If you’ve watched one episode of Grand Designs too many and have been bitten by the self-build bug, be prepared for a bumpy ride.

An airy, elegant home with decorative tiles and nature-inspired murals, where the outdoors blends seamlessly with the indoors, would be an enviable property by today’s standards.

There’s an almost tangible feeling of calm and comfort as you enter Alex Legendre’s house with its muted palette of earthy colours, lath and plaster walls, wide reclaimed floorboards and collection of quirky treasures.

One of the best ways to make your home more suited to your needs, especially if you have a growing family or want to work from home, is to add a bedroom.

If you’re confused by colour charts, wavering over wallpaper, and dithering over decor, there’s a solution which could bring your home into fashionable focus.

Many period properties (as well as some modern ones) were built with wooden windows, but in more recent decades, replacing them with UPVC ones has been popular.

If you’ve outgrown where you live, adding space is often more cost-effective than moving home, especially in more expensive parts of the country.

Patchwork throw