tweak the piece, it’s size or base material, to help bring the sculpture into your budget.

Paul can be contacted via his website https://www.paulvanstone.co.uk or on instagram @Paulvanstonesculptures

For more information on this podcast and other episodes please visit www.DesigningHappiness.org

If you have enjoyed this episode please rate, review and subscribe as it helps other home owners design their happiness. 

This week we talk (via Skype – sorry for the quality at times!) to Construction Professional Brigitte Clements, Managing partner of Loki-Architecture, an Architectural Development practice operating in the UK.

We cover the difference in the different jobs, Architect, Contractor and Builder, when there is cross over and what you get from each of them.

We discussed the importance of legal Party Wall agreements; more information can be found on the UK Government website  https://www.gov.uk/party-walls-building-works   and look out for our future podcast with a legal expert on this and other potential property dispute matters!

We talk about help architects can offer at the research stage, but advised us to use your local authority planning portal to look at local planning and building regulation advice and also to see what has been approved and rejected locally.

Brigitte was very open about the way she charges.  If you are interested in finding an architect for your project, take Brigitte’s advice and ask for recommendations.  If you can’t find anyone locally check the RIBA website https://www.architecture.com/find-an-architect/ for registered architects in your area.  But go with someone you like and who you feel understands you and your project, As Brigitte says – “building work in an emotional endeavour!” 

Pinterest again came up as a favourite repository for research and inspirational ideas, but we also received the advice to take a photo of something you like – even if it isn’t something you specifically want in your home – it helps your construction professionals understand you and your project.

And finally – we got some great advice: “If you think a professional is expensive, wait until you find out how much an amateur costs you!”

Brigitte can be contacted through her practice website https://www.loki-architecture.comand she is also on LinkedIn under Brigitte Clements and on Instagram as https://www.instagram.com/loki_architecture/

We've chosen 12 of our favourite episodes from the Every Day Design back catalogue to launch the Designing Happiness Podcast, new content coming in September '21!

This week I answer a question I’m regularly asked.  ‘How do I turn my project into a profession?”.  

During the course of the lock down period a few friends  have contacted me as they know I’ve run my own international design and fit out practice and wanted to talk about a career change into house refurbishments, interior design and project management.  Basically they wanted to turn their own renovation, their own project, into a new profession.

So here is a guide on making that change.

1. Decide which bit of the project you enjoyed the most.

If you loved sourcing, buying and negotiating - then perhaps Quantity Surveying and procurement is the route for you.  This is a role which is in almost every level of the design, fit out and construction sectors from a small business where you might be in charge of buying all the materials for the whole business, through to huge developers and main contractors where you might be able to specialising in buying an element you are most interested in such as roofing or internal finishes.

If you enjoyed the process of planning the layout, the spacial orientation, then consider Architecture or Interior Design.  Be aware that there are architects who become interior designers and there are architect practices with interior designers, but the only people who can call themselves interior architects are people with architect qualifications! See RIBA for more information.

If the finishes were the most exciting then Interior Design is likely to be the perfect route for you, however if there was a particular room which you really loved to design you could consider specialising in this, such as kitchen or bathroom design.  Amazing kitchen and bathroom designers develop a series of exceptional technical design skills as well as the aesthetic and a good designer is worth their weight in gold as these spaces are used so regularly that mistakes are unforgivable (to me anyway!)

If you really enjoyed upgrading your electrics or plumbing and liked the problem solving element, then there are the trades of electrician or plumber or MEP design which is the full systems design (including ventilation and public health too).

And don’t forget about the specialisms - there is acoustic, insulation, swimming pool design, AV/ Audio and the list goes on.  If you found yourself fascinated by the area - then perhaps this is the world for you.

There are the ‘trades’, dry-liner / plasterer / decorator / joiner and various fitters of flooring and units.  

If you were drawn to the garden over and over - Landscape Architecture might be for you, or something more niche such as green roofing specialist or even children's play area designer!

And finally, if you love pulling all of the detail together, on time and co-ordinating the various trades then perhaps Project Management is for you.

2. Would you like to do this new profession as an employee or self employed?

If you would like to be employed I would suggest you get training from a college or professional association which has links to placements / apprenticeships or at least links into industry as this is where you are  likely to get your first job from.

If you would prefer to be self employed look for a course which covers business management as a module.  You will need to learn how to market yourself, to quote, negotiate, deal with disputes, employ people, write and manage contracts and deal with HMRC!

I recommend KLC for people interested in going into interior Design or landscape design as they have wonderful connections into the industry with world leading companies.  You can find their website here

3.  What do you want to be known for?

There are two schools of thought here. 

1. Have a very strong and clear look / style and sell that - people know what they are getting and they either resonate with it or not.  Your portfolio will show a common theme which will give customers reassurance of the look you are going to provide.

2. Be a consultant and listen to their needs first and offer them a solution which is unique to them.  This is harder to showcase as their project will be individual and might look like nothing you have every done before, but you might have a wider customer base.  If you develop your business through word of mouth, this is a really good model as you can work with a range of people and a range of tastes.

There is no right or wrong, but don’t switch between the two - it’s confusing for everyone!

4. Are you aware you won’t be the client?

On your own project you can take as much time and be as big a pain as you like - it’s your project after all, but would your methods work as the professional.  And are you expecting everyone to act like you when they are going through their project, as confident to make decisions or as accepting of the disruption?  You have to prepare yourself for some challenging customers as any work is a huge life undertaking.

5. Build a team of trusted contacts.  

We all need experts to make us better, through chatting and sharing experiences, to referring work and collaborating.  Choose your experts well, work with them and find out if they share the same value system and professionalism as you.  

6. Don’t take on something you aren’t qualified to do.

Even with Professional Indemnity insurance you still can’t undertake work yourself for which you are not qualified.  The risk of ‘trying’ something is too high to be worth it.  If your client would like you to undertake something which isn’t in your field, then use those contacts to collaborate with.  It might turn into a nice and regular partnership.

7. Get to know your industry as it is huge.

My career has taken me from interior design through to becoming a technical design expert, I’ve worked in residential fit out and new build through to heritage restoration.  The process of Design it - Buy it  - Build it / Refurb it applies to every structure you see - so you just have to find the ones you love.

Recomended extras

Side Hustle is an amazing podcast about taking your side project and making it your main source of income.

RIBA has a website which is useful for everyone in the industry

For more information on this podcast and other episodes please visit www.EDDPodcast.com and follow us on Instagram @EDDPodcast and Twitter @eddpodcast

If you have enjoyed this episode please rate, review and subscribe as it helps other home owners design their happiness.

This week we talk to The Birch House curtain manufacturer and expert Carolyn Peyman about the technicalities of curtain rail or pole installation  and the various technical choices which might influence your curtain & blind choice.

Carolyn talks about when to use a curtain pole and when to choose a track and the difference between hand drawn, corded and electric.  She also tells you what you are likely to get for your money 

Preparing for your curtains and blinds might be an activity you didn’t plan or budget for! A good handyman or curtain installer will come and check where fixings can be made although be prepared to add some support if you are going into a ceiling for a track, especially if you are going to have heavy weight curtains.  

If you have a new window in an extension, your lintel may prevent your pole being fitted in the exact location you want.  There are ways of adding a pattress to allow the support with a more shallow fixing but this all needs to be planned in.  Ideally do this preparation while the plasterers are still in as any modifications and making good can be done at the same time without the mess of repairing new plasterwork.

We discuss electric curtains and Abigail talks about the ease of future proofing your renovation or extension so even if you don’t want electric curtains now, the option is there for the future.  And she recommends have a control for the curtains rather than a remote control, just because we are all getting to the point of too many remotes in our houses

Carolyn covers off how curtain fabric quantities are calculated and the ideal length for them.  She also discusses when to use weights and how many of them.  (Link here to the curtain weights Carolyn is referring to.) Abi gets sidetracked by a Baz Luhrmann film, The Great Gatsby, where there are lots of billowing curtains which she thinks needed weights!

When considering privacy Carolyn advises that there are multiple options which she goes through including sheer single privacy panels, curtains and roller blinds.

The discussion of suitable fabrics leads both Carolyn and Abigail to reminisce about materials they have seen fail including raw silk, which fell apart when exposed to UV for a period of time and high polyester which does hold the pleats well.

We discuss the use of black out curtains and black out blinds and how to achieve the most effective light reduction, which comes through layering and the use of a pelmet.

We briefly cover fire safety and curtains, always emphasising that a curtain should not be able to go near an open flame and even if you have special fire protected fabric, it does not mean they will not burn.  Remember loose fabric and fire don’t go.

To find out more information on Carolyn and The BirchHouse see her Instagram @The.BirchHouse or find her on Facebook under The Birch House.

For more information on this podcast and other episodes please visit www.EDDPodcast.com and follow us on Instagram @EDDPodcast and Twitter @eddpodcast

If you have enjoyed this episode please rate, review and subscribe as it helps other home owners design their happiness.

Photo credit to Lux holdups - their product can be purchased here

This week we talk to The Birch House curtain manufacturer and expert Carolyn Peyman about how to achieve the look you want with your curtains, poles, tracks and blinds.

Carolyn explains how poles are a great feature, whereas tracks are more discreet, That poles are for hand drawn curtains whereas poles can be hand drawn, corded or electric. And just to confuse things, you can get tracks that look like poles which means you could then have the option or corded or electric too.

We discuss how curtain heading range from the simplest headings on curtain tape such as cartridge pleat, to more complex tape headings such as cottage top and puff ball headings, then onto hand sewn headings such as single, double and triple hand pleated, goblet pleats, box pleats, inverted pleats, relaxed double pleats, smocked headings, drop-over frills, and then onto sleek and elegant wave heading. Phew, best to see the instagram page to get your head round those!

Pelmets can give a beautiful finished look to a window, framing the curtains or blind, adding elegance and height.  It is also a great way to prevent light seepage above the curtain, and also to cover an unsightly track.

To achieve a minimal look with your window dressings, Carolyn suggests roman blinds as they are often a perfect solution for a minimal look. Roller blinds can also provide a very sleek unobtrusive look. 

For real minimalism, think about panel blinds which are inspired by Japanese paper walls. And if you want minimal but with curtains she recommends to go for a wave heading or a single pleat on a track or narrow pole.

Carolyn goes through the benefits and challenges of curtains from all their different sources, online  / ready made through to the custom made offerings from the likes of John Lewis and onto the skills and details available from you local curtain manufacturer.

To find out more information on Carolyn and The BirchHouse see her Instagram @The.BirchHouse or find her on Facebook under The Birch House.

For more information on this podcast and other episodes please visit www.EDDPodcast.com and follow us on Instagram @EDDPodcast and Twitter @eddpodcast

If you have enjoyed this episode please rate, review and subscribe as it helps other home owners design their happiness.

Photo credit Fable and Willow

This week we talk to construction professional Siobhon Niles about the final stage of a project; The ‘Test It’ stage where you, your architect or your project manager will snag the work done by your contractor and sub contractors.

Siobhon has worked on building sites for over a decade but doesn’t hide the honest truth that if you don’t give the test it and snagging stage sufficient time, you are at a loss.

She talked about daylight being the most critical light there is. So you have to plan this in, if you need to wait until Saturday until you have the time to snag during the day, then make sure you plan this in.

Siobhon talks about acclimatisation, lots and lots of materials (we talked about vinyl flooring) needs time to settle in the environment it is going to be used.  If it is installed straight away there can be folds or creases in the installed product which you will identify during the snagging stage – so you can be creating a defect.

As mentioned by our expert Quantity Surveyor in the buy it stage podcast here, the programme is everything, so snagging is built in as the programme goes along and any acclimatisation is planned in too.  So snagging is not done ONLY right at the end, it’s part of the build process.  

‘The key is continuous snagging throughout the build, to each stage in the programme.’

Siobhon talks about how to use samples – having a physical example of what you are buying so you can test this against the finished installed product.  This helps take the emotion out of a snagging discussion as you can hold the sample up to the element which has been installed and it either matches or it doesn’t!

Siobhon also talks about the importance of having in place a performance specification (which would be covered in the design it stage where the specification is created) as you might think at the test it stage that an electrical or mechanical item isn’t right- you can go back to the spec to confirm what’s right and wrong. 

Communication with the builder / contractor is best in a list – with a photo.  Siobhon likes spreadsheets as it keeps all the comments in one place, a photo can be associated with the comment and (most importantly) the builder won’t get overwhelmed by 50 different messages over the course of multiple days.  Its far better to collate all comments and send them over for each area or product being snagged and then allow the time for those comments to be digested and responded to.  That time to capture items, send them and the time to respond should all be planned in the programme.

Siobhon recommends taking a steer from your contractor on any specific software or apps for snagging.  As there is a learning curve of how to use the software and your contractors time is best used on doing what they do best, your extension or refurb.  If you love a piece of particular software please ensure you include this requirement in your specification and design pack when you tender.  You can then find a contractor who will accept this from the start.

Finally Siobhon recognises how emotional this stage is, when you are tired and just want to move back in or simply get the builder out.  She recommends to take your time, not to rush and to remember that your contractor wants to do a good job and for you to be an ambassador for them.

For more information on this podcast and other episodes please visit www.EDDPodcast.com and follow us on Instagram @EDDPodcast and Twitter @eddpodcast

If you have enjoyed this episode please rate, review and subscribe as it helps other home owners design their happiness.

This week we talk to coving and moulding expert Stephen Biggs from Orac, one of the largest manufacturers and suppliers of architectural mouldings in the world.

Wall-scaping is the process of taking a plain plastered wall and ceiling and adding practical and decorative mouldings to add architectural interest, drama, lighting (of which we discuss in the podcast the how’s and the how not to’s) and elements as a way of hiding flaws and problems.  

We are used to thinking about architraves and skirtings because of their practical necessity, but what about other mouldings and coving? As your eye is drawn to the ceiling when we enter a property shouldn’t we be thinking about the ceiling first?

And if you think coving hasn’t moved on since our Victorian cousins installed it in their grand parlours - wow, the change has been in manufacture method, material, install method and use.  We can now achieve all of that wonderful architectural adornment, which add such value to period properties, without the environmental impact.

And for those of you who think that wall-scaping is only for imitating historic elements - please see the amazing imagery on Orac’s Instagram page or their website.  I think their contemporary ranges, designed with modern room dimension and ceiling heights in mind, are some of the most appealing and visually interesting additions a home owner can make to their contemporary property.  The Every Day Design resident architectural expert said she previously didn’t realise mouldings are for contemporary properties - after seeing the Orac range, she is now specifying this for her clients!

We make reference to LED supplier Orlight who can supply LED strip (with drivers of the right capacity for the length of light supplied) as well as channels and diffuser strips with Stephen and I talk about. There is a really good video on the use lighting used with mouldings on the Orac You Tube channel.

If you want to see how exciting it is to receive and start making the changes with coving, see @In theFrow video with Victoria and follow her home changes, including decorative architectural details @Frowhome

To find out more about Orac please see their website, their instagram page @Oracdecor_uk and their really useful You Tube channel.  If you would like to know more specifics and technical detail on their product please see this newly launched video here.

For more information on this podcast and other episodes please visit www.EDDPodcast.com and follow us on Instagram @EDDPodcast and Twitter @EDDPodcast  

If you have enjoyed this episode please rate, review and subscribe as it helps other home owners design their happiness.

With thanks for listening.  

Image credit to Orac

The 1st stage of a house renovation or extension project is so exciting.  Every possibility can be considered, mood boards (be it Pinterest or tagged photos on Instagram) can include images of anything from lofty hill top villas to cottages nestled amongst the foliage, it’s as much about the feeling the image gives you as it is a particular architectural or design detail.  It is this research and the process of finding your project’s style which then allows you to fully communicate your wants and needs to the construction professionals at the next stage.

But equally it can be an overwhelming time.  It’s easy to get lost and re-review your saved images and not see you or your family in them, or have so many that you love it feels impossible to make a decision.

So we talk to research aficionados Rosalind Sacks and Jessica Jonzen, co-founders of The Home Page, about how to access and consume images at the ‘research it’ stage and how to know which of these to filter to take to the ‘design it’ stage.

Ros and Jess set up The Home Page because they wanted emphasis of inspirational images to be on the personalities and lifestyles of the owners of the homes, not ‘just’ on making the houses look suited for an interior design coffee book.

During the podcast on research Ros and Jess make reference to some of the interiors they have showcased which have personally resonated with them, including the homes of Molly Mahon and Tom Raffield.  We chatted about the Scandi forrest home which is Ros’ dream property and the experimental home of Farrow and Ball colour expert.  We also talked about how home project can become a way to heal the lives of the couple who live in it, perfectly titled the serene and soulful farmhouse.

During the conversations we found a shared love of Linwood fabric, who deserve a praise for the best fabric sample packaging and recalled favourite Farrow and Ball paint colours we’ve used and loved.

Ros and Jess reminded us The Home Page also collaborate with designers and producers, helping bring their wares to the considered and passionate audience of The Home Page, more of which can be found here.

Signing up for The Home Page newsletter is a must, getting secret extras and information ahead of time.  Sign up for it here.

And if you aren’t already please follow The Home Page on Instagram and visit them at their site www.TheHomePage.co.uk

For more information on this podcast and other episodes please visit www.EDDPodcast.com and follow us on Instagram @EDDPodcast and Twitter @EDDPodcast  

If you have enjoyed this episode please rate, review and subscribe as it helps other home owners design their happiness.

With thanks for listening.  

Image credit to Sarah Hogan for Molly Mahon taken from an article on The Home Page site.