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Luxury Living: How to build your dream home

Building your dream home

Fancy building your dream home? While you may already have a vision for what you want your dream home to look like, bringing it to life could be easier said than done. In this post, we’ll walk you through how to build your dream home, inspiring you to think big and point out the considerations you must address in this creative journey. Let’s jump right in!

 

smart techonology

Plan your vision

You may have already had that lightbulb moment and know exactly what you want. If you haven’t, consider the type of lifestyle you want to adopt and try to transform that into tangible ideas for your living space. Think about various features like smart technology that could affect the final design, from family needs to personal tastes. How much parking do you need? Do you need 3 bathrooms, a gym or a cinema room? Let your dreams do the talking, and make sure you write down all your notes when conceptualising the perfect home! Did you know if you have agricultural barns on your land they may comer under class Q permitted development rights which means you can turn an agricultural barn into a residential home!

 

smart architectural plans

Finding a suitable plot

Now that you have a vision of what you want your dream home to look like, the next step is figuring out where you will put it. Finding the right plot of land is critical, so ensure you look out for locations that suit your lifestyle. Are you a countryside person? Maybe you have always dreamed of having breathe taking sea views or perhaps you like the buzz and busyness of the city better? How big does the plot of land need to be? These are all questions that should be swimming around your head right now! If you’re finding it tricky to find a spot that aligns with your dream vision, have a conversation with local estate agents to see how they can help. You’ll need to decide on buying a plot with approved planning permission in place or be willing to submit your own plans for approval, a plot of land with planning permission granted already is of course the more expensive option.

 

smart speaker

Turn your vision into reality

After finding the perfect plot of land, if the land has no granted building permissions already (some permissions fall under the 10-year rule find out more here) you must get in touch with a reputable architect to share your ideas. To build your dream home you’ll need architects with years of experience and expertise in the field who can often provide innovative solutions and optimise your space, ensuring that your new home is both practical and pleasing. Allow them to take care of the complexities of the design so you don’t have to.

 

house building plans

Planning approval and contractors

Once you have final designs in place you must secure planning permission to go ahead with the build. Your architect can help you navigate the local building regulations in your chosen area and submit all the necessary plans. Following this approval, you need to select a reliable building contractor to help build your dream home and bring your vision to life. Seek out a contractor with a proven track record in building luxury homes, and discuss your budget, project needs and deadlines in detail at this stage to avoid any issues at a later date. It’s extremely important to have a solid construction contract at this stage as changing the design during the building process will prove a costly mistake and affect the schedule.

 

smart thermostat controlling temperature

Partner with an interior designer

So, you’ve built your dream home! So, what next? Although your home has been built, the interiors will need a little bit of TLC. You could collaborate with an interior designer to choose finishes, décor, and furnishings that improve the aesthetic appeal of your home. You can trust a professional designer to create harmonious spaces to elevate your living experience. Your dream home deserves that wow factor in every room, especially the bathrooms, remember a properly planned luxury bathroom will be enjoyed daily plus it will be a huge selling point, seeking advice from an experienced bathroom designer can take your new home to the next level. Take their advice on board, but always feel free to share your own opinions and ideas!

how to build your dream home

Concluding on how to build your dream Home

So, that’s a wrap! Your project concludes with thorough inspections, followed by the submission of all completion documents to local authorities for approval. While building a luxury dream home isn’t often as straightforward as we’d like, the process can be incredibly rewarding and in a lot of cases is a once in a lifetime opportunity. With precise planning and professional partnerships, you can breathe life into something which was once just a dream. If you have any questions about building your dream home or are looking for experienced architects in Cornwall reach out to us to start your journey!

smart locks controlled by mobile app

2025-01-24T16:06:15+00:00June 24th, 2024|Categories: General|

Integrating smart technology into your new space

What is smart technology?

In today’s digital era, smart technology is seamlessly integrating into our homes and workplaces, offering a new level of convenience, efficiency, and safety. Smart technology covers a wide range of systems from voice-controlled lighting to adaptive thermostats, these innovative systems enhance our daily lives with remote management via WIFI. In this blog, we explore the benefits of incorporating smart technology into your new space.

smart techonology

Architecture

From an architectural perspective, “smart” architecture offers intelligent design solutions that optimise space usage, enhance aesthetic appeal, and improve functionality. Whether it’s a meticulously planned ventilation system promoting natural airflow or windows designed to harness optimal sunlight, every detail is purposefully crafted. From using the most eco-friendly building materials to incorporating greener technologies like solar panels and rainwater harvesting systems, smart architecture perfectly balances innovation and environmental responsibility.

smart architectural plans

Speakers

Smart speakers enhance entertainment by streaming music, audiobooks, and podcasts using devices equipped with AI virtual assistants like Alexa, Google Assistant, and Siri. They can perform various tasks through voice commands, such as providing weather updates, setting reminders, controlling other smart home devices, and answering any questions you may have. These smart speakers can be connected to audio systems and even speakers fitted to ceilings. With the option for multi-room audio, you can provide high-quality sound throughout any space. This hands-free operation allows users to multitask efficiently.

smart speaker

Lighting

Smart lighting systems offer remote control and programmable adjustments to lighting systems, enhancing energy efficiency and convenience. Benefits include reduced energy consumption, improved productivity, customisable settings, and safety with automatic activation. Integration with other smart systems is possible, like thermostats and security systems. Before installation in offices, consider factors such as convenience, energy efficiency, and compatibility with existing infrastructure.

Man holding tablet with lighting control application

Thermostats

A smart thermostat is a digital device that controls your home’s air conditioning and heating through WiFi. While it performs all the functions of a traditional thermostat, it also allows you to check and control the temperature remotely through an app on your phone. Many smart thermostats use machine learning to optimise your home’s energy usage based on your habits and preferences. The main benefits of using smart thermostats are energy savings, access from anywhere in or out of the home using the app, alerts if there are sudden changes in temperature or power cuts, and they even remind you to change the air filters.

smart thermostat controlling temperature

Smart meter

A smart meter is a digital device that records real-time electricity usage and costs, it automatically sends this data to your utility provider, ensuring accurate and timely billing. It eliminates the need for manual readings and provides detailed insights into your energy consumption, helping you identify ways to reduce usage and save money. With remote monitoring capabilities, smart meters offer convenience and control, allowing you to track your energy use through the meter itself, online portals or mobile apps. To get a smart meter you’ll need to contact your energy supplier.

smart meter

Security systems

A smart security system is a network of devices aimed at boosting security measures via remote monitoring. Common features include surveillance cameras, motion sensors, door/window sensors, and smart locks, all managed through a central hub or smartphone app. These systems can also lower home insurance! Users can receive real-time alerts about their property from anywhere worldwide with an internet connection. Integrating with other smart devices like lights and thermostats enables comprehensive home automation. Smart security systems provide peace of mind, convenience, and safeguard against potential threats.

smart locks controlled by mobile app

Before choosing any smart technology, you need to define the goals and needs of your project. What are the main functions and features of the building? Who are the users, and what are their preferences and expectations? How can smart technology add value and improve the user experience? These questions will help you identify the problems and opportunities that smart technology can address.

2024-05-31T14:20:14+00:00May 25th, 2024|Categories: General|

Merry Christmas from Lilly Lewarne Architects

Lilly Lewarne Architects will be closed from Thursday 23rd December 2021 until Tuesday 4th January 2021 for the Christmas break.

All at Lilly Lewarne Architects would like to thank everyone for the continued support over the last two years during challenging times. We wish you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

2021-12-23T10:05:48+00:00December 23rd, 2021|Categories: General|

Announcement: We have moved offices!

Lilly Lewarne Architects have now moved offices! We are unpacking and settling in, so there may still be some very slight disruption to our normal working response times, but please bear with us as we will be back to our normal working routine very soon! Everyone at LLA thanks you for your patience throughout the course of this move you can now find us at No. 1 Victoria Wharf, Malpas Road, Truro, TR1 1QH.

2021-02-19T12:05:39+00:00February 19th, 2021|Categories: General|

Announcement: We’re currently moving offices!

 

Lilly Lewarne Architects are currently moving offices! Unfortunately, we will be experiencing some technical issues whilst we get everything sorted, and as a result, there may be some delay to our normal response times. If you have any urgent enquiries, please contact us on 01872261000 or email [email protected], and a member of the team will respond to you as soon as possible, we apologise for any inconvenience that this may cause.

2021-07-16T09:59:38+00:00February 2nd, 2021|Categories: General|

Progress On Site At The Headland Hotel In Newquay

We have been working hard over the last few months to finalise plans for a new state-of-the-art leisure complex at The Headland Hotel and Spa in Newquay, Cornwall and the substructure construction works are really advancing on site.

The new building will be built on the old tennis courts and will encompass a new swimming pool, relaxation area, and external terrace that can be enjoyed all year round, open to guests and locals alike.

2018-04-25T13:21:35+00:00April 25th, 2018|Categories: General|