EDITOR’S LETTER

While taking on a self-build, renovation or extension project is all about creating an individual home, the location will still shape your plans. This is true of everything from your home’s façade – a new build or extension that takes its cue from the local vernacular being more likely to prove favourable with the planners – to the materials you choose, and views you wish to frame.

This month, we turn our attention to designing a home in the countryside, and how to make a building project in this locality a success. As a ‘rural renovator’, a large utility or boot room is high on my wishlist as I plan my next project. Following a string of ill-timed walks during the summer downpours, a decent space for wet boots, dripping coats, and to act as a ‘buffer’ between outdoors and in – namely preventing George, pictured left, from leaving a muddy path of destruction in the open-plan kitchendiner (again!) – has become a must-have. Our country home design guide, on page 63, is all about creating those essential spaces and features that help make day-to-day life run that little bit smoother.

This issue we’ve also focused on the all-important ‘eyes’ to the building: the windows. Architect Allan Corfield explains how to bring the outside in by introducing corner glazing — without blowing your budget (page 75). Conversely, Mark Brinkley reflects on one of the biggest splurges of his selfbuild project – a huge rooflight – and whether it was worth the investment (page 79). Finally,tim Pullen explains the role glazing plays in creating an energyefficient home over on page 131. Enjoy.