Your Home Made Perfect

[TheGirlOnTheLanding]

Anyone else caught this new series? The idea is that two architects present different approaches to the renovation/extension/remodel (so far, so humdrum) but then the ideas are presented to the couple in Virtual Reality so they can walk through the scheme to properly visualise how it works. I'd absolutely love to do this: I have no ability to visualise spaces presented on paper plans, especially sizes of rooms. (Unfortunately we have no budget to do it so I'll have to make do with property programmes for now!) There's only been one episode so far but I was impressed by how different the two architects' ideas and styles were to one another (not just your bifold doors and steel supported open plan kitchen that seems to be the go-to for every George Clark and Kirsty Allsop plan). I also like the presenter, who I'd never seen before.

I saw it. I'd love those specs!

I actually preferred the first design.

Is it a series?

Yes! Looking forward to the next one tomorrow. I preferred the first design too, but I did think the built in bed and different levels was clever. Not keen on the huge windows when you're close to the street though - just didn't buy the story that because you were elevated you wouldn't feel overlooked.

I like the idea of reforming what you already have rather than building new.

Although I think the levels were clever I think they would prove impractical and annoying over time. Hoovering would be a nightmare.

And re the big windows: great when in daylight but a black hole when in darkness.

On the whole, I think men tend not to design for practicality.

Just watched this. I did not like the design they chose. The first design was much better and practical for a family. Also, why didn't they paint the outside of the house and extension? It was so grim.
I would love to do this for our house but I bet I would like elements of both designs. What would they do then?

I preferred the first design as well but it was just not quite big enough for what they wanted to achieve, the separate living room was really tiny I think if the architect had extended out a bit more her design would have won.

I could not get my head around the second design at all, firstly all those angles, I would feel constantly skew-whiff, particularly in the kitchen, and as for the death trap steps everywhere one was particularly lethal, the drop down from the goldfish bowl sitting room into the study, someone could really hurt themselves, I’m amazed it passed building regs. The children in that house will be constantly racing around in a circle, would drive me bonkers. I can’t imagine for a minute that the owners would ever sit in that living room, they literally look like they are on stage for the world to see, let alone with the lights on in the evening with no blinds, and yes why on earth did they not paint the house, it looked awful, particularly compared to next doors freshly painted house. It’s a really good concept for a property programme, a bit different to the rest.

Did anyone see last night's?

I watched it this morning. So glad they went with the female architect's design. The guy's design was pretty similar to the first prog - move staircase to middle and have open plan circuit around it. He also seems to forget about the children.

Yes I saw it, I think they made the right choice though I think the kitchen area looked far better in the architects design than the one they went with, shame they did not go for the woodburner, I would have put one in the sitting area. Can’t say I was a fan of the red brick with dark grey windows, the best part for me was the little snug, it looked lovely and cosy. Did not like the other design at all, yes he does like designs where children can race around in a circle at break neck speed.

Male architect does seem to have a penchant for a certain style.

I liked the end result but agree the woodburner should have been kept in. I also think that those open plan spaces look fantastic but are hard to keep tidy unless you're very disciplined.

And tbf £100k is a LOT of money. I'd be worried about the work not adding sufficient value to the house to justify the outlay.

I think less people are moving on these days and are deciding to stay put so probably think they may as well get their house the way they want it and decide to really go for it, in a way I’m quite glad that they don’t get agents in to value it before and after like other property programmes, it’s showing that houses are homes rather than a business, but yes I agree if you are intending to move on pretty swiftly probably best to scale down the budget and the grand design ideas.

I think the massive open plan spaces that are so popular in these shows are not that practical in real life.

Sure it's nice when the kids are little and you can keep an eye on them whilst you cook dinner but then they get older and want separate spaces when their mates come over, or just to watch different TV shows to mum and dad. Even without kids around trying to watch TV whilst your DH clatters around doing the dishes would piss me off.

I doubt very much if mother is ever going to listen to her vinyls in peace, what with all the performance cooking going on and kids running round! (Mind you, I've never "got" the obsession with watching people cook....)

I think the mother will end up in the snug with the records.

Anyone see tonight's? Robert's design just infuriated me! It was like a student hostel not a family home. I kept thinking how much they'd lose in value if they chose it and then moved in a couple of years.

He doesn't seem to get family life with younger kids and all their stuff. My DD is off school today and watched with me. She said "but how can they play in their rooms?"
He basically gave them a cage above the kitchen!

Yes, @Imfinehowareyou, he doesn't seem to listen to the client much, just shows off showcases his unconventional approach every week. Laura seems to pay much more attention to what the family needs/asks for.

And the space above the kitchen was cage like! The 'sleep pods' were what bugged me though, claustrophobic and nowhere to keep your clothes!

OMG I was gobsmacked with the design he came up with, it was a youth hostel!! Sleep pods? Where were all the clothes, shoes, books? I don’t think his design would have got past Building Control, bedrooms have to have windows I don’t think calling it a sleep pod gets around that! If they had gone for that design they would never be able to sell it and it’s value would have plummeted. The playroom idea was ludicrous, imagine going for a nap and having a herd of elephants jumping on the ceiling!I have to say though I really did not like their interpretation of the other design, it reminded me of my first dolls house as a child, made of plywood and painted pink, and don’t get me started on the open plan toilet.....

I just wondered how difficult and the faff of changing the sheets on the beds in the pods. What if a child vomits or wets the bed ? - the whole mattress has to be pulled out of the pod for an undersheet to be put on. Where do the clothes go ?
There didn't appear to be a door exiting the back of the house just a wall of windows.
Would you have to exit through the front door and go around to the back garden. Nuts.
Definitely form over function.
The exterior of the front was awful.

I thought his design was ridiculous too - the sleep,pods particularly infuriated me.

The winning design was better, but I absolutely hated what the couple did with it. The pink paint in the hall, the superabundance of fecking plywood every-fecking-where, and the open plan en suite bathroom in the master suite - I know that having a bath in the bedroom is very up to date and funky, but a loo? What if someone does a really smelly poo in there? Urgh.

I quite like the Irish bloke for being radical. But four sleeping pods was a step too far.

Gawd those pods! Like generously sized coffins. And the poor child at the end who you just know would have all the other children's pod doors opened just when they needed to run to the loo.

Lovely cats though.

TheSpottedZebra

I'd love to know if that architect has children.
Not a practical Holme for a family at all.
"Mum I feel sick"
Child vomits in the pod.
Get child out, tend to child, get mattress out, change sheets, try and get mattress back into pod. Notice vomit on the wall of the pod. It's 3am. You've to be in work at 9.
Sleep pods ?
I don't think so.
Did anyone else notice no kitchen door to the back garden ?
Unless that polycarbonate was it ?

I actually massively preferred the male architect's designs in the first two programmes, although I think the couple in the first episode executed theirs really poorly - the finish on the joinery was not good, the fitted carpet they added looked terrible, the upvc windows looked clunky and awful. The architect looked absolutely gutted at the tour at the end. But I suspect his design was just not achievable to a decent level on their budget.
But the last one, I was so, so glad they went with Laura's. The other one was amazing and dramatic but so impractical. Where do you keep clothes for a start? And children, especially older children, need their own private space - there was nowhere for anyone to hide for a bit of privacy, which was something the wife had specifically said she wanted. They would swiftly outgrow that house, then be completely unable to sell it.

I’m really enjoying this show. Absolutely no idea what the male architect is on though. If he thinks bedrooms are just for sleeping he’s obviously never heard of teenagers who hibernate in there until the age of 18! Personally if I was doing such a project I’d love to work with the female architect. She has great ideas and style without being to ott and seems to listen and really consider the clients practical needs.

I love this programme. I wish I’d known about it, I would have applied. We need a big overhaul of our house but I’m so bored of architects just suggesting the same old thing which wouldn’t work for everything I need.

I loved the guy’s first house. Going off diagonally to get the best light was a great idea. I also liked the sleep pod idea. Maybe not exactly how he did it, but I do agree that large bedrooms aren’t necessary, they should just be used for sleeping.