Home Construction

In late 2020, in the depths of Victoria's lockdown, I was living with my parents in my childhood farmhouse in Gippsland, Victoria. I yearned for independence and a minimalist lifestyle, so rather than saving up for a house deposit and committing to one place, a mortgage, and rising interest rates, I wanted to keep my options open.  Early career journalists are often expected to move for work and, after living in eight different places in my early 20s, I was getting sick of rentals, packing boxes and moving house. So with the help of my dad I decided to build my own tiny house on a trailer that I could take with me wherever I go.  I spent about six months researching, planning and designing the project. I read internet forums and watched hundreds of YouTube videos — from design inspiration to the minutiae of technical tips. By mid-2021, I felt I was armed with enough information to gui...

Imagine ''right-sizing'' to single level living without having to compromise on any of the features you currently love such as space, storage, and privacy. Comprised of over 3,000 Sq. Ft., this beautifully designed home is sure to impress with its modern roof lines, dramatic floor to ceiling windows, multiple outdoor lounging patios, and luxury features you come to expect in this neighborhood. The handsome exterior mixture of horizontal wood, black steel, glass and stone enhanced by recessed lighting, set this home apart from others and invite you to relax, stay awhile, and take in the surrounding views of nature that drove you here in the first place. The floor plan features an owner's suite set apart from the rest of the home in a separate wing, with access to a private patio, generous walk-in closet, spa-like bath with dual vanities, free-standing soaker tub and high-end shower. In the main hub of the home enjoy a generous living room accented by soaring ceilings...

For years, Haitham al-Madini's house was like all the others on his block: a beige, nearly windowless facade sealed off from the outside world -- as Saudi Arabia itself largely was. But two years ago, confined during a pandemic lockdown, Madini decided to open things up, adding a street-facing patio, redoing the exterior walls in limestone and installing soft lighting in the entryway. Local architects and engineers say such features have become a hallmark of renovation and newly-built projects across the capital Riyadh as Saudis, spurred in part by revised building codes, embrace homes and businesses that are inviting rather than imposing. The result is a kind of visual marker of the more welcoming narrative Saudi officials are pushing for the traditionally ultra-conservative kingdom. In recent years "there have been manifestations of an architectural openness", said Abdullah al-Jasser, owner of the AF Group design firm that worked on Madini's house. "People have...

Fifty years ago the first episode of 'The Brady Bunch' premiered Sept. 26 on ABC. To celebrate that milestone, HGTV will give its viewers a look at the renovated 'Brady Bunch' house in the final episode of 'A Very Brady Renovation' on Sept. 30. Here's how the house looks and other interesting facts. Here's the story… The original house, located at 11222 Dilling St. in Studio City, was built in 1959. It was one story, had three beds, three baths and was 2,477 square feet. The house was chosen to represent the Brady's house because of its proximity to the studios and because it represented the iconic American home. It is reportedly the second- most photographed home in the U.S. after the White House. Click on the buttons in the interactive graphic below to learn about more about the details of the house. … Then two HGTV bought the house for $3.5 million in 2018 and added a second story and more than 2,000 square feet to make it look as c...

Check out these late deals from Sykes Holiday Cottages including properties in Cumbria, North Yorkshire and Cornwall. Macaw Cottages – Kirkby Stephen, Cumbria These inviting, stone-built cottages rest in the heart of the ever-popular town of Kirkby Stephen in Cumbria. Together providing welcoming accommodation for four people, they are a perfect choice for couples looking to explore both the Lake District and the Yorkshire Dales National Park. Set in a reverse level layout, the upstairs of these cottages are entirely comprised of an open-plan living area, hosting all the amenities needed for a week-long stay; find each kitchen equipped with an electric oven and hob, microwave, fridge/freezer and a dishwasher, while the sitting area features a Smart TV and plush seating. The ground-floor plays host to the bedrooms and bathrooms, offering a superb level of quality. Outside guests have the benefit of an enclosed patio area where they can sit out with a favourite ...

Which? research shows you'll be over £100 better off if you've left booking your cottage holiday in England to the last minute. It's 11% cheaper on average to book a week's getaway in August now than it was to book three months ago.  So if flight cancellations, airport queues and lost luggage are putting you off going abroad this summer, it might be worth snapping up a last minute value-for-money break closer to home. We've been tracking the prices and availability of one, two and three-bed holiday cottages in England listed on Cottages.com, Holidaycottages.co.uk and Sykes - the three biggest providers - for a one-week peak-season stay, since April.   Unlike last year, when there were reports of UK accommodation running out, we have found there's still plenty of cottage availability for summer 2022 . We also found overall price reductions in some of the most popular parts of the country. Some of the biggest price drops are in the Lake District ...

Summertime is the best time for camping! There is nothing like roughing it and enjoying nature to the finest. That is if you're into that kind of thing. Perhaps you enjoy getting out and seeing nature, but you still need to have a comfy bed and some air conditioning. Maybe you love losing yourself in the woods, but would hate to be too far from a bathroom. One thing that bridges the gap between totally roughing it and having a comfortable experience in nature is renting cabins. Renting a cabin for a weekend can be a great restorative stay in nature while having some of the amenities of home. Whether it is for a nice vacation, or you need a place to escape to while working on some kind of creative project and wish not to be bothered, these Hudson Valley cabin rental services should be able to care for your needs! Getaway Eastern Catskill Cabins Google Rating: 4.5 Stars At Getaway, they believe in making more space for more free time. Their tiny cabins offer: Queen beds or queen bunk...