AtHomeWithSarahBeenyAutumn2016 - 222

UNDERPINNING VENTILATION (PASSIVE/ MECHANICAL) Hopefully you won't ever have to do this, but if you are unlucky enough to have subsidence, this is the ﬁx. Your insurance should cover the cost, although there will be a large excess. The Local Authority Building Control (LABC) website says: 'Where a building has been damaged by foundation movement and has required underpinning, there may be a need to carry out structural repairs or strengthening work. Such works should be designed and speciﬁed by a structural engineer or a specialist structural repair company.' Underpinning is also required for forming new cellars or basements. WOODWORK Bringing the natural look of wood into your home can give it a tactile, organic feel. Choose period skirting boards and traditional style cupboards for Victorian homes, while a stylish new staircase in a modern home will become a feature in itself. 'Staircases can be made bespoke and delivered to your door in a few weeks,' says timber staircase specialists Stairbox.com YIELDS: HOW TO NOT OVERSPEND ON YOUR PROPERTY X Even if you are renovating your home to turn it into your dream property, it's important to keep valuation in mind so that you don't overspend. Sure, you may be happy to blow the budget to give your home the wow factor, but be wary of spending thousands on things that won't add value or improve saleability down the line. You may really want a subterranean swimming pool, but will anyone else be willing to pay the premium for it? Choose wisely and spend proportionally - you can recoup 75%-100% of the cost of a stylish kitchen when it's time to sell, but putting a £30,000 kitchen in a £150,000 terraced home makes little sense. 222 | OCTOBER 2016 This is another stipulation of building regulations - all homes must be adequately ventilated. As building methods and insulation have improved over the decades, properties have become more airtight and less well ventilated, so the need for incorporating ventilation has become greater. This can be achieved through exhaust vents in bathrooms and kitchens, and trickle vents in windows and doors. New homes often have mechanical heat and recovery ventilation (MHRV) units installed. These extract air from the outside then ﬁlter it into the home, removing humidity and providing a constant source of fresh air. As well as offering climate control, they are energy efﬁcient. XENIAL From the ancient Greek, this refers to the hospitality shown by hosts to guests. The approach to your home is one of the most important things to consider when making your property more welcoming to visitors. After all, that's what people will see ﬁrst. Encourage people into your home with a clearly deﬁned route to the front door - a path or stepping stones work well. A stylish welcome mat, lighting and ﬂowers also help to make people feel welcome. 'You can put a person in a positive frame of mind before they've stepped through the door,' says Sarah Beeny. Z ZZZZs - WHY SMALL, DARKER BEDROOMS ARE MORE COSY Top interior designers agree that while living spaces beneﬁt from openness and light, our bedrooms are an entirely different story. You don't need a lot of space, just room for a bed and your clothes. Choose the biggest bed your space can accommodate - ideally you should be able to walk around all sides. A king size is the minimum you'll need if there are two of you. When it comes to decorating, choose darker colours, and buy thick curtains or black out blinds. Use plenty of soft, rich textures on the bed to create a cosy, restful space. http://www.Stairbox.com

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