Planning Permission Tips UK - Is Todays Popular Quest For Contemporary Design The New Bad Taste

Can you remember when people used to install slatted louvre windows as replacement units in their Victorian semis or the stone cladding revolution of the 1980's.

We look back & 'tut tut' at these blunders with a comfortable glow of self satisfaction that we would never make such obvious design & development errors in our own projects - we have a far greater sense of good taste haven't we?

Trends in the residential development world seem to go in huge swings of about 7 to 10 year cycles and it is often not until the end of one cycle we realise what the mistakes were which is usually triggered by the complete abandonment of the previous trend or methodology for another system.

We surge from brass to chrome light fittings, UPVC to aluminium & then back to real wood again for the windows. Carpets to laminates back to real wood block flooring back to laminates again when the real stuff shrinks, warps or splits.

The same is happening in the overall design & refurbishment of whole homes inside & out. We used to be conservation mad but now its total revamp of properties to something akin that we used to aspire to in the 70's with simple glazed panels, uncomplicated detail and simple finishes.

The quest for the elusive & theoretically unique contemporary look for the monied home owner is now the new bandwagon for most property owners & developers trying to be that little bit different & wanting to make a statement about their lifestyles.

Teenagers tend do the same thing but they have piercings or a tattoos instead & it is only the more experienced in years amongst us that realise they are acting more like sheep rather than the individualists they are so desperate to attain.

Trying to define contemporary design is actually very hard and even harder to achieve. One definition that I like is a look that is clean, minimalist & unable to define as a year in which it was constructed - in other words free of all obvious identifiers & trends that would define its era. A design that would still retain its 'contemporary' badge in 40 years time - this is why I think obtaining a true contemporary design is so hard. The Oxford English dictionary defines contemporary as something belonging to the same age which I think is not too dissimilar from my definition of having a timeless feel.

So, am I against this new 'heard' mentality of trying to achieve a contemporary design or lifestyle for a dwelling house? Absolutely not! BUT there are qualifications. Firstly, nearly all aspects of contemporary design & lifestyle is attainable through internal design & alteration only. Those wishing to stamp their lifestyle choices to the wider majority through the external envelope of a dwelling should only consider this through either new build or carefully selected conversion projects (eg a 1950's pumping station for example).

Regretfully, there is a 'bandwagon' mentality out their at present that is also set on externally converting superb period properties in sensitive areas into simplistic, boring & bland looking so called 'contemporary' properties that have been stripped of their unique softness, character & warmth that is totally out of place within their unique setting - all for the sake of of gratifying the 'monied' ego's of people pursuing the latest design trend in urban living.

Some of the design treatments these ill-informed people are completing to their newly acquired homes consist of:-

1. Rendering over all the previous beautiful clay facing bricks.

2. Removing 18th century plain clay tile hanging for the dreaded 'smooth render' look.

3. Adjusting window & door openings to inappropriate scale apertures with out of place joinery.

4. Adding galvanized steel or stainless steel features for canopies or porches that jar with the very character of the buildings heritage & stature.

The list goes on even to the point of them rendering over beautiful feature brick dental coursings or projections that form an intrinsic part of the local character all to attain that elusive 'contemporary' rendered characterless design icon of so called modern living that the occupiers wish to stamp upon the world to satisfy their own egos.

The damage they are creating to some of the most beautiful parts of the UK heritage housing is criminal in my view & they should be brought to book. Regretfully, the type of people who are doing these odious external 'contemporary' conversions are the usual 'IT' brigade with the usual 'more money than sense' attitude & the 'see it - want it now' mentality - all because they can!

So the conclusion to my little rant on what is going on to some of our more important suburbs is this:

1. If you are seeking a 'contemporary' style of living & dwelling, DO NOT materially alter the external envelope of an existing dwelling - Most contemporary design living is achievable through internal alterations ONLY.

2. If you are insistent on pleasing your greater ego & require a design statement for the whole external world to see then PLEASE only do this though new build projects where the contemporary design is not compromised by an existing period property & you are not 'murdering' a previously beautiful building that added value to the local character & to the residents.

Two very simple rules that will ensure that your latest residential development WILL NOT become a bad taste mistake in 2015 - You have been warned!

Our 'Maximum Build Planning Guide' explains further the issues involved when extending or developing a property for planning permission.

http://www.planning-approval.co.uk

---

Concrete Cutting - Adding a Pre-Cast Concrete Stairway Bulkhead to Your Home

Installing a pre-cast concrete stairway to your home's basement is actually quite an easy project for the advanced do-it-yourselfer or anyone that can coordinate a couple of... Read More

Georgian And Victorian Style Conservatories

Georgian Conservatories Georgian architecture was the style of the 18th century, especially from the reign of King George I who ascended the throne in 1711, into the... Read More

Use the FHA Mortgage Specifically Created for Home Improvement

Almost everyone knows about FHA mortgages. They are tailor-made for first time homebuyers and others with less than perfect credit or other financial issues. You don't have... Read More

Popular Trends in Home Technology

As a former home automation installer and a former manufactures rep, I have observed many trends. The following items are certainly the hotest trends this year in... Read More

Modern Rugs Add Color, Texture, Interest and Space Definition To Your Room

Modern Design is sleek, stark, and spacious with angular and geometric lines. As the look for contemporary design is escalating so is the demand for modern home... Read More

What is Design Psychology and How Will it Help Me?

In this article, we'll be taking a look at the most basic aspects of Design Psychology, first asking a question, and then addressing the various concepts, in... Read More

Professional Asphalt Paving Contractors In California

Choosing an asphalt paving contractor can be a major event if you don't take cautionary measures to ensure proper work to be conducted. First, you must review... Read More

Interior Design For Children

Interior design for children is one of the most fun, delightful aspects of the business if you ask me. It is so fun because children are limitless... Read More

How to Collect Physical Mold Growth Samples for Low-Cost Mold Laboratory Identification of Mold Spec

How to Collect Physical Mold Growth Samples for Low-Cost Mold Laboratory Identification of Mold SpeciesVANCOUVER, CANADA. Many property owners, apartment landlords, renters, employers, and employees want to... Read More

At Last You Can Customize Your Pegboard As Much As You Want

Customizable metal pegboard is set to revolutionise utensil storage. For forty years the limitations of fibreboard has narrowed our imagination in utensil storage.Is your utility room, garage... Read More

Choosing the Right House Plan

Now that you have made that bold decision to build a home of your dream, it absolutely important to get the best home you can imagine. For... Read More

Metal Carports: Steel Carport Guide

Buying a carport to protect your investment can be a very frustrating task. With hundreds of manufacturers claiming to have the best product, how do you know... Read More

Save Money On Home Improvement Projects

Many of us avoid home improvement projects due to their expense. Granted if you are contemplating a "second-story" addition to your home, or the construction of a... Read More

Strongly Scented Candles: Use your mouth, nose and eyes to tell

Triple scented, heavily scented, strongly scented - these are all phrases candle manufacturers are using to tout their claim that their candles have more "smell" for your... Read More

Measure Your Window for Verticals and Horizontal blinds, Wood blinds, Faux Wood Plantation Shutters

Here are five important things to remember.1. Use a steel measuring tape2. Measure to the nearest eighth of an inch - don't round your measurments.3. On your... Read More

Pre-Fabricated Steel Buildings

More and more construction is being done with steel in recent years, as more people learn about the many benefits of using steel vs. other construction materials.... Read More

Planning Permission Tips UK - Free Design Advice In The UK - How And Where To Get It

Isn't it funny how people shelve projects for the new year - perhaps the new year feels like a fresh canvas or something - I don't know.... Read More

Home Sweet Home

All of us live in houses but how many of us know how to make it a real 'HOME'.You may have a very small house with a... Read More

Used But Not Used Up

Some DIY Maintence will put Used tools back in Main Stream Operation:Professional grade tools are made to withstand long hours of use and abuse. Many home shops... Read More

Ladder Décor ? the Possibilities Are Endless

With a little bit of creativity and some imagination you can take something as simple as a plain wooden ladder and transform it into a beautiful piece... Read More

Transform Your Home with Decorative Country Lighting

As we become more of a home-based society, many more of us are pouring money into our houses with DIY renovations.Do it yourself home improvement projects are... Read More

Laminate Flooring Basics

Laminate flooring resembles the look of hardwoods but offers easier installation and stronger durability. You can use laminate flooring in any room in the house, including hallways,... Read More

Save Money with a Solar Pool Heater & Cover

Heat your pool with a Solar Pool Heater and save the heat with a Solar Pool Cover. Solar pool heating systems are very simple in terms of... Read More

The Art of Power Washing Decks

Since the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) started banning the use of pressure treated wood due to chromated copper arsenate (CCA), most people have decided to seal their... Read More

Area Rug Buyers Guide

When you begin decorating your home there are some important factors to consider. Your floors will usually be the foundation for your design. An authentic hand made... Read More

Maintaining Your Hot Tub

Purchasing a hot tub is a big investment and one that should not be taken lightly. Hot tubs cost thousands of dollars and if not maintained properly... Read More