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Decorating
When asked for suggestions on some simple, financially sound changes that residents can make to their homes, Llewelyn Bowen, said that people had become much cleverer about decorating, rather than carrying out massive, costly renovations, due to the economy.
“There was a time when it was about architectural projects; things that were high cost to add value, like loft and basement extensions, incredible knock through kitchens, etc. Instead, these days the vast majority are looking at decorative inspired things that make the most enormous difference.
“When you think about it, changing the colour of a room changing the lay-out of a room, changing the way that a room has been furnished can make a very eye-catching difference to the way you see that room. This is one of the big things that people are wanting more than anything; to be able to take a familiar space and feel that it’s a completely different experience because of the way it’s been decorated.”
Energy saving
Home renovations that save energy and bill costs, and which are promoted through the government’s Green Deal, such as solar panelling, are not a big hit with the designer who feels that some of the measures can have an overwhelming impact on the aesthetics of a home.
“I think you have to be very careful with things like solar panelling. It does make an enormous impact on a roof-line, for instance. From a long-term value point-of-view there’s a risk that you’re going to lose that wow-factor; that moment where people fall in love with the home you’re trying to sell because it’s so pretty and so lovely. There are people out there who will say: ‘That’s very important, I must have solar panels’; but it’s never going to be an attractive augmentation of their property. It just isn’t.
“There are some clever ways of doing it. I know some people who are looking at ways of using it (energy efficiency) in the garden and outside of the property but you have to decide. All decisions should be based on what you want, not what the people who you think are going to buy your house want.”
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