Planning Permission Tips UK - Is Todays Popular Quest For Contemporary Design The New Bad Taste

Can you remember when people used to install slatted louvre windows as replacement units in their Victorian semis or the stone cladding revolution of the 1980's.

We look back & 'tut tut' at these blunders with a comfortable glow of self satisfaction that we would never make such obvious design & development errors in our own projects - we have a far greater sense of good taste haven't we?

Trends in the residential development world seem to go in huge swings of about 7 to 10 year cycles and it is often not until the end of one cycle we realise what the mistakes were which is usually triggered by the complete abandonment of the previous trend or methodology for another system.

We surge from brass to chrome light fittings, UPVC to aluminium & then back to real wood again for the windows. Carpets to laminates back to real wood block flooring back to laminates again when the real stuff shrinks, warps or splits.

The same is happening in the overall design & refurbishment of whole homes inside & out. We used to be conservation mad but now its total revamp of properties to something akin that we used to aspire to in the 70's with simple glazed panels, uncomplicated detail and simple finishes.

The quest for the elusive & theoretically unique contemporary look for the monied home owner is now the new bandwagon for most property owners & developers trying to be that little bit different & wanting to make a statement about their lifestyles.

Teenagers tend do the same thing but they have piercings or a tattoos instead & it is only the more experienced in years amongst us that realise they are acting more like sheep rather than the individualists they are so desperate to attain.

Trying to define contemporary design is actually very hard and even harder to achieve. One definition that I like is a look that is clean, minimalist & unable to define as a year in which it was constructed - in other words free of all obvious identifiers & trends that would define its era. A design that would still retain its 'contemporary' badge in 40 years time - this is why I think obtaining a true contemporary design is so hard. The Oxford English dictionary defines contemporary as something belonging to the same age which I think is not too dissimilar from my definition of having a timeless feel.

So, am I against this new 'heard' mentality of trying to achieve a contemporary design or lifestyle for a dwelling house? Absolutely not! BUT there are qualifications. Firstly, nearly all aspects of contemporary design & lifestyle is attainable through internal design & alteration only. Those wishing to stamp their lifestyle choices to the wider majority through the external envelope of a dwelling should only consider this through either new build or carefully selected conversion projects (eg a 1950's pumping station for example).

Regretfully, there is a 'bandwagon' mentality out their at present that is also set on externally converting superb period properties in sensitive areas into simplistic, boring & bland looking so called 'contemporary' properties that have been stripped of their unique softness, character & warmth that is totally out of place within their unique setting - all for the sake of of gratifying the 'monied' ego's of people pursuing the latest design trend in urban living.

Some of the design treatments these ill-informed people are completing to their newly acquired homes consist of:-

1. Rendering over all the previous beautiful clay facing bricks.

2. Removing 18th century plain clay tile hanging for the dreaded 'smooth render' look.

3. Adjusting window & door openings to inappropriate scale apertures with out of place joinery.

4. Adding galvanized steel or stainless steel features for canopies or porches that jar with the very character of the buildings heritage & stature.

The list goes on even to the point of them rendering over beautiful feature brick dental coursings or projections that form an intrinsic part of the local character all to attain that elusive 'contemporary' rendered characterless design icon of so called modern living that the occupiers wish to stamp upon the world to satisfy their own egos.

The damage they are creating to some of the most beautiful parts of the UK heritage housing is criminal in my view & they should be brought to book. Regretfully, the type of people who are doing these odious external 'contemporary' conversions are the usual 'IT' brigade with the usual 'more money than sense' attitude & the 'see it - want it now' mentality - all because they can!

So the conclusion to my little rant on what is going on to some of our more important suburbs is this:

1. If you are seeking a 'contemporary' style of living & dwelling, DO NOT materially alter the external envelope of an existing dwelling - Most contemporary design living is achievable through internal alterations ONLY.

2. If you are insistent on pleasing your greater ego & require a design statement for the whole external world to see then PLEASE only do this though new build projects where the contemporary design is not compromised by an existing period property & you are not 'murdering' a previously beautiful building that added value to the local character & to the residents.

Two very simple rules that will ensure that your latest residential development WILL NOT become a bad taste mistake in 2015 - You have been warned!

Our 'Maximum Build Planning Guide' explains further the issues involved when extending or developing a property for planning permission.

http://www.planning-approval.co.uk

---

Chiminea ? Buy It for the Versatility of Enjoying Both Fireplace and Grill!

I recently visited friends who served me a dinner of... Read More

Here Comes The Sun: Solar Energy is Becoming More Attractive for Mainstream Consumers

The price of a barrel of oil has never been... Read More

The Top 10 Mistakes to Avoid When Shopping for a Mattress

Buying a new mattress is a daunting task that few... Read More

3 Kinds Of Wood Used In Real Wood Furniture

Real wood furniture is the most popular furniture in existence.... Read More

Is YOUR Home A Safe Home?

Do you or one of your family members suffer from... Read More

How To Choose The Perfect Granite Work Surface

My Grandmother used to say to me "Nothing cheap is... Read More

Ceiling Fans Look Great and Save You Money

It doesn't matter if you live in a hot climate... Read More

Colour Your World With Art

When you buy art, you may think you not consciously... Read More

Log Home Basics

As we start to research log homes, it quickly becomes... Read More

Top Ten Remodeling Tips

My husband and I just completed our first remodel. It... Read More

Home Improvement Projects That Really Pay Off

Many of us watch TV shows and see the miraculous... Read More

Flooring: Installing Ceramic Tile

Ceramic Tile brings a texture, richness and color to a... Read More

10 Things You Can Do Now To Prepare For Hurricane Season

The 2005 hurricane season is right around the corner and... Read More

About Lighting Your Home

Lighting is such a critical part of any home improvement... Read More

Advice on Waterproofing Your Deck

Even if you undertook the task of building your own... Read More

A Guide to Home Dehumidifiers

It can be difficult to choose from among the countless... Read More

Prepare for Winter Before It Arrives

Even though we are still enjoying warm weather and winter... Read More

Cleaning House and the 80-20 Rule

Cleaning house is one of those things that needs doing... Read More

How To Care For Your Leather Furniture

Leather is the most durable fabric used for furniture today.... Read More

How to Be Your Air Conditioner?s Best Friend

There are a few things you can do to take... Read More

Installing Vinyl Siding - Making It Simple

Installing vinyl siding can be a very rewarding process that... Read More

Finding The Right Window Treatment In Los Angeles And Chicago

Some of the most unique and individual décor consultants can... Read More

How To Choose Decorative, Recessed Locking Mailboxes

Do you need a decorative, quality, recessed locking mailbox for... Read More

The Wireless Home

It was only a few years ago that Real Estate... Read More

Pool Supplies Should Also Contain Safety

A swimming pool with attached spa has just been installed... Read More