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If you are considering extending your home, you need some Inspiration. The apparent need for Space has already occurred to you; however, this is the most basic requirement. We need more than pure function in our lives. We need Soul. Clients always come to us stating the most pressing requirement for more Space. It could be a larger Kitchen with a Utility room or an extra bedroom with an ensuite. It could be reconfiguring the space to make it flow better. The most common consideration for the appearance of the building work is that it should be as straightforward as possible and comply with the local planning rules.
The appearance of any built work or space is invariably assumed to match the current context or appearance. However, most clients’ first assumption curtails their opportunities during the design process. This thinking comes from an inherited culture of compliance, passivity, and subservience, damaging our sense of self and identity. Why don’t we build to reflect our identity?
Character and Atmosphere are evident throughout the fashion and automotive industry and the breeding of our pets. So why are our clothes, cars, and pets more important than our homes?[1]. The process of design forces us to think about our own identity and how we manifest this in our surroundings. The most beautiful homes embrace the ‘identity seeking’ approach, and town planners purport to be open to it.
We have compiled a list of four places to find inspiration for your building project.
1. The first and foremost place for inspiration is in our Homes and everyday lives. However, this typically leads us to the most obvious need for Space.
[1] There is a fear of drawing attention to ourselves, going against the grain, not gaining Planning permission, and increasing the cost. It is interesting to consider where this Fear originates and how we can overcome it. I will explore this in a future blog. Like design, Writing can be exploratory.
2. Your local neighbourhood. Are there any similar houses in your area that have already done something similar to what you want to do? It is always essential to record what inspires you or catches your attention. Take a photograph, make a quick sketch, or make a note of the address. You can then refer to this in conversations with your designer.
3. Further, in other boroughs or places you have visited, sometimes we find something that resonates with us, and this is what matters. Taking photographs and trying to understand what causes this Thing to resonate with us is invaluable work. Inspiration can come from anywhere, but more often than not, it comes from a similar project to the one you are considering or even something grander, such as a more significant development, a detached house, or a mixed-use development. You may have even seen a project and thought, ‘That is Not how I would do it.’ Inspiration could come at any time, while at work, shopping, or on a walk. Shopfronts can be inspiring, particularly along streets such as Bond Street, where the top-label shops engage with outstanding designers to reflect the brand’s ethos in interior design. Creating an Atmosphere in our spaces is essential to making a beautiful home. Places to look for Atmosphere and Inspiration include other Buildings and spaces, books, conversations, and TV/ Film.
The point we are making is to record things, as this will help you remember them. Our lives are fast-paced and full of distractions, and it is increasingly difficult to remember things and pay attention to things, as there is always something vying for our attention to make us forget. Our first-hand experiences are essential compared to pictures in a magazine or online, which is our final recommendation for seeking inspiration.
4. There are numerous websites to visit to seek inspiration for your home improvement project, such as our gallery page showing previously completed projects. Websites such as Houzz, Pinterest, Homes & Gardens, Apartment Therapy, etc., as well as magazines and books, offer more inspiration. Get in touch, and we can point you in the right direction.
Top-quality design takes time and careful attention to detail to create something that will resonate with you. The best designers dedicate their lives to learning and mastering it.
As your Architect we spend the initial stages of the project looking and listening. We prepare sketches and scale models and visualise the options before presenting them to you to consider.
Next time, we describe the next step in realizing your dream project.
