project news

Dark Grey LED energy-saving rope solar pendant light with on/off switch. Hang from a parasol or tree, £85, Ella James

THE PROJECT Report

STYLE WINNER

Glow on

Enjoy the sun even after it’s gone down by using it to fuel your evening lights. Solar powered lights can create a pretty glow where you want it – without the need for extension cables – and transform your night garden.

THE LATES T ID EAS, TRENDS AND ESSENTIAL BUYS FOR YOUR HOME IMPROVEMENT PROJECT

Highlight beautiful blooms with an LED solar planter light, £14.99, Dobbies

COLOUR ME HAPPY

Wall Air Force Blue 260 masonry paint, £69.50 for 5ltrs; table in Mister David 47 Traditional oil gloss, £34 for 1ltr, Little Greene

Stay on the right path with three frosted solar stake lights, £30, Cox & Cox Paint in the garden can make the foliage pop, add a burst of brightness if you lack a way with flowers, or turn a dull corner into an outside party space. Little Greene has a rich palette of colours you can use on wood, brick, metal or render. Formulated with the same technical expertise used to make paints for lighthouses, boats and bridges, it’s durable enough to withstand any weather. The choice ranges from the environmentally friendly Intelligent exterior eggshell to natural Limewash for a traditional finish. Prices start from £32 for 1ltr of Intelligent gloss

Billy Oh Dorset, from £1,825, Garden Buildings Direct take it outside The success of working from home measures means this temporary solution is becoming a permanent one for many. But while we might relish the end of commuting, having a way to separate work and home life is important. If there’s no room indoors to carve out an office, it’s time to go outside. Billy Oh garden offices start from less than £1,600 for 3.5x2.5m – ample room for a desk, chair and storage. Optional cladding thicknesses and double-glazing means they can be made cosy enough to use all year.

Formentera, 15x15cm Azur & Brighton Stone, £180 per m 2 or £7.20 per tile

ENERGY SAVING

LIGHT IT UP Capture a vintage look while embracing the modern enthusiasm for saving energy. An updated version of the classic squirrel cage filament lamp, this big, bold bulb, from British lighting manufacturers Original BTC, is an LED that provides a warm light (2200k) similar to the original incandescent version, while using less than 10 per cent of the power. Use it to bring light to an industrial scheme or to add a period twist. The Davey Lighting LED squirrel cage lamp costs £19.

INTO THE BLUE

Travel broadens the mind and the decorating palette. With our freedom to fly to foreign places curtailed at the moment, now is the perfect time to create that relaxed holiday vibe at home with some beautiful new tiling. Bert & May’s Artisanal collection draws on Mediterranean skies, turquoise waters and local Spanish flora. Crafted in Andalucia, the collection includes three new designs in a Spanish-inspired colour scheme, with patterns reminiscent of reclaimed pieces and graphic motifs, for a bright splash indoors or out.

Whether you’re after ideas for your new addition, costing help or inspiration for those finishing touches, you’ll find it all in our dedicated online hub – visit realhomes.com/extensions for more } } Best foot forward Verona steps into the future with a flooring that offers the warmth of natural wood with the versatility of luxury vinyl tile. ClickLux is made from a rigid stone polymer composite (SPC) with ultra realistic wood-effect designs on it, ranging from silver birch to rich walnut. Antibacterial and dust free, it can be clicked together without adhesive, grout or special cutting equipment, and costs £30 per square metre.

Garden link is très chic

Matt Higgs, director/co-owner of Kloeber UK (kloeber.co.uk), looks at French doors enduring appeal

How did the doors come to be known as French?

They were invented in the 16th century during the Renaissance period. France was a major power in the glass industry and began manufacturing large panes of clear glass, so floor-to-ceiling glazed doors became a possibility. This style of symmetrical double door became extremely popular and was a key feature in French architecture of the time. Known as ‘French doors’ they became a much sought-after trend in other countries. Five centuries later, they remain a popular choice in both period and contemporary houses.

Why French doors rather than sliding or bi-fold?

The advantage of a French-style doors over others is versatility. Unlike sliding and folding doors, French doors will let the light in with full panes of glass to the floor, but can open up fully, either side or both together, and don’t have to be stacked to one side, sticking out into the garden or the house. Depending on the build detail and hinge type, it’s possible to fold a French door back to the wall.

What materials are used for French doors?

They are available in timber, for a solid and warm feel; aluminium, for a sleek, low-maintenance finish, or alu-clad, with timber on the inside and an aluminium exterior, making it easy to match colours and materials to the style of your home. If you are working to a budget, there are also French doors available made from plastic.

Are there different sizes you can choose?

Most manufacturers will go up to a 1200mm wide panel at a standard 2100mm height. If you opt for made-to-measure, you can create taller doors for a really impactful feature. Pair two doors together or include as part of the glazing running the width of the room.

A DV E RTOR I A L

TR ADITIONAL STYLE WITH A MODERN TWIST

IDSystems slim-framed glazing offers classic good looks with the benefits of contemporary materials.

For those wanting to add openings to create that iconic neocharacter to a new extension industrial look of a complete glass wall. or looking to replace traditional The doors can be used inside with clear Crittall steel windows and doors as or satinated glass as well as outside. part of a renovation, one of the fastest Typically manufactured in black or growing trends in home design and dark grey, the style is popular for urban glazing specification has been to use extension and renovation projects. slender-framed aluminium doors as an alternative for their project. Heritage bi-fold doors With the ability to create the These steel-look bi-fold doors with classic Art Deco look of narrow frames narrow mid-rails provide unrivalled and slim mid-rails, aluminium doors performance and functionality. can combine traditional appearance They can slide to one end for a with the latest in modern thermal, completely unobstructed opening, weather and security performance. offering eye-catching design when IDSystems has been producing closed and seamlessly linking innovative glazing for 20 years, and indoors and out when opened. its aluminium Heritage Doors offer the perfect mix of style and function. Heritage sliding doors Designed utilising IDSystems’ Heritage French doors award-winning aluminium sliding Available as single doors or French door technology, these are ideally doors these can be paired with sidelight suited for larger openings with the and overlight windows for larger ability to create individual panels up to 2m wide and overall systems up to a staggering 16m across. The flushfloor detail breaks down the boundaries between inside and out, for sliding doors with a real wow-factor.

Heritage internal doors

Perfect for dividing up open-plan living spaces, the Heritage internal sliding glass partitions provide a striking alternative to traditional doors. The track can easily be recessed into the floor while panels can slide into a pocket in the wall. The Heritage internal doors can be retrofitted into homes or incorporated into the design of a renovation from the start.

Having a complete range of systems means IDSystems can recommend the most appropriate design and configuration for your home. It supplies and installs glazing across the UK, and its expert project advisors have continued to work hard to support customers remotely. For more information about the Heritage range, visit idsystems.co.uk/ heritage-doors. For quotes call 01603 408804 or email info@idsystems.co.uk