Flexible Accommodation makes a Home for Life

Open any estate agents webpage and the words “flexible accommodation” will be in almost every entry for the family homes on offer. But what does this phrase mean exactly and why is it so important when choosing a family home?

The 21st century family home looks very different to the standard nuclear family set-up of post-war Britain. A number of factors have influenced this change. In 2016, larger numbers of young people are living at home for longer before moving out due to rising house prices and a higher cost of living.

More parents now work from home, with better broadband and mobile phone cover plus flexible working hours less of a dream and more of a reality. Grandparents living in the family home have returned to the mix, as carers for young children where both parents are working flat-out to cover high mortgages, or as regular sleep-over visitors when required to help out.

In this context, a family property needs to evolve to the changing needs of the multi-generations it supports, providing a flexible living space that can switch and adapt over time. This presents house builders with an exciting challenge to rise to this need, using space innovatively and incorporating progressive design ideas to produce high quality new build family homes for life.

With this in mind, buying a new build home for a growing family can be a daunting task. Here are the most important factors to consider:

• Lay-out – a new build must offer flexible living space that can be adapted as the children grow from babies through the primary school years, into teenagers and young adults. Additional guest bedrooms for when the grandparents or other relatives and friends come to stay may also be a consideration, with the flexibility for rooms to be transformed into office space for those working from home or music /study rooms when needed.
• A central family space – the open plan kitchen / dining room is a feature of all new build family homes nowadays, a space to eat together, supervise homework and revision, catch up over tea and cake, entertain, or wind down after a busy day.
• Private space – it’s equally important to have areas for private time away from the hustle and bustle of family life.  A cosy living room space, large bedrooms and study rooms away from the main living area are essential for a happy home. In addition, solid quality walls and good insulation are as important for noise reduction as they are for energy efficiency.
• Location - moving into a good area with excellent local amenities and a strong sense of community is a major priority for many families. A range of shopping options, doctor and dental surgeries and leisure opportunities are key. Living with other families in the same development provides opportunities for children to make friends and play together. Access to a variety of good state and private schools, both primary and secondary, is another consideration as well as good transport links, road connections and bus services for those in the household commuting to work.
• Bathrooms – a choice of bathrooms, en-suite facilities and smaller WCs saves rows in the morning, provides choice and generally makes a rather obvious if delicate major contribution to a happier family life!
• Safety and security - buying a new build in a development that has a secure area for children to play in and walk to and from their friends’ homes, away from the main road and busy areas, is essential. Good quality windows and secure doors are another important feature.
• Private outdoor space – French doors leading from the kitchen/ diner to the back garden are a great asset to any family, with space outside for young children to play safely. Of course, a good sized garden is of benefit to all members of the family, whatever their age, as is access to larger, public green spaces, parks, woodland, cycle and walking paths. Add to this a parking space, either in a driveway or on the street plus a garage and the stress of everyday life is greatly reduced.
• Low running costs – over a lifetime, a family home with good energy saving features seems an obvious factor when thinking about running costs. Quality double-glazing, energy efficient boilers, and a high standard of wall insulation are crucial.
• Ample storage space - this is high up many customers priority list when house hunting for a new build. Areas for long-term storage of, for instance, bedlinen, seasonal items and nostalgic objects are a factor as well as short-term storage for food and outdoor clothing. Built-in wardrobes provide easy–access storage space while a utility room with dedicated space for muddy wellies and shoes plus domestic appliances like washing machines, hoovers and ironing board is essential for the smooth running of the household. 
• And finally, technology – good access to an efficient broadband and mobile phone signal goes without saying but is an important factor to consider. Try explaining to your teenage child that he or she can’t use their mobile phone at home or to your boss that you can’t access emails from home and life will be considerably more difficult for you!

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Richmond Homes has a number of family homes on offer that fit these criteria, both in rural and urban settings – more details can be found at www.richmondhomes.co.uk

Scandinavian Design with a Modern Twist

Scandinavian Design with a modern twist

Modern and minimalist, sleek and uncomplicated – our love affair with all things Scandinavian shows no sign of waning. From Arne Jacobson’s iconic Egg chair of the 1950s, through to the Ikea flat-packed furniture revolution of the 1980s, the functional simplicity of good Scandinavian design has flooded into the wider public consciousness, creating a flurry of Pinterest pages and magazine articles on the subject.

The Scandi look can be summed up as simple, clean and functional. This design for life echoes through their architectural style right down to the finest structural detail on a bookshelf or egg-cup. Scandinavians are well known for their active, healthy outdoor lifestyles, and rank as some of the happiest nations in the world. Their appreciation of the outdoors is matched by their love of the cosy comforts of home. Warm, natural fabrics and materials, relaxed communal spaces and comfortable furniture create a haven within the home, allowing time to enjoy the good things in life.  

From a house building perspective, it’s exciting to see how many of our home-grown architects are looking to Scandinavia for inspiration in their use of natural materials and utilitarian design. Of course we have much in common with our Northern cousins, not least our climate, and our relationship with the changing seasons and natural world. These factors have an enormous influence on how we live, the homes we choose to live in and how we furnish them. 

Richmond Homes’ new luxury development in one of Edinburgh’s most desirable areas is an innovative example of modern Scandinavian architecture combined with Scottish contemporary design. West Mill Heights is a collection of seven stunning three-storey, three and four bedroom townhouses, nestled in leafy Colinton Dell to the West of the Capital city. Architects, Atelier-M, have put their own cutting-edge take on the Scandinavian model, updating the iconic Edinburgh townhouse design, using blond stone for instance, with white render and slate cladding, pitched roofs and light, airy, open-plan rooms, to create stylish, streamlined homes.

Architect, Alan Macdonald of Atelier-M explains, “There is a growing market for house buyers who have a deep appreciation of contemporary design. They’re looking for a new build that reflects current innovations and trends in modern architecture, offering something far more unique than the average development. This collection of niche townhouses reflects classic Scandinavian style with a modern twist and should appeal to young professionals and families, with its beautiful leafy aspect and flexible living design.”

Both the architect and interior designer of the show home worked closely together to create a seamless look, from the exterior design of the homes through to the last detail inside. Louise Stewart, Richmond Homes Sales Manager and Show Home Designer, adds, “The key to the Scandi look is to keep the colour palette monochrome - white walls, white or light wooden floors with cosy rugs in neutral or complimenting tones. At the West Mill Heights show home, we mixed up black, white, metal and wood furniture with good storage solutions to achieve the clutter free look, adding plenty of warmth and texture with simple window dressings, rugs, textiles and lots of good lighting and candles. It’s not all strictly about neutrals though, we had fun adding pops of colour with paintings, rugs, cushions and accessories.”

Something both Scots and Scandinavians know a lot about is how to make the most of natural light as the days grow shorter through the Autumn and Winter months, right through to capitalising on Spring and Summer sunshine.  At West Mill Heights, a variety of large windows, some to floor level, maximize light access from the south, combined with rectangular and horizontal slot windows to give perspective and allow privacy. High vaulted ceilings and pitched roof skylights cast natural light to the second floor bathrooms and continues down the light well between the staircase to the ground floor. Carefully incorporated built-in mirror wardrobes maximize storage in the bedrooms while also enhancing the sense of space. In the kitchen, sleek white handless cupboards with matt stone worktops and acrylic splashbacks create a bright and uncluttered room.

This new development also benefits from its tranquil and wooded environment, the design echoing Scandic concerns with maintaining a close connection to nature, bringing the outside, inside. French doors leading from the kitchen/dining room to the outside terrace allow a seamless enjoyment of the natural space. The windows open out on to sheltered, lush green areas, while the development itself benefits from the family friendly village atmosphere in Colinton, with many parks and opportunities for leisure on its doorstep.

“It’s easy to understand why the ‘Scandi’ look has proved so popular in the UK. With its light, natural, uncluttered style, it works well with people’s modern busy lifestyles and families,” adds Louise. This Nordic take on understated elegance within the architectural environment, with its emphasis on human interaction and the enjoyment of domestic concerns seems like a rather wonderful and enduring blueprint for living.

The show home at West Mill Heights is now open. More details can be found at www.richmondhomes.co.uk, or call Shonagh Morgan at Savills on 0131-247 3700 for further information.

Bright New Homes

Many people dream of living in an older property, we have been involved in renovating some spectacular properties, from Victorian townhouses to steading conversions.  They can certainly make beautiful homes, but there are also huge benefits of living in a modern, newly built property, designed for 21st century living.

If you’re keen on DIY or have a handy maintenance company, then wonky floors and original windows can add character to a house. As a rule of thumb the older the home, the more maintenance it will require. But, if you’re looking to minimise ongoing expenses, it’s worth looking at new homes. New homes give the buyer a certain level of reassurance. Our homes and those from reputable builders, come with a 10-year build warranty.

Everything will be new.  The windows won’t be draughty. The boiler won’t be faulty (and if there is a problem, it will be under guarantee). Building regulations have been strengthened over the years, so the old mantra that “they don’t build houses like they used to”, is no longer true and that means new build homes should be less likely to suffer problems than those of period properties.

If you opt to buy “off-plan” ie before it’s built, you often get a say in colour schemes and fixtures and fittings.

Our new homes are built specifically to be energy efficient and are therefore cheaper to run than older homes, which can make a huge ongoing difference to your gas and electric costs.

Finally, new build homes are chain free, which can take a huge amount of stress out of the buying process.

Find out more about our new build properties - New Homes

Energy Saving Heating

There are a range of basic energy considerations for any new home, these include:

• A high level of insulation 
• Choosing local materials in the construction
• Using materials from sustainable sources
• Choosing energy-saving building materials
• Installing energy-saving household equipment.

1. Heating controls

The cost of replacing an old boiler can be prohibitive, so the next best option is to upgrade your heating controls. These will vary depending on the type of heating you have. Some of the options available are:

• Timer – turns your boiler on or off at the times you set
• Room thermostat – measures how warm your room is and adjusts the boiler operation
• Programmer – lets you set different times and temperatures for different days of the week
• Thermostatic radiator valves – allow you to adjust the temperature of individual radiators and turn them off completely
• Smart heating system – allows you to control your heating remotely via an app.

2. Room thermostat

Your thermostat should be placed in a room that is used often with a good through-flow of air. This is because the thermostat will turn the boiler off once the room it’s situated in reaches the correct temperature. You should also make sure it’s not blocked by curtains or furniture and away from electric fires, TVs and lighting.

3. Heat the rooms you use

This seems obvious, but setting the thermostat (radiator or room) lower in areas of the house you don’t use will save energy and money.  Keeping the temperature low all the time is thought to use more energy than turning the heating on and off when you are actually using a room.

A programmer lets you set different times and temperatures throughout the week so you can customise the settings to fit your lifestyle. There is normally an override button that you can use if your usual routine changes so that you don’t have to completely reset the programmer.

4. Radiators

You can help your radiators work more efficiently by making sure they aren't covered by furniture or curtains. Radiators work by convection, drawing cold air in the bottom and producing hot air out the top.

Your radiator thermostat (TRV) will help you control the temperature of the room.  Find the level that’s comfortable for you.

Sustainability and energy saving is always a priority with our new homes. Each home in our most Chesterhill Wood, comes with a high-efficiency condensing gas boiler and is insulated beyond local authority requirements to keep bills to a minimum.  Windows are timber frames with Low “E” double glazing for heat retention.
recent development at

Further evidence on the energy efficiency of new-build homes.

Everyone agrees that new-build homes are more energy efficient, but what does this actually mean in terms of saving money on energy bills?

 

Following its UK-wide research project into consumer attitudes towards zero carbon homes, the NHBC Foundation has worked with the Zero Carbon Hub to chart the energy savings that could potentially be achieved by living in different types of energy efficient new homes.  The research found that energy efficient homes could cut annual bills in half.

 

• New homes built to current regulations could cost 55% less to run than typical 'upgraded' Victorian homes
• Homes built from 2016 could save even more and be 79% cheaper to run