Tim Bawtree, owner of The Cheltenham House, has worked with many suppliers over the year it took to build the house. Here's a list of his main suppliers and what he has to say about some of them:
Jenny Westbrook
Jenny did the painting of our son Fraser and the one next to him in our playroom. We absolutely love the paintings and they add such a colourful and personal touch to the room.
My wife and I couldn't have been more delighted with her work.
Jenny Westbrook started painting in her 40's, studied for her BA hons at the University of Gloucestershire and graduated in 2002, has sinse started her Masters in fine art painting, she teaches art locally and exhibits in local galleries and exhibitions and the Inspired Art Show, spitalfields, London. The next solo show is at the Gulhall Gloucester where she will be showing her work throughout May.
For more information visit her website:
http://jenny-westbrook.co.uk
Stan Contractors (replacement contractor)
After our first builder ceased to trade we had to find someone who was willing to take the project on, after a few rejections from some local builders and some very expensive quotes from a number of fast track fit-out companies. Finally we found someone who told it how it is, “Stan the Man” (as he became known around our house) came highly recommended and many of our local suppliers were using his company to do installations. Again, it boiled down to good, quality work on a timescale at a reasonable price. Stan will tell me I got a bargain, but what builder doesn’t! We also had our fair share of construction problems which required lateral thinking solutions as nothing in this house was conventional. Between Stan, his brother and the guys who worked for him there was an answer, not always at the first attempt, but eventually an answer. Without Stan’s input and flexibility we would still be building now.
Contact: Stan
01351 631618
www.stancontractors.co.uk
Polysteel
PolySteel is the brand and company name for one of the leading Insulating Concrete Form – ICF providers to the construction & self build market. They built us a highly insulated inside out wall.
We spent a long time looking at all the different options from all over Europe, however at the end it was the one of the best and the one we chose is based in Cheltenham.
PolySteel UK Limited was formed in 2005 to manufacture and supply insulating concrete forms (ICF's). Our Head Office is in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, England, with our manufacturing facility based in Northampton, England. We are therefore ideally placed to respond to our customers needs for new residential or commercial building across the UK and beyond. The unique design of PolySteel provides the strength, fire resistance, and dimensional stability required for any new building. So whatever you are considering building PolySteel can offer a greater choice and flexibility to anyone considering construction of a house, commercial unit or an external retaining wall.
Contact: Paul Boyce
08703 822229
www.polysteel.co.uk
Legrand Electrical
A global company that has some very sexy consumer products with an endless supply of colours and finish. Legrand is better known in the industry for their less sexy range of distribution boards and general electrical products, but in the right environment they give a real feel of the power behind the build, which of course it is.
We were lucky to see some of their cutting edge new products, from colour video door entries to using the same system to monitor other rooms as an intercom system. All this hardware is perfectly matched with all the lighting switches and safety switches, which is a god send when we have to watch our youngest toddler like a hawk!
Every year Legrand devotes 4 to 5% of its sales to research and development. It has close to 1,800 people throughout the world inventing, designing, testing and validating new ideas in the field and in the group laboratories from infrared, radio and powerline carrier technologies to centralized or remote control and the availability of power and Voice Data and Images. Legrand is actively working on each of those fields of expertise in order to facilitate the installation of the products and systems by the contractor as well as their usage by the end user.
Contact: Phil Peer
0121 515 0515
www.legrand.co.uk
David Ball Group / Pudlo
When doing our research on waterproof concrete it was essential that we had a guarantee with the product, but what we found generally was that waterproof concrete suppliers will warranty their product but only their product. For us that meant if there was a leak or damp 4 years down the line they would only cover the repair work not excess or reinstatement work. As this in an underground house this was unacceptable.
We were introduced to Chris Howard at Pudlo, They are specialists in waterproof concrete and have worked on huge projects in Dubai, and have waterproofed The Royal Albert Hall. They have been pouring waterproof concrete for some 80 years and never had any problems. For this reason they offer a 20 year project guarantee, so in 4 years time if we have a leak they pay for everything including accommodation while the problem is being fixed and damage to any furnishings, etc.
So what happens? During the mighty Gloucestershire floods we have a leak on a seem between two concrete pours, not a very big leak, but about 15 little ones which left a damp wall and patches of water on the floor.
What was impressive was the speed in which the Pudlo team fixed the problem, within 24 hours we had a team down to evaluate the situation and hours later it was being fixed. Unfortunately, we had to wait for more rain to see that is really was fixed, which came about 4 weeks later. This time there were no problems, just a lovely dry hole, which is more than can be said for the rest of Cheltenham.
Although we had teething problems caused by the weather, the response was second to none!
David Ball Group is the leader in its field as manufacturer and specialist supplier of the worlds first and technically most advanced concrete treatment for the production of watertight, corrosion-resistant concrete structures - PUDLO CW. With over 100 years of continuous successful use all over the world, PUDLO offers an unrivalled record of product performance in service. David Ball Group is also widely regarded as the worldwide market leader in the supply of ultra- high-quality Standard Reference Materials - David Ball Specialist Sands.
Contact: Chris Howard
01954 780687
www.davidballgroup.co.uk
Chipping Norton Glass
THE WINDOWS and DOORS were always going to be the most important part of the build. From the huge sets of sliding doors to the 34mm think walk on glass. Chipping Norton Glass, worked with us, A LOT, to maximise the house’s glassing aspects. We got many quotes from household names in the sliding doors game, but one of the main problems we had was getting one company to do the whole glass package. Chipping Norton Glass were the only company that could do everything we wanted and were excellent value and offered a better quality of product than their competitors.
Chipping Norton Glass was established in 1970 and therefore has many years of experience in the glass industry. We aim to deliver quality products and a professional service that is second to none. Indeed, a great deal of our work is by way of recommendation. We manufacture double glazed units and can provide a quick turnaround form order to delivery, normally two days for annealed units. We run a modern fleet of installation, glazing and delivery vehicles for the safe and efficient transportation of replacement windows and glass. All our staff are employed by the company and work is not normally sub-contracted out, therefore keeping a continuity of high standards. Our workshop/showroom is open to personal callers during normal working hours.
Contact: Trevor
01608 643261
www.chippingnortonglass.co.uk
CJ Associates
The normal way of geothermal is to put slinkies, which is a grind of pipes a minimum of 1 meter underground. Our house needed approx 150 meters of this piping! However due to the tight site, we only had one option which was to drill 58 meters straight down, this is a much more efficient way of doing things as you get a more consistent ground heat overall and you need less pipe length. The drilling process took 3 days and it felt and looked like we where drilling for oil, especially with the accompanying two machine operators.
The Process was a little messy but cost no more than the laying and connecting of the horizontal pipework.
CJ Associates was formed in 1974 to carry out investigations from Local Authorities, Consultants, Industry and Contractors. 20,000 reports and surveys later we are widely acknowledged to provide an excellent service. Approach We approach each site from the point of view of the client. We deliver rigs on time, drill safely, recover and maintain high quality cores and maintain momentum through to delivery of reports.
Experience We aim to be the ‘best in class’. The quality of our plant and drilling is second to none. Our Lab is highly efficient offering 24-7 coverage of tests where demanded. Our Technical team are highly qualified individually and work as a team to deliver your report in the quickest time achievable.
Contact: Roger Adams
0117 9821473
www.cjageo.co.uk
Suntile
Since we started this project we have always worried about the lighting in the underground section of the house. In our early designs we had to find a way of bringing natural light from the roof to the living areas. We had some very tight restrictions which meant we could not use standard round light well products In talking to Suntile we found a company that was willing to take a risk and build something new and bespoke using their knowledge of existing products and some new cutting edge technology. What we got was not quite what we anticipated but it certainly adds to the architecture. We will continue the development and let you know updates as we go.
Suntile was founded in 2003, we’re only a baby company.The idea was born from a light bulb blowing in roofer Tony’s bathroom one morning. Whilst he was fumbling for a towel he thought of an idea to bring the day light into his windowless bathroom. From that moment Suntile has grown into an ever expanding company striving to develop the clear plastic roof tile into a recognized household brand in order to save energy and money.
Contact: Kevin
01454 280010
www.suntile.co.uk
Think Lighting
We have ordered but not had installed a dimmer LED light that has been designed for residential use. Impressively this new light has a life of 50,000 hours and only requires 3 watts input and you receive the equivalent light of a 50 watt down lighter.
We have had a prototype on trial and have decided to replace all our down lighters with these LED lights as we believe they will significantly reduce our lighting pull. We hope Think can get these lights specified or into wholesalers and shops as they are definitely the future of domestic lighting.
Think Lighting is a new patented State of the Art LED lighting range. Amongst their numerous advantages the lights are cool running, stylish, versatile and easy to fit with a guaranteed LED life span of up to 50,000 hours! Operating via low voltage power supplies Think Lighting uses the latest 1W LED technology from Cree to give exceptional light output, with low power consumption.
Contact : Caroline Hazell
0560 0479304
www.thinklighting.co.uk
Intoto / AEG Appliance
There are hundreds of kitchen companies you can chose from, and we saw our fair share in all sorts of different price brackets. However we believe that kitchen design is about finding the right designer who can quickly grasp the vision of what we (well Zoe) was trying to achieve. Rob managed to capture the vision and turn it into a true creation. It is one of the centrepieces of the house and absolutely stunning.
In-toto is a national chain, owned by Europe’s largest quality kitchen manufacturer, Alno/Wellmann, itself part owned by Whirlpool. However, each showroom is a franchise, managed by individual franchisee owners. This means that you benefit from the credibility and scale of a leading, nationally recognised fitted kitchen brand, but also enjoy the personal attention and unrivalled service of the owner of the business, who is as committed to quality as we are! Each franchisee understands that the success of his or her own showroom depends on a local reputation built on satisfied customers.
Contact: Robert Evans
01242 221196
www.intoto.co.uk
Bellagio Stone / Silstone
Rob at Intoto introduced us to Rob at Belagio Stone, as we wanted to find the perfect work surface for our kitchen. We had read about a work surface that had an anti-bacterial agent already built into a stone like slab. This made huge sense to us, as having young children around a very open plan living space, it was important that gems and bacteria don’t get transferred around the living / eating / playing areas. Silstone was the product of chose and Bellagio are a fabricator for that manufacturer. We ended up using Silstone all through the bathroom areas as well.
Silestone also has Built-in Microban® antibacterial protection which helps to fight the growth of micro-organisms such as mould and harmful bacteria such as E.Coli, Salmonella, Listeria, Staphlococcus and the MRSA superbug.
Silestone by Cosentino bridges the gap between nature and technology, it is 94% natural quartz and the remaining 6% resins and pigments. Using a patented vibro-compression the resins bind the quartz in polymetric chains.The result is a beautiful durable stone product. Silestone by Cosentino has the hardness of Quartz, does not require sealing and has a greater heat, scratch and stain resistance than natural stone. It is beautiful, durable and virtually maintenance free.With over 50 colours and modern edge designs, Silestone has a style to fit any personality or decor
Contact: Robert Wilkinson
01926 430626
www.bellagiostone.co.uk
BC3
We had commissioned BC3 to do our upper staircases and we were struggling for the right finish for the concrete stairs going down. Bernard brought some oak samples to the house and it was a pretty easy sell when we saw the quality of the Oak. The main staircase and the hall and office now give a contemporary environment a feeling of real warmth.
Contact: Bernard Cook
01242 254343
www.bc3.co.uk
Elica /DR Cookerhoods
There is only one way to describe the cooker hood: Glamourous! When Zoe first showed them to me I thought they were great, but pricy. To her credit Zoe worked very hard to afford them selling everything from clothes to jewellery to finally purchase them, however now they are installed they are worth many times what we paid for them and give the kitchen a real WOW factor.
Elica are the world's No 1. They are the company that manufactures for most of the recognised brand names. Elica, the brand exclusive to D R Cooker Hoods, the Company that have pioneered the product for over 25 years. A Company, that all our customers have come to rely on for a wide range of stock and after sales service.
Contact: John in marketing
www.elica.co.uk
One Deko
It has always been a mystery to me how there seems to be sofas and SOFAS. Sofas tend to be very traditional and form a set 20 materials and colours, and reasonably priced, however then you attach contemporary or Italian to a sofa and suddenly it becomes the same price as a small family car. However with One Deko you get it all, Contemporary Italian Sofas at affordable prices.
Contact: Noel
0207 375 3280
www.onedeko.co.uk
DIS / ( Design Installation Services )
With such a complex house both physically and technically, making head-nor-tail of it all and making sure all the design aspects work together was something that needed serious professionals. We employed DIS (again a local company with a UK customer base) to design and install the electrics from lighting to the door entry and to do the pumping, ventilation, heating and drainage drawings.
We can only imagine the disaster that we would have to live with this out their expertise.
The Design Installation Service Group was founded in the early 1970s by two Engineers with a combined total of 40 years experience in the Building Services Industry. It rapidly became evident that Clients were seeking a quality service in both Mechanical and Electrical disciplines. Hence the formation of DIS Electrical. Ongoing Client need led to continued growth and operations throughout the UK. The Group soon realised that there was a need for special expertise at the Mechanical/Electrical interface, hence the foundation of Cheltenham Electrical Controls. Next, in order to provide a complete in-house service and improve contract control the Group acquired the specialist services of CDM Ductwork. The final step was the acquisition of Beaven and Son Ltd who provide comprehensive maintenance and small works resources.
Contact: Chris Croome
01242 533120
www.dis-ltd.co.uk
Bucham Heating / Worcester Bosh
After visiting the Eco-barns that Andy Buchan has renovated near Cirencester where we were able to see the Worcester-Bosh Greenstore system in operation it gave us a real sense of what can be achieved. Andy came part of the team in engineering our Eco – credentials and working with DIS and Worcester Bosh development team. For me when researching Ground source heat pumps it seemed to be inhabited by small firms and was an over priced product which no plumber would touch. The other question that is always on your mind is how long it will take to break even. What a great move by Worcester Bosh to move into this market as they come as a trusted quality supplier to a large percentage of the marketplace, Worcester Bosh have also gained a reputation of providing value for money making the Greenstore much more available to the general market with the support and warranty backup second to none.
One thing I do regret was not visiting Bucham heating in the planning phase of the build as there are a number of other eco products that I would have liked to incorporate like rainwater harvester. Bucham’s are not really heating engineers they are blazing a trail of proving the technology they are selling, they are solution providers.
We run our entire heating and hotwater from the Greenstore system.
Contact: Andy Buckham
01285 841466
www.bucham-heating.co.uk
Living Control
Living Control is a UK designer and manufacturer of luxury multi-room entertainment systems, which over a ten year period has become the country’s leading specialist. Their uniquely featured ‘invisible’ systems liberate living space and décor by replacing the multiple hi-fis, radios and videos scattered all over the home with a single whole-house system stored out of sight. They allow the selection of CD, Radio, TV, Video, HD Video and other digital media content ‘by name’ in any room including bathrooms, kitchens and patios, through discreet, stylish wall-mounted touch panels, keypads, Web Tablets and PDAs.
Living control have given our house an extremely modern look and an incredible sounds system that never fails to impress guests!
Living Control is a UK designer and manufacturer of luxury multi-room entertainment systems which in ten years has become the country’s leading specialist marque. Our uniquely featured ‘invisible’ systems liberate living space and décor by replacing the multiple hi-fis, radios and videos scattered all over the home with a single whole-house system stored out of sight. They allow the selection of CD, Radio, TV, Video, HD Video and other digital media content ‘by name’ in any room including bathrooms, kitchens and patios, through discreet, stylish wall-mounted touch panels, keypads, Web Tablets and PDAs. Our comprehensive and ultra-reliable range provides a virtually limitless choice of expansion options and upgrades, designed to share the widest range of entertainment sources within the home and outside as well.
Zip Heaters
None stop instant boiling or chilled water at the touch of a tap! This product is perfect for the sleek high tech domestic kitchen. It also has a safety button to help protect the children.
In 1975 Zip introduced the world to the very first instant boiling water heaters as we know them today. Until Zip developed, patented and marketed its instant boiling water heaters, you always had to wait for water to boil. Making tea or coffee, at home or at work, began with the time-wasting, energy-wasting ritual of filling a kettle or urn with cold water, and bringing it to the boil. Zip instant boiling water technology soon changed all that. Now you could have boiling water, instantly, at the touch of a tap. No more waiting for water to boil. Touch the tap and out it poured -- boiling water, a cupful or a pot full at a time. Launched during the 1980s, Zip instant boiling water became an instant success. It rapidly replaced power-hungry kettles and urns anywhere that people made tea and coffee – in offices, factories, canteens and restaurants. Zip then marketed its energy-efficient boiling technology globally, appointing regional distributors in one country after another.
Contact: Malcolm
0870 608 8888
www.zipheaters.co.uk
Villeroy & Boch
Kitchens and bathrooms, they say, are the most important parts of the house, and for the first time ever and probably the last we had a chance to choose where and what we could put in our bathrooms. With V&B we found the quality, eco-friendly, high end products and finishes we have dreamt of BUT not at a crazy price. The best way to view all the product range is to order their physical product manual form the website. You will not be disappointed, from soft closing WCs to Spa Baths, there is something for everybody.
Villeroy & Boch have developed from a manufacturer and marketer of high-quality ceramic products into a lifestyle specialist of worldwide renown offering complete solutions for the private and commercial sectors.
Our company has been a public limited company since 1987 and has been listed on the stock exchange since 1990. Our worldwide sales currently total 893,2 million euros (2005). Our product range is represented through our own marketing companies and importers in 125 countries throughout the world: Villeroy & Boch is at home around the globe.
As an international industrial enterprise, we are organised according to an efficient corporate structure focusing on our three company divisions of "Tableware", "Bathroom and Wellness" and "Tiles". Above and beyond marketing individual products, we also supply integral concepts and solutions such as "the completely-laid table", "the single-source bathroom" and "turnkey bathroom projects in the national and international commercial construction sector".
Contact: Ben Fix
0208 871 4020
www.villeroy-boch.co.uk
LPD Doors
Now this is an interesting topic, have you ever tried to buy good looking internal doors, everywhere you look they all seem to be the same, bog standard doors or bespoke doors that cost an arm and a leg. LPD Doors have a new range of contemporary doors that are excellent quality, nicely weighted and well priced
Contact: Gordon Bell
0113 2715151
www.lpddoors.co.uk
Finwood Designs
An amazing collection of natural stone products, Zoe choose these amazing sinks that look like wood but are an Australian Sandstone.
Finwood Designs specializes in creatively designed stone basins, baths and garden furniture, all made to our own exacting standards. The contemporary styled garden furniture is produced from solid granite, the most durable of materials whilst marble, granite and sandstone are also used for our basins and baths. All of our designs are produced to the highest standards from a solid block of stone and finished by hand. Alongside the designs featured on the website we are also able to offer a bespoke service. Please use the contact page for details of how to get in touch with us. In the meantime please browse through our collections by selecting bathroom or garden from the menu on the left.
Contact: Bill Lancesshire
01926 484037
www.finwooddesigns.co.uk
Pentagon Tiles
Pentagon Tiles have supplied for a number of Grand Design houses, and there is only one real reason for that, their tiles are BEAUTIFUL and hardwearing. Our two boys went about rigorously testing our sample tiles, which included spilling, Oil, milk, dirt, crayons and cola on them. After 24 hours of being submitted to this testing the files passed with flying colours! Needless to say our entire underground flooring is now covered with 120x60cm ceramic tiles, with matching smaller tiles for the bathrooms. Pentagon also supplied us with Ardex adhesive and coloured grout. If you want a knowledgably, fun crew to work with then these are the people and they take the hassle out of flooring.
Established in 1979, Pentagon the ISO 9001:2000 registered tile company have been sourcing and supplying innovative and technically advanced tiles from around the World.
Our strategically placed showrooms and distribution centres in Essex and Sussex hold exhaustive stocks of our extensive designed to inspire... hard floor and wall tiles to ensure our clients receive the very best experience. Within our showrooms we are confident that we can satisfy your tiling desires and within our room set displays you will find natural and faux stone, refined porcelain, ceramic, glass and mosaic tiles suitable for every application.
Contact: Donna
01279 626 662
www.pentagon-tiles.co.uk
Glass Idromassaggio (shower)
This is one of those items that you dream of having. I think the technical term is “Well being environment”. This thing does everything you will ever need after building your own home, from rain style shower, to pressure body jets, steam room, funky lights that change colour to revitalize your mind. This shower build even has a radio and a place to warm your towels before you get out. There is only one thing to say if you have to sacrifice something else to have this shower unit - do it! Have a look at the Interiors Gallery. [link to picture of shower]
Contact: Terry Warren (UK Distributer)
07854685801
www.glassidromassaggio.it
Daryll Showers
We have installed a walk in unit in our en-suite wet room. My experiences before with wet room shower screens have not been good. Fixing to floors and walls has always been an issue. However, with minimum planning you can have an amazing shower unit integrated to provide a very rigid structure. We splashed out on the Hydro Modern Drench with its 150mm drench shower head, foot spray and hand held shower provides the total experience.
At Daryl we strive for natural perfection. All we create is perfectly adapted to deliver the ultimate showering experience, simply and beautifully. With Daryl you are showered in luxury. When you first touch a Daryl product you'll notice something different, it feels solid.That solidity, that strength, is an ideal pursued through everything we do. Daryl was established over 37 years ago with the dedicated intent of providing the very best shower enclosures to the UK and beyond. Through a combination of hard work and a refusal to compromise, we have built a reputation as solid as every component of every product we manufacture.
0151 606 5000
www.daryl-showers.co.uk
Inside Spaces
Very contemporary electric blinds, speedy service, also work with Rako Controls making it a very sexy product.
As the name suggests inside spaces is all about perfect, made to measure blinds and curtains, curtain tracks and curtain poles for the home as well as the contract market.
Based in Devon but with projects throughout the country, inside spaces was founded on a platform of years of experience working with leading manufacturers of quality window treatment products. This extensive design and manufacturing background means that we can provide the perfect solution for your individual interior design idea.
Contact: Matthew
01395 272772
www.insidespace.co.uk
Capability
Michelle has an impressive portfolio of both traditional and contemporary gardens. She gets the best out of limited space. Zoe worked with Michelle giving her very defined ideas but also wanted her to suggest her own. In our house it was essential that the transition between inside and outside space was seamless. Michelle created “use areas” from the sun terrace outside the master bedroom to the grassed area with the raised tropical planting and finally the sunken terrace. Inspired!
From urban courtyards to large country gardens, Michele Beint has gained a reputation for creating a sense of calm in the gardens she designs. Trained at Pershore Horticultural College under the award-winning designer Chris Beardshaw, Michele believes that simplicity is the key to a successful garden design. Every site is unique and the design needs to respect the spirit of place, whilst encompassing the particular needs and desires of the client. Michele works closely with clients, architects and landscapers to ensure the design is implemented to the highest possible standard and to an agreed budget
Contact: Michele Beint
01242 262 999
www.capability-online.co.uk
Ecodeck
This is an awesome product, low maintenance, easy to use (it took me 20 mins to lay 20square meters ) We haven’t got anything else to say other than this is must have purchase!!!
Eco Decking Tiles a high quality, Multi Award winning product designed to cover any exterior hard surface, quickly and easily transforming it into a hardwood deck. The unique modular tiles couldn’t be easier to use-each one is backed with a weatherproof polypropylene base that simply clicks together, in fact a whole floor can be laid by one person in just a few minutes or an hour or so (depending on size). Ideal for patios, walkways, decking refurbishments; hot tub surrounds; porch and entrance ways, etc. The Tiles can easily be cut to shape and can even be used in situations where conventional decking would not be suitable such as balconies and roof gardens, or where to install a conventional deck would mean the removal/digging up of the existing surface to accommodate the decking joists.
Woodtrends
Woodtrents specialise in IPE Hardwood,(Pronounced Ee-Pay ). The wood is one of the densest of the hardwood family. This means that the moss and other fungus will not grow on it. We have used the product for both decking and cladding with great effect. Importer of IPE are few and far between and this company must be commended as this seems like the only place to order and get hold of it easily. Look at the photos of the cladding it looks stunning.
Our Premium Decking Planks, Decking Tiles and Cladding are only offered in a durable wood lasting a "lifetime" and easy to maintain. It is so strong and durable that it does not need any maintenance at all. Instead of the original dark, brown colours, it will simply turn into a beautiful silver-grey patina – still lasting a ‘lifetime’. The quality is the best, excluding the softer sapwood, as for exterior conditions, this would reduce the lifespan – and strength – of your new deck, deck tiles or cladding.
All products are prepared and distributed using the best procedures in manufacturing, logistics and technology - and complimented with a dedication not only to preserve but improve our present and future environment.
Contact: Bo Mattherson
0870 399 0399
www.woodtrends.co.uk
The Garden Trellis Company
Finding contemporary fencing is harder than you think, particularly something that is going to go with our project. After pulling our hair out for a number of months we found this gem. You want anything in wood for the garden look no further, Jeremy pulled the rabbit out of a hat for us and turned round this stunning cedar.
Formed in 1992 the Garden Trellis Company has established itself as a leading manufacturer of bespoke garden joinery. Whether supplying a single trellis panel or a whole range of garden joinery products we use quality materials to craft bespoke structures that both compliment and enhance outdoor spaces.
Contact: Jeremy Elphick
01255 688361
www.gardentrellis.co.uk
Rako Controls
When we started to design the interiors of the house, it was always our big worry that we needed to be able to provide the most flexible dimmer technology. Rako was recommended to us as the best way to deliver this. The whole system and almost every circuit can be dimmed and co-ordinated / linked with other circuits so we are able to create the prefect moods from a romantic dinner to top up ambient lighting in the depths of winter to full on “the lighthouse” effect. Also they have a great security product called a clock that you set to record and it learns your lighting movements over a two week period and then when you do away on holiday you set it to play it back giving the appearance of the house being lived in. We at the moment are not utilizing the system to its full potential but we are still learning what works best for us and we will start to create the moods and change the lighting accordingly. This system does have some integration with Living Control.
Rako is leading the way in providing state of the art digital dimming technology. Our innovative solutions meet the needs of a diverse range of applications by offering lighting systems that are simple to use, creative, easily installed and cost effective. As you’d imagine, we’ve got all the basics right but where we outsmart other offerings is through quick and effortless installation. We provide all the benefits of a sophisticated lighting control system but without the hassle of re-wiring. Rako modules can be quickly and easily installed into any environment, domestic or commercial, from hotel bedrooms and function rooms to restaurants and churches.
Contact: Paul Wafe
0870 0433906
www.rakocontrols.com
Discrete Heat
This is a cool product. Now you can really have efficiently heated rooms without unsightly radiators dotted around your rooms. This product can be fitted to our ground source heat pump as well a conventional boiler. The skirting becomes our radiators, by pushing hot water around the system it provides comfortable well distributed heat. This product is very new, however the company has grown very quickly and is well established with excellent pre and post sales support. If I was a betting man this is one of those real success stories that we will read about for years to come.
Contact: Martin Wadsworth
0845 1238367
www.discreteheat.co.uk
SF Planning Limited
This is one professional you cannot do without. When putting in a planning application, today you have provide a “Design Statement” which forms a bigger part of the planners decision process than you can ever imagine. To do this myself is like committing planning suicide. It is people like Simon who have the local knowledge and the planning glossary at there fingertips that make even crazy concepts of building underground houses a viable option for the planners. Don’t start a project without one of these under your wing
Contact: Simon Firkins
01242 231575
www.sfplanning.co.uk
Clint Jones Design
We where introduced to Clint by the first Builder after Mike Lumley was unable to do the working building drawings as he was to busy. Clint took the project by the scruff of the neck and turned it into a workable building. Clint was also instrumental in getting the second planning application through for the underground extension, which I am truly grateful for, as the extension is what makes the house a home. Mr McCloud keeps saying a good architect brings a house to life. My only regret was not using him more towards the end of the build when his experience would have been invaluable.
Contact: Clint Jones
01242 518737
Funky little darlings
Now this is a great product, we spent hours searching the internet for something different for Fraser’s room; we came across Funky Little Darlings at the Grand Designs Live show at Excel. We meet up with them at the house with Fraser and he gave them the download with what he wanted for his wall. 6 months later we have what can only be described as an amazing creation and a very happy Fraser. The creation is printed onto a special type of wall paper.
Funky Little Darlings™ was established by Mandy Colliss and David Quinton in 2006. We began our work producing hand painted children's murals, but the look on peoples faces when we turned up for the eleventh consecutive day quickly persuaded us to find another way of getting our highly detailed designs onto walls. Fortunately we found an incredible printing company capable of producing digitally printed wallpaper murals with the super vivid colour, fine texture and quality that we demand.
Contact: Mandy Colliss
01993 898834
www.funkylittledarlings.co.uk
Jesse
This was a real find, after choosing the kitchen colours and wood we needed complementary furniture. The Norman oval table and the huge TV storage unit in the living area provided the continuity across the open plan living space. Although we are still waiting for a small manufacturing fault to be dealt with on the table, overall the quality is superb and gives a feeling of great classic Italian contemporary design.
Jesse is a reality deeply related to its roots (the company has been located in Francenigo, Venice, since its creation, in 1925), but also characterized by a strong international spirit: state-of-the-art manufacturing techniques, continuous updated accessories. The company produces furnishing systems and complements in contemporary designs: an aesthetic research always in touch with today's lifestyles, reflected in every component of Jesse's collections.
00390434 767930
www.jesse.it
They will help you find a local distributor
Underfloor Heating
Richard
Ultimate Underfloor Heating. Com
01386 835 820
www.ultimateunderfloorheating.com